Prog & Progeny
Prog and Progeny is a podcast hosted by father-daughter duo Mark Kelly (keyboardist for Marillion) and Tallulah Kelly. They explore Mark's life in music, the ups and downs of being in a band, and personal stories in between. Episodes loosely follow chapters from Mark's memoir, with honest conversations, occasional guests, and plenty of tangents.
Episodes
Seasons End - Part 2
Mark and Tallulah finish their deep dive into Seasons End. Mark explains to Tallulah what a hair band is, and why Hooks in You put Marillion a little too close to being one: Rothery’s riff, synth brass with a nod to Jump, and a record label wanting a hit. Also how a critic’s “overworked guff” about The Space became “underworked guff”. Plus a £700 curfew bill in London's Hammersmith Apollo.
"A Band Is Kind of a Fake Family" - John Helmer
Former Piranhas guitarist, novelist and Marillion lyricist John Helmer joins Mark and Tallulah. He talks about Top of the Pops and Tom Hark, signing with Pete Waterman, and how one brief taste of success broke up his band. He explains the thinking behind his Marillion lyrics. John also remembers the night at Stanbridge Studios when he turned up in a suit and a Stetson during the writing of Holiday
Seasons End - Part 1
We begin our deep dive into Seasons End - Marillion’s first album with Steve Hogarth.Mark and Tallulah explore the first four tracks - The King of Sunset Town, Easter, The Uninvited Guest and Seasons End - from the stories and meanings behind them to how they came together during a huge period of change for the band.Mark recalls finding H, whether there was ever a Plan B if fans rejected him, and
Sounds That Can't be Made - part 2
Mark and Tallulah finish Sounds That Can't Be Made. Why Power's lyric leaves Mark cold, how Mike Hunter pulled a buried vocal melody out of Invisible Ink, the home piano noodle that became The Sky Above the Rain, and whether Montréal deserves the bad press.If you click on this link before listening to the podcast you will probably wonder what that has to do with Marillion: https://www.sciencedail
Sounds That Can't Be Made - Part 1
We jump forward to 2012's Sounds That Can't Be Made. We discuss the writing and recording of the first half of the album track by track.
Script for a Jester's Tear, Part 2
We wrap up our two-parter on Marillion's 1983 debut, moving from the songs the band left behind to the reasons they did. Also, the gear and the studio decisions that shaped how the record sounds, where Fish was drawing his lyrics from, and what it's like to hear your first album again 40+ years on.Links: The Web trumpet interpretation by Gil Pinatel that we discussed in this episode can be heard h
Mini Episode: Pompeii and Sugar Mice (in the rain)
A short catch-up episode. Mark and Tallulah discuss their Pompeii experience — the choir, the pre-show keyboard crisis, playing "Sugar Mice" in the rain — plus podcast meetups, the UK tour and more...
Sticking To The Script
Mark and Tallulah deep dive into Script For A Jester's Tear, Marillion's 1983 debut — six songs, forty-six minutes, more chaos than the record lets on. Razor-blade multi-track edits, £1,000 for Trevor McDonald was too much, a secret backwards message meant only for Kayleigh, and stories behind Mark Wilkinson's cover art. Plus: plague pits, a stolen Small Faces melody, and the bass fluff that made
The Final Chapter: Cement Mixer Blues
Mark joins Tallulah from backstage in Bonn as Marillion's German tour begins with the live debut of "Ribbons and Lace." The book's final chapter covers the story behind "Gaza," the Frankfurt cement mixer accident, sudden hearing loss, marathon mishaps, a famous F1 fan, and a Nick Cave encounter.
Update
A little pre-tour update...
David Stopps & Marillion — The Friars Aylesbury Story
Mark and Tallulah are joined by David Stopps, the promoter behind Friars Aylesbury, which he founded in 1969 and has run for 56 years. David recalls the club's earliest nights — including King Crimson and Genesis — managing Marillion for 5 short weeks, managing Howard Jones, and the Kickstarter behind Aylesbury's David Bowie "Earthly Messenger" statue. Plus Marillion's hometown return on 21 Septem
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[PREVIEW] Number Station
In episode 35 we discussed the making of the Marathon album and our first attempts at writing together. These early efforts never came to anything, but for your amusement here's the music I sent to Guy to inspire him to write some lyrics. You might recognise the opening bars as I used them for the intro of the song 2051.It came out of a couple of days of jamming at the Racket Club in 2012 with Ste
Unknown Unknowns: Guy Vickers on Lawsuits, Lyrics and Marathon
Mark and Tallulah are joined by Guy Vickers — barrister by day, musician and lyricist by night — the man behind the lyrics on Mark Kelly's Marathon and the legal brain behind Marillion's battle with EMI.00:25 — Introducing Guy: weekend warrior, full-time barrister03:13 — How Pete's dinner introduction kicked off the EMI streaming dispute06:03 — The dissolved companies crisis: six months to save th
The Queen Nearly Got Our Royalties
This week we dive into Mark's years on the FAC and PPL boards, fighting for artists' rights while Marillion were being short-changed by their old EMI deal. The lawsuit that followed and the after-the-event insurance gambit, the sleepless night when EMI claimed Marillion had no legal standing because Marillion Limited had been dissolved! Plus the Portugal writing session that ended in a tactless ro
How We Learnt to Admit When a Song Isn't Good Enough
This week Mark calls in from Peter Gabriel's Real World Studios — with a quick video tour and the story of meeting Peter Gabriel for the first time.Then into deputising for Adam Wakeman in Travis (with "drink beer" written across half the setlist) and a candid post-mortem on Somewhere Else — the dropped pre-order, the EP that never was, Mike Hunter's confidence taking a hit, and which songs hold u
Listener Questions episode (recorded 17/04/26)
This week we answer your questions. If you have a question for inclusion on a future episode ask it on our Patreon "Questions questions" chat.
Interview with Marillion manager Lucy Jordache
This week we speak with manager Lucy Jordache about her 30-plus-year journey, from a teenage Marillion fan to EMI catalogue manager, band manager, and Ian Mosley’s wife. Along the way, she discusses taking a pay cut to get into the music industry, a rocky first meeting with Fish, and how she and Ian got together. Plus, a frank conversation about what the future might hold for Marillion
All For One: Risk, Royalties & Anoraks
This time we discuss how Marillion took a leap nobody else had dared, and accidentally changed the music industry. Lucy Jordache’s evolving role, and why the band chose not to capitalise on their invention. How sharing everything brought Marillion closer together. Mixing stress and why risk has always been Mark’s default setting. Also: Noel Gallagher delivers a deadpan insult, Mark bets on tripe,
Before Crowdfunding Was a Word
This week we chat with Erik Nielsen. He was a 22-year-old help desk worker in Cleveland, Ohio when a woman he was seeing dragged him to a Marillion gig and changed his life. He ended up as Marillion's keyboard tech, moved into Mark's spare room, got deported, and — almost by accident — helped invent a model of direct-to-fan music commerce that the whole industry now takes for granted. Hear the ins
The Freaks Who Funded a Marillion Tour
This week we cover Marillion's short stint with Rod Smallwood (Iron Maiden's manager) and the Sanctuary empire, how Mark met Tallulah's mum and the origin of the song Rich. Also, the birth of music crowdfunding: how a single post on the Freaks mailing list led to fans raising $60,000 to fund a US tour. Also featuring: Neil Armstrong at a soundcheck, a phone call from the International Space Statio
Episode 27 - Listener Questions
This week, Mark and Tallulah answer some listener questions. Covering everything from the choices they might have made differently in life to a fight that almost broke up the band.
Down But Not Out: The EMI Years End
This week Mark and Tallulah talk through a difficult chapter in the band’s past: being dropped by EMI, ongoing money problems, Mark nearly ending up homeless, and the lack of support from their manager who suggested day jobs for the band might be the way forward. The conversation stays surprisingly light, including stories from Mark’s tumultuous love life.
"Do You Want a Record… or a Work of Art?"
In this episode Mark and Tallulah sit down with producer Dave Meegan to explore the making of Brave.Dave takes us inside the long nights, impossible standards, and creative tension that shaped one of Marillion’s most ambitious albums — from a French château to Liverpool over more than 7 months.We talk about why Brave took so long, the danger of rushing creativity, and the fragile moments where eve
Fortune Favours the Brave
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.
BURIED CASH, SCUMBAG CREW
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.
Pop vs. Prog: Holidays in Eden
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 annou
Fish Quit and Served us a Writ!
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
In Conversation With Steve "H" 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 - 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 toget
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[PREVIEW] Questions 3
Here's where we answer the questions you sent us.
Episode 18
This week, Mark and Tallulah 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
Going Under
This is the audio version which includes Mark reading Chapter 11 of his autobiography.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
Going Under
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 d
Too Big to Fail (Including Book reading)
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: financ
Too Big to Fail
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: financ
Do You Remember?
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 si
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[PREVIEW] Prog & Progeny Theme
I originally wrote this piece as an intro for the song Twenty Fifty One on the Marathon album. I sent it over to my nephew Conal, who added guitar, bass, and a modern drum track—thanks, Conal!As the song took shape, I realised this intro didn’t really fit, so it ended up gathering digital dust on a hard drive for a few years. Early this year, while hunting for a theme for this podcast, I stumbled
In conversation with Ian Mosley
In this episode Mark has a rambling conversation with Ian remembering his early days in Marillion and their time in Berlin recording Misplaced Childhood.
Interview with Simon Hanhart
This week, Mark and Tallulah are joined by Simon Hanhart, recording engineer on the Script for a Jester’s Tear, Fugazi and Real to Reel albums.Simon shares his memories of working with Marillion during a pivotal time in both his and their careers - covering the highs, the lows, and everything in between. From relentless studio exhaustion to gold discs and unexpected sound design tricks, this epis
Kill The Pape (Part 2)
In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah discuss the short but notable tenure of drummer Jonathan Mover, the circumstances around his departure, and the arrival of Ian Mosley as his replacement. They also get into a few side stories, including a fire extinguisher prank gone wrong and some slightly obsessive behavior from Producer Nick. The conversation takes a few detours, including the differenc
Kill The Pape (Part 1)
In this week’s episode, Mark and Tallulah reflect on the writing of Marillion’s second album in Wales, and the pressure of creating new material on a tight deadline. They talk through the challenges that came with that process, both creatively and personally.They also look back on the band’s first U.S. tour - Mark’s first time traveling abroad - including early encounters with American food, the p
Charting The Singles
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
Welcome to the Machine
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 b
Listener's Questions 2
In this episode we answer some more of your questionsBecome a member and get some great extras including unreleased Mark Kelly musichttps://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membershipBuy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons athttps://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htmemail your questions to us at progandprogeny@gmail.com
All Change (Part 2) with Pete Trewavas.
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 hi
All Change (Part 1)
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 whateve
Listener's Questions
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 musichttps://www.patreon.com/c/progandprogeny/membershipBuy Mark's Autobiography - Marillion, Misadventures and Marathons athttps://www.marillion.com/shop/merch/book06.htmemail your questions to us at progandprogeny@gmail.com
Interview with Diz Minnitt
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 dyna
From Chemical Alice to Marillion
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
The Best Days of our Lives
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 portabl
Pilot
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
