In this episode Mark & Tallulah chat with Smick, Ian's drum tech from the mid 1980s and later the crew boss. Smick recounts how he started working in music and his first meeting with Marillion - and the cool reception from Ian.

He also describes the chaotic management style of John Arnison, including when he buried the band's takings in bin bags and forgot where he buried it. 

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

This week Mark and Tallulah dive into the writing and recording of Holidays in Eden. They get into how much a producer can steer an album, as Marillion discovered with pop-tastic Chris Neil. They talk through Marillion’s move to Hit & Run Management and the promises that never materialised. They also get into the origins of the Racket Club. Tune in for plenty of laughs and a few exciting announcements for Patreons.

Tallulah's video that we talked about in this episode -

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bYaBINqTvVE

Simon's Car - the How We Live song that became Cover My Eyes

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=XhZ2ZiwiDqg

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

Enter H and Sea-son's End (see what I did there?)

In this week’s episode Mark and Tallulah look at Chapter 13 - A Man for All Seasons. They explore one of the most pivotal points in Marillion’s history—when Steve Hogarth stepped in to replace Fish. Mark recalls the race to finish Season’s End before Fish released his solo album and Fish’s attempt to throw a spanner in the works with an injunction delivered poolside, their surreal debut gig as The Low-Fat Yoghurts in a village pub, and how a homemade hot air balloon nearly caused a fire.

They also discuss AI in music, with Tallulah offering an unfiltered verdict on Mark’s recent experimental track.

Also Mark reads Chapter 13 of his Autobiography

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In Conversation With Steve Hogarth

In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah chat with Marillion’s lead singer Steve Hogarth. They talk about his career before joining the band and what it was like stepping in to replace Fish. After initially not being keen to join, H explains what eventually changed his mind.

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah reach a major turning point in Marillion’s history - the departure of Fish from the band. They dive into the lead-up to the split, unpack the reasons behind the split, and explore Mark’s own reflections on a time that felt like both a peak and a low point in his career. The episode is honest, raw, and of course, laced with funny anecdotes and thoughtful reflections.

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

This week, Mark and Talllah catch up with Producer/Engineer Nick Davis to chat about his time working with Marillion. Full of hilarious stories, Nick talks about how he blagged his way into the music industry, his first time meeting and working with Marillion, and what came after — producing albums and singles for the likes of Genesis and XTC.

It’s a funny one, with chats about everything from the mechanics of a successful homemade hot air balloon, to music-related (and not-so-music-related) injuries, and touches on a key period when the band transitioned from Fish to h.

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah work through a turbulent chapter as the band edges toward breaking point. Steve is driving most of the ideas for the next album while Mark struggles with writer’s block. Behind the scenes, the crew is kept on payroll without work, John pushes EMI for more money, and drugs and late nights creep back into the picture.

They discuss the growing divide as Fish drifts further from the band. As well as stories of injuries, excess, and surreal moments — from a dislocated shoulder and an ill-advised birthday stripper to gigs in Poland, a lightning strike in Italy, and meeting Prince Edward with Iron Maiden’s Nicko. Amid missed family time, mounting debts, and choices that would ultimately bring a big change to Marillion.

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In this episode, Mark and Tallulah talk about the chaos of oversold venues in the manager's pursuit of profit, and surreal tour moments - from playing in Japan to the crew starting fires on planes. 

They delve into Marillion’s time playing with both Rush and Queen, including a bizarre party at Kensington Roof Gardens. Beyond the fun and surreal moments, Mark reflects on the harder realities: financial strain, increasing reliance on EMI, personal doubts, and the rifts that marked the beginning of the end of Marillion with Fish

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah continue through chapter 9, exploring the writing and recording of Misplaced Childhood in Berlin. They talk about the unexpected success of “Kayleigh,” the challenges of creating a concept album despite the record company’s doubts, and the many people who helped shape Marillion’s third record. Along the way, there are the usual discussions of pranks and silly drunken moments, balanced with a genuine look at what remains a pivotal point in Marillion’s career.

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]

In this episode Mark has a rambling conversation with Ian remembering his early days in Marillion and their time in Berlin recording Misplaced Childhood. 

Support the show

Become a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly music

https://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membership

Buy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons at

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

email your questions to us at [email protected]