"The
Manchester scene that was around at the time, you know, the 1989
scene - we weren't into that at all. Like, we were talking about
the whole baggy scene before, the 'twistin the melon man' kind of
laid back stuff. We were just looking back to other stuff like the
Buzzcocks. " -
PHIL CUNNINGHAM.
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Line
up: Jamie Harding (vocals), Phil Cunningham (guitar), Johnny Regan
(guitar), Nick Gilbert (bass), Murad Mousa (drums)
Macclesfield
band, Marion, first hit the scene in 1993 with their style of music
heavily depicting that of their influences, The
Buzzcocks,
Joy
Division
and the Beatles.
Described
as being similar to (and better than) Radiohead, their brilliant
1994 debut single, "Violent Men", received rave reviews without
the high sales, whilst, "The Only Way" followed, also failing
to make any chart impression.
After
signing with London Records in 1995, Marion scored a minor hit with
"Sleep", followed by the less successful "Toys for Boys","Let's
All Go Together", and "Time" before re-releasing "Sleep"
as an EP.
Whilst
promoting their debut album, "This World and Body", Marion
gained an excellent reputation as a brilliant live act, highlighted
at their many shows supporting the likes of Morrissey,
Radiohead and Menswear. Q magazine described them as "stadium rock
Gods in waiting - the new Joy
Division"
Unfortunately
the hard work did not pay off and by 1998, Marion's fanbase had
all but disappeared. The single, "Miyako Hidaway" again failed
to chart, whilst "The Program", their second album, was released
with little publicity amid conflict with the record label. It subsequently
flopped in the UK despite being produced by Johnny Marr (Electronic,
and ex-Smiths
guitarist) although did enjoy some success in Japan.
On
May 31st 1999, Marion decided to call it a day. Whilst it looks
like Jamie Harding will be back, same name, different line-up, we
are left to wonder of what could have been if they had received
the promotional push they deserved.
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