Member Since: 2/18/2006
Band Website: the-company.com
Band Members: Current band:
Fish - vocals
Frank Usher - guitar
Steve Vantsis - bass
Foss Paterson - keyboards
Gavin John Griffiths - drums
Chris Johnson - guitar
Influences: Collected from interviews with Fish: "As far as phrasing goes I learned a lot from singers like Rickie Lee Jones and Joni Mitchell as well as Van Morrison and Lowell George. In the early days Peter Hammill was an influence especially on expression but masters like Frank Sinatra came to the fore in latter times. I love scatting and finding ways to fit lyrics across strange time signatures. "The Genesis guys and that English progressive scene in the 70's of course I listened to the music but over the years there's been so many influences come out, so many different people that I can't really put my finger on one. Pink Floyd, Yes, Elton John, The Faces, The Who, Little Feat, Joni Mitchell, The Byrds, The Doors - really too many to mention. "If I had to pick just one song that influenced me most, it would be Lola by the Kinks. Wrapping up a sexual experience with a transsexual, and selling it as a pop song takes some doing. There's a lot of feel there, great melody, great power and a simply stunning lyric, all in less than four minutes."
Sounds Like: "As a lyricist, Fish has always been heartfelt, poetic and prolific, repeatedly focusing on both deeply personal issues and wider social themes, shrugging off accusations of 'sixth-form sentimentality' to produce some of the most emotionally honest and moving verse to breach the UK mainstream..." (Scrawl)"...he'll never be fashionable. Whether it was as the lead singer of Marillion, or during his solo career, Fish has always been unjustly looked down upon by the music press at large. It's their loss: as one of this country's most charismatic and versatile acts, Fish has produced a body of work which rivals that of any contemporary." (Paul Rose)"...there are times when Fish produces moments of such magic that you realize that only a veteran would know how to deliver such a moving experience after all these years." (Britsound)
Record Label: Chocolate Frog
Type of Label: Indie