Big Big Train is an English progressive rock band founded in 1990 by Gregory Spawton and Andy Poole. The bands first line-up included Spawton (guitar, keyboards) and Poole (bass), alongside vocalist Martin Read, keyboardist Ian Cooper and drummer Steve Hughes. The bands current line-up includes Spawton (bassist since 2009), drummer, guitarist and keyboardist Nick D'Virgilio (since 2009), guitarist and keyboardist Rikard Sjöblom (since 2014), guitarist Dave Foster (since 2020), violinist Clare Lindley (since 2021), vocalist, keyboardist and guitarist Alberto Bravin (since 2022) and keyboardist and vocalist Oskar Holldorff (since 2023).
History
The roots of Big Big Train go back to 1981 in Birmingham, England, when Gregory's brother Nigel Spawton (drums) joined with Steve Lugg (guitar), Ed Serafinas (vocals of sorts) Pete McDonald (bass) and Tim McCarty (guitar) in a new wave outfit called Big Big Train, who were raw but brilliant. Later in the 80s Andy Poole formed a songwriting partnership in Bournemouth, England, with his childhood friend, Ian Cooper. At around the same time, Gregory Spawton had also formed his first band, Equus. Equus played a few local gigs around the Birmingham area before splitting up when Spawton went to university in 1984. Meanwhile, Poole and Cooper's band, Archshine, recorded a few demos and occasionally emerged from their home studio to play some gigs.
In 1987, Spawton moved down to Bournemouth. Shortly afterwards, he met Poole and they discovered that they shared a mutual appreciation of Genesis, Van der Graaf Generator and other progressive bands. In particular, they were both fans of a then relatively obscure band called IQ. Indeed, Poole had spent some time as a roadie for The Lens and IQ.
In the late 1980s, they decided to record some demos together. After a few months, the very first Big Big Train songs emerged and in 1990, Archshine ceased to exist, and Big Big Train was founded, initially consisting of the duo of Spawton (guitar) and Poole (bass). The following year saw the recruitment of Cooper (keyboards), Steve Hughes (drums), and Martin Read (vocals).[1]
The band's earliest songs were released on a demo tape in October 1991, and the band's first demo album, From the River to the Sea, was released in May 1992. During this time, the band continued to perform live dates, gradually playing to larger crowds in higher profile venues.
In January 1993 the band released their second demo album, The Infant Hercules, and then followed up six months later with their debut full-length album, Goodbye to the Age of Steam. The response to the album was very positive, culminating in a licensing deal in Japan where the CD was re-released in 1995, with a bonus track. In the meantime, Ian Cooper had left the band (for family reasons) and due to this the band ceased touring and started looking for his replacement. In the meantime, they started work on their next album, with Spawton filling the role of keyboard player. Eventually, Tony Müller was recruited as keyboard player in early 1995 during the recording of the new album.[2]
Some of the new songs were debuted live at The Astoria, London, the only live show the band performed during this period. English Boy Wonders was finally released in autumn 1997. Steve Hughes left the band in September 1998 and went on to join The Enid. He was replaced, briefly, by Pete Hibbit. After a few more live performances, the band's momentum was all but spent and Spawton and Poole retreated back to their studio to work on the next album. Events had turned full circle; Poole and Spawton, with no particular goal in mind and without a band line-up, slowly began work on some demos, more out of habit than anything else.
As the demos took shape, Gregory and Andy called in the other band members as and when they were required. In February 2002, after three years of irregular writing and recording, Bard was released. Bard received some excellent reviews. The line-up of the band during the recording of Bard consisted of Spawton, Poole, Read, Müller, the returning Cooper, and drummer Phil Hogg. Around the time of the album's release, The Enid became inactive, and Steve Hughes returned to Big Big Train to replace the departing Hogg.
In 2003, Müller and Read departed the band, and Sean Filkins was recruited to replace Read.[3] This line-up recorded the band's next album, Gathering Speed, which was released in March 2004. This was the last album to feature Ian Cooper on keyboards; Poole and Spawton took the keyboards to play in future albums.
A new album titled The Difference Machine was released in September 2007. The album featured guest appearances from future full-time member Nick D'Virgilio, and Dave Meros (both of Spock's Beard), as well as Pete Trewavas of Marillion. In 2008, BBT appeared on the Classic Rock Magazine CD for issue 112, with the song Summer's Lease, which is also found on The Difference Machine.
On BBT's blog, it was announced that they would be re-releasing English Boy Wonders. They partially re-recorded the album, as well as re-mixing it.[4] English Boy Wonders was re-released on 1 December 2008. Both Hughes and Filkins left the band in February 2009, and were replaced by then-Spock's Beard drummer Nick D'Virgilio and vocalist and flute player David Longdon respectively.[5]
BBT released their sixth studio album, The Underfall Yard, on 15 December 2009. Guitarist Dave Gregory (XTC), keyboardist Jem Godfrey (Frost*) and guitarist Francis Dunnery (It Bites) make guest appearances on The Underfall Yard.[6] "Last Train" from The Underfall Yard was released on the iTunes essential compilation album Modern Prog on 10 February 2010.[7]
In October 2010, the band released the 41-minute EP entitled Far Skies Deep Time. The EP again features guitarist Dave Gregory (formerly of XTC and now an established part of the band's line-up) as well as featuring performances from guest musicians keyboardist Martin Orford and bassist Danny Manners (frequent collaborator with Louis Philippe).
On 3 September 2012, the band released their seventh studio album, the first part of a double album, entitled English Electric Part One. The second part, English Electric Part Two, was released in March 2013, and featured Danny Manners (keyboards, double bass), who was now an official member of the band.[8]
At the start of 2014 Beardfish frontman Rikard Sjöblom was confirmed as a touring keyboardist and guitarist.[9] In August, the band convened at Real World Studios for a week to try out a live line-up that also included violinist Rachel Hall and a five-piece brass band under the directorship of trombonist Dave Desmond, who had featured on recent Big Big Train albums. The positive outcome led to the band announcing that its first live performances in seventeen years would take place in August 2015 at Kings Place in London,[10] and that Sjöblom and Hall were now full band members for both live and studio work.[11]
An EP containing new and live tracks, Wassail, was released on 1 June 2015,[12] and Stone & Steel, a Blu-ray featuring rehearsals at Real World Studios as well as four of the songs performed at the Kings Place concerts, was released on 21 March 2016. The digital-only album From Stone and Steel, containing the Real World studio performances from August 2014, was released[13] on 1 April 2016. Folklore was released on 27 May 2016[14] whilst its 'companion' album Grimspound was released on 28 April 2017.
Band co-founder Andy Poole departed the band early in January 2018,[15] with guitarist and keyboardist Robin Armstrong joining the live line-up of the band the following month.[16] Armstrong left the line-up at the end of 2019.[17] Dave Gregory would announce his departure in March 2020 due to his desire to not tour internationally with Big Big Train. Randy McStine was subsequently named as his live replacement for scheduled shows in 2020, which were all subsequently cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[18] Later in 2020, it was announced that Carly Bryant and Dave Foster would join the BBT live band.[19]
Their thirteenth album, Common Ground, was released on 30 July 2021. On 21 October 2021, the band announced that their fourteenth studio album, Welcome to the Planet,[20] would be released on 28 January 2022. Lead vocalist David Longdon died on 20 November 2021, aged 56.[21] On 27 April 2022, Big Big Train announced former Premiata Forneria Marconi singer and keyboard player, Alberto Bravin, as their new lead vocalist.[22] On 15 January 2023, it was announced that Carly Bryant was departing Big Big Train, to be replaced by Dim Gray's Oskar Holldorff.[23]
Member information
Gregory Spawton
Gregory "Greg" Spawton (born 17 May 1965)[24] is the co-founder, along with Andy Poole, of BBT, he plays bass (primary instrument since 2012) guitars, keyboards, bass pedals and backing vocals. He was brought up in Sutton Coldfield, and first got into progressive rock through his brother playing Genesis' Selling England by the Pound.[25] He has been the bands main songwriter and leader for their career.[26]
Andy Poole
Andy Poole was BBT's co-founder, he played bass with the band until 2012 when he moved onto additional keyboards and guitar. Though not as prolific a songwriter as Spawton, he still wrote some songs for the band. Poole departed the band in early 2018, saying "it has been a long old trip aboard this train and now the time is right for me to disembark: I am ready for new and exciting adventures."[27]
Nick D'Virgilio
Nick D'Virgilio (born 12 November 1968) has been BBT's drummer, vocalist and multi-instrumentalist since 2009, he originally recorded with the band as a guest musician in 2007. He left his former band Spock's Beard in 2011 and has also toured and recorded with other bands, including Genesis, Tears for Fears, Mystery and Mr. Big.[28]
David Longdon
David Longdon (17 June 1965 – 20 November 2021 (aged 56)) was an English singer and multi-instrumentalist, he was lead singer, flautist and multi-instrumentalist for BBT from 2009[29] until his death in 2021.[30] He played flute, keyboards, acoustic and electric 6 & 12 string guitars, bass, mandolin, lute, banjo, accordion, percussion, dulcimer, psaltry, vibraphone, theremin and glockenspiel.
Martin Read
Martin Read was BBT's original lead singer, he sang on albums Goodbye to the Age of Steam (1994), English Boy Wonders (1997) and Bard (2002). He was replaced by Sean Filkins.
Steve Hughes
Steve Hughes was BBT's original drummer, he had two tenures from 1991–1998 and from 2002–2009, during his gap in tenures, he was a member of The Enid.[31] He has also released several solo albums,[32] and been a member of John Mitchell's Kino.[33]
Ian Cooper
Ian Cooper was the original keyboardist for BBT, he had two tenures from 1991–1995, and from 1999–2004 and was a childhood friend of Andy Poole. He played on albums Goodbye to the Age of Steam (1994), Bard (2002) and Gathering Speed (2004). Following his first departure, he was replaced by Tony Müller, when he rejoined in 1999 he played alongside Muller who moved to co-lead vocalist.
Tony Müller
Tony Müller replaced Cooper as BBT keyboardist, after Spawton filled in. Following Cooper rejoining Müller sang co lead vocals on Bard (2002).
Pete Hibbit
Pete Hibbit replaced Steve Hughes as drummer for BBT in 1998 though he was no longer in the band in 1999. He played some live shows with the band but did not record with them.[34]
Phil Hogg
Phil Hogg was BBT's first long time drummer since the first departure of Steve Hughes, he replaced Hibbit in 1999. He recorded with the band on Bard (2002), before being replaced by the returning Hughes.[31]
Sean Filkins
Sean Filkins replaced Read as BBT's lead vocalist before being replaced by David Longdon, he has also been associated with neo-prog band Lorien as well as UK space rock ensemble, Soma.[35]
Dave Gregory
Dave Gregory (21 September 1952) joined BBT in 2009, having contributed to The Underfall Yard as a session guest, playing guitars, electric sitar, guitar solos, E-bow, Mellotron and sitar, Gregory had previously been a member of XTC. He departed from BBT in 2020 due to not wanting to tour internationally with the band.[18]
Danny Manners
Danny Manners joined BBT in 2012 on keyboards and double bass, being the band first keyboardist since Ian Cooper's second departure in 2004. He had previously played double bass on Far Skies Deep Time (2010). He departed BBT in 2020, alongside violinist Rachel Hall.[36]
Rikard Sjöblom
Rikard Sjöblom (born 23 February 1982) has been BBT's guitarist and keyboardist since 2014, having previously been frontman of Swedish prog band Beardfish.
Rachel Hall
Rachel Hall contributed violin, viola and cello, as well as vocals to BBT from 2014 to 2020,[37] she is also a violin teacher in Norfolk.[38] prior to joining BBT she played violin on albums English Electric Part One (2012), English Electric Part Two (2013), Make Some Noise (2013) and English Electric: Full Power (2013).
Dave Foster
Dave Foster January 1971 (age 53) joined the band as a replacement for Dave Gregory,[19] after Randy McStine was originally announced as replacement.[18] He has also been a member of Mr. So & So, Panic Room and the Steve Rothery Band.[39][40]
Clare Lindley
Clare Lindley has been the bands violinist since 2021, replacing Rachel Hall, whom she also replaced in Stackridge,[41] she also sings vocals. She also part of a celtic duo with Brian Mullan, in which she plays violin and guitar.[42]
Carly Bryant
Carly Bryant was BBT's keyboardist after the departure of Danny Manners in 2020, she played keyboards and sang co-lead vocals on Common Ground (2021) and Welcome to the Planet (2022). She stepped away from touring in September 2022 due to "family commitments" and official left in January 2023.[23]
Alberto Bravin
Alberto Bravin has been BBT's lead singer since 2022 following the death of David Longdon in 2021. He also plays guitars and keyboards, as Longdon previously had.[22] Prior to joining the band he was a vocalist and keyboardist with Premiata Forneria Marconi, with whom he had played with for seven years.[43]
Oskar Holldorff
Oskar Holldorff replaced Carly Bryant as the band's keyboardist in 2022, firstly on a touring basis and later full time following Bryant's departure. He is also a member of Dim Gray who have acted as support for BBT.[23]
Members
Current members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Gregory Spawton | 1990–present |
|
all releases | |
| Nick D'Virgilio | 2009–present (session guest 2007) |
|
all release from The Difference Machine (2007) onwards | |
| Rikard Sjöblom | 2014–present |
|
all releases from Wassail (2015) onwards | |
| Dave Foster | 2020–present | guitars | all releases from Common Ground (2021) onwards | |
| Clare Lindley | 2021–present |
|
| |
| Alberto Bravin | 2022–present |
|
| |
| Oskar Holldorff | 2023–present (substitute 2022–2023)[23] |
|
Touring members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rich Evans | 2014–present | cornet |
| |
| Dave Desmond | trombone | |||
| Nick Stones | French horn | |||
| Jon Truscott | tuba | |||
| Robin Armstrong | 2018–2019 |
|
Touring in place of the departed Andy Poole,[16] appeared on live albums Empire (2020) and Summer Shall Not Fade (2022) and backing vocals on Make Some Noise (2013) | |
| Maria Barbieri | August–September 2023 | guitars | Substitute for Dave Foster[40] | |
| Cade Gotthardt | March 2024 |
|
In place of brass section for US dates.[44][45] |
Former members
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Andy Poole | 1990–2018 |
|
all release from From the River to the Sea (1991) to Merchants of Light (2018) | |
| Martin Read | 1991–2003 |
|
| |
| Steve Hughes |
|
drums |
| |
| Ian Cooper |
|
keyboards |
| |
| Tony Müller | 1995–2003 (session guest 2010) |
|
| |
| Pete Hibbit | 1998–1999 |
|
none | |
| Phil Hogg | 1999–2002 | drums | Bard (2002) | |
| Sean Filkins | 2003–2009 |
|
| |
| David Longdon | 2009–2021 (until his death) |
|
all releases from The Underfall Yard (2009) to Ingenious Devices (2023) | |
| Dave Gregory | 2009–2020 (session guest 2009) |
|
| |
| Danny Manners | 2012–2020[37] (session 2010) |
|
| |
| Rachel Hall | 2014–2020[37] (session 2012) |
|
| |
| Carly Bryant | 2021–2023[19][23] |
|
|
Session
| Image | Name | Years active | Instruments | Release contributions |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Rob Aubrey | 1994–present |
|
all releases | |
| Ken Bundy |
|
backing vocals |
| |
| Martin Orford |
|
|
| |
| Gary Chandler | 1994 | backing vocals | Goodbye to the Age of Steam (1994) | |
| Sally French | ||||
| Stuart Nicholson | ||||
| Mandy Taylor | ||||
| Steve Christey | windchimes | |||
| Jo Michaels | 2002 | vocals | Bard (2002) | |
| Laura Murch | 2004 | Gathering Speed (2004) | ||
| Becca King | 2007 | viola | The Difference Machine (2007) | |
| Tony Wright |
| |||
| Dave Meros | bass | |||
| Pete Trewavas | ||||
| Jon Foyle | 2009 |
|
The Underfall Yard (2009) | |
| Francis Dunnery | guitars and guitar solo | |||
| Jem Godfrey | synthesizer solos | |||
| Jonathan Barry | 2010 | guitar solo | Far Skies Deep Time (2010) | |
| Andy Tillison | 2012 |
|
| |
| Ben Godfrey |
|
|
| |
| Abigail Trundle | 2012 | cello |
| |
| Daniel Steinhardt | electric guitar | |||
| Eleanor Gilchrist | violin | |||
| Geraldine Berreen | ||||
| Sue Bowran | ||||
| Teresa Whipple | viola | |||
| Jan Jaap Langereis | recorders | |||
| Lily Adams | backing vocals | |||
| Verity Joy | ||||
| Violet Adams | ||||
| Judy Dyble | 2017 (died 2020) | vocals | Grimspound (2017) | |
| Philip Trzebiatowski | 2017 | cello | ||
| Aidan O'Rourke |
|
|
| |
| Derek Reeves | 2022 | violin | Welcome to the Planet (2022) | |
| Riaan Vosloo | double bass | |||
| Brian Mullan | 2023 | cello | The Likes of Us (2024) |
Timeline
Line-ups
| Period | Members | Releases |
|---|---|---|
| 1990 – 1991 |
|
|
| 1991 – 1995 |
|
|
| 1995 |
|
|
| 1995 – September 1998 |
|
|
| September 1998 – 1999 |
|
|
| 1999 |
|
|
| 1999 – 2002 |
|
|
| 2002 – 2003 |
|
|
| 2003 – 2004 |
|
|
| 2004 – 2009 |
|
|
| 2009 – 2012 |
|
|
| 2012 – 2014 |
|
|
| 2014 – 2018 |
|
|
| 2018 – 2020 |
|
|
| 2020 |
|
|
| 2021 |
|
|
| 2022 |
|
|
| 2022–present |
|
|
References
- ^ "Band History – The early days (1990–1992)". Bigbigtrain.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Band History – Going independent (1995–2002)". bigbigtrain.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Band History – New voice, new sound (2003–2008)". Bigbigtrain.com. Archived from the original on 1 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "English boys wondering how to play our old songs". Bigbigtrain.blogspot.com. 5 February 2008. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Band History – From 'The Underfall Yard' to the 'Far Skies' (2009–2010)". Bigbigtrain.com. 15 December 2009. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Godfrey and Dunnery". Frostmusic.net. Archived from the original on 25 July 2011. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "iTunes Essentials: Modern Prog". Bigbigtrain.blogspot.com. 13 February 2010. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Band History – Revisiting the Age of Steam (2011)". Bigbigtrain.com. Archived from the original on 2 May 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Big Big Train Recruit Beardfish's Sjoblom — BEARDFISHBAND.COM". Archived from the original on 15 April 2014. Retrieved 15 June 2014.
- ^ "Big Big Train | Kings Place". Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 5 November 2014.
- ^ "Sold out gigs and new band members – third gig added". Bigbigtrain.com. 21 October 2014. Archived from the original on 5 November 2014. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Wassail EP Now on Pre-Order". Bigbigtrain.com. 30 April 2015. Archived from the original on 21 June 2015. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "From Stone and Steel | Big Big Train". Bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Folklore | Big Big Train". Bigbigtrain.bandcamp.com. Retrieved 16 April 2016.
- ^ "Andy Poole To Leave Big Big Train". Loudersound.com. 1 January 2018. Retrieved 27 May 2020.
- ^ a b "Robin Armstrong (Cosmograf) joins live line-up | bigbigtrain.com – the official website". Archived from the original on 27 November 2018. Retrieved 26 November 2018.
- ^ "Big Big Train Public Group". 31 December 2019. Retrieved 27 May 2020 – via Facebook.
- ^ a b c "Big Big Train cancel North American tour dates; Dave Gregory leaves band". The Prog Report. 18 March 2020. Retrieved 25 March 2020.
- ^ a b c "Carly Bryant and Dave Foster join the BBT live band". Big Big Train website. Retrieved 8 October 2020.
- ^ Ewinglast, Jerry (21 October 2021). "Big Big Train announce surprise new album Welcome To The Planet". louder. Retrieved 3 July 2023.
- ^ Lewry, Fraser (20 November 2021). "Big Big Train singer David Longdon dead at 56". loudersound. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- ^ a b Ewing, Jerry (27 April 2022). "Big Big Train announce Alberto Bravin as new lead singer". loudersound. Retrieved 27 April 2022.
- ^ a b c d e Ewing, Jerry (15 January 2023). "Multi-instrumentalist Carly Bryant quits Big Big Train". louder. Retrieved 9 March 2023.
- ^ Janson, Tobbe (17 May 2015). "Happy Birthday, Greg!". Progarchy. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Moon, Grant (28 November 2016). "Big Big Train's Greg Spawton gives us a glimpse into his prog world". louder. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Driessen, Alex (9 December 2020). "Greg Spawton – Big Big Train". T P A. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Ewing, Jerry (1 January 2018). "Andy Poole To Leave Big Big Train". louder. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Rapp, Allison (6 March 2023). "Mr. Big Announces Farewell Tour, 'The Big Finish'". Ultimate Classic Rock. Retrieved 6 March 2023.
- ^ "Introducing David Longdon". Big Big Train. 19 February 2009. Retrieved 20 November 2021.
- ^ "David Longdon: 17 June 1965 – 20 November 2021 | Real Gone". Real Gone Rocks. 21 November 2021. Retrieved 22 November 2021.
- ^ a b "History". Big Big Train. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Steve Hughes (4)". Discogs. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ Kino (John Mitchell / Pete Trewavas / John Bec / Steve Hughes) - Live in Germany 2004, retrieved 23 July 2023
- ^ Train, Big Big (1 July 2008), Backstage at a festival in Holland, 1998, retrieved 23 July 2023
- ^ "SEAN FILKINS". Progarchives.com. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ steve (3 December 2020). "Rachel Hall and Danny Manners Depart Big Big Train". Big Big Train. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ a b c "Rachel Hall and Danny Manners Depart Big Big Train". Big Big Train website. Retrieved 8 October 2020.=
- ^ "Rachel Hall - East Runton, Norfolk". stringbabies.com. 7 April 2020. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ "Dave Foster - A History". The Dave Foster Band. Retrieved 23 July 2023.
- ^ a b Ewing, Jerry (31 January 2023). "Big Big Train enlist guitarist Maria Barbieri to cover for Dave Foster". louder. Retrieved 9 July 2023.
- ^ Tobin, Mike (16 October 2017). "Mike Tobin on Big Big Train - The Forum". www.facebook.com. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "Clare Lindley and Brian Mullan - Matters Musical". Matters Musical -. 14 May 2021. Retrieved 29 September 2023.
- ^ Driessen, Alex (28 August 2022). "Alberto Bravin – Big Big Train". T P A. Retrieved 22 November 2023.
- ^ "BIG BIG TRAIN Announce March 2024 U.S. Tour Dates". bravewords.com. 12 December 2023. Retrieved 13 December 2023.
- ^ Big Big Train [@bigbigtrain] (20 February 2024). "We are pleased to announce that Cade Gotthardt will be performing with us at all of our forthcoming shows in the USA" (Tweet). Retrieved 9 April 2024 – via Twitter.
- ^ Train, Big Big (1 July 2008), Live, 1998, retrieved 19 October 2023
- ^ "Big Big Train interview November 7th 1998". 7 November 1998. Retrieved 14 December 2023.
This page was last edited on 9 April 2024, at 21:31