EP
1- DEVOTION
(M. Roberts / A. Shillito / M. Simpson) //
2- ACID (M. Roberts / M. Simpson)
3- ENERGY FOR THE UNIVERSE (M. Roberts)
04/79- Sapphire Rec. SRTS/FMR-016 no ps - 7”
****
A three-piece rock group from Hull, formed
early in 1978 by Andy Shillito (b), Mike Simpson
(d) and Marino Roberts (gtr/v) and originally
called The Seedy Gees, with a set of cover
versions. Later in the year the band began
writing their own material and changed their
moniker to Devotion, soon achieving a remarkable
popularity in the Hull area. Although Roberts also
handled lead vocals, it was his guitar playing
which was far-and-away the centrepiece of
the often-instrumental combo, a mixture of Neil
Young’s soaring melody and post-Hendrix blues.
In March 1979 Devotion entered Fairview Studio and
recorded three self-penned tracks: two instrumentals
– the Hard-Prog Rocker DEVOTION
and a superior Hard Rock number entitled
ACID – plus ENERGY FOR THE UNIVERSE,
a strong Guitar Rock cut sung by Marino
Roberts. A 7” EP was issued one month later
through the SRT plant in an edition of 1,000
copies, all sold locally. The platter, which
turns up very rarely, would remain Devotion’s
only release. Having being included in Greg
Shaw’s book 'New Wave On Record 1975-78'
the 7’’ is sought-after in New Wave circles
although it is definitely much more interesting
to NWOBHM buffs. Andy Shillito quit the
group before the end of 1979 forming
Mayfair, who failed to make it onto vinyl: he
would later go on to studio/live sound work.
Marino Roberts and Mike Simpson recruited
new bassist Rob Creber and continued as
Marino The Band, releasing a tape-only EP in
1983 and an album (WANNA KEEP YOU
SATISFIED) in 1985. Simpson later became a
respected drum teacher, while Roberts would
issue several solo albums as Marino as well
as assisting – live and in the studio – his
sister Lisa Dominique.
This is that 'mystery' band from the previous post. Thanks to those who mailed suggestions (six or seven people, all with different suggestions... none right!)
**
