Arm-ed and ready - Brace yourself for another prog supergroup Members of Marillion, It Bites, Porcupine Tree, and Arena have formed a new group, currently with the temporary name The Arm Band. The line-up consists of guitarist John Mitchell from neo-proggers Arena, keyboardist John Beck of the reunited It Bites (themselves currently writing new material), Marillion bassist Pete Trewavas and former Porcupine Tree drummer Chris Maitland. "I'd always fancied working with John Beck who had supported Marillion with It Bites years ago," Trewavas told CR. "I was impressed by his keybpard playing, vocal harmonies and stage presence." Trewavas promises that the band's music will have an element of surprise. "We're all from the prog scene but there's a lot of common ground from elsewhere. We get out more than most people would think! I'd like it to be forward thinking - the further we get away from traditional prog the better."
Trewavas insists that The Arm Band is not just another side project but is set to be a fully-fledged "proper band that tours and does albums". Logistically, however, it seems that the band will be forced to work around its members' other assorted commitments, not least with Marillion set to begin a major tour in support of their next studio album "Marbles". Expect an Arm Band album to be released in early 2004.
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John Mitchell has been writing and recording with a new project currently named 'The Arm Band'. The band is in its infancy but demos so far sound very promising. Marillion's bassist Pete Trewavas and It Bites' keyboard player John Beck are confirmed in the line up. Ex Genesis frontman Ray Wilson has also been rumoured to be the singer, but this is a long way down the road and may or may not happen, especially as John Mitchell, John Beck and Pete Trewavas all have experience singing in the studio and live! The drummer will be announced This recent photograph shows the band having completed a track for a compilation cd, which will appear on a tribute to the American singer songwriter 'Kevin Gilbert'.
Of course, now we know Ray Wilson is not involved, and Chris Maitland is the drummer. I also remember reading about the Gilbert tribute on the Marillion site, but can't find it right now, and don't fell like digging :-)
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