Marc Catley

Marc is a true musical chameleon. His first release with Plankton was his mid 1980’s album ‘Classical Acoustic Rock’ (on cassette), a term that best described Marc’s fusion of rock music with his virtuoso skills on the classical acoustic guitar (he has been a long time guitar teacher). This was followed two years later by his first Plankton collaboration with his friend GEOFF MANN. Another musical chameleon, Geoff had been part of the bands “Twelfth Night” and “Eh! Geoff Mann Band”, as well as releasing various solo projects. MARC CATLEY & GEOFF MANN may have been very different musically but when they worked together they produced something very special. Amongst their recorded work was the 1991 mesmerizing instrumental album ‘The Off The End Of The Pier Show’ which won them some fantastic reviews in prog rock circles. One further joint Plankton album followed but Geoff lost a battle with cancer and sadly passed away.

Marc continued in the progressive rock genre and formed the band PALEY’S WATCH with Duncan Parsons and Marianne Velvart. The band released the unusual concept album ‘November’ and contributed songs to a number of albums (including a Geoff Mann tribute album) before going their separate ways.

At the 1991 Greenbelt festival Marc played Keith and Simon (of Plankton) a home recorded cassette which he was producing to order. It was his first satirical album ‘The Peel Of Hope’ which was taking a swipe at all things bad in the Christian Praise & Worship industry and Keith and Simon ended up crying through laughing so hard. The album got a ‘proper’ Plankton release the following year in which Marc also released the follow-up album ‘Make The Tea’. This album caught the attention of national and local TV and radio and saw Marc become a media darling! Several satirical albums have followed and later releases saw Marc being joined by The Flaming Methodists! Marc comments, ”Apart from (hopefully) making people laugh, my aim with my satirical material has always been to encourage the Church and the Church community to take a look at itself and prompt discussion”

2007 saw Marc completing a long period of studies and he was ordained into the ministry of the Church of England. He then headed off for his first placement in Coventry in the heart of England. Whether satirical or progressive, Marc’s music is still available from the on-line shop, via mail order or it can be downloaded from your favourite on-line digital media provider.

PLANKTON DISCOGRAPHY:

“Char” album (MARC CATLEY & The Flaming Methodists)
Released 1996 Cat No: PCDN 150 . CD Available in out on-line shop

iTUNES links: (UK) (USA) (Canada) Also available from all other iTUNES world territories

AMAZON links: (UK) (USA) Also available from all other AMAZON world territories

“Make The Tea” album (MARC CATLEY)
Released 1992 Cat No: PCDN 135 .  CD Available in out on-line shop

iTUNES links: (UK) (USA) (Canada) Also available from all other iTUNES world territories

AMAZON links: (UK) (USA) Also available from all other AMAZON world territories

OTHER PLANKTON ALBUMS Featuring MARC CATLEY

“Plankton. Forty Years 1978 – 2018” 2CD Slipcase set
Released 2018 Cat No: PCDN175.  2CD set available in the on-line shop 2 CD set available in our on-line shop

iTUNES links: (UK) (USA) (Canada) Also available from all other iTUNES world territories

AMAZON links: (UK) (USA) Also available from all other AMAZON world territories

“Plankton, The First 20 Years” CD
Released 1998 Cat No PCDN153.  CD Available in the on-line shop

iTUNES links: (UK) (USA) (Canada) Also available from all other iTUNES world territories

AMAZON links: (UK) (USA) Also available from all other AMAZON world territories

”Greenbelt Fringe ‘95” CD
Released 1995 Cat No PCDN147. Deleted