The inventory of melodic Northumberland-based proggers Stuckfish has been rising since they fashioned six years in the past. Their fourth studio album, Stuckfish IV, represents an necessary watershed within the band’s musical evolution. Co-founders Adrian Fisher and Phil Stuckey inform Prog in regards to the numerous influences which have helped to form it.
Musical inspiration springs from many obscure locations, however Stuckfish co-founder Adrian Fisher hit on an unlikely supply whereas within the queue for the Tyne Tunnel’s phone hotline.
“The on-hold music had fairly a pleasant keyboard sound, so after the cellphone name, I bought out my Logic Professional and performed round with a few chords which got here fairly near what I’d heard,” recounts Fisher, the band’s guitarist, producer and composer.
With lyrics later provided by fellow co-founder Phil Stuckey, this was the genesis of Fragile, the band’s first-ever three-minute pop tune, which seems on Stuckfish IV.
The north-east quintet’s fourth studio album is stuffed with ‘firsts.’ “The entire Stuckfish ethos is attempt to do one thing we haven’t achieved earlier than,” Fisher explains. “We additionally intention to please ourselves; so with each tune, we ask ourselves, ‘Will we prefer it?’”
New options embrace intricate vocal concord preparations, beforehand untried guitar results and a keyboards solo courtesy of lately arrived Paul McNally, who completes the line-up together with common members drummer Adam Sayers and bassist Phil Morey. It’s additionally the primary album that they’ve launched on White Knight Information, and the primary with the bandname in its title.
With Invoice Nelson, Muse, Kansas and David Bowie cited amongst Stuckfish IV’s influences, 9 new songs showcase the most recent enhancements to their historically melodic, considerate sound. Illustrating this completely is the opener, Shadows & Moonbeams, on which Stuckey’s vocal harmonies carry a very iconic tune instantly to thoughts.
“I discussed to Ade that regardless of Kansas’s Carry On Wayward Son having a tremendous and well-known opening, it hadn’t been reproduced fairly often, if in any respect,” he says. “We resolved to present it a attempt in some unspecified time in the future. Then I learn an article about actor Sarah Bernhardt. What was most obvious was the ability she had over males.
“Sarah held all of the playing cards – they by no means stood an opportunity! Influential males would fall in love along with her, and naturally, would suppose they have been the ‘one’ – however all of them ended up chasing shadows and moonbeams.”
Stuckey and Fisher’s chats additionally prolonged to exploring new instrumental strategies; for instance, on the acoustically led Silently Ready. “That tune was impressed by Phil speaking in regards to the acoustic guitar gigs he goes to,” Fisher says. “He talked about that somebody had put a capo on simply 4 of the strings, leaving two strings free. I stated, ‘I’m going to attempt that’ – and my first try is what you hear at first of the tune.”
JFKX (Simply For Kicks) is the album’s hardest rocker. McNally’s keyboard solo was his first contribution, because it turned out to be his audition piece after Jordan Rudess dominated himself out of showing on it. Nevertheless, Fisher wrote the tune with one other rocker in thoughts.
“I’ve labored with Krokus singer Marc Storace; I co-wrote three songs on his debut album, Reside And Let Reside,” he explains. “When he got here to do his second solo album, he requested if I had any new songs. He wished a fast-paced rocker within the type of Deep Purple’s Freeway Star. So I wrote it, despatched it to him – and he didn’t go for it, which I used to be fairly shocked about!”
The lyrics come from numerous articles I’ve examine near-death experiences. Apparently, all of them comply with an identical thread
Phil Stuckey
Skies Fall explores near-death experiences and, like Fragile, happened purely accidentally. “I believe I first heard the chord sequence on a movie I used to be watching, which didn’t go the best way I used to be anticipating,” says Fisher. “The tune begins with that straightforward two-chord keyboard half, which Phil heard. The opening refrain is the primary take he did – he made up the phrases on the spot. He got here again per week later with an concept for the second verse, however it took a very long time to place it collectively because it wanted one other verse.
“When the tune was completed I made a decision to place a giant guitar solo on it; and once more, I assumed, ‘What can I try this I haven’t achieved earlier than?’ I had purchased a Whammy pedal to get an impact like Rage In opposition to The Machine. What you hear on the tune is mainly the primary take; I’d by no means used it earlier than.”
Stuckey says: “The lyrics come from numerous articles I’ve examine near- demise experiences. Apparently, all of them comply with an identical thread – I discover that fascinating. All of them learn like a metaphor for locating true that means and goal.”
Now it’s all achieved, each are immensely happy with the brand new album. “I like the Stuckfish sound,” says Fisher. “I haven’t labored as exhausting earlier than as I’ve on this one. It took months and months to combine this album.” He observes with amusing: “We’re a bit like Elton John and Bernie Taupin – not that we’re anyplace near being of their league! Bernie would produce a set of lyrics, hand them over to Elton and say, ‘There you go, that’s my greatest effort. Put some music and melodies to them.’ However with us, it’s the opposite means round.”
The pair first met when Fisher, then aged round 18, fashioned a short-lived band which Stuckey joined as bassist. They misplaced contact for many years till Fisher noticed Stuckey on LinkedIn. “He was dwelling in Warkworth, about 20 minutes from me. He stated he was in a band and so they wanted a lead guitarist. I stated I’d be inquisitive about becoming a member of. He then revealed he was the vocalist – and I assumed, ‘Oh, this might finish badly!’ I’d by no means heard him sing.
Some say they hear Argent or ELO. On the sooner stuff individuals stated we have been like Queensrÿche
Adrian Fisher
“He despatched three tracks; I opened one and I used to be completely gobsmacked. My God, what a voice! I did be part of the band, however it folded. We drifted aside once more for just a few months till I met him once more and advised him I had some concepts for brand spanking new songs. And that’s what we’ve been doing ever since.
“We’ve hit on this magical songwriting method between us. What are the possibilities of me discovering any person who may sing in addition to him on my doorstep, having been making an attempt to contact individuals all world wide? It was sensible! With Phil I say, ‘Let’s use your voice as a musical instrument. Let’s attempt some falsetto or Rob Halford-like metallic.’”
Stuckey provides: “I’m fortunate to have a voice that may specific the character of the tune we’ve written, whether or not it’s rock or melodically undulating. However take a hearken to the lyrical nature of Ade’s guitar work, each be aware fastidiously crafted, and also you’ll perceive it’s removed from being nearly vocals.
“Additionally, Phil [Morey] treats his bass like a classical instrument, and Adam likewise his drums. Paul McNally has introduced one thing completely different to what Gary Holland, our earlier keyboardist, did for us. Each are fantastic gamers, however every has their very own persona; and Paul has introduced his to the undertaking in spades.”
Above all, the duo are very pleased with the actual fact their music is tough to pigeonhole. “Some say they hear Argent or ELO,” Fisher says. “On the sooner stuff individuals stated we have been like Queensrÿche, as a result of Phil seemed like Geoff Tate.”
“Stuckfish have introduced a recent sound to the prog scene that’s tough to outline,” says Stuckey. “Our songs cross over into different genres. We’re ready to write down what we love – and never essentially what individuals count on of a prog band.”
