Peter Trewavas - Marillion

[Danny O Danny]

I was recently listening to a Prog-Rock playlist on Spotify, and Kayleigh by Marillion came on. I was reminded what a great album Misplaced Childhood was, so I went back and listened to the entire album (for the first time in probably 30 years). It holds up. And Peter Trewavas' bass playing on it is superb; tasty and unobtrusive. That got me on a roll of listening to the music the band has been making since then, particularly with their "new" singer (who joined in '89). I'm impressed, not only that they've continued as a band for so long, but that they've continued creating great music. Here's a couple good examples of his playing...

 

[Vinny_G]

Yes, he's a non flashy but solid and tasteful player, perfectly suited to his band. What he's done with The Wishing Tree and Transatlantic is also excellent. He's one of my faves.

 

[fretlessguy]

Whenever the subject of "underrated" bassists comes up, this guy, along with Spock's Beard bassist David Meros, I quickly add Pete to the conversation. Check out his playing on the Marillion CD "season's End, which has long been what I consider his best work .

 

[MonetBass]

Big Marillion fan here, and yes, Pete's playing is perfect for that band. A good lesson in playing what's needed and nothing more.

 

[Danny O Danny]

What he's done with The Wishing Tree and Transatlantic is also excellent. He's one of my faves.

Wow, I hadn't heard Transatlantic before. I really like them! Thanks for sharing that.

 

[McStephen]

Also a big Marillion fan here. When I was in high school, I worked at a local record store (Sound Warehouse), and the manager would play Clutching at Straws at the end of the day. It’s still a favorite of mine…

 

[Jebberz]

Run down of his recording rig = he is my favorite bass player too

 

[Gluvhand]

His playing on the Kino album, Picture, is great too. Pete’s been a favorite for a long time.

 

[nattiep]

I've been going deep into their catalogue for the last year and I have to say I think Marbles is my favorite record of theirs. It somehow finds itself on repeat whenever I get into the car.

I'm fond of this one for his busier playing.

 

[onamission]

Seasons End is one of my favorite live albums in heavy rotation here. I discovered Kino a couple years ago and have thoroughly enjoyed them as well. I like Pete's tone, it's pleasing and cuts thru well. Good stuff!

 

[Jebberz]

I just listen to Marrilion new album, Pete's work is fantastic on this one.

 

[The_Bass_Troll]

I first heard Pete play with Marillion at Würzburg, Germany in ay 1983 and was blown away. I was in the U.S. Army at the time, played a 4001, and Pete's 4000 was of particular interest to me. I went out and looked for "Script for a Jester's Tear," which was only missing two songs that I was searching for; one was "Market Square Heroes," and the other was not. In any case, when I decided to apply to the Musicians' Institute in Hollywood. California, my audition song was "He Knows You Know." I even picked-up a cheap Ric copy from The Recycler and pulled the neck pickup out, using only the treble pickup in homage to Pete's 4000 (see attached image).

I graduated in March 1986, went to the Rainbow Bar & Grill that weekend to celebrate, and who should be playing next door at the Roxy but Marillion. I was bummed that I didn't have a ticket for the show because I didn't know ahead of time that they were playing there, but the were in the Rainbow whetting their whistles. I ran into Pete, asked him how to pronounce his surname, and gave him the brief rundown of "I saw you in Germany, used your song to get into music school, and I'm graduating this weekend, thank you." He seemed rather stand-offish, but from what I've seen of him in video interviews, he's a really sweet guy.

 

[Jebberz]

I've seen him a couples of times after the shows. He usually venture to the crowd and have a chat with people. Besides being an amazing bass player, he seemed to be a really nice person. Can't wait to see them live in May.