An 80s Prog Revival Primer

Vist our curated playlist at www.bit.ly/80s_prog_playlist or click on the QR code on the right.

Some known, some less well-known, but all these tracks serve as an introduction to the UK’s prog landscape of the early 80s. They capture the youthful energy these bands brought to the prog fore, as well as more modern musical influences – and yet always with a respect for their forefathers.

Pallas – The Ripper (Arrive Alive, 1981)

The closing track from the Aberdeen quintet’s self-financed debut cassette. An epic 15-minute song concerned with insanity, child abuse, rape and murder, which singer Euan Lowson would act out onstage dressed half as a woman, half as an old man. Quite!

Marillion – Grendel (Market Square Heroes, single, 1982)

The epic B-side to the band’s debut 12-inch single for EMI (Market Square Heroes and Three Boats Down From The Candy were on the A-side). True, bits are similar to Apocalypse In 9/8 from Supper’s Ready, but it was a centrepiece of the band’s live shows until they stopped playing it after their 1983 Reading Festival appearance.

Twelfth Night – Creepshow (Fact And Fiction, 1982)

Arguably the track from Twelfth Night’s first full-length vinyl album Fact And Fiction, and possibly one of the finest songs they ever recorded, made more impactful live with Geoff Mann wrapping the mic lead around his face!

Airbridge – Words & Pictures (Words & Pictures, single, 1983)

A single that followed the band’s Paradise Moves debut album, this sprightly, catchy number showed the more modern influence the 80s bands would end up bringing to the fore. It was even chosen by author Malcolm Bradbury when he appeared on BBC Radio 4’s Desert Island Discs!

IQ – The Last Human Gateway (Tales From The Lush Attic, 1983)

The epic opening track from the Southampton band’s first vinyl album Tales From The Lush Attic. At nearly 20 minutes, this tale of a young man who discovers he can’t die was a staple of early live shows.

Trilogy – Arctic Life (Arctic Life Demo, 1983)

A proper neo-prog tour de force from the Essex trio, which was recorded at EMI’s Manchester Square Studios as a demo for the label. It’s still difficult to fathom why Trilogy never got a deal!

Solstice – Peace (Silent Dance, 1984)

The song might be titled Peace, but it didn’t actually feature on the band’s now legendary 1983

The Peace Tape. Instead it appeared on Silent Dance, their 1984 debut album. Witness then-singer Sandy Leigh’s Jon Anderson-like vocals and a strong sense of melody that the band still retain today.

Liaison – Only Heaven Knows (single, 1984)

The west London quartet were Marquee regulars with two aces up their sleeve. Vocalist Howard Rogers and guitarist Keith Young were both on top form on this weaving and intricate track, which is now much sought-after. The band have recently reformed, by the way.

Haze – The Load (C’est La Vie, 1984)

Marquee regulars from about 1983 onwards, courtesy of their Cellar Tapes cassette, the epic The Load is from the band’s 1984 debut release, C’est La Vie, which came housed in a vinyl sleeve. Melodrama with strong hints of Genesis.

Pendragon –

The Black Knight (The Jewel, 1985)

This was a staple of the band’s live shows in the early 80s, but

The Black Knight didn’t actually appear on any of Pendragon’s early cassettes. Instead it popped up on 1985’s full-length The Jewel. Still, for those of us that were there, the strong Arthurian imagery strikes a nostalgic chord.

Quasar – Fire In The Sky (Fire In Harmony, 1985)

The title of the band’s 1982 album, this was a re-recording for the Fire In Harmony compilation, by which time former Solstice singer Sue Robinson had replaced vocalist Paul Vigras.