First Album - Ramblings over a Scotsman’s Beer
In the late 70’s, progressive rock was made illegal in the UK in an attempt to reduce the number of so called “boredom suicides” where fans would naw their own legs off in an attempt to relieve agony of yet another 20 minute bass solo (see “Idiots Guide to Yes” for further details). As a result of this progibition, fans resorted to a code to identify themselves. The made up word “grendel” was often used in such circles alongside the reply phase “a flower”.
As the early 80’s began, rebellion against the law built and prog fans often shouted these phases out loud at Marillion concerts. This happened so much that some people actually believe that the band wrote a song called Grendel. The band, to this day, deny such a song ever existed.
Mockillion were not affected by the prog law as, of course, they are not a prog band.
As is well documented in other reliable sources (Viz annual), ROASC was controversially released as Foxtrot in some countries. This, together with the epic Suppers Nearly Ready, caused confusion which lead to production being ceased. Copies of the original sell for many pence on ebay.
Second Album - Sudoku
The band’s “difficult” second album was named after the then unknown Japanese puzzle.
All of the lyrics are written in the form of Cryptic Crossword clues. For example “Two Down - Renaissance children becalm beneath the Bridge of Sighs (1,4,2,7)” and “Six Across – The thief of Baghdad hides in Islington now (anag) (8)”
Third Album - Misplaced Manhood
The band’s best known album, containing as it does the hit singles “The Final Countdown” and “Eye of the Tiger”.
The rest of this classic album consists of the singer (Fishoutofmarillion) on drugs, reciting poetry written about a girl called Kay (cleverly disguised in the song “Kay”) who didn’t fancy him, or something.
Fourth Album - Picking at Sores
Many fans’ favourite album, actually a concept album about Fishoutofmarillion and his hatred of the rest of the band.
Again, the singer’s mood was cleverly disguised lyrics in songs such as “I’m Leaving”, “Mad Jack Smells of Cheese” and “Rothers Saves (His Best Stuff For His Solo LP)”. The album was not interpreted correctly at the time but subsequent interviews made the meaning of such lyrics painfully clear.
In his first solo album (The View from Salisbury Hill), Fishoutofmarillion is more explicit about his feelings. Once he left the band, he tried to change his name simply to Fish but the tabloids, who ran the country, would not let him.
In the late 70’s, progressive rock was made illegal in the UK in an attempt to reduce the number of so called “boredom suicides” where fans would naw their own legs off in an attempt to relieve agony of yet another 20 minute bass solo (see “Idiots Guide to Yes” for further details). As a result of this progibition, fans resorted to a code to identify themselves. The made up word “grendel” was often used in such circles alongside the reply phase “a flower”.
As the early 80’s began, rebellion against the law built and prog fans often shouted these phases out loud at Marillion concerts. This happened so much that some people actually believe that the band wrote a song called Grendel. The band, to this day, deny such a song ever existed.
Mockillion were not affected by the prog law as, of course, they are not a prog band.
As is well documented in other reliable sources (Viz annual), ROASC was controversially released as Foxtrot in some countries. This, together with the epic Suppers Nearly Ready, caused confusion which lead to production being ceased. Copies of the original sell for many pence on ebay.
Second Album - Sudoku
The band’s “difficult” second album was named after the then unknown Japanese puzzle.
All of the lyrics are written in the form of Cryptic Crossword clues. For example “Two Down - Renaissance children becalm beneath the Bridge of Sighs (1,4,2,7)” and “Six Across – The thief of Baghdad hides in Islington now (anag) (8)”
Third Album - Misplaced Manhood
The band’s best known album, containing as it does the hit singles “The Final Countdown” and “Eye of the Tiger”.
The rest of this classic album consists of the singer (Fishoutofmarillion) on drugs, reciting poetry written about a girl called Kay (cleverly disguised in the song “Kay”) who didn’t fancy him, or something.
Fourth Album - Picking at Sores
Many fans’ favourite album, actually a concept album about Fishoutofmarillion and his hatred of the rest of the band.
Again, the singer’s mood was cleverly disguised lyrics in songs such as “I’m Leaving”, “Mad Jack Smells of Cheese” and “Rothers Saves (His Best Stuff For His Solo LP)”. The album was not interpreted correctly at the time but subsequent interviews made the meaning of such lyrics painfully clear.
In his first solo album (The View from Salisbury Hill), Fishoutofmarillion is more explicit about his feelings. Once he left the band, he tried to change his name simply to Fish but the tabloids, who ran the country, would not let him.