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Phatfish

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Phatfish
Also known asPurple Phatfish
OriginBrighton,England
GenresWorship,Christian rock,CCM
Years active1994–2014
LabelsKingsway,Authentic
Past members
  • Lou Fellingham
  • Nathan Fellingham
  • Luke Fellingham
  • Mike Sandeman
  • Jos Wintermeyer
  • Ben Hall
  • Rachel Head
  • Mike Blow
  • Adrian Watts
  • Alan Rose
Websitephatfish.net

Phatfishwere aChristian rock,CCMandworshipband fromBrighton,England, active from 1994 to 2014. During that time they released nine studio albums and several live releases, as well as a compilation,15: The Anniversary Collection,in 2008. The principal members of the band wereLou Fellingham(lead vocals), Nathan Fellingham (drums), Michael Sandeman (keyboards), and Luke Fellingham (bass).

Their worship songs "Holy, Holy", "There is a Day" and "Amazing God" have become part of the Christian music canon internationally.

History

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Early years (1994–2000)

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The band was formed by Dave Fellingham inBrightonin January 1994, under the name 'Purple Phatfish'. The name was taken from a keyring belonging to one of the band members, of a small fat purple fish which blew air out when squeezed.[1]

The band started life as ajazz-funk/rapgroup, and spent the first year performing their own songs in music clubs, mainly in the Brighton area. Most of their early songs were not overtly Christian in content. Rapper Rachel Head left the band at the end of 1994, and the band was renamed as 'Phatfish'.

In 1997, the band moved towards more explicitly worship-orientated songs, and released their first album,We Know the Story.

In mid-1998, guitarist Mike Blow and percussionist Adrian Watts left Phatfish. Guitarist Alan Rose joined, and the band started writing again, moving away fromjazz-funktowards rock. They made demos with producer Alan Shacklock, and subsequently signed with US labelPamplin,recording their next album,Purple Through the Fishtank,in Nashville in spring 1999. The album increased their profile, and they began touring in Canada, the US and Europe. In 2000, Phatfish released an album of their older music, entitledAn Audience With God.

2000s

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In 2001, they released the albumHeavenbound,touring the UK in Autumn 2001 in support of the album.

They recorded three unplugged gigs in the UK in January 2002 for theHopealbum, with guestsStuart Townend,Kate Simmondsand Brian Houston; the gigs and album raised money for Hope HIV, a charity supporting AIDS orphans in Africa.

Nothing But the Truthwas released in May 2003. Guitarist Alan Rose departed in August 2003, and the band went on hiatus for a year.

Faithful – The Worship Songsfeatured studio arrangements of many of the band's more 'congregational' worship songs. "The Faithful Tour" took them across England and Scotland, supported by guitarist Dan Wheeler.

The albumTrinitywas released in 2006, a compilation of tracks from many artists including Phatfish.

The band appeared several times on the BBC'sSongs of Praiseduring 2006 and 2007.[2][3]They also supported lead singer Lou Fellingham andStuart Townendon the 'Stu + Lou tour' of the UK.

At the end of 2006, Phatfish released an instruction CD calledWorking as a band,with advice for aspiring church worship musicians intending to start a band.There Is A Day – The Video Collectionwas also released at the end of 2006, incorporating music videos, an unplugged concert and interview footage.

In July 2007 Phatfish releasedGuaranteed,their first studio album since 2003.[4]

In December 2008, the band released a double-CD greatest hits compilation,15,to celebrate their 15-year anniversary.

In January 2009, guitarists Ben Hall and Jos Wintermeyer joined Phatfish, and the band returned to the studio to record their albumIn Jesus,released that summer.

Final years

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In December 2010, Phatfish released a new compilation album,Anthems for Worship,a collection of their most popular worship songs for congregational use. The album featured remastered tracks and some new recordings.

Recorded in their own studio during summer 2011,Higherfeatured more pop-orientated songs and intimate tracks such as the hymn "And Can It Be".Phatfish toured the album around the UK through 2011 and 2012 and accompanied Lou Fellingham on her solo tour in Autumn 2012.

In January 2014, Phatfish announced two final farewell concerts after 20 years together.[5]On 14 and 15 March, they played at Wessex Christian Centre. They were joined on stage for some songs by former guitarists Mike Blow and Alan Rose. The shows were recorded for their final double albumPhatfish LIVE.

Band members

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Band Role Year
1994 1995–1997 1998–2003 2004–2008 2009–2014
Lead Vocals Lou Fellingham
Guitar Jos Wintermeyer
Lead Guitar Mike Blow Alan Rose Ben Hall
Bass Luke Fellingham
Drums Nathan Fellingham
Percussion Adrian Watts
Keyboards Michael Sandeman
Rapping Rachel Head

Legacy

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Mike Rimmer ofCross Rhythmswrote in his review ofFaithful - The Worship Songsthat the "influence of the Phatfish guys on the British worship scene should not be underestimated. Whether as songwriters or as part of the Stoneleigh worship band, they have played a major part in the last 10 years."[6]

Phatfish have contributed many worship songs to the modern church canon, both in Britain and internationally. In an interview withNew Word Alive,Nathan Fellingham describedHoly Holyas being the band's most popular song that has "travelled furthest around the world". It also featured onTim Hughes'When Silence Fallsand The Livingstone Collective'sPortrait of Worship.The band's songs have been included on many compilation, live, studio and instrumental albums internationally, and several of their songs, such asThere Is A Day,Amazing God,andAwake Awake O Zion,have been covered by other artists.

Discography

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This list includes only Phatfish releases, and does not include other recordings on which the band featured.

  • 1994Purple Phatfish(three song demo, cassette only)
  • 1995River of Life(cassette only)
  • 1996Neworldisorder(six song EP)
  • 1997We Know the Story
  • 1999Purple Through the Fishtank
  • 2000An Audience with God(compilation with some re-recorded material)
  • 2001Heavenbound
  • 2002Hope – Unplugged Live
  • 2003Nothing But The Truth
  • 2004Faithful: The Worship Songs
  • 2006Trinity(compilation with other artists)
  • 2006Working As A Band(Music resource for Church musicians)
  • 2006There Is A Day – The Video Collection(DVD)
  • 2007Guaranteed
  • 200815 – The Anniversary Collection
  • 2009In Jesus
  • 2010Anthems For Worship
  • 2011Higher
  • 2014PHATFISH LIVE

References

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  1. ^"Interview with Nathan Fellingham".Wesley Owen. 2007.Retrieved6 April2007.
  2. ^"Songs of Praise, factsheet for Sunday 29 January 2006".(Appearance by Lou Fellingham).BBC Online.Retrieved6 April2007.
  3. ^"Songs of Praise, factsheet for Sunday 5 November 2006".(Phatfish were backing band for worship leader Stuart Townend).BBC Online.Retrieved6 April2007.
  4. ^ "Review of album Guaranteed".Eden.co.uk. 2008. Archived fromthe originalon 15 April 2008.Retrieved22 April2008.
  5. ^"Phatfish announce final farewell concert".Retrieved10 January2014.
  6. ^"Faithful Review".Cross Rhythms review of Phatfish album Faithful - The Worship Songs.Cross Rhythms.Retrieved22 April2008.
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