A beginners guide to Marillion

One of my all time favourite groups, who despite popular misconception didn't break up after Kayleigh.Their original vocalist Fish left the group in 1988 and was replaced by the blissfully talented Steve Hogarth, who has now made 11 albums with Marillion. Their fan base is fiercely loyal, even financing albums before they're recorded (I'd like to see a Girls Aloud audience do that, or perhaps their parents wouldn't let them).Their line up is Steve Hogarth (aka "h") - vocals and lyrics, additional keyboards, guitars, percussion, Steve Rothery - electric and acoustic guitars, Pete Trewavas - bass guitars, backing vocals, additional guitars, samples and effects, Mark Kelly - keyboards, samples and effects, backing vocals, programming, Ian Mosley - drums, percussion
In concert is where they really shine, having played together for more than 20 years, a consistently tight and melodious sound providing to an intelligent audience who not only wan recent classics but also the new material the band continue to produce. Fashion dictates that we're supposed to be after the next big thing, but time and time again, the next big thing proves they have a maximum of two decent albums in them (step forward Razorlight, the Feeling and Oasis).Like Iron Maiden, Marillion can keep producing fresh music through a fiercely loyal fan base.And they will still be around when today's manufactured trash girl and boy bands are a distant pipe dream.
Here's ten of their best albums

1) Script For A Jesters Tear. The breakthrough.
2) Misplaced Childhood. Features the hits Kayleigh and Lavender. A concept album in the middle of the 1980s.
3) Seasons End. Steve Hogarth's debut with the band. Features the beautiful Easter.
4) Holidays In Eden.Regarded as Marillion's poppiest album. Features Cover my eyes, No one can and Dry land.
5)Brave. Regarded by many as their most adventurous work to date. Features The great escape.
6) Afraid Of Sunlight - Their last album with EMI,features Out of this world, about Donald Campbell. The wreckage of Donald Campbell's Bluebird K7 and Campbell's remains were not recovered until May 28,it was 2001 when diver Bill Smith was inspired to look for the wreck after hearing "Out of This World". Both Steve Hogarth and Steve Rothery were present at the raising.
7) Marillion.com - Showed the way ahead that recording and promoting new material is possible without the support of a major record label.
8) Marbles - Pre-financed by the fans and easily my favourite of all their albums.Features Fantastic place, You're gone (a UK top ten hit) The invisible man and the sublime Neverland.
9) Somewhere else.The groups first top 30 hit album for 10 years.Check out Faith.
10) Happiness is the road. Released October 2008, standout tracks for me are the title track, Whatever is wrong with you, This train is my life and Dreamy street.

All of their current material is available via Marillion.com
I had the privilege of interviewing them last year at the Cambridge Rock Festival. Not only are they very talented men, they're all very nice men. I was introducing an alternative stage at the festival, and to show their support for new music, Mark and Steve came down and introduced a new all girl rock band called Joanovarc www.joanovarc.com
I have footage of Mark and Steve cramming into my little Ford KA to get across the festival site. This will never be posted.