Marine Research – in session for John Peel – April 18, 1999 – BBC Radio 1 –
Marine Research tonight. After running the 90s indie band Heavenly last night, a reader reminded me of the band which came after Heavenly. That was Marine Research.
Following in the Indie/jangly footsteps of their predecessors Heavenly and Talulah Gosh, Marine Research came about as the result of the sudden suicide of drummer Matthew Fisher. It was decided the band couldn’t continue on the way they had before, so they set out to find another name, and that’s where Marine Research comes in.
Same lineup, but understandably without drummer Fisher, they were joined by drummer DJ Downfall and began anew.
Only together for a scant two years (1997-1999), the band managed to record one album (Sounds From The Gulf Stream) and issue two singles before calling it a day. Well received, but not enough to sustain things, Marine Research split up for good in 1999.
The members went their separate ways – Vocalist and keyboards Cathy Rogers moved to the U.S. where she became a well-known producer, as well as starring in the TV show Junkyard Wars.
This session comes just prior to the end – it is the first (and presumably) last session the band did for John Peel at BBC Radio 1. It was recorded on April 18, 1999.
Interesting to note, and perhaps disturbing, that many of the early 90s bands in the UK were having death issues at the time. Either by accident, suicide or overdoses. The death of Heavenly’s Drummer was only one in a long line of deaths between the early and mid-1990s. Not entirely clear what that’s about or if it’s even significant of anything, but it was shocking to hear about in retrospect.
Heavenly, as well as Marine Research and the earliest incarnation, Talulah Gosh were pivotal bands at the time. Referred to variously as Twee and Indie Pop they were a lot more serious than their breezy lyrics would suggest.
That they had several layers was made them interesting and enjoyable.
Crank it up – h/t to Dave Driscoll for the info and the tracks.
