There are two different but related iterations of the band known as the Hawklords.

The first was essentially an incarnation of the influential rock group Hawkwind, recording one album under the name in 1978 entitled 25 Years On. Following a number of difficulties during 1977, including the abandonment of a tour due to the ongoing mental health problems of vocalist Robert Calvert, exhausted Hawkwind co-founder Dave Brock decided to disband the group. However, after he and Calvert performed a one off gig in December 1977 with Devon band Ark using the name the Sonic Assassins, he put together a new line-up, consisting of himself, Calvert, Harvey Bainbridge, Martin Griffin and Steve Swindells. In light of Hawkwind’s chaotic and ever-changing personnel situation, the Hawklords were nothing other than the latest incarnation of Hawkwind, using a different name, probably for legal reasons following a split with management. A live recording of the Hawklords line-up was later released. Brock’s outfit quickly reverted to using the name Hawkwind and following the inevitable shuffling in and out of band members, recorded the album Levitation in 1980 under their more familiar appellation.

In 2009, Bainbridge, Griffin and Swindells reformed under the name Hawklords without Dave Brock, but with other former members of Hawkwind, including Nik Turner, Alan Davey, Adrian Shaw, Jerry Richards, Ron Tree and Terry Ollis.

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