IN THE shameless litany of rock’n’roll excess, the tale of Hawkwind must be up there near the top of the pile. The psychedelic space rockers formed in hippy central Ladbroke Grove in 1969 and have enjoyed, and sometimes endured, an incredible career of very, very, VERY highs and desperate lows for almost half a century.

Probably best known for their 1972 hit Silver Machine, they’ve influenced generations of musicians, from countless metal outfits, to the Sex Pistols, who covered their big hit at their early gigs.

Original member Dave Brock is still very much the main man and has been through the scores of incarnations of the band: prog, prog-punk, space-prog, hippy-punk, proto-punk, hairy metal, you name it, they’ve more than likely pioneered it.

And a host of notable musicians have been through the band’s ranks, including Lemmy, who left to form Motorhead, (which was the title of the last song he wrote for Hawkwind) drummer Ginger Baker and violinist Simon House, who went on to join David Bowie’s touring band for a number of years.

And also, back in the early days, naked six-foot dancer Stacia who, with a 52-inch bust, provided two of the reasons they filled festival sites across the globe throughout the 70s, including the first Glastonbury in 1970.

Incidentally, the band’s name is believed to have come from original member Nik Turner’s uncanny ability to clear his throat of mucus while simultaneously clearing the room with his excessive flatulence. Hence: Haaaaawwk…Wind.

Ah, if only Britain’s Got Talent was on the telly back in 1969.

Their latest album Into The Woods was released yesterday and they’re touring to UK to promote it. The band’s landing craft comes down in this part of the galaxy next Friday, May 12, at Weymouth Pavilion.

As Dave Brock tells me: “Into the Woods is a continuation from The Machine Stops. (Their album from 2016). It’s a concept of the aftermath.

“The show’s a multi media extravaganza taking the audience into the world of an adult fairytale”

So how does he find the energy and wherewithal to keep playing after such a long, long time?

“It’s tenacity and enjoyment that keep us going...as long as it’s fun!” he adds.

Good on you, Mr Brock, long may it continue.

Tickets for the Pavilion show are £29 from the box office on 01305 783225.

Parking for space craft and lunar shuttles is available at rear with prior arrangement with the management, I understand.

And finally, all stand and offer congratulations to His Royal Highness Sir Tom Newton and his hard-working team at last weekend’s Teddy Rocks festival at Blandford.

They’ve managed to raise so far the truly outstanding sum of £76, 659 which will go to the Teddy20 charity fighting cancer in children.

A hearty high-five and a series of woop woop woops to everyone involved in the organisation, all the artists and all the punters who made it such a fantastic three days. Go you… Till next time…

GIG GUIDE

TONIGHT (5)

Oa-sis, Stereoironics (Weymouth Pavilion)

Noasis, Gravity Drive (Electric Palace, Bridport)

Fluke (Finns, Weymouth)

The Katz (Lugger, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Steve Payne Trio (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Acoustic Session (Victoria Inn, Knights in the Bottom, Chickerell, Weymouth)

Andy Grant Trio (Brewhouse and Kitchen, Dorchester)

Open Mic with Dave Griff (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Gravy Chain (Britannia, Portland)

Matt Black (Park, Weymouth)

Lewis and the Sound of the Suburbs (Old Ship, Dorchester)

Sammie (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Steve Payne Trio (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Sheryl Lee (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

The Sweetchunks Band (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Katy (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

Stacey Lou (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SATURDAY (6)

Gloucestershire Police Choir (All Saints Church, Weymouth) Tickets £9 from 01305 783950. £10 on door from 7.00pm.

Nina Garcia, Rock Choir, Speedway Snails (Weldmar Colour Run, Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth) From 10am.

Splinter (Finns, Weymouth)

Drive By Jamming (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

The Katz (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Bad Intention (Market House, Weymouth)

Streetlife (Gloucester, Weymouth)

The Silhouettes (RBL Club, Marnhull)

Charlie Hodds (Park, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Conservative Club, Weymouth)

Stress with Benny Wain (Crown, Bridport)

Andy Kennett (Centenary Club, Weymouth)

Adam Sweet (Bull’s Head, Fordington, Dorchester)

Old Dogz New Trix (Wyke Regis Working Mens Club, Weymouth)

The Rat Pack (Ship Inn, Weymouth)

Martin Freed (Duke of Cornwall, Weymouth)

Johnny King (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Compass (Golden Lion, Weymouth)

Hot Bacon (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)

Total Madness (Wyke Regis Social Club, Weymouth)

Sixteen String Jack (Ropemakers, Bridport)

Mike Dennis and Edd Bleach (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Sean Clothier (Duke of Albany, Weymouth)

BJ McCabe (Bridge Inn, Preston Weymouth)

Revolution Rock (Victoria, Dorchester)

Karen Kay (Black Dog, Weymouth)

SUNDAY (7)

Galaxy Thief, Hustle, Karl Vogts (Weldmar Bubble Run, Lodmoor Country Park, Weymouth) From 10am.

Roger’s Singalong (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Graham James (Revolution, Trinity Rd, Weymouth)1-3pm.

Lo Numbers (Park, Weymouth) 5pm.

Ricky Solo (Sailor’s Return, Weymouth) From 3pm.

Replay (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth) 2pm.

Jim Reynolds (Royal Portland Arms, Portland)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) From 3pm, followed by..

Sheryl Lee’s Sunday Club (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth) 8.30pm.

Grizzly Rhys Morgan (Ropemakers, Bridport) 4pm.

Du Kane (Black Dog, Weymouth) 3.30pm

The Rat Pack (King’s Arms, Weymouth) From 7.30pm.

Sunday Blues (Belvedere, Weymouth) 7pm.

Bad Intention (Hope and Anchor, Bridport) 8pm.

Dorset Wrecks (Rock, Weymouth) 3pm

MONDAY (8)

Acoustic session (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Tim Andrews (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

TUESDAY (9)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Dougie Cooper’s Jazz Night (Star, Weymouth)

Matt Lock (Boot, Weymouth)

Jazz Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

WEDNESDAY (10)

Wessex Folk Night (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Open Mic Night (Royal Exchange, Portland)

Open Mic (Bull, Fordington, Dorchester)

Jam Night (Belvedere, Weymouth)

THURSDAY (11)

Ricky Solo (Edinburgh House of Sounds, Weymouth)

Open Mic (George, Dorchester)

Traditional Tune Session (Cove House Inn, Portland)

Ukulele Sessions (Sailors Return, Weymouth)

Saint’s Sexi Show (Belvedere, Weymouth)

FRIDAY (12)

Hawkwind (Weymouth Pavilion)

Mad Hatters (Finns, Weymouth)

Sheryl Lee (Park, Weymouth)

Billy Solo (Wellington, Weymouth)

Dave Griff (Gloucester, Weymouth)

Rockin’ Ronnie (Weymouth Working Mens Club)

Darren H (Edinburgh HoS, Weymouth)

Side Door Project (Belvedere, Weymouth)

Bad Intention (Wyke Smugglers, Weymouth)