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Brighton band "banned from Brighton"

2:29pm Monday 6th July 2009 in


They are a comedy band who have entertained thousands of people during the past 20 years with their saucy lyrics and inimitable charm.

But now the Fish Brothers claim they cannot get a gig in Brighton and Hove because of their risqué reputation.

Their unique fusion of Victorian music hall and punk rock has proved popular over the years.

Click on play below to view a video of the band in action. Warning - this contains strong language.

However, the band’s lead singer Martin Fish is worried their cheeky tunes are putting off promoters.

The 38-year-old, of Aberdeen Road, Brighton, said: “Our lyrics are certainly risqué and occasionally downright rude but if there are children at any of our shows then we tone it down.

“Now, it seems, our reputation is preceding us and nobody will book us for a gig in town.”

Mr Fish believes the trouble may date back to a Brighton Festival performance at the Komedia in 2001.

He claims a raucous night ended up in a lifetime ban from the venue.

He said: “It was the launch of one of our albums.

The gig was sold out and it was a brilliant night.

“When I awoke I thought this could be a launchpad for us to finally achieve something.

But then I got the phone call.

“We were fined because the venue said our audience had been rude to its bar staff but the venue hadn’t put enough staff on that night, and our fans like to drink a lot.

“We were also fined for a streaker, blood in the ladies toilets and a fight outside the venue, which could hardly be our fault.”

But a spokesman for the Komedia maintained that the Fish Brothers had not been banned from the club and that they were welcome to return if demand from their fans proved to be high enough.

He said: “It was an eventful night when the Fish Brothers played last but they are welcome to come back if they can prove their audience will be there.”

Mr Fish told The Argus the band had been informed that they couldn’t play a number of venues in the city, and with the closure of their regular haunt, the Horse And Groom in Islingword Road, they have been left with nowhere to play.

Nick Pashen, the pub’s old landlord, said hiring the Fish Brothers would triple his takings.

He said: “They are a great band.

They are funny and have a very loyal following.

“Having them booked would triple my takings for a night so you can’t lose with them.

“We were always trying to get them in to play.”

Among the suggestive tracks on the Fish Brothers’ four albums are Joan The Legless Dancer, Captain Sleaze and Elephant’s Bottom.

Comments(44)

gaz557 says...
2:44pm Mon 6 Jul 09

what a waste of time watching that video,why has this paper given free advertising to a load of old pony,havent they got enough tripe already with the one legged goldgging veggie and katie(the bint)jordan.

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gaz557 says...
2:47pm Mon 6 Jul 09

P.S We are blessed that they are banned.A&E dont have enough nurses to deal with all the bleeding ears.

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Whitedot says...
2:55pm Mon 6 Jul 09

hmm not my cuppa tea but looks like a lot of fun at the gig, I wonder what the next song was called.. You Stupid Tw*t?

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PrestigeLyon says...
3:25pm Mon 6 Jul 09

All this debacle and meanwhile Kunt and The Gang seems to play Brighton all the time.

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g1mp says...
3:59pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Awful.

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andygunner says...
4:25pm Mon 6 Jul 09

im suprised anyone went at all. it looks like about 10 did in that video. 10 more than i expected. maybe its the case they cant get any gigs cos they are so bad.

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bandbooker says...
4:54pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I booked them to play at Patchfest last year and I've already booked them for next year. They're much loved by all ages

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cathfarr says...
5:17pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I booked the Fish Brothers for Mark Little's Raw Talent Rodeo at The Brunswick last year. Not only were they fantastically entertaining, they are professional and gentlemanly!

You don't want to be seen playing at Komedia anyway fella's. You have too much integrity to sell out to them!

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sparkyrock says...
5:21pm Mon 6 Jul 09

oh dear oh dear, it seems to me that the people of brighton have had a sense of humour by-pass.. i feel sorry for you all, i've seen this band countless times, often travelling the length of the country to do so, and i have never had a bad night, ok, so they're a little risque a times, does anyone complain about billy connolly? LANDLORDS OF BRIGHTON... GET A SENSE OF HUMOUR.. GET A LIFE, AND GET THE BEERS IN COS ITS 24 HR DRINKING

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annmoose says...
5:37pm Mon 6 Jul 09

The Fish Brothers are better than The Rolling Stones, cos you can touch them! their a true Brighton institution "Long May They ROCK!!!"

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annmoose says...
5:38pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I've shagged the drummer!

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lowe.ant says...
5:44pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Having seen THE FISHES both in & out of the H2o over the years i can honestly say they that they are great all round entertainers be it a small pub full of Paras to a children's party in the park. Keep on rockin U FAT POTATO

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Jimmy Stewart's Imaginary Rabbit says...
5:45pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Actually that video doesn't do them justice; I have seen the Fish Brothers several times and they are BRILLIANT. Ugly, but brilliant.

They are excellent musicians and their songs are very witty, clever and are delivered in a glorioiusly bombastic style - a sort of cross between Pavarotti and Meatloaf. Yes, some are a bit rude, but frankly no worse than you'd see on an old-fashioned 'saucy'postcard.

And after all, Brighton, with it's slightly racy reputation, was the home of Max Miller, the original 'cheeky chappie'. The Fish Brothers are simply continuing where he left of. (Really they should get an Arts Council grant for services to vaudeville).

If you get a chance, you MUST go and see them. It would be a crying shame if a mixture of timid promoters and the dull, dead hand of politically-correct authoritarianism combined to kill off a great Brighton institution.

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Chicken and Beans says...
5:50pm Mon 6 Jul 09

PrestigeLyon wrote:
All this debacle and meanwhile Kunt and The Gang seems to play Brighton all the time.
Because he's ironic in his humour, you moron. These guys are just middle-aged men who need to grow up!

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sparkyrock says...
6:00pm Mon 6 Jul 09

why grow up when your having fun

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sparkyrock says...
6:02pm Mon 6 Jul 09

who hasnt shagged the drummer, he's a tart.... or was mrs MM :-)

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Spike Spike Spike says...
6:16pm Mon 6 Jul 09

If you do not like the Fish Brothers you are not from Brighton!!!! They are a Brighton institution. Every gig is different and you never know what band you are going to get. Karl the bus driver was my favourite !!!!!!

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sally from hastings says...
6:28pm Mon 6 Jul 09

i love the fish brothers, whenever i see them i always come out with a smile. they are excellent fun, and the countless times i`ve seen them i`ve never seen any trouble. come on brighton pubs, book them and i`ll see you there.

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ShauniLevellers says...
6:30pm Mon 6 Jul 09

The Fish Bros are a fantastic band who yes, may have a slightly smaller fan base than the likes of Beyonce or other 'big' names. But their fan base are a strong one (sometimes in more way than one after theyve had a few :P ) and the band deserve a lot more credit from you 'Brightoners' for being so confident in pushing boundaries and showing a real passion in their talent. Brighton should start appreciating what comes out of their city and making the most of it, I know I'd be so proud if the likes of the Levellers and the Fish Bros came out of Bradford...They shouldn't be banned for doing what they love, with the fans who love it. It isn't their fault their staff can't handle a bit of fun.

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WolfHarris says...
7:24pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Everybody knows The Fish Brothers are carp!

Seriously, I'm not from Brighton, but like many others I've seen them all over the country and they never fail to entertain any audience they play to.

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thensx says...
7:25pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Heh heh, must dig my Macc Lads CDs out.

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Osama bin there says...
7:30pm Mon 6 Jul 09

They haven't got a gig because they are sh1t. Nothing else.
It's not a BAN. Just can't get a gig. Slightly different.

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stickman says...
9:12pm Mon 6 Jul 09

gaz557 wrote:
what a waste of time watching that video,why has this paper given free advertising to a load of old pony,havent they got enough tripe already with the one legged goldgging veggie and katie(the bint)jordan.
I know, its not like the old tunes is it? it's just shouting and swearing these days isn't it? Moan, moan etc...

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0-0-0 says...
9:13pm Mon 6 Jul 09

The Fish Brothers are Fabulous - great fun. Recommended.

Security word: tour-rock (I'm not joking!)

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maskiflynn says...
9:58pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I never thought I'd see the day when Brighton sold its Soul.
I have seen the Fish many times, and EVERY time the venue was packed wall to wall. You people of Brighton, either all the good ones have moved away, or your cajones have frozen solid and dropped off through lack of action.
Yes, the Fish are an aquired taste and may not be everyone's cup of tea, and that's each person's choice BUT they have a massive following, they know how to have a good clean laugh (ok, sometimes maybe not so clean lol but then who is?) they know how to entertain and have fun. PLUS who of our generation (30-40 year olds I speak for myself lol) would have even heard of Vaudeville if it wasn't for them?! "Middle aged men who need to grow up" WHAT??? Need to grow up??? No body "needs to grow up"! It's "growing up" that makes people boring! If "growing up" means I have to lose my sense of humour and sense of FUN, then I'd rather stay immature cheers ;oD
Even my 11 year old daughter likes them PLUS knowing some of their songs has led her to do research on the internet for history of music and even people like Sweeney Todd SO the Fish Brothers are GREAT for a number of reasons!!!
The amount of money this band must have made for Brighton's businesses over the years, well....
(security word talk-true lol)

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dodgy says...
10:14pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Hesfes loves the Fish Brothers!!!!!!!!


security word
side-from
Really!!

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dodgy says...
10:14pm Mon 6 Jul 09

Hesfes loves the Fish Brothers!!!!!!!!


security word
side-from
Really!!

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maskiflynn says...
10:41pm Mon 6 Jul 09

"Look I'm meekly shuffling down the path of mediocrity
Well if that's your road then take it but it's not the road for me


And I won't sit down
And I won't shut up
And most of all I will not grow up

And if all you ever do with your life
Is photosynthesize
Then you deserve every hour of these sleepless nights
That you spend wondering when you're gonna die"

© Frank Turner.

;oP

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levsgob says...
11:00pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I love the Fish Brothers...saw them yesterday and enjoyed a lovely gig ( whereby because children were present it was suitably toned down )and a nice chat with the band...they are very accessable... and my 14 yr old lve them too,she has great tatse in my opinion!

All you stick-in-the-muds...
you should have a more open mind , or does your musical taste cease to exist once you heard james blunt?

security word:- case-item

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Soo1 says...
11:32pm Mon 6 Jul 09

I can't believe so many of my fellow Brightonians seems to have had a humour by-pass! I have seen them only twice and I have to say they are brilliant! And hilarious! I do hope though that this article will be read by some open minded pub/venue owners and book this band.

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Vitriola says...
1:35am Tue 7 Jul 09

Rubbish band raising their profile with a non story (ban, what ban?) and getting all their mates to write in. Times must be hard lads. And I hear the drummer's crap in bed.

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Chicken and Beans says...
9:29am Tue 7 Jul 09

By the way; it's not a BAN as such, it's just that no self-respecting venue or promoter would put these morons on.

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sparkyrock says...
12:56pm Tue 7 Jul 09

friends eh! i live in north manchester, not exactly next door neighbours... as for morons, maybe you should try and listen to some of the cleverly crafted lyrics, often refered to as ian duryesq, no finer compliment really considering ian is widely regarded as one of the best lyricists the country has produced

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maskiflynn says...
1:13pm Tue 7 Jul 09

"Playing horrible music that you cannot see through,we're just Horrible People but we're better than you."

hehehe ;oD

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Andre Spooner says...
3:43pm Tue 7 Jul 09

The drummer has got it on with my horse!

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Barney McGrew says...
3:46pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Not heard of them before but they sound like a a right old chuckle! And as for people saying we should "grow up", having a laugh makes you feel good and in my opinion is good for the mind and the body - miserable g1ts!!

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John Steed says...
9:01pm Tue 7 Jul 09

bring back Rocky Sharpe & the Razors/Replays?reviv
als, Lets have some rock in the city tonight

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maskiflynn says...
9:53pm Tue 7 Jul 09

good one Barney ;oD lol
maybe if you email them, they may come play in Trumpton for you!!
and it's true, Laughter is the best thing for the Soul :oD

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Litte-Sam says...
11:01pm Tue 7 Jul 09

Maskiflynn!! how the hell are you??xx

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idlebloke says...
10:29am Sat 11 Jul 09

Brilliant..

Iam now now going to trya and see them perform.

Haven't read all the comments above, but to get around a Brighton issue, simple.....become a gay band..oh dear

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idlebloke says...
10:39am Sat 11 Jul 09

Typed a long one twicw and 'server error'. Not doing it again. Simple question. Can anyone help me with where I can find out about any upcoming gigs??

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annmoose says...
11:57am Sat 11 Jul 09

www.myspace.com/fish
brothers

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chunk says...
3:43pm Sat 11 Jul 09

It seems one only has to swear, be obese, oafish and plastered out of ones' mind and simply shout out abusive connotations to be hailed the best band ever.('with a little help from their friends') Wow! If that's what it takes to say your a Brightonian.HELP!
I'd like to add that humour has not been lost by merely growing up or that one loses it, one merely appreciates what's quality and what's trashy!

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idlebloke says...
10:29am Sun 12 Jul 09

annmoose wrote:
www.myspace.com/fish brothers
Thanks annmoose..

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