This week Mark and Tallulah talk about managers — the good, the bad, and everything in between. They introduce John Arnison and reflect on Marillion’s first record deal with EMI, discussing what it was like to sign for the first time and the process of putting together their debut single.

Mark also shares what it was like to start a family young, and how that overlapped with the early days of the band — and the pressure that came with trying to navigate both.

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

In this episode we answer some more of your questions

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Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

In this episode, Mark and Tallulah cover the second half of Chapter 5, All Change. They talk through the painful process of firing former guest on the podcast and ex-Marillion member Diz Minnitt, the arrival of current bassist Pete Trewavas, and the short-lived involvement of manager David Stopps - part of what’s starting to feel like a revolving door.

Pete joins them in the second half to share his early memories of the band, including his first gig - featuring Fish on acid. An unconventional welcome, even by Marillion standards. They also reflect on the growing buzz during their Scottish tour, which, by the end, had them playing to noticeably bigger crowds, and, for the first time, success started to feel within reach.

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Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

This week, Mark and Tallulah wade into the first half of Chapter 5, All Change. It features the band's first time playing at the Marquee Club and a few tales from the dressing room that are probably best left off the official record (but naturally, aren’t).

The chapter captures that awkward in-between phase: gaining momentum, drawing crowds, but still broke enough to survive on potatoes and whatever resembled meat in the back of the fridge.

Mark looks back with a mix of affection and amusement—proof that even when things were falling apart, it still somehow felt like progress.

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email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

This is a bonus episode with some of your questions answered by Tallulah and Mark.

Support the show

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

In this episode, Tallulah and Mark are joined by original Marillion bassist Diz Minnitt and his daughter, Alissimon. They chat about the early days of Marillion—life on the road, grafting for gigs, and travelling in their beloved (but extremely unsafe) van, Margaret. Diz and Mark reflect on Diz’s departure from the band, with Mark offering an apology for his part in it. They discuss the wider dynamics between bandmates and the tricky balance between the cutthroat nature of the music industry and the genuine friendships that somehow survive it.

The conversation also turns to working with family, as Diz and Alissimon talk about their collaboration with his current band, Pride of Passion. Alissimon shares her own journey pursuing a career in music, and the episode ends with a taste of her incredible talent, so tune in to hear one of her tracks at the end.

Links for this episode:

Pride of Passion - Legions https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VctRe29kwPw

 Alissimon - Carousel https://alissimon.bandcamp.com/track/carousel

Support the show

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

In this episode Mark and Tallulah dive into Mark’s communist upbringing—where his grand plan to improve poor working conditions didn’t exactly spark a revolution. They also revisit his early days in music with Chemical Alice (spoiler: the chemicals were very much in attendance). Tallulah gives their music a listen and… well, let’s just say she won’t be starting a fan club anytime soon. And finally, Marillion make an appearance—supporting Chemical Alice at a gig. 

Next time, OG Marillion member Diz Minnitt and his daughter Alissimon join Tallulah and Mark.

Links for this episode:

Chemical Alice - Henry the King https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=03esiCXkzPU

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email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

This week, we dive deeper into Mark’s insatiable appetite for stealing—covering everything from identity theft to piracy (the digital kind, not the eyepatch kind).

In our second blind-react segment, Tallulah gives her unfiltered reaction to a Marillion song she’s never heard before and faces off against a drunken AI.

Plus, Mark shares a questionable but effective method for making your organ portable.

Support the show

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm

In our very first episode, we introduce the podcast and co-host Tallulah before diving into the first chapter of Marillion, Misadventures & Marathons. 

Mark reflects on his youth growing up in Ireland and Essex - complete with stories of theft, pyromania, and run-ins with the police.

We also explore the latest in music news, specifically the future of AI in music. This feels particularly topical with the recent silent album protest against AI copyright laws, which has seen over 1,000 artists—including Marillion—adding their names in support. 

Plus, in our first-ever blind react segment, Tallulah picks a modern track for Mark to hear for the first time, sparking a discussion on the state of contemporary music.

A mix of personal stories, music insights, and plenty of opinions—welcome to the podcast!

Support the show

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons

https://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htm