At the beginning of this 2006, it came to light that Jaime Harding and Phil Cunningham were working together again on new songs, and planned to play a gig in Bath on 1st April. This news came from a friend of the band, Carl Jackson, who was working with them on the new material and helping sort out the gig.
Recruiting Jack Mitchell from Haven on drums, and local musicians Jake Evans and Che Hargreaves on guitar and bass respectively they played a successful gig under the name Marion at the Green Park Tavern in Bath, the set featuring a selection of Marion classics and brand new songs!
Through out the year, Marion continued to write new material, rehearse and played further gigs. The new songs have managed to combine the old passion and style of the original Marion sound, along with a new vibe coming from maturity and new members.
Unfortunately, 2007 provided a mixture of illness, injury and inactivity on the Marion front, somewhat stalling the momentum built in the previous year.
But, in 2008, there was renewed optimism, as Marion made their first release in 10 years and Jaime played his first solo gig. More to come!
Grew up in Macclesfield, and through his school days played in numerous bands with many different musicians, but the common factor being Phil Cunningham. Together, they formed Marion in 1993. After 5 years, 2 albums, a handful of top 40 singles and a huge number of live performances, the band disintegrated. Feeling disillusioned with the music industry, he retreated from public view and went travelling in Eastern Europe.
7 years later, with his muse fully returned, Jaime once again teamed up with Phil, resurecting the Marion name to start afresh.
After recovering from illness in 2007, he played his first solo gig in May 2008.
Where Jaime drifted out of view, away from the music scene, Phil remained involved in various bands in the years after the original Marion line-up disolved, including Electronic, Tailgunner, Label and Run Run Run. He eventually joined, and continues to perform with, New Order. He's back working with Jaime, continuing a songwriting relationship that's lasted over 15 years.
While Marion stalled in 2007, New Order split up and Phil has been working as part of a new project called Bad Lieutenant with memembers of New Order and Blur.
Member of Manchester band Rambo & Leroy, he was recruited to initially play the comeback gig in Bath, before becoming a full time member, his playing style complementing Phil's, helping complete the sound.
Che has previously performed with rock band Callisto and seven-piece rock covers band The Electric Detectives. Che's ability to learn songs quickly and accurately made an impression on Carl Jackson, who played drums for both groups. This lead to Carl's recommendation that he audition for Marion. Che got the slot pretty much there and then, learning enough of the back catalogue and new stuff in 2 weeks to impress Phil and Jaime enough too! Like Jake, he has since become a full-time member.
Played in Tailgunner alongside Phil, before joining Haven after their original drummer departed. With them he has toured through Europe and Japan, and recorded 2 albums (both with Johnny Marr producing).
He continues to work with Haven, alongside Marion.
