Marillion are:
Steve 'H' Hogarth - Vocals
Mark Kelly - Keyboards
Ian Mosley - Drums
Steve Rothery - Guitars
Pete Trewavas - Bass
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
of 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 mark et 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 new album ‘Marbles’ 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!
21 years after the release of their first album (Script
For A Jester's Tear in 1983) Marillion have released
their 13th studio album. 'Marbles' is a CD packed full
of atmospheric and stirring songs. Intense, deep-seated
and musically rewarding, 'Marbles' had a worldwide release
on May 3rd through their own label Intact Records. Marillion
have a unique relationship with their fans. In 1997
the fans learnt via an email newsletter that, due to
lack of record company support, the band could not afford
to fund a US tour. One the fans instigated a whip-round
and raised $60,000 enabling the tour to take place.
The release of the album 'Marillion.com' in 1999 flagged
their newly launched web-site (and record label) and
this online source of information became an open conduit
between band and fans. At this point the band decided
to adopt a completely new approach to the way their
albums were funded and their 12th album 'Anoraknophobia'
hit the headlines in 2001 when more than 12,000 fans
pre-ordered, and paid for, the record 12 months before
it was released. A similar campaign was launched to
fund 'Marbles' with 13,000 fans ordering the record
in advance but this time all the money raised went into
a campaign fund to promote the album. Fans who had pre-paid
received a double CD pack containing an exclusive 124
page book in which they are name checked.
Marillion have: Sold more than 14 million records Released
13 studio albums - 4 with Fish as lead singer (82-88),
9 with Steve Hogarth (88?) Had 8 UK Top 10 albums Played
more than 1200 gigs to well over 2 million people Released
19 UK singles - 15 were Top 40 of which 5 were top 10
2004 alone saw two top 20 singles and a number 2 single
in the download chart.
Marillion are one of the UK music scene's best kept
secrets. Purveyors of soulful, powerful, and often deeply-moving
music, their blistering live shows leave 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.
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
seven - jaws dropped right across the music world.
