Mark Morriss
Mark James Morriss (born 18 October 1971) is an English singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman for The Bluetones. He is the older brother of bandmate and bass player/illustrator Scott Morriss. He has released four solo albums, worked with Matt Berry's band The Maypoles and sung lead vocals on The Helicopter of the Holy Ghost project. When not touring with the Bluetones, he regularly plays solo acoustic shows across the UK.
Mark Morriss | |
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 Morriss in 2009 | |
| Background information | |
| Birth name | Mark James Morriss |
| Born | 18 October 1971 Hounslow, Middlesex, England |
| Genres | Indie rock, alternative rock, Britpop |
| Occupation(s) | Singer, songwriter |
| Instrument(s) | Vocals |
| Years active | 1994–present |
| Website | markmorrissmusic.co.uk |
Biography
Mark Morriss released his debut solo album, Memory Muscle in May 2008. A folk-tinged record, it featured five re-recorded tracks which had previously been released under the name "Fi-Lo Beddow" as a self-released EP in February 2006. The strings on the record were arranged by film composer David Arnold, who became a fan of Expecting to Fly whilst scoring Independence Day.[1]
In 2014, Morriss released his second solo album A Flash of Darkness via Acid Jazz Records.[2] This was followed by another Acid Jazz release in 2015, The Taste of Mark Morriss, an album of cover versions. Morriss has also recorded the theme music for all of the children's audiobooks written by David Walliams. Morriss is also currently a full member of Matt Berry's live band, The Maypoles, and regularly tours the UK with this outfit as a rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist.[3]
In 2021, Morriss appeared as the vocalist for Billy Reeves' The Helicopter of the Holy Ghost project, on the album Afters. Morriss joined former theaudience member Reeves on the album, which was co-produced by Richard Archer of Hard-Fi, with the album also featuring members of Cocteau Twins, Engineers and Gazpacho.[4][5][6]
Personal life
In November 2021, allegations of emotional and physical abuse against Morriss were made by his ex-wife, Anna Wharton.[7] Morriss disputed the claims, telling The Guardian: "I may have been thoughtless and selfish in some of the dealings in my personal life of late, but these allegations of abuse and gaslighting are wholly untrue, and I refute [sic] them completely.” [7] Following these allegations, Morriss was dropped from The Big Britpop Family Party in London.[8]
On 2 March 2022, Morriss issued a statement in response to his ex wife's allegations.[9]
Solo discography
EPs
- 2006 - The Fi-Lo Beddow EP
Singles
Albums
- 2008 - Memory Muscle
- 2014 - A Flash of Darkness (originally a Pledge campaign album, but reissued through the Acid Jazz label)
- 2015 - The Taste of Mark Morriss
- 2017 - Look Up (originally a Pledge campaign album, but reissued on vinyl in 2019 through the Reckless Yes label)
References
- "Fullfill Music". Fullfill.co.uk. Archived from the original on 10 March 2014. Retrieved 11 April 2014.
- Adam Jacques (16 February 2014). "How we met: Mark Morriss & Matt Berry". The Independent.
- "How we met: Mark Morriss & Matt Berry - 'the most challenging thing". Independent.co.uk. 14 February 2014.
- "The Helicopter of the Holy Ghost launch with video for Slow Down". 24 May 2021.
- "The Helicopter of the Holy Ghost".
- "THE HELICOPTER OF THE HOLY GHOST release video for second single 'I Will Never Hurt' | XS Noize | Online Music Magazine".
- "Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss denies allegations of physical and emotional abuse (The Guardian)". TheGuardian.com. 17 November 2021. Archived from the original on 22 December 2021. Retrieved 8 February 2023 – via Internet Archive.
- "Mark Morriss dropped from Britpop event following abuse allegations". The Line of Best Fit. Retrieved 9 December 2021.
- "Statement". Mark Morriss | Official Site & Store. 2 March 2022. Retrieved 30 September 2022.