Nukli

Nukli are a psychedelic, progressive and space rock group from London, England, with roots in the city’s Hackney scene. They emerge from the free festival era and build on a long-running live reputation in the British underground, where extended improvisation and open-ended, “spaced out” performance style are central to their sound.

Origins and development

The band begins in 1980 as the space punk group PSi. They play on many stages at the Stonehenge Free Festival and later evolve through the name PSi NUKLI before becoming Nukli in 1990. Their path leads to The Time Factory, a landmark release on Delerium Records in 1997.

Live work and scene associations

On stage, Nukli establish themselves as regulars on the psychedelic circuit. They appear many times at Club Dog in London and at Sonic Relief gigs, and they also play squat parties and benefit events. Their live history is closely tied to the free festival culture that shaped their early years.

Hex Projekta and related work

During most of the 1990s, the band takes a sabbatical and works on the ambient dub project Hex Projekta. That project produces two albums and performs live at clubs including Luv’d Up and Deliverance, as well as on bills with Alex Paterson and Zion Train.

Musical style

Nukli’s music combines psychedelic, progressive and space rock with long-form improvisation, soaring guitar and dense grooves. Their sound draws on the atmosphere of free festivals and the wider cosmic jam tradition associated with the Stonehenge and Tibetan’s scenes.