2:29pm Monday 6th July 2009
By Samuel Underwood
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.
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