Oracle were formed by Mike (Pony) Hewtson and Alex Petrosing from Milan, Italy in October 1998.

Mike was originally the keyboard player for Galahad back in the late 1980's, and following this several other very abstract progressive rock bands.

Alex had moved from Milan to England in 1996 after growing up busking in the streets of Milan, playing blues.

 

Recording sessions began in October of 1998, Mike and Alex having a big respect for Hawkwind, as the first Oracle recordings testify.

Mike's influences are obviously: Genesis, Yes, E.L.P, Ozric Tentacles, Hawkwind and with some thrash metal injected into 'the mix' in the form of Obituary!

Alex was influenced by: heavy rock, blues and Hawkwind.

 

The first album-Segreto del Cosmos was released during 1999. A close friend of Alex, John Tarella, also Italian joined Oracle on guitar/vocals.

A second album 'Horizons' was recorded during Autumn/Winter 1999.

 

Horizons was finally released in late 2000-2001 and Vicky (Tori) C  on flute joined the band, with Mike (Smoke) Eyears on rhythm guitar.

Recording sessions for the album 'Tides of Eternity' ran from April 2000 to summer 2001, the album finally being released in summer 2002.

 

On the 8th September 2001 Oracle first performed 'live' at a 'garden gig' in Somerford, Christchurch.

A selection of Oracle/Hawkwind songs were played in the one and a half hr set.

 

Into 2002 Pony decided to cover a lot more Hawkwind material and the band played another four local gigs in Bournmouth.

Many 'live' Oracle sessions were recorded in their studio (Toadstool).

 

In April 2002 a new guitarist Martin (Golly) Clayton (formerly of 'The Moonies') joined.

Alex had left to follow his dream of playing blues rock.

 

2003-Oracle recorded a Hawkwind cover album named 'SpaceHawks'.

Then more live appearances in Poole and Bournmouth and another Oracle studio album-'Globemaster', including a 26 minute epic-'Wings of the Dawn'.

 

2004-In this year Pony decided to spend a lot more time on composition, so no live Oracle gigs this year.

The album 'As Above So Below' was recorded and the music had really progressed with the new Oracle songs.

Included was a new version of 'Into the Deep' which was the first track off the 'Segreto' album penned by Hewetson/Petrosino.

 

2005-Another 'strong' and 'heavier' than before album 'Time of the Seeker' was released, including the Hawkwind classic 'The Psychedelic Warlords'.

One live performance was captured at 'The Gander on the Green' in Bournmouth on November 5th.

 

(Note from the webmaster:-the gig was as explosive as 'fawks' night and hopefully I'll be able to include a video clip here.)

 

2006-In January Oracle played another local venue-the green room, ('The Portman') playing a selection of songs from most of the albums. A live double album has been recorded in 2005/6 and will be released later in the year.

 

Mike (Pony) 17/07/06