“I used to be born in ’66 so I used to be a bit too younger for when prog was flourishing. The primary file ever purchased for me was by The Wombles. It was the Mike Batt preparations, and the number of sounds he used that actually appealed to me – or perhaps I simply actually favored The Wombles!
I received into ELO subsequent and the very first single I purchased was Shine A Little Love , from Discovery . As is frequent with most artists who additionally like prog, the imagery is as a lot of an attraction because the sound itself. With ELO I discovered that.
The primary correct prog band that I actually embraced was Genesis . Abacab Dodo/Lurker , Who Dunnit? and the imagery of Hold It Darkish , that concept of the alien abduction. What actually received me was storytelling. I learn comics and lots of books and fantasy; I favored Physician Who
As soon as I discovered Genesis I used to be on to King Crimson and Sure . I liked Sure for Jon Anderson ’s bonkers lyrics, but additionally for Chris Squire ’s bass. Shut To The Edge resonated with me; And You and I, and particularly Siberian Khatru . It was nearly poetry to music – magical and fairly angelic, and it type of pours gentle on the soul.
The primary King Crimson album I purchased was A Younger Particular person’s Information…. then I purchased In The Wake Of Poseidon and Within the Court docket Of The Crimson King. I actually favored the Self-discipline
As a result of they all the time combine issues up and check out completely different stuff, you possibly can have a field set of 20 performances and there’s one thing contemporary in every one – I really like that. It’s head music: it’s one thing that requires consideration. The standard of the musicianship all the time amazes me.
Within the early 80s I learn a two-part function in Kerrang! about prog within the 70s, with new bands to comply with too, spearheaded by Marillion , with Twelfth Evening , IQ , Pendragon and others. Genesis had been my first gig, in 1982, they usually had been my major focus for listening. However what actually excited me was that these new bands had been my era . Bristol was my nearest metropolis and all of a sudden I had all of those gigs out there to me. That’s how I received to see IQ loads and type of make mates with Pete Nicholls [vocals] and Martin Orford [keys].
After I heard Disappeared from Christina Sales space’s solo album The Mild, it completely broke my coronary heart
I’d all the time been into artwork. Aged 4 I received fairly sick and my dad and mom gave me crayons, pencils, paper, clay to mannequin with and a few comics to learn. That mixture and being shut away for months set out my life’s path. By the 80s I knew I wished for instance. I keep in mind choosing up the one of Marillion’s Market Sq. Heroes and the Mark Wilkinson illustration received to me as a lot because the music. So I began doing illustrations for some bands for demo tapes and issues.
I did lots of illustration work for a fanzine referred to as A Fascination , which received me into masses extra new smaller bands like LaHost, Airbridge and Twice Bitten. At this level I used to be additionally very keen on The Enid , and One thing Depraved This Means Comes . Imagery then was loads darker as these had been bands dwelling by way of the Thatcher years, though a few of the new wave had been embracing that previous strategy, so that you’d have Pallas with their Patrick Woodroffe Sentinel covers.
However behind The Enid was whimsy, and being a West Nation boy, considered one of my considered one of my favorite bands is Stackridge . I found them by way of assembly [bassist/vocalist] James Warren – we had a mutual pal and we received chatting at a celebration. I remembered the title, checked them out and realised, ‘Oh my God, these things is wonderful.’
One of many issues I like is that they make references to streets and cities I do know. They do Purple Spaceships Over Yatton – I lived 5 miles from there. Once you hearken to Mr. Mick , they’re speaking in regards to the bells of St Mary’s. I do know these locations; I can stroll with them. In addition they write lots of songs about animals – very helpful for once I’m engaged on these sorts of topics.
I used to be technical assistant, doing ancillary stuff like cleansing fashions and making the little white sperm
With new prog I’m spoilt for alternative – Matt Stevens , The Tangent , Neal Morse , Clive Nolan – however I would like to say Magenta. I discovered them through Malcolm Parker’s GFT mail order firm, which I’d purchase a ton of stuff from. There are hints of Sure in there however what’s particular is the mixture of the three key gamers: Rob Reed , Chris Fry and Christina Sales space .
Christina is an angel, the sweetest lady I’ve ever met, and she or he additionally has an unbelievable voice however is so humble about her expertise – identical to David Longdon from Massive Massive Prepare . After I heard Disappeared from her solo album The Mild for the primary time, it completely broke my coronary heart. I may hearken to her sing all day, and ceaselessly do.
I’ve been fortunate sufficient to fulfill a few of my heroes; however Peter Gabriel was the primary prog celebrity I met, by way of working at Aardman Animations. I’d simply completed my basis course, aged about 18, and I went in to see my artwork instructor from complete college simply as she was arranging a go to to Aardman to repair up work expertise. So I went together with a provider bag very sensibly stuffed stuffed with my paintings and mannequin making, and I jumped on the alternative simply earlier than we left to indicate it to [co-founder] Peter Lord.
I received a cellphone name just a few days later asking me to do a bit of labor expertise for every week, and it was a number of months. Finally I needed to depart and get on with my design diploma, however they all the time saved in contact, and knew I used to be a giant prog fan.
Lo and behold, just a few months later I’m being referred to as in to spend every week engaged on the movie for Sledgehammer . I used to be technical assistant, doing ancillary stuff like cleansing fashions and making the little white sperm – however I used to be additionally Peter’s stunt double. They’d paint railway tracks round me, or stick me in contraptions to ensure he wouldn’t get decapitated, then he’d are available.
It was fairly formidable to have somebody that I admired a lot sitting a few ft away all week lengthy. I took my albums in and he was very candy and signed all of them for me. I actually thought animation could be my profession – then I made the error of falling in with a bunch of reprobates that made comedian books as a substitute…”
