marxwith.com

Welcome to my Withernsea site.

What a wonderful surprise for me to be included in the new displays at the Lighthouse in Withernsea. First off, I’m a massive fan of Kay Kendall – I could watch her in Les Girls on repeat and never tire of her performance.

This is a big deal for me, and a huge honour of course.

I don’t normally blow my own trumpet, (honest) but I felt obliged to ‘big up’ my achievements to warrant a place alongside such luminaries.

When offering the Lighthouse some information for the biography they wanted to use, I had to recall details from over 40 years ago. I thought I’d better check that I’d remembered The Sisters chart position correctly, so I went online to look at the UK album charts from 1985.

I was pleased to see my memory was as keen as ever – there we were in March ‘85 a new entry at number 14.

What amazed me was looking at who else was in the chart that week. It reads almost like a who’s who of 80’s acts. Phil Collins, Prince, Springsteen, Madonna, Wham, Sade, Alison Moyet, Meatloaf, Tina Turner…… you don’t always pause to fully appreciate things when you’re slap bang in the middle of it all.   

Not bad for a kid from Chestnut Avenue. X

To hear Sand le Mere from the upcoming album Red Planet Blue click on link below.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZcbMZl0At_U

For more details about music by Gary Marx

contact info@garymarx.com

Mark Pearman, better known as Gary Marx, was born in Withernsea in 1959. He spent his early years in the surrounding villages before returning to the town in 1970. After leaving Withernsea High School in 1975 and working briefly in Hull, he moved to Leeds in 1979, where he met Andrew Taylor (later known as Andrew Eldritch). Together, they formed The Sisters of Mercy in 1980.

Working with a strong DIY ethos, which motivated the creation of their own label, Merciful Release, the band quickly gained an international following. Early releases such as Body Electric and Adrenochrome (1982) established their sound, while Temple of Love (1983), which topped the UK Indie Chart, led to a major-label record deal with WEA. Their debut album, First and Last and Always, entered the UK charts in its first week at number 14 and was later certified gold, securing its place as “a landmark release in alternative rock”.

Marx’s distinctive songwriting and guitar work were central to shaping the band’s enduring sound. However, following the album’s release, increasing tensions and creative differences led to his departure. Marx continues to record and release music. His most recent work is often autobiographical, and features songs like ‘High Brighton Rock’ and ‘Sand le Mere’ that are directly inspired by his hometown Withernsea.

“First and last and always, I’m a Withernsea boy.”