Mike Marlin: My endless battle for the perfect grass path
Singer Mike Marlin is in Wolverhampton this evening. He took time to talk to us.
It's Friday afternoon, what's on your mind?
It depends what I am up to. If I am on tour then I am probably thinking about the sound check; if I am in the studio I am probably puzzling over why my telecaster has an earth hum; if I am at home I am probably thinking about how little I can get away with doing over the weekend! Oh, and where can I buy fava beans?
Who normally has the pleasure of your company at the weekends?
When I am on tour I will spend all my time with the band – in the hotel, in the van, on the stage and in pub! At home I tend to have a fairly quiet time with the family. We may have some friends over for a drink (or vice versa).
How do you prepare for a big night out?
I am not the kind of person who dresses up to go out. I walk out the door in what I am wearing and would never go anywhere that thinks that is a problem. But I always wear my yellow glasses …
What's your favourite party outfit?
Yellow glasses and a good excuse for leaving! These days I find it increasingly difficult to stay at parties past midnight, particularly if the music is too loud to talk. Sometimes there are club nights at venues after gigs, and a couple of times I have stayed behind to see what teenagers consider a good night out. Terrifying. I am not always early to bed. If I am just having supper with friends and the conversation runs on (and someone opens the whisky) then who knows ….
You've just arrived at the bar, what's your first drink?
White wine. I love beer, but it really doesn't agree with me. It does mean that I avoid certain pub chains whose idea of a glass of wine is my idea of anti-freeze. For a while my strategy was to make the first drink soda water, but it just didn't work for me.
What is your favourite night spot and why?
The Volunteer pub in Baker Street. It's round the corner from the studio. It is packed, noisy and the service is slow but the staff, the food and the company are lovely.
It's a sunny Saturday, what are you up to?
I love cutting the grass. I am endlessly trying to perfect the path I mow to optimise the process. I might also jump on my bike and go for a ride around the country lanes. Or I may be running family errands, with the windows down (and Grand Reveal playing at maximum volume).
What's your most memorable weekend ever and why?
Probably our 10th wedding anniversary. We flew to Hawaii for five days. I think it took longer to get there and back than we spent on the island – but it was amazing.
What's your recipe for the perfect night in?
Probably watching a film or a few episodes of the Simpsons with the kids. Or having friends round for supper.
Favourite DVD and what would you eat while watching it?
As you may have guessed, it would have to be Silence of the Lambs while eating liver with fava beans, and a nice chianti! Joking apart, my favourite films by category are: Groundhog Day (comedy), The Godfather (drama), Memento (mystery), Silence of the Lambs (thriller). I refuse to watch horror movies because I am very easily spooked (I am still terrified by the Daleks). My favourite film food is a family size bag of Maltesers. Just for me.
Sunday breakfast: cooked or continental?
Ideally a cooked brunch with bacon, scrambled eggs and home made pancakes. But usually I have a cup of coffee and a glass of orange juice while lunch is cooking.
Sunday lunch: home cooked or down the pub?
Home cooked. When I am at home we always have roast chicken. It has become a tradition and there would be a mutiny if we tried to change it. On the road Sunday lunch is usually at whichever Premier Inn we happen to be staying in!
Where and how do you like to relax?
My favourite place to relax is at home. With a guitar or a glass of wine (or both) in hand.
You have the whole weekend off and a wad of cash. Which country or city would you head to?
New York, USA. It really is the city that is exactly like it is in the movies. A weekend is about right – any more and it just gets too tiring.
• Singer/songwriter Mike Marlin began his career after dropping out of Oxford University. He initially worked as a computer programmer, before carving out a successful career as a musician. He runs his own record label, AMP Productions, and released his third album, Grand Reveal, in April. He has been likened to David Bowie. He headlines Wolverhamptons Slade Rooms tonight.
