Incommunicado (Alternate Version)

Zoo Freaks, get ready for a deep dive into "Incommunicado (Alternate Version)" by Marillion from their 1987 album Clutching at Straws, spinning right now on THE ZOO! This track, a high-energy anthem, captures the chaos of fame, with frontman Fish (Derek William Dick) laying bare the alienation of stardom. The alternate version, featured on the 12-inch single, stretches out with extra sound effects, giving it a raw, cinematic edge compared to the album cut. Fish once noted in a 1989 Kerrang! interview with Mick Wall that the song’s riff, with its nod to The Who’s "Bell Boy," was a deliberate flex of their rock roots, while keyboardist Mark Kelly’s solo inspired Adam Wakeman, as cited in a 2008 Wikipedia entry. The lyrics, dripping with sarcasm about craving fame’s perks—like handprints on Sunset Boulevard—mirror Fish’s own struggles during the band’s peak, a theme he later called a “self-penned obituary” for his time with Marillion.

The song’s cover art, designed by longtime collaborator Mark Wilkinson, stirred its own story. Instead of his usual airbrush style, Wilkinson used a colorized photo collage of fans outside London’s Marquee Club, with an eccentric “angel” character (a reimagined Torch from the album cover) painted in his signature style. Fish revealed in a 2017 Prog magazine feature that the band rejected Wilkinson’s first cover idea, which ended up as the CD booklet’s back cover, a decision he still regrets. The single’s B-side, "Going Under," exclusive to the 12-inch and CD, offers a stark, introspective contrast, hinting at the personal turmoil that fueled the album. A quirky nod in the lyrics to “the where-are-they-now file” references This Is Spinal Tap, showing Marillion’s knack for blending humor with their dark narrative.

Marillion formed in Aylesbury, Buckinghamshire, in 1979, originally as Silmarillion, inspired by J.R.R. Tolkien’s book. Starting as a Genesis-influenced neo-prog outfit, they carved their own path with Fish’s theatrical vocals and poetic lyrics. Fish, a former forestry worker born April 25, 1958, joined after answering a music press ad, bringing his larger-than-life persona. Their early gigs, like those at the Marquee Club, built a cult following, with their 1983 debut Script for a Jester’s Tear cementing their place in the prog scene. By Clutching at Straws, their fourth album, they were riding high off 1985’s Misplaced Childhood but grappling with internal strife, leading to Fish’s exit in 1988. The band, now fronted by Steve Hogarth, continues to evolve, balancing their prog roots with modern flair.

Connect with Marillion at their official website for tour dates, merch, and more. Follow them on Facebook, Instagram, and X for the latest updates. Fans can dive into the community at the Marillion Official Fan Club on Facebook or explore Marillionations, a fan blog unpacking song references. For deeper lore, check out Mikael Linusson’s Music Collection, a fan site with detailed album insights. Keep it locked to THE ZOO, Zoo Freaks, for more Marillion vibes!