Biography
Marginal Era were a synth and based-driven pop act formed in 1981 by song-writer Warwick Paul Agar (guitar / vocals), originally backed by Martin Robson (bass), Dave Larsen (drums) and Phil McDonald filling in the electro side of things on synths. The group originated with the single ‘Your Eyes’; re-recorded by Agar as ‘Paul Agar and the Set‘, a song that had previously been demoed by Agar’s former ‘Class of 81‘ group Vivid Militia.
Probably best known for ‘This Heaven’, originally an instrumental track that would later become the theme to the popular ‘Radio with Pictures’ television show. However, Agar’s remixed vocal version of the song didn’t chart. Their later single ‘You Fascinate’ reached number 38 on the New Zealand charts in July 1984.
After falling to make much of an impact in New Zealand outside of club success, Agar relocated to Melbourne and started the band afresh with a new line-up, whilst the rest of the group carried on as This Heaven. however that line-up didn’t have much success either; though their Aussie drummer Vincent Leigh went on to join Pseudo Echo. Agar now runs Heaven studios in Yamba, New South Wales.
Members
- Warwick Paul Agar (guitar / bass / vocals, Marginal Era, Paul Agar and the Set, Vivid Militia)
- Dave Larsen (drums / vocals, Fan Club, Marginal Era, Soul on Ice)
- Phil MacDonald (keyboard, Marginal Era, Tua Factor)
- Martin Robson (bass, Jack Pudding, Marginal Era)
- David Mauger (bass, Blond Comedy, Marginal Era, The Frocks, This Heaven)
- Richard Newcomb (keyboard, Katango, Marginal Era, This Heaven)
- Daron Johns (drums, Marginal Era, This Heaven, This Sporting Life)
- Vince Leigh (drums, Invertigo, Leigh Brothers, Marginal Era, Pseudo Echo)
- Slav Hodinge (bass, Marginal Era)
- Carl Andersen-Dalheim (keyboard, Marginal Era)
Discography
- ‘This Heaven ’12” single (1983, Reaction Records, REACT009)
- ‘You Fascinate’ 12″ single (1984, Reaction Records, REACTS015)
- ‘Haven’t I seen your face before?’ 7″ single (1984, Reaction Records, REACTS020)
- ‘See, Hear, Touch’ 7″ single (1985, Centre Records)
- ‘How can I explain?’ 7″ single (1986, Centre Records)