Magic Muscle

Magic Muscle originated in England’s west country during 1969, fusing classical subtleties with the sonic volume of Blue Cheer to produce an unexpected stylistic contradiction that their distinctive skills further accentuated. Numerous musicians circulated through the ranks across the years, rendering the group more akin to an extended collective than a fixed unit, yet the constant nucleus remained guitarist and vocalist Rod Goodway (formerly of Artwoods, White Rabbit, J.P. Sunshine and Rustic Hinge), bassist Adrian Shaw (who would later join Hawkwind) and drummer Kenny Wheeler. In tandem with Drachen Theaker (Crazy World Of Arthur Brown) and musicians from High Tide they commenced live appearances and studio work, attracting the interest of disc jockey John Peel, who came close to placing them on his Dandelion imprint. By 1972 the ensemble had cultivated a devoted underground audience and acquired the epithet ‘Bastard Sons Of Hawkwind’ after supporting the latter on the Space Ritual tour, excerpts of which later surfaced on Laughs & Thrills. A collaboration with Keith Christmas also ensued, drawing the attention of Island Records, although proprietor Chris Blackwell ultimately elected to champion Jamaican music at that juncture and signed Bob Marley instead. In 1973 the band shared bills with the Pink Fairies and temporarily incorporated John Perry (Only Ones) alongside violinist Simon House (High Tide/Third Ear Band/Hawkwind/David Bowie). At year’s end Goodway fell ill and was hospitalised, prompting the group’s dissolution. The name resurfaced only in 1987 amid renewed curiosity surrounding the Hawkwind-related activities of several former members. Capitalising on the modest impact of Laughs & Thrills, Goodway assembled a 1988 release drawn from 1970–1973 tapes. The following year he revived the band, enlisting Gower, Shaw and House together with drummer Twink (Pink Fairies/Pretty Things/Tomorrow); their inaugural performance took place in Bath on 1 August and was captured for the album One Hundred Miles Below. Although Dave Brock of Hawkwind contributed keyboards at the concert, his playing was omitted from the final version. Buoyed by fresh recognition, Goodway issued a further anthology, Living Weeds From Ancient Seeds, certain selections of which included participants from Elias Hulk and Dr. John’s band. In 1991 he assembled another configuration featuring drummer Steve Broughton (Edgar Broughton Band) and guitarist Nick Saloman (aka Bevis Frond). By 1994 Goodway had resumed separate endeavours, while the remaining musicians effectively constituted the updated incarnation of the Bevis Frond.