Niall Hone (born 24 June 1970) is an English musician, best known as a member of the UK space rock band Hawkwind from 2008 to 2017, and May 2018–2021.[1][2] Hone has also been heavily involved in electronic dance music since the early 1990s.

Niall Hone
Niall Hone playing with Hawkwind at Hawkeaster 2014
Niall Hone playing with Hawkwind at Hawkeaster 2014
Background information
Born (1970-06-24) 24 June 1970 (age 53)
Genres
Occupation(s)Musician
Instrument(s)
Years active1986–present

Music career edit

Early in his career, Hone played bass guitar in several notable groups, including Mandragora, Captain Sensible's band. He also played lead guitar in Tribe of Cro.

In 2008 Hone joined Hawkwind following the death of keyboardist Jason Stuart, first performing with the band on their December 2008 UK tour. On this tour, he primarily played guitar, whilst additionally playing synthesizers and bass. Since May 2011, he has been the band's primary bassist and live electronic manipulator (using Ableton Live) with former bassist Mr Dibs now assuming the role of lead vocalist, occasionally playing cello and second bass.[3] Hone plays Music Man StingRay and Fender Precision bass guitars.

Hawkwind released four studio albums with Hone, Blood of the Earth (2010), Onward (2012), The Machine Stops (2016)and ‘’ All aboard the Skylark’’ and one compilation album including new material, Spacehawks (2013).

A slimmed down offshoot of the group featuring Hone on bass, Dave Brock on guitar and Richard Chadwick on drums, released a separate album, Stellar Variations (2012) under the moniker Hawkwind Light Orchestra.[4]

Home appeared on the Space Ritual Live album in 2014.

Hone left Hawkwind in January 2017 but returned in May 2018 as bassist following the departure of Haz Wheaton to join Electric Wizard. While he does not appear on that year's Road to Utopia, he has been involved in touring the album with orchestral support and direction from Mike Batt.

Niall played bass on the 2019 album All Aboard the Skylark and Hawkwind undertook their 50th Anniversary tour ending with date at The Royal Albert Hall in November.

Hone is the founder of the space rock / psych rock band, 'Lords of Form'. Members are Hone, Ross Fuller & Jamie Gillett.

Discography edit

Selected recordings include:

Mandragora edit

  • Over the Moon (1988)
  • Head First (1991)
  • Earth Dance (1992)

Cherokee Mist edit

  • Gathering of the Tribes (1994)
  • Anthem of the Moon (1997)

Captain Sensible edit

  • "MeatHead"

Tribe Of Cro edit

  • "Sporadic Spiro-Gyra" (EBS 1996, EBSCD 125)
  • Hydroculture (1998)
  • "Mavacanto Flavourslime"

Hawkwind edit

Hawkwind Light Orchestra edit

  • Stellar Variations (2012)

Crippled Black Phoenix edit

  • "New Dark Age (2015)"
  • "Destroy Freak Valley (2016)"
  • "An Original Album Collection (2019)"

Lords Of Form edit

  • ”Staring Downwards EP1 (2020)”
  • ”Its Revolution Time EP2 (2021)”
  • "Flying Chromium Society - Full Length Album - CD and Digital Download. (2022)"
  • "23 Strangers - Full Length Album - CD and Digital Download. (2023)"

References edit

  1. ^ "Hawkwind band members". starfarer.net. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  2. ^ Ewingpublished, Jerry (18 January 2022). "Former Hawkwinder Niall Hone launches new outfit Lords Of Form". louder. Retrieved 17 March 2023.
  3. ^ Robson, Calum. "Interview with Mr Dibbs and Niall Hone". soundshock.com. Archived from the original on 1 April 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.
  4. ^ "2010s". Biography of Hawkwind. Planet Rock. Archived from the original on 30 June 2013. Retrieved 2 May 2013.