Marillion are one of the UK music scene’s best kept secrets; purveyors of soulful, powerful, and often deeply-moving music, whose blistering live shows leave their audiences breathless.

When Fish, Marillion’s original lead singer, left the band in 1988 after four albums he was replaced by the charismatic Steve Hogarth. A former member of The Europeans and some-time collaborator with The The and Julian Cope, Hogarth brought a new heart and energy to the band.Predictions of doom were swiftly dispelled, as across a further NINE albums, Hogarth – along with existing members Steve Rothery (guitar), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass), and Ian Mosley (drums) – reinvigorated and constantly redefined Marillion’s sound. They forged into new musical territories with a succession of inventive, emotional albums, displaying little regard to the vagaries of The Musical Fashion Police, or the bandwagoneering of radio playlists.

After the release of 1999’s ‘marillion.com’ the band banished the spectre of record company pressure once and for all by launching their own record label (the aptly-named Intact imprint) and freeing themselves up to produce some of the finest music of their career. Thanks to their pioneering embrace of the Internet, Marillion have developed a unique and intimate relationship with their fans. From sponsoring entire tours of the USA to funding the recording of recent albums, Marillion’s global fan-base is unique in its affection and dedication. As a result, such passionate, wholesale support has allowed Marillion to step outside of the conventional music industry and find their own path. In 2001 ‘Anoraknophobia’ saw Marillion take the groundbreaking step of asking fans to pre-order an album 12 months before release. An amazing 12,000 people signed up, helping to finance the recording. The band once again took pre-orders for the 2004 masterpiece ‘Marbles,’ but this time the money was channelled into a campaign fund to promote its launch.

When singles ‘Don’t Hurt Yourself’ and ‘You’re Gone‘ breached the UK top 20 – the latter making it all the way to number 7 – jaws dropped right across the music world. Not bad going for a band without major label backing. But it was merely the latest twist in a 23-year-long history of a group who have held on to the conviction that what they’re doing MEANS something real. In the face of ignorance and apathy, Marillion continue to defy preconceptions and labelling. The band has evolved into a vibrant musical force – to those who already love Marillion, they’re something special; to everyone else they’re a love affair waiting to happen.The new album ‘Somewhere Else’ could well be the one that brings the band the widespread global recognition they have long deserved. Those who've heard it think it’s the best Marillion album yet AND it’s their 14th –  that’s three more albums than U2, two more than The Beatles, and the same number as The Ramones, a feat rare in the annals of rock.

Rarer still that a band should still be bettering itself after nearly a quarter of a century. 

 
Marillion first appeared in a recognisable form in early 1982, when the line-up of Fish (vocals), Steve Rothery (guitar), Mark Kelly (keyboards), Pete Trewavas (bass) and Mick Pointer (drummer) began exhaustively touring around the Aylesbury and London area. The combination of imaginative, enthralling music and image filled lyrics soon found favour amongst their expanding fan base and journalists who had tired of some of the more formulaic music that dogged the live scene of the time. Several sold out nights at the legendary Marquee club forced the record labels to recognise the impact of their music and a deal with EMI was quickly signed. The release of such classic albums as ‘Script For A Jester’s Tear’ (1983) and Fugazi (1984) bolstered their reputation, and their line up was further strengthened when drummer Ian Mosley replaced Pointer in 1984. ‘Misplaced Childhood’ followed in 1985 (which included the hit singles ‘Kayleigh’ and ‘Lavender’) and promptly hit the coveted number one slot. But, following the tour to support 1987's ‘Clutching At Straws’, Fish suddenly and unexpectedly quit the band to pursue a solo career. He was replaced by the equally imposing figure of Steve Hogarth whose input helped to freshen and augment their sound.

The resulting albums of ‘Season’s End’ (1989), ‘Holidays In Eden’ (1991), ‘Brave’ (1994) ‘Afraid Of Sunlight’ (1995), ‘This Strange Engine’ (1997) and ‘Radiation’ (1998) proved Marillion’s continued determination to release inventive and emotional music, irrespective of whether their music was picked up by radio stations or made an impact on the charts. By 1997, Marillion had realised that the Internet provided an ideal opportunity to nurture a closer contact with the fans, and a fan instigated whip round on their e-mailing list produced enough funds to allow the band to tour the USA. The release of the album ‘Marillion.com’ in 1999 flagged their newly launched web-site and record label but it was the revolutionary concept of asking their fans to pre-order and pay for the recording costs an album some 12 months in advance of its release that hit the headlines in 2001. Astonishingly, over 12,000 of their fans pre-ordered and an additional deal was struck with EMI to market the resulting ‘Anoraknophobia’ album. A similar campaign was also launched to fund the band’s latest release, ‘Marbles’ but this time all the money raised went into a campaign fund to promote the album. In terms of fan loyalty, it can be said that Marillion have an international underground following to rival the mainstream Their current album ‘Marbles’ (released May 2004) is a CD packed full of atmospheric and stirring songs. Intense, deep-seated and musically rewarding - you'll either "get it" or you won't!
1990 to present Vocals and Lyrics; Additional Keyboards, Guitars, Percussion Electric and Acoustic Guitars Keyboards; Samples and Effects; Backing Vocals; Programming Bass Guitars; Backing Vocals; Additional Guitars; Samples and Effects Drums; Percussion
 
 
    1980-1988  Vocals And Lyrics.    
Former Marillion lead singer, 1980-1988

 

"I've thought a lot about [leaving the band] and where it went wrong. I recently met up with the other guys in Oxford and we talked about the break up. We've all changed and age has done us all proud. Five family guys sat 'round a table and we discussed the affair as adults, and most importantly as good friends We toured far too much and always in the same areas to the point of overexposure. We all needed a break from each other and to recapture our private and personal lives away from the band. We needed to grow as people not as a band. I left the band after 7 years and 4 great studio albums with no regrets and a sense of pride and accomplishment. In answer to those who still hold a torch for that era and a reformation of the '81-'88 line up I can only say that I'm sure as individuals we'll work together somewhere in the future, but as for anything else you would be clutching at straws."

Fish, Autumn 1999

 

 
Script Of A JestersTear

Fugazi

Reel To Reel (Live)

Childhoods End

Brief Encounter (Live)

Clutching At Straws

B-Sides Themselves

The Thieving Magpie (Live)

Seasons End

Holidays In Eden

A Singles Collection

Brave

Made Again (Live)

Afraid of Sunlight

Best Of Both Worlds

This Strange Engine

Tales From The Engine Room

Radiation

Marillion.com

Anoraknophobia

Anorak In The UK (Live)

Marbles

Marbles (Live)

Somewhere Else

Coming Soon.
The Road To Happiness

 
For Me Marillion are one of the best bands around with such a talent none equal to them. During the era when Fish (Derek Dick) Sang on lead vocals the band produced an uncanny sound that for me was addictive with classic tunes such as Sugar Mice, Kayleigh, Lavender, Cinderella Search, and the classic Market Square heroes were nothing short of master pieces. When the band played live they created a sound that was like listening to them on a studio recorded album. As |Fish departed ending the Era Steve Hogarth Joined with the release of Seasons End creating a new sound and proving this band had what it takes to survive. Myself I cannot pick a favourite singer because both Hogarth and Fish brought something to the band that cannot be mimicked by the other. Hogarth's era continues today with his classic sound taking Marillion into the next phase. Some of the classic Tracks Hogarth sings stick out. to name but a few. Fantastic Place, Uninvited Guest, Cover My Eyes, Afraid Of Sunlight to the new yet classic Your Gone. In truth I cannot pick a single favourite track there are just so many good ones out there.

2008 see's the release of the 15th album to fall our way titled The Road To Happiness.

I certainly hope Marillion stick around for another 15 albums.

 

~Raven 

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