Where’s home?
A small village in rural Northumberland called Warkworth. It has an impressive castle and sits in an oxbow of the River Coquet.
What’s your earliest prog memory?
As a teenager I saw Steve Hillage at Newcastle City Hall, around 1977, and received a free single [pictured left]. It seemed like another world to the classic rock I’d been listening to, and opened my eyes to musical possibilities.
The first prog album bought?
Sunburst Finish by Be-Bop Deluxe, if you count that as prog. I certainly do.
And the last?
The self-released [and self-titled] debut album by a local outfit called Unit8. It’s gentle and melodic, and I’ve enjoyed it in the car very much.
First prog gig?
Steve Hillage, then it was Barclay James Harvest, also at Newcastle City Hall, in 1980.
And the latest?
I was at Fusion4 festival in Stourport [in March, with IQ, Solstice and Cyan among those on the bill] and all the bands were great. I wouldn’t like to single one out.
Best prog gig you ever saw?
Big Big Train at Newcastle City Hall [in 2019] was another level. David [Longdon]’s presence and voice, the art-house film telling stories in the background, a brass band for goodness sake! It was an inspiration and made me determined to drive Stuckfish to higher plains.
This story is from the Issue 140 edition of Prog.
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This story is from the Issue 140 edition of Prog.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
JAKKO M JAKSZYK
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A Part & Yet Apart
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Fourth Dimension
The stock of melodic Northumberland-based proggers Stuckfish has been rising since they formed six years ago. Their fourth studio album, Stuckfish IV, represents an important watershed in the band's musical evolution. Co-founders Adrian Fisher and Phil Stuckey tell Prog about the diverse influences that have helped to shape it.
Symphly The Best
In the 70s, Barclay James Harvest almost bankrupted themselves by performing with an orchestra, but, several decades on, they’re celebrating last year’s performance with the Slaithwaite Philharmonic, captured on their latest live record, Philharmonic! The Orchestral Concert. John Lees reminisces over the band’s ambitious early years and bassist Craig Fletcher fills Prog in on JLBJH’s upcoming “progtastic” double album.
We've Not Been Expecting You
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FAR HORIZONS AND PANORAMIC AMBITIONS
Dutch five-piece Lesoir have been steadily gathering momentum over the last 15 years, and they hope to build on that with their latest release, Push Back The Horizon. Vocalist/ instrumentalist Maartje Meessen and guitarist Ingo Dassen discuss the creation of their sixth album, working with Muse's production team, and their dream of bringing their intricate music to new audiences.
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Tony Banks reflects on his role as a 21st-century classical composer.
There Can Be Only One!
Never meet your heroes, or so the saying goes, but Opeth have had a blast working with Ian Anderson on their latest, The Last Will And Testament. Bandleader Mikael Åkerfeldt and guitarist Fredrik Åkesson discuss the band's proggiest album to date, the return of the growl and why blood isn't always thicker than water.
