Biography

Marc Riley joined the Fall in 1978 at the age of 16, contributing bass, guitar, and keyboard work. In 1982, Riley left the band; some accounts maintain that he was kicked out for excessive pop inclinations. His solo output reflects both the Fall's sonic experimentation and cynical, deadpan vocals and his own melodic garage punk instincts. Riley's backing band, the Creepers, originally consisted of guitarist Paul Fletcher, bassist Pete Keogh, and drummer Eddie Fenn; the former two were eventually replaced by Mark Tilton and Phil Roberts, respectively. Most of Riley's work with the Creepers was released on his own In Tape label, including the 1984 debut EP Creeping at Maida Vale, which introduced Riley's penchant for satirizing pretentious excess in other rock groups. Riley dropped himself from the band's official name in 1986 for the Jon Langford-produced Miserable Sinners and the next year's Rock 'N' Roll Liquorice Flavor, which both began to trade Riley's usual caustic humor for a more personal approach. Frustrated with his lack of success, Riley broke up the Creepers after Liquorice Flavor and briefly formed the Lost Soul Crusaders before settling on a career in radio. A Creepers compilation, Sleeper: A Retrospective, was released in 1989.

(Steve Huey)