The Watcher

Following on from their critically acclaimed debut album, ‘Calling’, melodic prog rockers Stuckfish have been busy creating more of their signature fantasy-inspired music. The upcoming second album, entitled ‘The Watcher’, is ready for release, with an official launch gig planned for Tuesday 19th November at The Cluny in Newcastle. According to the band: “The Watcher takes the progressive nature of our music to another level as we explore song structures, time signatures and innovative soundscapes”. Interestingly, the new Stuckfish music was brought to the attention of Thijs van Leer, the founding member of Dutch prog rock masters, Focus, (Hocus Pocus, Sylvia etc.) by band manager Gordon Taylor who formerly ran the Focus fan club, resulting in Thijs agreeing to play the flute on the new album, to the delight of songwriters Phil Stuckey and Ade Fisher. “Moving Waves by Focus is probably my favourite album of all time,” remarks Ade Fisher. Song-writing partners Phil Stuckey and Ade Fisher have also been writing and recording songs on commission for artists in America as well as the UK, in styles ranging from rock and pop to folk and country. A mere twelve months on from their hugely ambitious debut, Stuckfish return with even braver choices and more colourful textures on a record which proves that once you’re on a roll the worst thing you can do is to stop. Hamming up their central 80’s prog/rock sound the Stucker’s double down both on the 80’s electronic rock textures (think Journey circa ‘Separate Ways’) of their debut and signature long ‘Floyd styled guitar solos. Full of interesting ideas and noteworthy cameos, The Watcher is a highly ambitious record which takes time to tells its stories in full rather than editing them down into disposable fillers. Lush vocals, dream like guitars and rich textures; this is a band full of momentum. If you love melodic prog rock with a capital R then look no further than Stuckfish - The Watcher , the opening track The Bridge released recently as a single received great acclaim, there‘s hints of AOR and pop in the talents of the main players Pill Stuckey and Ade Fisher, their first album Calling was and excellent début which the guys have built on nicely.