Interview with Nik Turner
by Athos Enrile
Photos by Enrico Rolandi
The recent Porto Antico Prog Fest, made in
Genoa by Black Widow Records, allowed me to get to know Nik Turner, a member of
Hawkwind from 1970 to 1976, a band with whom he recorded six studio albums and
one live. Later he formed the Nick Turner's Sphinx, with whom he played until
the end of the last century.
Nik is no
longer a boy, but talking to him and, above all, watching his performance, he
gave me the idea that his almost 78 years are just pure statistical data, and
that the music - and more generally a passion - can be an infinite source of
energy.
A few months
later I asked him some questions that he kindly replied to.
Here is the interview…
Let’s start
from the performance of a few months ago in Genoa: what memory do you have about
the prog Festival made by Black Widow?
I must say
that I really enjoyed the Prog Festival in Genoa in which I took part, and was very pleased to be here and very
happy to meet the organizers, Massimo and Pino and their friends and Associates
and families. It was a very well organized and enjoyable affair with a very
relaxed and pleasant atmosphere..
The impression I personally had on seeing you on stage is that your
motivation is always high, as well as your physical form: how do you find the
stimulus after a long career like yours?
Well, playing
music is what I am fortunate enough to do as a profession, so I find the people
I meet all very diverse, and in this case, very pleasant, accommodating,
helpful, exciting, and groovy.
Speaking of
Genoa, did you like to play with the Arabs in Aspic?
Yes I played
with The Arabs in Aspic, a very exciting Space Rock Band, from Scandinavia, a
lot of fun, and really groovy guys.
Is your band, Space Rituals, still at
work? Are you registering some new material?
Yes my band
‘Space Ritual’ is still at work, doing great gigs, and working on and writing
new material, and playing more of my recorded repertoire.
Can you tell
me something about the concept album "Anunnaki", with the Chromium
Hawk Machine?
The album ‘Anunnaki’ was a concept, suggested by
Massimo, as a joint project between myself, my old friend, guitarist and vocalist
Helios Creed, (of the band ‘Chrome’( and
keyboardist and producer, Jay Tausig. The inspiration for the music is in the
music and attitude of Sun Ra. The backstory is based upon some of the theories of Zachariah Sitchin, the Ancient Speculative
Historical, Mythological, Metaphysical, Theoratician, and ideas of the
Speculative Scientific Theoratician, Michael Tellinger, who expounds on his
very enthralling, interesting and convincing evidence, in several lectures of
his, on You Tube. The Idea is that several Millenia in the past, an explosion
occurred in the Solar System, the Planet Tiamat exploded, causing the creation
of the planet Nibiru, the planet Pluto, the planet Earth, and the Moon. Then
285,000 years ago, the Giants called the Anunnaki, came to the Earth from the
planet Nibiru, to mine for gold, which they needed for their advanced
Technology. They set up mines, which they proceeded to work for some time,
Largely in Africa, but also other parts of the Earth, wherever the resources
were available. They then became tired of the work, and decided to create a
Slave to work for them. This was to be ‘The Adam’, genetically programmed to do
what was needed of him, intelligent enough to operate the machinery, with The
Eve, able to reproduce themselves, living for a limited period, having no
lasting memory. Ptaw!!!
Where did you
get the suggestions for the lirycs? Do you really think life has been brought
to earth by aliens?
I got ideas
for the lyrics for the songs, which were inspired by lyrics of Michael
Tellinger, and the ideas of Zachariah Sitchin.. I feel that human life could
very well been brought to the Earth by Extra-terrestial Aliens. Why not?
How
was the album born? Was it an engaging job?
It was indeed
a fascinating and engaging task, many faceted and mind-boggling.
The project
Hawkwind has always been an example of a family, of cosmic brotherhood, and all
this has led to the creation of musical masterpieces: how are your
relationships with Dave Brock now, after the old problems of using the band's
name?
Well I have
no problem with Dave Brock, he rather needs to get over himself, and see that
we all need to help each other, in order to propel the Space-Ship to different
and infinitely variable Planes and Dimensions of Reality.
Can you tell
me something about your friend Lemmy, who disappeared a couple of years ago,
and one about Dik Mik, who was also missing recently?
My friend
Lemmy, after a long life of Physical and Meta-Physical Substance
Experimentation, has finally entered an entirely different Dimension of Reality and Surreality, as has
also my very good friend Dik Mik.
What's in the
future of Nik Turner?
My future
lies in playing music in the context of Healing and raising of the
conciousness, creating awareness, and spreading Happiness.
Will we see
you again in Italy?
I sincerely
hope so, with my Band, as Nik Turner in whatever concept excites and inspires
me. I will see you all out there, with Love.
Nik