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Neo-progressive Rock
Neo-progressive rock (commonly abbreviated neo-prog) is a subgenre of progressive rock that developed in the UK in the early 1980s. The genre's most popular band, Marillion, achieved mainstream success in the decade. Several bands from the genre have continued to record and tour. Characteristics Neo-prog is characterised by deeply emotional content, often delivered via dramatic lyrics and a generous use of imagery and theatricality on-stage. The music is mostly the product of careful composition, relying less heavily on improvised jamming. The subgenre relies very much on clean, melodic and emotional electric guitar solos, combined with keyboards. The main musical influences on the neo-prog genre are bands from the first wave of progressive rock such as early Genesis, Camel, and to a lesser extent Van der Graaf Generator and Pink Floyd. Funk, hard rock and punk rock were also influences on the genre. History In the book ''The Progressive Rock Files'', author Jerry Lucky ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Progressive Rock
Progressive rock (shortened as prog rock or simply prog) is a broad genre of rock music that primarily developed in the United Kingdom through the mid- to late 1960s, peaking in the early-to-mid-1970s. Initially termed " progressive pop", the style emerged from psychedelic bands who abandoned standard pop or rock traditions in favour of instrumental and compositional techniques more commonly associated with jazz, folk, or classical music, while retaining the instrumentation typical of rock music. Additional elements contributed to its " progressive" label: lyrics were more poetic, technology was harnessed for new sounds, music approached the condition of " art", and the studio, rather than the stage, became the focus of musical activity, which often involved creating music for listening rather than dancing. Progressive rock includes a fusion of styles, approaches and genres, and tends to be diverse and eclectic. Progressive rock is often associated with long solos, exte ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Camel (band)
Camel are an English progressive rock band formed in Guildford, Guildford, Surrey, in 1971. Led by guitarist Andrew Latimer, they have released fourteen studio albums and fourteen singles, plus numerous live albums and DVDs. Without achieving mass popularity, the band gained a cult following in the 1970s with albums such as ''Mirage (Camel album), Mirage'' (1974) and ''The Snow Goose (album), The Snow Goose'' (1975). They moved into a jazzier, more commercial direction in the early 1980s, but then went on an extended hiatus. Since 1991 the band has been independent, releasing albums on their own label. Despite no new studio releases since 2002, the band performed on tour as recently as 2018. Their music has influenced artists including Marillion, Opeth and Steven Wilson. Music journalist Mark Blake (writer), Mark Blake described Camel as "the great unsung heroes of 70s prog rock". History 1970s The band was formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1971 by guitarist Andrew Latimer, drum ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Quasar (band)
Quasar is a British progressive rock band, formed in 1979 by Keith Turner. They found themselves to be amongst a movement of British bands during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon (band), Pendragon, IQ (band), IQ, Twelfth Night (band), Twelfth Night, Solstice (progressive rock band), Solstice and Pallas (band), Pallas, that continued in the progressive rock style created by 1970s bands such as Genesis (band), Genesis and Yes (band), Yes. Though Quasar has had quiet times due to leaving members and were based in San Francisco for some years, they are now based back in the UK. History In 1979, Quasar was formed when Keith Turner and Mike Kenwright began to write songs in the progressive rock style. Other members of the band included guitarist John Clark, drummer Steve Clarke (drummer), Steve Clarke, and keyboardist Geoff Banks. It didn't take long for changes to occur, however, as Clark left to replace Allan Holdsworth in Bill Bruford's band (credited as "The Unkn ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Wake (IQ Album)
''The Wake'' is the second studio album by British neo-prog band IQ, released on 3 June 1985 by Sahara Records. Recorded at Falconer Studios in London from March to April 1985, it was produced by Mike Holmes and Tim Esau. Release and reception ''The Wake'' is IQ's only album to reach the UK Charts, peaking at number 72 with a stay of one week. ''The Wake'' has been described by AllMusic as "definitely a classic" which "helped define what neo-progressive was and generated dozens of sound-alike albums." The review argued that it "remains the band's true classic, a must-have for anyone remotely interested in progressive rock from the 1980s." Sleeve art The cover art was designed by lead singer Peter Nicholls. In the image, most of the characters are original, except the central one, which is based on Canadian actress Rae Dawn Chong wearing clay face paint as Ika in the film '' Quest for Fire'' (1981). However, according to Nicholls, many fans of the band misinterpreted this a ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
IQ (band)
IQ are a British neo-prog band founded by Mike Holmes and Martin Orford in 1981Official IQ site. Band formed in 1981. following the dissolution of their original band The Lens. Although the band have never enjoyed major commercial success and had several lineup changes, IQ have built up a loyal following over the years and are still active as of 2025, currently with the original recording line-up (with the exception of Orford). In 2021/22, IQ performed a series of concerts in the UK and Europe celebrating their 40th anniversary. Neo-progressive movement IQ were one of a number of British bands formed during the early 1980s, including Marillion, Pendragon (band), Pendragon, Twelfth Night (band), Twelfth Night, Pallas (band), Pallas and Solstice (UK band - progressive), Solstice, that continued with the progressive rock style ...[...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Solstice (progressive Rock Band)
Solstice are an English neo-prog, folk rock band formed in Milton Keynes in 1980. They are led by guitarist Andy Glass, who is the sole founding member still in the band. AllMusic described the group as a "progressive rock band with heavy folk and new age touches". History The band formed in 1980, and performed BBC sessions and received national music press coverage before splitting in 1985 (with one guest appearance in 1986). Their only album release in this period was 1984's ''Silent Dance''. Interest generated by a CD reissue of ''Silent Dance'' led to a reunion in the nineties with two studio releases, ''New Life'' and ''Circles'', and a live album, ''The Cropredy Set''. Guitarist Andy Glass once more put the band on hold in order to focus on band 3sticks. A DVD release of the Cropredy performance preceded another reunion in 2007, with the entire back catalogue being remastered and issued in expanded "Definitive Edition" form. The band then toured the UK and, for the firs ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Art And Illusion (album)
Twelfth Night are an English neo-prog band of the 1980s, reformed between 2007 and 2012 and again in 2014. The BBC has described them as Reading's biggest band of the 1980s. History Formation The seeds of Twelfth Night were sown when guitarist Andy Revell and drummer Brian Devoil joined forces on 23 February 1978 to win a talent competition at Reading University. The road crew included Geoff Mann as backdrop painter, and Rick Battersby as dry ice engineer. Devoil's previous musical experience was of various local bands in Reading, including ''Trash'' with whom he recorded a single ''"Priorities"'' released by Polydor in October the previous year. Revell's previous bands (in Bournemouth) included ''Joe Soap and The Bubbles'' and ''Abraxas''. Later in 1978, Clive Mitten wandered into a rehearsal and asked for a job. Devoil described Mitten as being very good in creating opportunities, convincing them when he said "you need a bass player". Mitten had previously played wi ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pendragon (band)
Pendragon are an English neo-prog band established in 1978 in Stroud, Gloucestershire as Zeus Pendragon by guitarist and vocalist Nick Barrett. The word ''Zeus'' was dropped before the band started recording, as the members decided it was too long to look good on a T-shirt. There were a few personnel changes in the early days, but since 1986 the lineup has remained relatively stable (with only the drummer changing several times since then) and the band are still active as of 2025. History The band were active in the progressive rock revival spearheaded by the likes of Marillion, Pallas, Solstice and Twelfth Night in the early 1980s, and indeed (like their peers IQ) often appeared as support acts to Marillion and other major neo-prog bands, both on tours and at the Marquee venue which hosted many regular prog evenings. In spring 1984 the band took part in a 'battle of the bands' contest at Goldiggers club, in Chippenham, televised by the local HTV television station. This was ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
The Sentinel (album)
''The Sentinel'' is the debut album by British neo-progressive rock band Pallas. Released in February 1984, it is a concept album with lyrics based upon Cold War themes, using a futuristic version of the tale of Atlantis as a metaphor for a technologically advanced society brought to the brink of destruction. The cover artwork is by Patrick Woodroffe. Background and recording Pallas had been actively touring for years before their debut album was recorded. A newly established association with Marillion, the popularity of heavy metal in the adolescent market, and a revival of interest in progressive rock led to the band being signed to EMI for a £500,000 advance. As a further indication that EMI were considering the possibility of a progressive rock revival, Eddy Offord, known for his extensive work with Yes and Emerson, Lake & Palmer, was brought on as producer. Much of the album's material first appeared in the Atlantis Suite, an epic science fiction rock opera which was a c ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Pallas (band)
Pallas are a Scottish progressive rock band from Aberdeen. They were one of the bands at the vanguard of what was termed neo-prog during progressive rock's second-wave revival in the early 1980s. Other major UK acts included Marillion, IQ, Twelfth Night, Pendragon and Solstice. History Formed in 1974 as 'Rainbow', they dropped the name after Ritchie Blackmore left Deep Purple and called his new band Rainbow. Pallas began hitting the club circuit at the beginning of a grassroots revival of full-blown progressive rock, which, at the time, was extremely unfashionable due to the overwhelming influence of pop and new wave. Ignoring prevailing trends, the band even directly imitated older progressive rock bands, with vocalist Brian Wood mimicking the voice and hairstyle of Peter Gabriel, keyboardist Mike Stobbie donning a Rick Wakeman-style cape, and drummer Derek Forman constructing a helmet for himself out of sheet metal. The band temporarily changed their name to Pallas Athen ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
Fugazi (album)
''Fugazi'' is the second studio album by the British neo-prog band Marillion, released in 1984. Produced by Nick Tauber, it was recorded between November 1983 and February 1984 at various studios and was the first to feature drummer Ian Mosley, following the dismissal of the band's original drummer Mick Pointer. The album is titled after a military slang term well known at the time of release. According to AllMusic, the album "streamlined the intricacies of the group's prog rock leanings in favour of a more straight-ahead hard rock identity". Built upon the success of its predecessor, ''Script for a Jester's Tear'', ''Fugazi'' reached the UK top five and was certified Gold. Background and recording Following their first album and its support tour, Marillion found themselves behind schedule, under pressure from EMI Records to deliver a second album. Producer Nick Tauber worked the band hard, having them stop into various rehearsal and recording studios to write songs, and to ... [...More Info...] [...Related Items...] OR: [Wikipedia] [Google] [Baidu] |
