Marianus -

Marianus was an American symphonic-rock singer and multi-instrumentalist who released the 1981 album Visions From Out of the Blue on private label Jupiter Phonodisc and fronted the Invisible Light Band.

Members: Marianus (lead vocals, Mellotron, synthesizers, saxophone), Joe Fazio (guitar, vocals), Jeff Pevar (guitar), Steve Perry (guitar), Jack Petrycki (keyboards, vocals), Joseph Blair Mudarri (bass, Taurus pedals, vocals), Joe Petruzzelli (drums, percussion, vocals), Mark Connelly (keyboards, vocals; Invisible Light Band lineup)

Background

Marianus based the project in Andover, Massachusetts, with players culled from multiple unsigned bands. Guitarist Joe Fazio and bassist Joseph Blair Mudarri came from a band called USA; Mudarri also played with Rockestra. Drummer Joe Petruzzelli listed Luna and Cloud among his prior groups, while keyboardist Jack Petrycki came from Layza. Luna issued the 1978 Titanium single “Hollywood” (b/w “Dumb Love”).

By February 1981, Marianus secured financial backing from John K. Hajjar, a later Key West faith guru.

Visions From Out of the Blue

Marianus released the singular album, Visions From Out of the Blue, in 1981 through Jupiter Phonodisc.

The album contains eight Marianus originals, performed with Mellotron lead-string and choir parts alongside synthesizers, saxophone, three guitars, and Taurus pedals.

“Out of the Blue” emotes theatrical phrasing and broad group harmonies. “The Change Is Gonna Come” surges with Mellotron strings and strident guitar solos. “Human Race, Human Race” pivots through sequencer figures, playground-style replies, and a closing saxophone flourish. “The Man From Another Planet” marches through dense string passages beneath Marianus’ tremulous lead.

“Prelude” rises through archaic flute phrases, cinematic Mellotron, emphatic percussion, and Taurus pedals. “Magical Man” sweeps from its instrumental preface into elaborate keyboard figures, lead strings, and grand-scale choirs. “Ace Deuce” veers through quirky turns and off-kilter flourishes. “Someone Told You a Story” dramatizes choir passages before its second half turns instrumental around rhythm and synthesizer figures.

A1. “Out of the Blue” (3:45)
A2. “The Change Is Gonna Come” (4:55)
A3. “Human Race, Human Race” (7:05)
A4. “The Man From Another Planet” (4:25)

B1. “Prelude” (4:11)
B2. “Magical Man” (3:50)
B3. “Ace Deuce” (3:20)
B4. “Someone Told You a Story” (5:55)

Jupiter Phonodisc issued the LP in an illustrated sleeve with a mechanical human profile above a divided landscape. Exposed machinery and music notation fill the figure’s head; the back cover repeats the label emblem below the tracklist and Marianus authorship credit.

The Invisible Light Band recorded a new version of “Magical Man” at Long View Farm in North Brookfield, and the Record Plant handled the mix. Sessions for the J. Geils Band’s 1981 album Freeze Frame followed the same Long View Farm–Record Plant route under producer and keyboardist Seth Justman and engineer Dave Thoener.

Jupiter Phonodisc issued “Magical Man” in 1981 (b/w “Prelude to Magical Man”) as VSJ 326-37, billed to Marianus and the Invisible Light Band. The label promoted the single with a March 30–April 1 engagement at The Metro in Boston, advertised as the unveiling of Marianus and the Invisible Light Band.

Discography: