Stuckfish (UK) - Crossover Prog?

This band has been around for almost 7 years, has just released its fourth album, has received plenty of glowing reviews in UK prog circles for its first three albums, yet they've never been suggested for inclusion here. I wonder why...?

OK, they're not the most proggy band you'll ever hear by any means, with their music having plenty of AOR and Classic Rock influences along with its more progressive aspects, but I feel that they're well worth a shot for inclusion in Crossover, and I'll certainly be voting 'yes' for them, so let's have a look at their history and see how things go:

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Stuckfish describe themselves as a melodic rock band with progressive influences, based in Northumberland in the north east of England, and which was formed in 2017 by guitarist/producer Adrian Fisher and vocalist/lyricist Philip Stuckey - both formerly of a 1980's NWOBHM Wallsend-based band called 'Overkill', in which Phil Stuckey was the bassist rather than the vocalist.

The songwriting partnership began with the debut album 'Calling', which was written and produced by the duo and launched on Sonic Portrait Records, Morpeth, Northumberland in 2018. This was followed up by a fantasy driven album called 'The Watcher' in November 2019 and a third album called 'Days of Innocence' in April 2022, an album which was voted one of the highlights of that year in some prog circles.

Phil Stuckey writes the lyrics and melodies for the songs, with Adrian Fisher composing the musical structure and taking care of the final production. The other band members add their own individual nuances to the developing songs, which results in each album having its unique overall sound. Stuckfish concentrate on producing songs that are melodic and memorable while still maintaining complexity in their musical structure and composition. The band is also known for its energetic and powerful live performances.

Around the time of the sophomore album 'The Watcher' (2019), the duo were joined by Micky Kerrigan on drums and Danny Stephenson on bass, with Alan Gibson contributing keyboards to track 2 'Run' and track 7 'Fallen Angels'. Thijs van Leer of FOCUS guested on the album, adding some flute to the final track 'Fallen Angels'. The album launch show was at The Cluny live music venue, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK on 19th November 2019.

Drummer Micky Kerrigan and bass player Danny Stephenson decided to move on to pastures new in January 2020, and were replaced by Adam Sayers on drums and Phil Morey on bass. The band was then dealt a savage blow when keyboard player Alan Gibson sadly died from Covid in April 2020. The former bassist Danny Stephenson, whom Phil Stuckey had also previously worked with in a Judas Priest tribute band called 'Judas Rising', also died from Covid that same month.

Gary Holland eventually joined as the new keyboard player in May 2021 - more than a year after Alan Gibson had died. The band released its third album 'Days of Innocence' via Sonic Portrait Records in April 2022, with the album launch show being held again at The Cluny, Newcastle upon Tyne on the 16th of the month. In December 2022 Stuckfish announced that a new record deal had been signed with Robert Reed's White Knight Records, and the band began work on its fourth studio album.

Gary Holland left amicably in 2024 after being unable to commit to the band's ever increasing live schedule, being replaced by Paul McNally on keys in June of that year, and the new album, entitled simply 'IV', was released via White Knight Records on 11th September 2024. Material from the new album is due to be played live at the Whitley Bay Playhouse Theatre near Newcastle upon Tyne, UK on 19th September 2024, where Stuckfish are supporting Big Big Train on their 'The Likes Of Us' tour.

Stuckfish have played numerous other excellent live shows at venues and festivals over the years, including a set at the 'Prog for Peart' festival (a two day music festival in Abingdon, Oxfordshire, UK set up in memory of Neil Peart of Rush) in July 2022, the Summer's End progressive rock festival at Chepstow, UK in October 2022 and another at the HRH Prog festival at Vauxhall Holiday Park, Great Yarmouth, UK on 11th November 2023.

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Choice of band photos:

Website: www.stuckfish.net.

Facebook: www.facebook.com/stuckfishband/.

Bandcamp: https://stuckfish.bandcamp.com/.

YouTube channel: https://www.youtube.com/@STUCKFISH (three live songs filmed at Prog for Peart 2022, plus five official videos of selected album tracks).

Awesome prog: https://awesomeprog.com/artists/16523.

Calling (2018):

- Phil Stuckey / vocals, lyrics, melodies

- Ade Fisher / all instruments, production

CD Sonic Portrait Records - CD STKFSH 001 (2018, UK)

Digital album

The Watcher (2019):

- Thijs Van Leer / flute (7)

Written and produced by Adrian Fisher and Philip Stuckey

CD Sonic Portrait Records - CD STKFSH 002 (2019, UK)

CD Sonic Portrait Records - CD STKFSH 003 (2022, UK)

Digital album

IV (2024):

CD White Knight Records (2024, UK)

Digital album.

Edit: Minor revision of biography to expand on the individual roles of Ade and Phil in the creation of the band's material. Minor correction to musician credits on the 'Calling' and 'The Watcher' albums.