Motorway City
Encyclopedia
"Motorway City" is a 1983 single by the UK rock group Hawkwind
.
This version was recorded live on the Levitation tour and released as a single on Flicknife Records
(FLS025) in the UK on 28 October, 1983, taken from the album Zones
. The b-side "Master of the Universe" was from the same concert, but did not appear on the album, appearing sometime later on the Hawkwind Anthology
compilation album.
The song was first recorded in demo form by the Hawklords
at Rockfield Studios
in 1979, eventually appearing on the Various Artists 2000 album Family Tree (Voiceprint Records
, HAWKVP13CD). It made its way into the live set for the UK Winter 1979 tour, and its first recorded appearance was on the 1980 Live Seventy Nine album. A studio version was soon recorded and released on the 1980 album Levitation
, and a special version was also recorded for single release, but Bronze Records
declined to issue it releasing "Who's Gonna Win The War?
" instead.
It remained a popular addition to the live set until Huw Lloyd-Langton
left the band in 1988, but it re-emerged at the turn of the millennium, appearing on the live albums Yule Ritual
(2001) and Canterbury Fayre 2001
(2002).
Hawkwind
Hawkwind are an English rock band, one of the earliest space rock groups. Their lyrics favour urban and science fiction themes. They are also a noted precursor to punk rock and now are considered a link between the hippie and punk cultures....
.
This version was recorded live on the Levitation tour and released as a single on Flicknife Records
Flicknife Records
Flicknife Records was an independent record label setup in the United Kingdom in 1979 by Marc "Frenchy" Gloder, and Gina 'Wild Thing' Nares. It specialised in psychedelic rock and Hawkwind and ex-members solo projects...
(FLS025) in the UK on 28 October, 1983, taken from the album Zones
Zones (album)
Zones is an album by Hawkwind released in 1983 consisting of studio demos from 1981 and live performances between 1980 and 1982.The tracks on side 1 have been included on the 2009 3CD re-issue of Levitation in expanded form.-Side 1:...
. The b-side "Master of the Universe" was from the same concert, but did not appear on the album, appearing sometime later on the Hawkwind Anthology
Hawkwind Anthology
The Hawkwind Anthology series of records were originally issued mid-1980s containing live and outtake material from Hawkwind's career to that date....
compilation album.
The song was first recorded in demo form by the Hawklords
Hawklords
Hawklords were an English music group active between 1978 and 1979. They were borne from the disbanded Hawkwind and a local Devon group named Ark with the addition of former Pilot keyboardist Steve Swindells.The use of the name Hawklords instead of Hawkwind may...
at Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios
Rockfield Studios, near Monmouth in Wales and just outside the village of Rockfield, Monmouthshire are where many of British rock music’s most successful recordings have been made.-History:...
in 1979, eventually appearing on the Various Artists 2000 album Family Tree (Voiceprint Records
Voiceprint Records
Voiceprint Records is a company and record label based in England, founded in 1990 by Rob Ayling. They specialise in re-releasing old material, especially progressive rock, but also have new releases, all under the Voiceprint and other imprints....
, HAWKVP13CD). It made its way into the live set for the UK Winter 1979 tour, and its first recorded appearance was on the 1980 Live Seventy Nine album. A studio version was soon recorded and released on the 1980 album Levitation
Levitation (album)
Levitation is the tenth studio album by English rock group Hawkwind, released in 1980. It peaked at #21 on the UK Albums Chart.At the time of its release, band leader Dave Brock stated: "with Levitation we’ve come full circle back to the style of our debut album...
, and a special version was also recorded for single release, but Bronze Records
Bronze Records
Bronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes and Colosseum...
declined to issue it releasing "Who's Gonna Win The War?
Who's Gonna Win The War?
"Who's Gonna Win The War?" is a 1980 song by the UK rock group Hawkwind. It was released as a single in the UK on 7 November 1980, being an edit of the version on the album Levitation....
" instead.
It remained a popular addition to the live set until Huw Lloyd-Langton
Huw Lloyd-Langton
Huw Lloyd-Langton is an English guitarist, best known as the guitarist for Hawkwind. He also had his own band, the Lloyd Langton Group with bass player Kenny Wilson and drummer John Clark , and is the session lead guitarist for UK band The Meads of Asphodel.As a member of Hawkwind he appeared on...
left the band in 1988, but it re-emerged at the turn of the millennium, appearing on the live albums Yule Ritual
Yule Ritual
Yule Ritual is a 2001 live album by Hawkwind.-Track listing:#"Electronic Intro" – 4:27#"Levitation" – 8:47#"Spacebrock" – 6:08#"Space Is Deep" – 5:45...
(2001) and Canterbury Fayre 2001
Canterbury Fayre 2001
Canterbury Fayre 2001 is a 2001 live album by Hawkwind.-Track listing:#"5th Second of Forever" – 3:52#"Levitation" – 9:18#"Spiral Galaxy" – 3:16...
(2002).