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Taking their name from a J.R.R. Tolkien novel, the band came together in 1979, but it took them until 1984 to form their core lineup, featuring Steve Rothery (lead guitar), Pete Trewavas (bass), Mark Kelly (Keyboards) and Ian Mosley (drums), having had their frontman, Fish (Derek Dick) leave the band in 1988, being replaced with Steve Hogarth.
Their debut album, "Script for a Jester's Tear" was released in 1983, gaining a loyal fan base through their album and commitment to touring. In 1984, their second, "Fugazi" was unleashed, featuring a more straight-up hard rock approach, with singles "Assassin" and "Punch and Judy" becoming hits in the UK. But it was with their third record, the more progressive concept album Misplaced Childhood" (1985) that Marillion had their biggest success, with the single "Kayleigh" reaching number two in the UK charts and doing well in the US.
After vocalist Fish left the band, Marillion took a stylistic change, moving to a more accessible, mainstream rock sound, although still incorporating progressive elements, such as in "Brave," (1992) which whilst being straightforward rock, it incorporated a dark and complex symphonic sound reminiscent of classic prog acts.
The band moved to a softer sound in 1998, incorporating influences from The Beatles, U2 and Radiohead, especially the kraut-rock prog of Radiohead's "OK Computer." "Radiation" (1998), "Anoraknophobia" (2001) and "Marbles" (2004) all followed in this same vein, continuing the band's popularity into the new millennium. Marillion continued to be progressive and ambitious in their sound, culminating in their 2012 record, "Sounds That Can't Be Made," a politically motivated album that featured a 17-minute epic titled "Gaza."
Marillion were one of the first bands to use crowd-funding in order to support their activities, setting up a fund in order to raise money to support them upon a US tour in 1997, following their record label's refusal to offer adequate money for the tour. They have had a hugely successful career, selling over 15 million albums worldwide.
A lot of people still regard Marillion as a band that had a few hits in the 80s with a singer called Fish. Well, since those commercially successful days, Marillion have ploughed a very different field with a very different singer. Steve Hogarth has been with the band since 1989 and has steadily led the band away from their Genesis inspired roots into a more diverse and sustainable path.
One of Marillion's attributes is the special relationship they have with their fans and consequently their live shows retain an intimate feel despite several thousand people being in attendance. As a result, you can generally see people singing every word as the audience lap up every song from their now huge back catalogue. Behind the theatrical Hogarth there's four splendid musicians quietly going about their business and brimming with the confidence that comes from having played together as a unit for 30 years. From Steve Rothery's distinctive and soaring guitar sound through to Mark Kelly's atmospheric keyboard flourishes, this is band still at the top of their game, despite essentially disappearing from the eyes of the general public over a quarter of a century ago.
Marilion's tenacity coupled with their huge ability makes for a passionate and inclusive live experience and I heartily recommend them to lovers of quality, well constructed music that touches the emotions both in a live and studio setting.
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