Released Spring 2006, watch this short trailer for the low down on an exciting new one hour film, which will be released Spring 2026.
The film features a soundtrack between two electronic music composers, Pat ‘Running In’ from Kerry in Ireland and myself Steve Spon from Ceredigion in Wales.
Abode of the Old Ones is a meditative aerial journey across the Celtic hillforts of West Wales. Filmed from above and accompanied by a bespoke electronic score created by an Irish and a Welsh ambient musician, the film visits one ancient hillfort every minute for over an hour — revealing the scale, mystery, and enduring presence of these prehistoric landscapes.
I had a long chat with a good friend of mine about the punk days of old. So pour yourself a drink of your finest, pull up a chair and have a listen!
Oh and by the way Greg ‘Spyke’ Howes has more fascinating podcast’s to listen to and more added on a regular basis. So why not head over there aferwards he he! https://ghowes2.podbean.com/
Post-punk pioneers UK Decay are booking gigs for 2025 and are planning a vinyl re-release of their seminal album For Madmen Only, plus a release of their early John Peel Sessions and singles.
The band are booked to appear at next year’s Forever Now Festival on Sunday 22nd of June 2025 at the Milton Keynes Bowl. UK Decay will be appearing alongside Kraftwerk, Public Image Limited, The – The, Psychedelic Furs, Jesus and the Mary Chain, Johnny Marr and old friends such as Death Cult, Theatre of Hate and Peter Murphy. With further dates in the UK and Europe to be announced.
Formed in Luton in 1979, UK Decay built a large and dedicated international fan base on the back of politically charged, thunderous releases, and high intensity gigs. Described as ‘The Cult before The Cult’ by one journalist, their dark, angular music saw them inadvertently name and lead what was to be later called the ‘Goth’ scene. The ‘Goth’ tag was named after a passing tongue in cheek comment by singer Abbo in a Sounds interview with journalist Steve Keaton.
Released in 1981, For Madmen Only is the band’s debut album. While a CD version was released some 15 years ago, this new vinyl version will be released through Rough Trade Shops on heavy 180-gram vinyl and will be re-mastered from the original tapes. The band are also planning to license the rights for their two John Peel Sessions – and include those together with their early singles on a further vinyl release
Commenting on the upcoming gigs and releases, singer Abbo said, “I had no interest in being part of a band again, but when we reviewed the offer from Forever Now Festival it sparked a flame, and a voice said, “get out there again and try and be a voice for good in these unjust times”.
Guitarist Spon added: “It’s great to be rising from the dread in 2025 and mark mid-summer at Forever Now. This will not be the only Home Counties show we’re planning but this gig will be like no other. Stick it in your diaries!”
Drummer Ray said: “Playing Milton Keynes Bowl is mental. That’s the place Bowie owned back in 1983, right? That gold suit and everyone having to get hosed down by security because of the heat. We’re all looking forward to reanimating the mighty Decay – it’s what the world needs right now.”
Wauluds Bank A Dazzling Relic of Luton’s Prehistoric Past
Wauluds Bank: Early Enclosure and ritual Henge Monument
Wauluds Bank is an ancient enclosure that possibly has Mesolithic origins and later became a ritual Henge Monument before becoming a settlement during the Iron Age and during the Romano British period. With some use during the Medieval Period. It is a “D” shaped enclosure with the River Lea making the straight side of the “D” shape. In the past Leagrave Marsh the area to the west of the river would have been largely impenetratable and the fact our ancestors built the enclosure around the source of the Lea probably means that it was a significantly important feature. The name “Lea” may be derived from the name of the Celtic god of light, Lugus.
Surrounding Landscape
There are further features within the Landscape in the Sundon Park playing field to the north as well as a ploughed out Neolithic Long Barrow. The linear features that are seen in the lidar images could be a continuation of the heritage recorded linear features, or they could be something like a Cursus feature.
Two linear features shown on Lidar on the recreational ground to the north
History
Wauluds Bank is the very beginnings of the town of Luton with the earliest activity perhaps pushing back to 8 to 10 thousand years before present to a time when Britain was still joined to the continent of Europe via Doggerland. The nearby Icknield Way is possibly one of the oldest routeways there is crossing Britain from deep within East Anglia to the heart of Wessex an ancient trading route where our ancestors lived on the higher grounds of the Chiltern and Chalk escarpments. Just two miles to the North West at Linmere 8000 year old Mesolithic Pits have been recently discovered which are nationally significant. There is so much more within the surrounding landscape nearby to Wauluds Bank. There certainly is plenty of Roman evidence with a Pottery Kiln nearby to the Nissen Hut and possibly a large Roman House or Villa situated in front and to the south of the monument.
An old ordnance survey map of Leagrave Wauluds Bank and its proximity to the Linmere Pits and to the Icnield Way
Other Information
The Marsh Farm House (ex Marsh Farm) is now a Youth Hub containing offices for community groups, Marsh House Recording Studio and Fidel Gastro Social Club. For the last 40 odd years it has been used for youth oriented activities. The Nissen Hut from WW2 was used as rehearsal rooms for bands and as a venue for live punk rock gigs, famously in 1979 Crass, Poison Girls and Luton’s UK Decay performed there to a packed crowd. But was has happened to it today? It seems to be fenced off. Note: the council fenced it off to prevent the danger of vandalism. There is ongoing efforts to get this space back up and running as an education facility. Apparently it was set for funding, the covid lockdowns kicked in and funding was then withdrawn. But work to get this back ontrack is ongoing (thanks Jane G) Music by Nostramus “Rise Up Wauluds” a remix of sorts with samples taken from Nostramus’s 1990s album Earthlights. Samples are from local musicians Curtis, MC 13, and Federal (Prince Malachite) all local to the area.
Conclusion
Wauluds Bank is a fascinating and important archaeological site with a rich history dating back thousands of years. It is clear that the area was inhabited and used by people for a variety of purposes throughout the prehistoric, Roman, and medieval periods. There is still much to learn about Wauluds Bank and its surrounding landscape. Further research and excavation would undoubtedly reveal more about the people who lived and worked in the area, and the role that Wauluds Bank played in their lives.
Finally, Why Dazzling?
Lugh, the Celtic god of light, is often referred to as the “Shining One” because he is associated with the sun and its light. The name “Lea” is thought to be derived from his name, which means that the River Lea is also associated with light. Another possible explanation for the name “Dazzling” is that the monument itself is very impressive and beautiful. It is a large, earthwork enclosure that is surrounded by a ditch and bank. The monument is also located on a hill, which gives it a commanding view of the surrounding landscape. Overall, the name “Dazzling” is a fitting description for Wauluds Bank. It is a monument that is associated with light, both in terms of its location and its potential purpose. It is also a monument that is very impressive and beautiful in its own right.
‘Lugh’ – The Shining One- The Celtic God of Light
Credits
Scenery shot by drone in 4k Ultra HD with ambiosonic immersive sound. Best experienced on a large screen with Dolby Atmos. If you enjoy my content please consider helpin me by Subscribing to my Youtube Channel You can also help me out by buying my sound creations here… https://nostramus.bandcamp.com/ If you would like to help me out with a donation please head over and make your PayPal payment to https://paypal.me/dronescapingbritain
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Serendipity: “If by chance a lucky find” and I sure did!
Amazing Cloud Inversion at Dunstable Downs in Bedfordshire.
After a rainy day, we drove from St Albans to Dunstable Downs, one of our favorite spots. The endless rain finally gave way to a spectacular cloud inversion just as the sun was setting, and we found ourselves driving up the hill into the clouds, or rather, fog!
I quickly checked Drone Assist to make sure there were no other drones or kites in the vicinity of the car park, and then set off my drone, which I call “Buzzy.” She took off into the fog at dusk, and I could see her location thanks to her strobe light.
Since the sun had already set and the fading light of dusk was upon us, I had to turn up the ISO settings to film any footage at all. But as soon as I made this change, the wonderful world view of the Downs above the cloud inversion hugging the topography revealed itself. The end result was jaw-dropping, but the image would be very grainy and noisy. I figured this was a good trade-off, but I would have to look into noise reduction utilities in post.
I had realized from the moment we drove up the hill that I was in a fading light race against time. Luckily, my mobile signal was good up there, so I was able to quickly do my checks and set up.
I had visited the Downs hundreds of times when I lived in Luton, and even worked there for a period. I had seen blizzards up there, leant into the wind, flown a kite, followed ancient maps, and studied the archaeology of the area. I had even cycled down that slope many moons ago, and was rewarded with a spectacular tumble that resulted in a grazed knee and elbow! I was lucky it wasn’t worse!
There is said to be a Roman temple up there that was dedicated to Jupiter. The Icknield Way, which was a broad network of lanes with lower winter routes and higher summer routes, was perhaps used for pasturing sheep on the higher grounds during the summer months. There are also some deep hollow ways traversing the Downs to the foot of nearby Bison Hill, which are ancient to say the least!
On the far side of Pascombe Pit, (shown under the “D” of “Dunstable” on the video thumbnail) is the Five Knolls Barrow complex, as noted by 18th century antiquarian William Stewkley and investigated by Worthington Smith, who lived in Dunstable for a while and famously excavated by Mortimer Wheeler. There were some impressive finds (Google it, or ask an AI!).
The famous California Ballroom used to be situated on the road leading up the hill. I have seen so many bands there, and it was legendary for coach outings from far afield. Sadly, it’s gone now. We used to catch the bus from Stopsley directly to “California” (as the area of the ballroom became known). We would start by drinking a pint or two from the 60s art extravaganza “The Windsock” – a pub – an innovative “wonk” structure set on tripodic leg mounts with a seemingly curvy boat-like design. It was only standing for a decade or so before it was certified as “unsafe” and eventually demolished!
This area and landscape feature was a definitive corner of England, with Dunstable being an important geographically central crossroads of middle England. The ancient Icknield Way crosses the Roman Watling Street here, which was one of the four major Roman British roads. So all in all, after three years, we return to eastern England to the point where east turns into the midlands and home counties, and the visage towards the west. To me, Dunstable and the Downs meant there was hope from the drudgery of living in a claustrophobic busy urban conurbation.
In all the times I ever visited the Downs, I had never witnessed such an event as I did on this occasion. We had not planned to visit the Downs that day; it was a “spontaneous” moment! I hope you enjoy the video!
Scenery shot by drone in 4k Ultra HD with ambiosonic immersive sound. Best experienced on a large screen with Dolby Atmos. Music “Arise Pascombe” by Nostramus Please ‘Like’ Subscribe’, ‘Comment Below’ or click the ‘Bell notification icon’ to be informed when we post the next video. You can help me out by buying my sound creations here… https://nostramus.bandcamp.com/ If you would like to help me out with a donation please head over and make your PayPal payment to paypal.me/dronescapingbritain
Blame speaking on Radio 1 about the making of Music Takes You
Nice to see or rather hear Contrad Blame on Radio 1 from a couple nights ago talk about the making of his early Jungle/Hardcore anthem classic, “Music Takes You” This was first recorded way back in 1992 at Luton’s very own “33 Studio” at the Art’s Centre in Guildford street and it was originally engineered by yours truly. The original white label I engineered for Blame, “Music takes You” went on to be taken onboard Rob Playford’s Moving Shadow rostrum and became a huge hit reaching number 1 in the Dance Music charts and making the lower end of the national charts.
” A bright eyed youth walked into 33 Studios one day in 1991 and claimed he would receive a grand for making a record. After we ripped a couple of records for samples, we laid out the track added some MIDI synth lines then I suggested we try my Juno 106 for bass sounds. After a twiddling we set upon a big fat sound. He left the studio with a smile and I thought that would be it! Six months later he returned with a 12" and a bigger smile. The record had gone big time in the underground rave scene. Although you won't find me credited on the sleeve, as Rob Playford had seen the potential and took Konrad (Blame) under his wings and produced 3 other mixes and re-released with proper clearances. I recorded and helped Konrad produce the 'Original Mix' and yes, the phat bassline was from my Juno! “
Above taken from my Discography If the Video does not show then please click here
Cherry Red Music has just released a 4 x CD + book set entitled Optimism / Reject – Punk and Post-Punk Meets D-I-Y Aesthetic: 4CD Deluxe Bookpack Edition. ( CRCDBOX74 )
One of my early tracks is included within this collection. This collection includes “Exhibition” by Pnemania which was originally on “Plastic Records” (Plas 001) – the split and flip side with UK Decay’s “UK Decay”. This was my first ever published recording, a song I co wrote with Pneu Mania’s Gaynor, (aka Snow White). I joint owned Plastic Records along with Captain B, Steve Harle and Steve ‘Abbo’ Abbott
Optimism/Reject a 4 x CD Bookset collection available from Cherry Red Records CRCDBOX74
“In the wake of punk, musicians in the UK found themselves suddenly liberated artistically and free to think in new terms commercially. The outcome was the independent label boom, and beyond that a certain Do It Yourself aesthetic. Overnight, the possibility arose of recording your own music and releasing your own record, or, if you weren’t musical yourself, setting up your own label to release records by people who were. “
I have just returned from Wave Gottic Treffen 2019. My band UK Decay were celebrating their 40th anniversary
UK-Decay played at the Taubchenthal concert venue in hot style as they return to Leipzig in Germany’s wonderful Wave Gotic Treffen Festival 28
This was UK Decay’s first gig with the full line up in five years and the old magic was still there in the bands spirited performance. Of course it wasn’t without minor hickups, but the sound was absolutely awesome! Those German sound people really know their stuff!
This was our third outing to the Wave Gottic Treffen Festival in a decade and in my opinion and as far as I am concerned our best yet performance. There is always room for improvement but considering we don’t have the luxury of rehearsing more than once or twice before a gig, we played really well. the audience was great too, providing a magical and magnificent atmosphere, which really lifts the soul!
