Marillion:
Hi Everybody!
WotanCCC:
Marillion was born in 1979 as an instrumental
group. Since then
the band has gone through many personell
changes. However
Steve Rothery was one of the members
of the original line up.
Mark Kelly joined the group in 1981,
and Steve Hogarth would
become the lead vocalist in 1989. Replacing
Fish, who would
then begin a solo career.
Marillion is currently on a tour of the
U.S. And their new CD is
called "This Strange Engine".
Gentlemen, we appreciate you taking the
time out to speak with
us today. Welcome to @Music and TalkCity!
GaryD:
Hello folks. We've just been joined
by Mark and the two Steve's
Under the appropriate nick of Marillion.
WotanCCC:
Very cool. Welcome to TalkCity.
ToniCCC:
Great to have you here today!
Marillion:
Who's first?
WotanCCC:
Shall we begin with an audience question?
Mexican asks:
Why doesnt Marillion play any songs
from FUGAZI? Hope we
hear some Fugazi songs in Mexico City!!
;o)
WotanCCC:
Good question.
Steve Hogarth:
I've had difficulty climbing inside
these songs - they don't really
have much in common with where I'm at
emotionally.
WotanCCC:
Could you tell us about the new CD?
How do you feel about the
finished product?
Steve Rothery:
I think it's an interesting mixture
WotanCCC:
Any more on the new CD?
Mark Kelly:
We're very happy with our first self
produced CD
Steve Hogarth:
It's been a relief to have noticed how
well the album's been
received out there. It's given us the
confidence to produce again
in the future
GaryD:
Speaking of the new album, it was originally
supposed to come
out before the tour, but now it's set
for after the tour. What
happened?
Mark Kelly:
We're really F****ing unhappy with Castle
in London hopefully
we will be able to do something positive
about this before the
next album.
thax:
will your next release have a drum'n'
bass or ambient influence,
or will it be more of a "back to basics"
affair?
Steve Hogarth:
There is an ambient remix album of TSE
in the pipeline at the
moment. I've heard most of the tracks
already - 2 guys in the
Channel Islands have done it. It's very
impressive- particularly
sympathetic to the lyric feelings.
Jed:
Hi guys! I wanted to ask how you enjoyed
playing in NYC this
time around. You seemed to be having
a good time! Did you do
anything else while in town?
WotanCCC:
Good question Jed.
Mark Kelly:
NYC has always been a bad spot for us
in the past but this time
it was a great night. Our new record
company Velvel were
there, they were more impressed with
the audience than us!
Steve Hogarth:
I had a guided "insider" tour of the
UN building. That was most
interesting - I got to pick the brains
of some of the
ambassadorial staff...
Praetor:
Did Mark Kelly Synthesize all of the
orchestral music on La
Gazza Ladra's intro?
Steve Rothery:
No, it was taken from a CD
GaryD:
In the past few years Progressive music
seems to have had
quite a resurgence. Do you think the
internet has been part of
that? And has this given you greater
freedom in your music?
Mark Kelly:
the Internet has enabled like minded
people to get in touch with
each other, as progressive music is
largly ignored by the media,
it may appear to have disappeared
mikek:
For SR: Any chance of a US Wishing Tree
tour, I heard
rumors....
Steve Rothery:
I would love to tour in the US with
the Wishing Tree, but it all
depends on a gap in Marillio proceedings
WotanCCC:
Will we be seeing any video in support
of "This Strange
Engine"?
Mark Kelly:
there is a vid of Man of 1000 faces,
it will be promoted in the US
with the album release in OCT. we have
no plans to make any
more vids for this album.
Pierreh:
Will Marillion come in France (not only
Paris) ???
Mark Kelly:
we will be doing 7 regional dates in
October.
WotanCCC:
Very cool. Do you have any tour dates
or cities you can share
with us?
Steve Hogarth:
October: 17 Toulouse 20
Nice 21 Lyon 22 Reims 23 Lille
25 Strasbourg
lonboy:
Any chance of meeting the band at the
Cincinatti ?
Also.. is H's voice back at 100%?
Steve Hogarth:
We usually emerge to chat in the street
after any show.
Sometimes we shower first so it can
involve abit of a wait...
My voice is back to 90% which is as
good as it gets mid-tour.
Be gentle.
Jodie:
this for Marillion: Thanks for coming
to this channel : )
How do you feel when you see people
wearing tour t-shirts
when you're doing your shopping and
stuff ?
WotanCCC:
LOL
Interesting question.
Steve Hogarth:
It's always good to see a show of dedication.
I've recently
stopped shopping, due to massive overspending
in San
Francisco
WotanCCC:
Its easy to do there.
How do you feel Marillion fits in to
the music of the 90's? Are
there any contemporary musicians you
identifiy with?
Mark Kelly:
we fit very well its just the media
aren't prepared to admit it!
Yes, Radiohead
Steve Hogarth:
The Blue Nile!
WotanCCC:
Interesting.
Tempus:
What are your feelings on the age limits
at the shows?
I'm only 17, and I might end up missing
the Grand Rapids show
because of it.
Mark Kelly:
we would like to admit all ages but
sometimes its beyond our
control. sorry...
WotanCCC:
Pretty much city ordinances, and the
venue owners decide that
no?
Steve Hogarth:
If you give us your name - I'll arrange
something- but keep it
quiet!....
WotanCCC:
Wow.
ToniCCC:
whoa...very cool, Marillion!
Remko:
Will the next album be something we
can expect after TSE or
will it be something totally different,
just like the change
between Brave and AOS?
Mark Kelly:
we never know what we are going to do
next.
Steve Hogarth:
I never know what HE'S going to do next!
We try not to repeat ourselves from
one album to another
Mark Kelly:
the release date is NOW 16 Oct. although
it could change
again....
GaryD:
Critics are rarely kind to any progressive
music. In your early
days some of them labelled you as Genesis
imitators. More
recently I saw a comment on the Genesis
mailing list that
Genesis today is a bad imitation of
Marillion! How do you
respond to that?
Steve Hogarth:
All that Genesis/Marillion stuff is
too tedious to bother thinking
about really...
WotanCCC:
What are your favorite Marillion CD's
and why?
Steve Hogarth:
Brave
Mark Kelly:
Brave
Steve Rothery:
Seasons End
It's a bit like trying to choose a favourite
one of your children,
though
How_we_liv:
Is the band frustrated by the support,
or lack thereof, on the part
of your American record companies and/or
distributors?
Mark Kelly:
We have been in the past but Velvel
seem to be making all the
right noises we shall see....
JK:
The shows in California where Killer.
The participation from the
band was great to see. Did you all have
time to take in any
sights here in California?
Steve Hogarth:
I went to Laguna Beach with my family.
That was relaxing before the onslaught!
WotanCCC:
What do you think of online "fan" web
sites? And what do you
think about the current reaction to
these sites by major record
companies? Some companies are demanding
that fan sites be
taken down. While I understand thier
point of view, somehow it
seems counterproductive to me.
GaryD:
Or at least to bar them from using any
pictures or soundclips
WotanCCC:
Right, that seems to be the big issue.
However a fan site
without pictures at least....
Steve Rothery:
I think that online sites have to be
the best way to find out up to
the minute details of whats happening
WotanCCC:
And its clear by the numbers in this
room that real fans love to
get together and "enjoy the band" as
it were.
Steve Rothery:
You have to be a little cynical about
major labels motives in
getting involved
WotanCCC:
I think you'd be hard pressed to find
a more dedicated fan base
than those on the internet. I don't
even recall seeing a fan site
that was "taking advantage" of an artist.
Mark Kelly:
the majors realise if they allow it
to continue, they will be
bypassed as will the retailers.
AllanC:
Why is it that several obvious singles
have not been released in
an attempt to break through the US market?
"Accidental Man" is
the only track with obvious commercial
potential in America...
Steve Hogarth:
These things boil down to taste. We
could always take a vote
on it!...
michelob:
Will the ambient remix cd be released?
It sounds absolutely
brilliant!
Steve Hogarth:
It will be released. We don't have a
date yet, but it seems likely
to appear before our next studio album.
We are considering
selling it direct over the internet.
Velvel are also keen to be
involved.
^Coop: has this:
I really love "Hope For The Future".
What inspired you all to
make such a song and be brave enough
to put it on an album?
Steve Hogarth:
It started out when we were in Brazil
back in 90. We were
guests at a samba drumming school in
Rio and I experienced
the intoxicating magic of tribalism
at full force. Since then, it was
a matter of time before we would explore
an experiment at a
Samba driven song.
mikek:
For H: Any chance of releasing any of
your older band's work
via let's say a fan club CD?
Steve Hogarth:
I'm having a look into the Europeans
stuff. That was with A&M
records. The How We Live stuff was with
Sony who were most
uncooperative in the past.. Watch this
space and keep hustling
me!
GaryD:
Well, it's after 5:00. Steve, Mark &
Steve, you've been with us
for an hour now. We've got plenty of
questions. How long can
your schedule allow you to stay with
us, or do you need to be
going?
Steve Hogarth:
We'll wrap it up at 5.30. I'm going
to a party with Bill Clinton.
WotanCCC:
Yikes. Is it a jam?
GaryD:
Make sure he brings his sax!!!
Deb-b:
I'll be at the show tomorrow night which
I believe is a seated
only venue. Do you feel this plays a
role in the overall intensity
of the performance and how you relate
to the crowd?
Mark Kelly:
it makes a big diffrence to the level
of excitement physically, we
try to alter the set list according
to this. We prefer a standing
crowd.
Assassin:
Do you think you will play Sugar Mice
next week in Milwaukee?
Steve Rothery:
A distinct possibility!
Magpie:
for Steve R: In an interview in '94
you said that your favourite
guitar solo was the one in Easter. Do
you still think so?
Steve Rothery:
Yes, but I also like the 2nd solo in
This Strange Engine
Suggs:
Has having the new record deal 'released'
you in some way in
an artistic sense?
Steve Rothery:
The last album is the first time we've
had no record company
A&R involvement.
WotanCCC:
How do you think technology has changed
the creation and
performance of music? Has it changed
the way you approach
making a CD?
Mark Kelly:
it has for me, these days I will record
all my parts into a
computer, in real time, just like a
tape recorder, and then later I
put the parts onto tape choosing the
sounds I want after the
event. Digital tape recorders are so
cheap these days and band
can make good quality recordings at
home.
BdayQueen:
Is it true that Marillion has re-signed
with EMI?
Steve Rothery:
I don't know who started that rumour,
but they must have a
warped sense of humour!
Rob_the_be:
for Mark Kelly. What's the worst job
you ever had?
Q2. Do you like Lobsters? from Rob &
Alexis.
WotanCCC:
Don't we all?
Mark Kelly:
I've never had a proper job so I would
have to say this one!
Steve Hogarth:
I have a pet lobster in my bus bunk.
He's from New England and
he's called Derek!.... Best wishes to
Rob and Alexis.
Diablo:
Will there be another wishing tree cd,
if so when?
Steve Rothery:
Yes I hope to make another WT cd after
we've finished work on
the next Marillion album
AllanC:
Steve H, will you please put to bed
the rumors about the strings
on your fingers? What's the real story?
WotanCCC:
Are the strings a taboo topic or just
complicated?
Steve Hogarth:
In short, I was attacked by a bass player
on a ship, just outside
Sweden in the middle of the North Sea.
My hands were all cut
up by a glass and my thumb tendon was
severed. There wasn't
a doctor on the ship and I almost bled
to death until I was
stitched back together by the sailors.
Two years of surgery and
physiotherapy ensued before I could
play the piano again.
WotanCCC:
Yikes. Thats terrible.
You're ok now we all hope.
No side effects?
ToniCCC:
my word...no wonder lots of folks are
asking if you're returning
for a tour of the Netherlands!
Steve Hogarth:
After a while I saw the funny side and
I continued to wear
bandages even after I didn't have to.
Then it turned into a
ritual/good luck thing. This is the
first tour I haven't worn them.
Mark Kelly:
we are playing the Paradiso on the 27
of OCT
Luis:
T.S.E. has a 16 mins song, but pasted
albums haven't. Do you
feel is a good moment for revisit the
progressive tradition of the
band? Will it be continued on the future?
Thanks. (I love you,
Hogarth!!!)
Mark Kelly:
if you mean true progressive and not
70's widdly widdly prog
then yes.
Steve Hogarth:
You don't have to keep drawing a line
between what a 3 minute
or a 15 minute song represents. It's
simply a question of how
much time it takes to say what you want
to say.
WotanCCC:
And now for our last question of the
evening.....
MilesMac:
Was H actually stung by a swarm of bees
as in the song TSE or
is this a metaphor for something else?
Steve Hogarth:
I was attacked by an entire nest of
wasps whilst still a baby. My
mother was badly stung also. I was stung
in the face -
particularly my nose which has been
super-sensitive ever since.
Wasps didn't sound so good in the lyric
so I made them bees
Pierreh:
Let's continue making good music and
making us dream... :)
WotanCCC:
Looks like our time is up...
I'd like to thank everyone for joining
us tonight. Steve, Steve,
and Mark, we appreciate your taking
the time to come and chat
with us. We all hope you'll come back
to Talk City again soon!
GaryD:
I want to thank Mark Kelly, Steve Hogarth
and Steve Rothery
for joining this Artist Shop/Talk City
chat today. We hope to
have them back again real soon.
Mark Kelly:
for info on concerts visit www.marillion.com
WotanCCC:
Great conference guys... Really appreciate
your time too.
ToniCCC:
Thanks folks...this has been a wonderful
interview!
DonnaCSA:
Thanks Guys!
WotanCCC:
Finally, thanks to the Artist Shop for
working with us on this
conference. We especially appreciate
the efforts of Gary Davis
in giving us the opportunity to speak
with the members of
Marillion. Don't forget to drop by the
Artist Shop and explore all
of their musical offerings. http://www.artist-shop.com
ToniCCC:
Thanks for all of the great questions...they
were fantastic!
Marillion:
thanks very much, we really enjoyed
our first online chat!
GaryD:
I want to encourage you all to check
out their new album, This
Strange Engine. It should be out around
October 16.
DonnaCSA:
Come again....and again...and again!!
ToniCCC:
Wotan, Gary & Marillion...thanks
much! outstanding discussion!
LOL,Donna!
GaryD:
And, of course, they're on tour now!
So go to the show!
*ToniCCC is receiving thunderous roars from the audience!*
ToniCCC:
thanks again folks!
Arranged by :
The Artist Shop
Moderators :
GaryD, WotanCCC, ToniCCC, DonnaCSA
Server :
chat.talkcity.com
Portnumber :
6667
Channel
:
@Music
Time :
4pm EST
Attendance :
Approx. 153 people