Big Big Train | Artist

Big Big Train is an English progressive rock band formed 1990 in Bournemouth, UK, by original members Andy Poole (bass, guitar, keyboards), Greg Spawton (guitar, bass, keyboards, backing vocals), Ian Cooper (keyboards, vocals), Steve Hughes (drums), and Martin Read (lead vocals). The current day line-up includes band founder Gregory Spawton, along with Nick D'Virgilio (drums, percussion, backing vocals), Dave Gregory (guitar), Danny Manners (keyboards, double bass), Rikard Sjöblom (vocals, keyboards), Rachel Hall (violin), and Alberto Bravin (lead vocals). Founders Spawton and Poole became friends with 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. Poole had spent some time as a roadie for bands The Lens and IQ. The pair recruited other band members and eventually released their debut full-length album, Goodbye to the Age of Steam. The band were signed to the progressive rock label Giant Electric Pea. In the studio, the band has gone on to release 14 albums to-date, plus several EPs and some excellent live albums. Standout releases include The Difference Machine (2007), The Underfall Yard (2009), English Electric - Part One (2012), English Electric - Part Two (2013) and the live album A Stone's Throw From the Line (2016). The band's characteristic sound is lush neo-progressive with melodic passages and interesting lyrics based on Victorian themes. In November 2021 the band's long-time lead vocalist David Longdon died aged 56 and was replaced by singer and keyboard player Alberto Bravin, who was formerly with Italian prog maestro's Premiata Forneria Marconi (PFM).

Artist Website: bigbigtrain.com

Featured Albums: Big Big Train

Related Artists: The Enid, PFM