Marc Riley
Encyclopedia
Marc Riley is a British musician, alternative rock
critic and radio DJ on BBC 6 Music
. Formerly a member of The Fall, he had his own record label, In-Tape, and also worked as a record plugger. Marc has worked in radio since about 1990 and for 14 years of that he worked with Mark Radcliffe
on BBC Radio 5
and BBC Radio 1
, during which time he was known as Lard. He joined 6 Music in April 2004.
, England, Riley was in a band at school called The Sirens before joining The Fall between June 1978 and October 1982. He originally was a fan of the group and then worked as a roadie before being added to the line-up playing guitar and bass. He can be heard on this instrument on their second single "It's The New Thing" and debut album Live at the Witch Trials
. He switched to guitar and keyboards in 1979 and held this position until falling out with Mark E. Smith
during the group's 1982 tour of Australia and New Zealand. In 2005, he told the BBC that Smith had sacked him by telephone in early 1983, telling him that they were undertaking a tour without him. According to Smith this happened on Riley's wedding day, but Riley has said that this wasn't true. Riley formed his own band, The Creepers
. Steve Hanley
, Paul Hanley
and Craig Scanlon
played on The Creepers' first single. They released several albums during the following years, but had disbanded by the end of the decade. He then formed a band including ex-members of Pere Ubu
and Captain Beefheart
's Magic Band called The Lost Soul Crusaders (named after a fictional group in an episode of the detective series Columbo whose lead singer was played by one of Riley's heroes, Johnny Cash
) but the record company funding the band went bust before any material could be recorded.
Animosity between Smith and Riley continued to influence both bands' material. The Fall's 1983 single "The Man Whose Head Expanded" was a thinly veiled attack on Riley, followed in 1984 by the even less veiled single "C.R.E.E.P." as well as "Hey Marc Riley", a rewritten version of Bo Diddley
's "Hey Bo Diddley", to date only available on live bootlegs. Riley responded in kind with his 1984 single "Jumper Clown" – a reference to Smith's then affection for bad 1970s jumpers, as well as "Snipe" on the 1985 Shadow Figure EP and his own live only co-opting of Bo Diddley, "Marc Riley is a Gunslinger". Riley co-owned the In-Tape label with Jim Khambatta until it went bust in 1991, managing the label between 1983 and 1986.
In 1988, he co-produced (with Jon Langford
) a Johnny Cash
tribute album, Til Things are Brighter, to raise funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust
.
Between 1986 and 1989, he drew and wrote the comic strips Harry The Head and Doctor Mooney for the comic Oink!
, as well as recording a flexidisc single for the comic as a giveaway. These have become collector items.
with fellow DJ Mark Radcliffe
, who together presented "Hit The North" on BBC Radio 5, then a children's, comedy, and drama network, with Radcliffe also fronting a weekly show called Out on Blue Six on BBC Radio 1
around the same time. The duo moved to Radio One's 10 pm slot in 1993, moving to the breakfast show in February 1997, and finally to the 1 pm to 3 pm slot in October that year. Their final show on the station was in March 2004. After leaving Radio 1, the duo cordially went their separate ways; Riley moved to BBC 6 Music
, and Radcliffe to BBC Radio 2
. In 2009 Mark and Lard
have reformed and are currently fronting radio adverts for Manchester City FC in the North West of England (Riley is a long-time fan of the club).
He can currently be heard on BBC 6 Music
, where he presents the Sony Radio Academy Award-nominated 7-9pm show, Monday to Thursday. He used to present Mint with Rob Hughes on Sunday evenings. The station cancelled this popular show, although Riley has hinted that elements of it may be included in his week time show. Rob Hughes still joins Marc on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Riley and Mark Radcliffe
formed the parody group The Shirehorses who played at Glastonbury
in 1997 in what they called the headline slot, going on as they did at 10 am. They also did shows in various parts of the country including one supporting Blur. They released two comedy/parody albums under the guise of The Shirehorses: The Worst Album in the World Ever (which reached number 22 in the UK Albums Chart
) and Our Kid, Eh, the latter an affectionate parody of Radiohead
's album Kid A
(which reached number 20).
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
critic and radio DJ on BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
. Formerly a member of The Fall, he had his own record label, In-Tape, and also worked as a record plugger. Marc has worked in radio since about 1990 and for 14 years of that he worked with Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe is an English broadcaster who has worked in various roles for the BBC since the 1980s and remains one of Britain's most recognised DJs. He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, where he hosts an afternoon show five times a week alongside Stuart Maconie, called...
on BBC Radio 5
BBC Radio 5 (former)
BBC Radio 5 was a BBC radio network that carried sport, children's and educational programmes.It was transmitted via analogue radio on 693 and 909 kHz, and lasted for three years and eight months. The success of BBC Radio 4's coverage of the Gulf War, on a service known as Scud FM,...
and BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
, during which time he was known as Lard. He joined 6 Music in April 2004.
Musical career
Born and bred in ManchesterManchester
Manchester is a city and metropolitan borough in Greater Manchester, England. According to the Office for National Statistics, the 2010 mid-year population estimate for Manchester was 498,800. Manchester lies within one of the UK's largest metropolitan areas, the metropolitan county of Greater...
, England, Riley was in a band at school called The Sirens before joining The Fall between June 1978 and October 1982. He originally was a fan of the group and then worked as a roadie before being added to the line-up playing guitar and bass. He can be heard on this instrument on their second single "It's The New Thing" and debut album Live at the Witch Trials
Live at the Witch Trials
Live at the Witch Trials is the debut album by The Fall, first released on 16 March 1979. It is not, despite its title, a live album, but was recorded in the studio in one day and mixed by producer Bob Sargeant the next. In 2004, bassist Marc Riley told the BBC that the group had been booked into...
. He switched to guitar and keyboards in 1979 and held this position until falling out with Mark E. Smith
Mark E. Smith
Mark Edward Smith is the lead singer, lyricist, frontman, and only constant member of the English post-punk band The Fall.-Early life:...
during the group's 1982 tour of Australia and New Zealand. In 2005, he told the BBC that Smith had sacked him by telephone in early 1983, telling him that they were undertaking a tour without him. According to Smith this happened on Riley's wedding day, but Riley has said that this wasn't true. Riley formed his own band, The Creepers
The Creepers
The Creepers were an English rock music group, formed in Manchester in 1982, originally as Marc Riley & The Creepers. After being dismissed from The Fall by Mark E. Smith, Marc Riley formed his own record label with Jim Khambatta, and his own band. The first single "Favourite Sister" was...
. Steve Hanley
Steve Hanley (musician)
Steve Hanley is an Irish-born English musician, based in Manchester. He is best known for playing bass guitar in The Fall from 1979 to 1998, and afterwards in The Lovers....
, Paul Hanley
Paul Hanley (musician)
Paul Hanley is an English musician, based in Manchester. He is best known for playing drums in The Fall and The Lovers.-Career:...
and Craig Scanlon
Craig Scanlon
Craig Scanlon is a British guitarist, best known as a member of The Fall between 1979 and 1995. During this period he co-wrote over 120 of the group's songs; Mark E. Smith excepted, this tally is unmatched by any other musician to have passed through the group.-Career:Scanlon joined the band...
played on The Creepers' first single. They released several albums during the following years, but had disbanded by the end of the decade. He then formed a band including ex-members of Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu
Pere Ubu is an experimental rock music group from Cleveland, Ohio.Père Ubu may also refer to:* Ubu, the enigmatic central figure of a series of French plays by Alfred Jarry, including Ubu Roi, and subsequent plays Ubu Cocu and Ubu Enchaîné...
and Captain Beefheart
Captain Beefheart
Don Van Vliet January 15, 1941 December 17, 2010) was an American musician, singer-songwriter and artist best known by the stage name Captain Beefheart. His musical work was conducted with a rotating ensemble of musicians called The Magic Band, active between 1965 and 1982, with whom he recorded 12...
's Magic Band called The Lost Soul Crusaders (named after a fictional group in an episode of the detective series Columbo whose lead singer was played by one of Riley's heroes, Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
) but the record company funding the band went bust before any material could be recorded.
Animosity between Smith and Riley continued to influence both bands' material. The Fall's 1983 single "The Man Whose Head Expanded" was a thinly veiled attack on Riley, followed in 1984 by the even less veiled single "C.R.E.E.P." as well as "Hey Marc Riley", a rewritten version of Bo Diddley
Bo Diddley
Ellas Otha Bates , known by his stage name Bo Diddley, was an American rhythm and blues vocalist, guitarist, songwriter , and inventor...
's "Hey Bo Diddley", to date only available on live bootlegs. Riley responded in kind with his 1984 single "Jumper Clown" – a reference to Smith's then affection for bad 1970s jumpers, as well as "Snipe" on the 1985 Shadow Figure EP and his own live only co-opting of Bo Diddley, "Marc Riley is a Gunslinger". Riley co-owned the In-Tape label with Jim Khambatta until it went bust in 1991, managing the label between 1983 and 1986.
In 1988, he co-produced (with Jon Langford
Jon Langford
Jon Langford born October 11, 1957, Newport, Monmouthshire is a Welsh-born musician and artist who is presently based in Chicago. He is the younger brother of science-fiction author and critic David Langford...
) a Johnny Cash
Johnny Cash
John R. "Johnny" Cash was an American singer-songwriter, actor, and author, who has been called one of the most influential musicians of the 20th century...
tribute album, Til Things are Brighter, to raise funds for the Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust
Terrence Higgins Trust is a British charity that campaigns on various issues related to AIDS and HIV. In particular, the charity aims to reduce the spread of HIV and promote good sexual health ; to provide services on a national and local level to people with, affected by, or at risk of...
.
Between 1986 and 1989, he drew and wrote the comic strips Harry The Head and Doctor Mooney for the comic Oink!
Oink! (comic)
Oink! was a British comic for children which was published from 3 May 1986-22 October 1988. It set out to be deliberately anarchic, reminiscent of Viz but for children....
, as well as recording a flexidisc single for the comic as a giveaway. These have become collector items.
Radio career
Riley is perhaps best known as one half of the duo Mark and LardMark and Lard
Mark and Lard, the stage name of Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley , are former BBC Radio 1 disc jockeys. Mark and Lard joined Radio 1 in October 1993 and left in March 2004...
with fellow DJ Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe is an English broadcaster who has worked in various roles for the BBC since the 1980s and remains one of Britain's most recognised DJs. He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, where he hosts an afternoon show five times a week alongside Stuart Maconie, called...
, who together presented "Hit The North" on BBC Radio 5, then a children's, comedy, and drama network, with Radcliffe also fronting a weekly show called Out on Blue Six on BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1
BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station operated by the British Broadcasting Corporation which also broadcasts internationally, specialising in current popular music and chart hits throughout the day. Radio 1 provides alternative genres after 7:00pm including electronic dance, hip hop, rock...
around the same time. The duo moved to Radio One's 10 pm slot in 1993, moving to the breakfast show in February 1997, and finally to the 1 pm to 3 pm slot in October that year. Their final show on the station was in March 2004. After leaving Radio 1, the duo cordially went their separate ways; Riley moved to BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
, and Radcliffe to BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2
BBC Radio 2 is one of the BBC's national radio stations and the most popular station in the United Kingdom. Much of its daytime playlist-based programming is best described as Adult Contemporary or AOR, although the station is also noted for its specialist broadcasting of other musical genres...
. In 2009 Mark and Lard
Mark and Lard
Mark and Lard, the stage name of Mark Radcliffe and Marc Riley , are former BBC Radio 1 disc jockeys. Mark and Lard joined Radio 1 in October 1993 and left in March 2004...
have reformed and are currently fronting radio adverts for Manchester City FC in the North West of England (Riley is a long-time fan of the club).
He can currently be heard on BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music
BBC 6 Music is one of the BBC's digital radio stations, was launched on 11 March 2002 and originally codenamed Network Y. It was the first national music radio station to be launched by the BBC in 32 years....
, where he presents the Sony Radio Academy Award-nominated 7-9pm show, Monday to Thursday. He used to present Mint with Rob Hughes on Sunday evenings. The station cancelled this popular show, although Riley has hinted that elements of it may be included in his week time show. Rob Hughes still joins Marc on Tuesdays and Thursdays.
Riley and Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe
Mark Radcliffe is an English broadcaster who has worked in various roles for the BBC since the 1980s and remains one of Britain's most recognised DJs. He is currently a presenter on BBC Radio 2 and BBC 6 Music, where he hosts an afternoon show five times a week alongside Stuart Maconie, called...
formed the parody group The Shirehorses who played at Glastonbury
Glastonbury Festival
The Glastonbury Festival of Contemporary Performing Arts, commonly abbreviated to Glastonbury or even Glasto, is a performing arts festival that takes place near Pilton, Somerset, England, best known for its contemporary music, but also for dance, comedy, theatre, circus, cabaret and other arts.The...
in 1997 in what they called the headline slot, going on as they did at 10 am. They also did shows in various parts of the country including one supporting Blur. They released two comedy/parody albums under the guise of The Shirehorses: The Worst Album in the World Ever (which reached number 22 in the UK Albums Chart
UK Albums Chart
The UK Albums Chart is a list of albums ranked by physical and digital sales in the United Kingdom. It is compiled every week by The Official Charts Company and broadcast on a Sunday on BBC Radio 1 , and published in Music Week magazine and on the OCC website .To qualify for the UK albums chart...
) and Our Kid, Eh, the latter an affectionate parody of Radiohead
Radiohead
Radiohead are an English rock band from Abingdon, Oxfordshire, formed in 1985. The band consists of Thom Yorke , Jonny Greenwood , Ed O'Brien , Colin Greenwood and Phil Selway .Radiohead released their debut single "Creep" in 1992...
's album Kid A
Kid A
Kid A is the fourth studio album by the English rock band Radiohead, released in October 2000 by the Parlophone label. A commercial success worldwide, Kid A went platinum in its first week of release in the United Kingdom. Despite the lack of an official single or music video as publicity, Kid A...
(which reached number 20).