Prog & Progeny – Details, episodes & analysis

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. 

In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah continue their look at the making of Marillion’s first album and the band’s growing momentum. They share stories about playing the Marquee Club under fake names - leading to an unexpected run-in with a German airline - and performing Garden Party on Top of the Pops. The conversation also touches on the difficult decision to part ways with drummer Mick and bring in Andy Ward from Camel. Finally, they discuss the often tricky subject of how money gets divided in bands, and what fairness really means in that context.

A quick note: We’re now moving all subscriptions over to Patreon. Tune in to hear what new benefits come with the switch, and how you can make the move if you’re already one of our subscribers. Cheers!

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

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

email your questions to us at progandprogeny@gmail.com

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.

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

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

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

email your questions to us at progandprogeny@gmail.com

In this episode we answer some more of your questions

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com

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.

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com

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.

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com

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

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com

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:

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com

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

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

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

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 progandprogeny@gmail.com