Chaos
Illumination was formed over drinks one night in summer 2001
at a pub in Buxton between Mr Dibs (of Spacehead),
Marie Jenkinson and Neil Ward. We were idly discussing getting
together a few projectors to use for the bands Spacehead
and Bedouin and came up with the
name 'Chaos
Illumination'. Martin Needham from Dr Hasbeen, and also guitarist
for Spacehead, had four projectors
(two Optikinetics
Solar 250s, an Optikinetics
Solar 100 and a Meteor 100) plus effects which he didn't use
very often, so a mutually beneficial deal was struck, on the
condition that Martin could use them when he
needed them (or should that be needham!).
A large
strobe light, smoke machine, some UV strips and cannon were
soon added to give a reasonable kit for small gigs. A few
parties and Spacehead gigs were
the first use of these, followed by the addition of some more
Opti Solar 250s
with effects and prisms also being added. A Rank Aldis Tutor
2 in a poor state was also swapped for the repair of a video
recorder, and then powder coated for more swaps.
We had attended many Bedouin
gigs previously, and now we started taking the lighting along
when space and time permitted, which added greatly to the
atmosphere.
With
a November 2001 Hawkwind tour
approaching we were asked if we wanted to provide the lightshow,
but declined on the grounds that the equipment we had was
fine for a small venue like a pub, but would be pretty poor
in the larger venues that Hawkwind
were likely to play. However, events overtook us and we did
end up using some of our gear alongside Jim Lascko from Solar
Fire lights, which was quite an experience! It was at
this time that a large Sanyo video projector was found, saved
for and purchased, followed by a hurried compilation of images
using Powerpoint on a borrowed laptop PC. The idea was to
also use video clips from the PC along with images and patterns
to add to the lightshow. Although, seeing as the only manuals
provided with the video projector were in every language but
English, this proved to be a bit of a struggle at first.
Another
helper was recruited at his time in the shape of Keith Barton,
who provided welcome support, particularly at a gig in Brighton
where we ended up carrying the video projector around the
streets at 2am! Keith has since got hold of his own Opti
Solar 250s, which are sometimes added to the show, particularly
as he is now also a member of Spacehead.
More
gigs, festivals and purchase of yet more equipment during
2002 saw us ready to commit to the Winter 2002 Hawkwind
tour with more confidence.
As we have had a number of months to add to our selection
of slides, animated patterns and video footage the lightshow
has dramatically improved from those first outings over a
year ago.
More helping hands from Canadian visitor Eric Siegerman and
Keith Barton were very welcome, and added to the community
spirit of the lightshow.
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