In the Autumn of 1991 the bands first tape only EP "Thoughts of Fear and Principle" was released, the EP had five tracks.
THOUGHTS OF FEAR AND PRINCIPLE
1. But I'm Here (Foster/Mcgowan)
2. The Hypnotic (Foster/McGowan)
3. The Visitor (McGowan)
4. "3" (Foster/McGowan)
5. The Sea (Foster/McGowan)
This EP was recorded at Pagan Studios in Runcorn, Cheshire. The studio also housed a record label who, impressed with the bands song writing and playing ability, signed them for a one album deal. A year later "Paraphernalia" was released, the album was really a glimpse of what was to come from the band, but had crowd favourites "So Near, So Far" and updated versions of "The Sea" and "The Hypnotic". The album also had an unusual approach to drum recording which involved recording the drums and cymbals separately (not the bands idea)
PARAPHERNALIA
1. So Near So Far (Foster/McGowan)
2. The Hypnotic (Foster/McGowan)
3. Again (Foster/McGowan)
4. Stand Tall (Foster/McGowan)
5. The Sea (Foster/McGowan)
6. It's Irrelevant (Foster/McGowan)
7. Mr. So & So (Foster/McGowan)
8. Circus (McGowan/Twist)
During the winter of 1992 gigs for The CRS and the usual pubs and labour clubs began to bear fruit as a following was developing. It was during a rich gigging period for the band (something of a rarity) that the band approached Cyclops/GFT about releasing their second album. "Compendium" was recorded over the summer at Pagan Studios again, with a lot of support from Steve Paine, Jon Moreau and Steve Sheard, the recording was given time and effort. This resulted in an album that still to this day is regarded as a fore runner in this genre. A new and longer version of "The Visitor" was included in the album. The album also saw the introduction of Charlotte Evans on vocals, initially as a guest but after the recording Mr. So & So became a five piece as Charlotte became a full time band member.
COMPENDIUM
1. Closet Skeletons (Foster/McGowan)
2. Tick-A-Box (Foster/McGowan)
3. Hobson the Traveller (McGowan)
4. Primrose Days (Foster/McGowan)
5. The Missionary (Foster/McGowan)
6. Bolton Eeny Noo (Foster/McGowan)
7. Sixes & Sevens (Foster/McGowan)
8. The Visitor (McGowan)
Compendium brought about a shift of gear for the band, higher profile supports started to come in and CD sales where good, interviews in many publications and radio around Europe were gathering momentum too. The band also had the first of two unsuccessful management teams, first Colin Harvey (Foremost Productions) which the band say hindered their progress significantly. This was followed by Steve Grady, who for all his efforts, found himself facing a brick wall once too often. The band subsequently moved back to self-management and before too long Steve Rothery from Marillion contacted the band regarding his newly founded label "Dorian Music". After playing at the Marillion fan club convention at the Borderline in London, Steve Rothery signed the band to record their third album. Using Marillion's Racket Club to record (and live for a while) and with Mike Stobbie producing, "The Overlap" was recorded. This period of the band was very much make or break, as tensions get high during the recording process, which in itself took the best part of a year. The band were separated to different studios Shaun and Charlotte found themselves in Docklands, London doing vocals, then onto Aylesbury, then Oswestry then back to London, Kieren was in docklands, Dave was in Aylesbury and Leon was at the Racket Club. This was a strange experience for the band as they had literally grown up together.
In 1997 Mr. So & So were invited to support Marillion on the UK leg of their "This Strange Engine" tour. This tour saw the band play at venues other wise unavailable to them such as The Shepherds Bush Empire (twice!) and The Manchester Apollo among others.
Unfortunately, "The Overlap" wasn't ready in time for the tour, which is seen by many as the beginning of the end for the band, it was the best opportunity a band could have playing to around 40,000 people in two weeks but they had nothing to sell. Though despite this, the Marillion crowd really warmed to Mr. So & So and many became fans of the band too. The album was eventually released in 1998.
THE OVERLAP
1. Metaphor (Foster/McGowan)
2. Spacewalk (McGowan)
3. Drowners (Foster/McGowan)
4. Isn't It Amazing (McGowan)
5. Subterfuge (Foster/McGowan)
6. Salamander (Foster/McGowan)
7. The Overlap (Foster/McGowan)
8. Coup De Grace (Twist/McGowan)
BREAK UP & REFORMATION
Throughout 1998/99 gigs became more sporadic due to financial commitments and jobs. In 2000 the decision was made to fold the band. From there on Shaun joined "Mirrorball" and also formed "The Lemurs", Dave, Charlotte and Leon formed "Sleeping Giant" and Kieren joined Carl Palmer's "Quango". Mr. So & So was effectively dead.
During 2005 Dave was playing in a "Sting" tribute band with Shaun's Girlfriend Nicola Jones (keyboards) and Dave and Shaun established contact again and they began writing together again. Shortly after reuniting, Charlotte also joined the writing sessions and the three decided to get the band back together again. Leon and Kieren were unavailable which forced a search for a new keyboard player and drummer. What is traditionally seen as a difficult task, finding two musicians to fit into an established line-up, the answer fell into the trio's lap, when a keyboard player Anthony Hindley who Shaun met in a music shop in Bolton, suggested he might be available. Anthony met Dave and Shaun at a rehearsal room in Wigan to go through some ideas it became obvious really quickly to both Shaun and Dave that this was the right man for the job (Anthony was already a fan of Mr. So & So having seen them on Marillion's Radiation tour which Mr. So & So supported for the Manchester Academy), and also he knew a drummer from Chester who fit the criteria the band were looking for. Stuart Browne met the now four piece a few weeks later and Mr. So & So existed again.
Following a weekend at the Forge Studios the band recorded two new songs "Bi-Polar" and "Thursdays are Blue". In February of 2007 the band played with Marillion again at the Marillion Weekend in Rotterdam. Their latest album 'Sugarstealer' was released in 2009, and they plan to have their next one available at the beginning of 2013
The Sea
Mr. So & So Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
you dont have to be nice
just pour yourself a cup of coffee
leave anytime you dont have to be right
youve gotta live the best you know how
and if you love well that should be enough
instead it turns your joy int0 sorrow
im choking on the fumes of my wayward back
my women lied
she was a witch in disguise
and she dressed her wounds
in sackcloth and ashes
the children weep
at their dead mothers feet
her husbands drunk
a wolf in a sheepskin coat
and when we kissed
it didnt feel poisonous
and when you cried
i dried off your blue eyes
she smiles at me as she is falling asleep
says we've gotta live
the best we know how to
The lyrics of "The Sea" by Mr. So & So express a sense of freedom and self-acceptance. The song encourages listeners to embrace their true nature and follow their own desires without worrying about pleasing others. The line "Do what you like, you don't have to be nice" reflects a rebellious spirit and challenges societal expectations.
The mention of pouring a cup of coffee and leaving anytime symbolizes the idea of taking pleasure in simple things and being able to move on without feeling obligated to always be right. The lyrics emphasize the importance of living the best way one knows how, embracing personal choices and individuality.
The second verse introduces a story about a deceptive woman who hides her true nature behind a facade. She wears sackcloth and ashes to cover her wounds, symbolizing her pain and vulnerability. The mention of the children weeping at their dead mother's feet and the husband being drunk like a wolf in sheep's clothing suggests a toxic and dysfunctional relationship.
Despite the hardships, there is a glimmer of hope in the lyrics. The singer recalls a moment of genuine connection with someone they cared about. The kiss they shared felt genuine and not poisoned by deceit. They also mention comforting their partner when they cried, symbolizing empathy and affection. The woman smiles as she falls asleep, highlighting the idea that despite the difficulties, finding happiness and living the best way possible is still within reach.
Overall, "The Sea" encourages listeners to prioritize their own well-being and happiness over societal expectations, while acknowledging the challenges and pain that can come along the way.
Line by Line Meaning
Do what you like
Engage in activities that bring you joy and fulfillment without worrying about others' expectations or judgment.
you dont have to be nice
There is no need to prioritize being polite or pleasing others at the expense of your own happiness.
just pour yourself a cup of coffee
Take a moment to indulge in a comforting and relaxing ritual that brings you solace.
leave anytime you dont have to be right
Feel free to step away from situations when you are not obligated to prove yourself correct or win arguments.
youve gotta live the best you know how
Make the most of your life by doing what you believe is right and fulfilling, based on your own understanding and capabilities.
and if you love well that should be enough
Having genuine love in your life should be sufficient to bring you happiness and contentment.
instead it turns your joy int0 sorrow
Unfortunately, love can sometimes transform the happiness and contentment into sadness and grief.
and i cant breath with the dust of retreat
The remnants of withdrawal and avoidance suffocate me, making it difficult to find clarity or move forward.
im choking on the fumes of my wayward back
The consequences of my past mistakes or detours overwhelm me, making it hard to progress.
my women lied
The woman in my life deceived and betrayed me.
she was a witch in disguise
She disguised her true nature, appearing outwardly enchanting but harbouring malevolence and deceit.
and she dressed her wounds
She concealed her emotional pain and vulnerability.
in sackcloth and ashes
She mourned her suffering and regretted her actions deeply.
the children weep
The innocent children cry out in sorrow and despair.
at their dead mothers feet
They grieve for their deceased mother, mourning her loss at her lifeless body.
her husbands drunk
The woman's spouse is intoxicated, numbing his pain and emotions.
a wolf in a sheepskin coat
He disguises his true nature, appearing harmless and innocent while being deceitful and cunning.
and when we kissed
During our intimate moment of affection,
it didnt feel poisonous
The kiss did not carry any toxic or harmful intentions or emotions.
and when you cried
When you expressed sadness or distress,
i dried off your blue eyes
I comforted you and wiped away your tears, trying to alleviate your sorrow.
she smiles at me as she is falling asleep
Even as she drifts off to sleep, she displays a pleasant expression towards me.
says we've gotta live
the best we know how to
She emphasizes that we should strive to live our lives to the fullest, using our personal knowledge and capabilities to guide us.
Lyrics © TERRORBIRD PUBLISHING LLC
Written by: RICHARD CHARLES EDWARDS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind