Mark Astronaut

Mark Astronaut
Mark Astronaut
Background information
Origin	UK
Associated acts	The Otters

Mark Astronaut (Mark Wilkins) is a Welwyn Garden City (UK) based musician.

Career

Astronaut has been involved with three main projects consisting of The Astronauts, Restricted Hours and The Otters. His career spans over 30 years. He was involved in the free music scene of the late 70's and early 80's, playing with the likes of Zounds, The Mob, and touring on Here and Now's Free Tours. The Astronauts have released material on a variety of labels including All The Madmen, Acid Stings, Irregular and Bugle.

Although never seeking publicity and recognition, Mark's music trickles out to those in the know, and frequently receives critical acclaim. Mark is a profound lyricist, and frequently draws inspiration from the absurdities of life in Britain, giving his music a distinctly English feel. A collection of his lyrics can be found on the official Astronauts website under songbook. Rock n Reel magazine (March/April 2009) described Mark as 'The Post-Punk Dylan of Welwyn Garden City'.

The Otters are Mark's latest project, and have been performing for approximately 7 years.

Mark is frequently addresses as 'Dave Astronaut', which is a name he enjoys being called.^{[citation needed]}.

Discography

The Astronauts:

• The Astronauts ep 1979 (Bugle)
• The Night 1979 (Really Weird Comp)
• Pranksters In Revolt ep 1980 (Bugle)
• Peter Pan Hits The Suburbs LP 1981 (Bugle)
• Only Fools & Optimists cassette album 1982 (All The Madmen)
• Its All Done By Mirrors LP 1983 (All The Madmen)
• Soon LP 1986 (All The Madmen)
• Seedy Side Of The Astronauts LP 1987 (All The Madmen)
• In Defence Of Compassion LP 1989 (AcidStings)
• Constitution 7" 1991 (Acid Stings)
• Upfront And Sideways LP (Acid Stings) awaiting release
• Peter Pan/All Done By Mirrors CD 1994 (Lazy Dog)
• Baby Sings Folksongs 7" 1995 (Farce)
• You're All Weird CD 2000 (Irregular)
• The Donkey Riding EP CD 2010 (Cupboard Music / Trashville)

Restricted Hours:

• Restricted Hours ep 1979 (Stevenage RAR)
• Restricted Hours (live at club 85 - 2004)

The Otters:

• Situation Normal 2004
• To Mock A Killingbird 2006
• Kidnapped By Spacemen 2006
• Be Back Soon 2007 (Cupboard Music)
• Songs Beginning with the Letter H 2008
• Songs that don't Begin with the letter H 2008
• If The Strangers Come Around... 2009
• Melissa's Party 2009

External links

• http://homepage.ntlworld.com/acidstings/ASTRONAUTS.htm.html
• http://astronauts.org.uk/
• http://floatinganarchy.com/asdisco.html
• http://www.killyourpetpuppy.co.uk/news/?p=204
• herestheastronauts Mark Astronaut on Myspace
• http://avaxhome.ws/music/rock/The_Astronauts-Its_All_Done_By_Mirrors.html
• http://www.discogs.com/artist/Astronauts%2C+The+(5)