In this episode Mark and Tallulah dive deep into the making of Brave— Marillion’s most ambitious and uncompromising album. They discuss creative freedom, financial uncertainty, and the quiet decisions that laid the groundwork for the band’s independence.

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. 

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]

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

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

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 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 - having decided to give up music altogether and become a milkman - H explains what eventually changed his mind.

Mark and H look back on recording their first album together, Seasons End, and how the chemistry and creative energy were there right from the start. They also discuss their very different working styles, with the band being far more laid-back than he was used to, as well as their shared passion for keyboards.

It’s a funny, honest and upbeat chat, especially after the heavier conversations in previous episodes about the band’s more difficult times.

Side note: Tallulah occasionally drops off in the episode due to poor internet connection.

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]

Here's where we answer the questions you sent us.

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]