The Band - Iris

SYLVAIN GOUVERNAIRE BIOGRAPHY
Compositeur (IRIS, ARRAKEEN)
Composer - song writer - interpret (guitar, piano, vocals)

Sylvain was a young child of six when he first started to learn and write music for classical piano. Later he went on to study music theory, violin and harmony at Aix-en Provence university. He left with an impressive list of music degrees including Master of Music.

At fifteen, seduced by rock and feeling creatively frustrated with classical attitudes, Sylvain started to teach himself guitar. Four years later, he was regarded as one of the best rock guitarists in France where he toured as front man with his first band AKYLON.

ARRAKEEN...
Sylvain went on to achieve international recognition with his second band ARRAKEEN as lead guitarist and main writer of their original works.

During 1991, Arrakeen released their debut album "PATCHWORK" on the international market and supported MARILLION on the "Seasons End" tour and were declared best French progressive rock band by National and European rock medias. They played at the ZENITH in Paris in 1990.

L'aventure Anglaise... IRIS.
Sylvain relocated to England in 1992 after Arrakeen split up and started developing the music for IRIS. Whilst writing his own compositions, Sylvain gained valuable experience working with many and varied musicians in England including drummer COZY POWELL, Marillion's keyboardist MARK KELLY and recording work with Clive Nolan for the "CASINO" project by THIN ICE studios for S.I. Holland. Having a lot of material ready Sylvain found great enthusiasm from Marillion's Ian MOSLEY (drums) and Pete TREWAVAS (bass).

In 1995-96, they recorded together the music of Sylvain's new project : IRIS. Choosing the challenging approach of an instrumental album.
The album has been distributed around Europe since 1997 and received a very good press and response from the public. It had sold so far around 10.000 copies.

Sylvain is now back in Provence (France) since the end of 1996 and has created a live band to take IRIS on stage. He also is currently writing music and lyrics for a next IRIS album.

IAN MOSLEY BIOGRAPHY
Drummer for MARILLION and in IRIS - "Crossing The Desert"

Born June 16th 1953, Ian MOSLEY was interested in drums from an early age. Influenced by his father Raymond, leader of the Westminster Symphony Orchestra, Ian first played the drums aged 10.

After leaving school Ian was accepted into the Guild Hall School of Music where he supported himself by playing gigs and doing a milk round. Whilst still at the Guild Hall, Ian landed a couple of gigs, playing for the West End musicals HAIR and JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR.

From 1973 to 1980, Ian has played for various projects, including Daryl Way's WOLF, PETER GORDINO, the Dutch band TRACE and the GORDON GILTRAP BAND. Ian did also some session work for STEVIE WONDER and for DIANA ROSS among others.

As luck would have it, Ian heard that MARILLION was looking for a new drummer and got a friend in the business to introduce him to the band manager, John Arnison. Ian was given the gig on a session basis during the recording of FUGAZI and became a full time member in January '84. 12 years and 10 million sales later, Ian Mosley is still an integral part of Marillion.

PETE TREWAVAS BIOGRAPHY
Bassist for MARILLION and in IRIS - "Crossing The Desert"

Born in Middlesbrough on 15th January 1959, Pete's earliest musical passion was the BEATLES. He still remembers his mum bought "Twist and Shout"-Pete was 5 years old.

Pete began Guitar lessons aged 7 with his 'little mate Robin' who is now top rock guitarist Robin Boult. By the age of 13, Pete switched to Bass. Through his teens, Pete played in numerous bands. He remembers his first live gig as being Daryl Way's WOLF at Friars, Aylesbury, "which was really weird" he says laughing "because I found out years later that the drummer in Wolf that night was none other than Ian Mosley.

After 6th form college, Pete worked for some time as an apprentice television engineer (this would lead in years to come to what was better known as the "upside down T.V. Game", but that's another story). Then he joined a band called THE METROS. They put out one E.P. in the summer of '81 and were offered the chance of some dates in New York. The METROS ended their trip with a show supporting DURAN DURAN.

In February '82, after seeing a gig of The Metros, FISH, Marillion singer, asked Pete if he could audition. He was successful and joined the band in March'82.

PETE TREWAVAS has played on all the Marillion albums since the beginning and also contributes backing vocals both live and on record.

IAN MOSLEY et PETE TREWAVAS are widely recognised as one of the best rhythm sections around today. Now they take these talents onto "CROSSING THE DESERT" - the debut album of IRIS.