MARK FLEMING
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BRAINBOMB

BrainBomb is a biography about bipolar disorder.
​The story commences when I am taken by ambulance, with a police escort, to a locked ward in a psychiatric Hospital.  ​

There are flashbacks to a lifestyle whirling around constant shiftwork, binge-drinking, toking, and promiscuity in Edinburgh night clubs, leading to deepening stress, insomnia, agoraphobia and depression. After a complete breakdown, there follows a painstaking recovery. Along the way I reignite my love of music by listening to John Peel and rediscover creative writing. Then my bipolar scale soars again. My mind spiralling into unnatural euphoria, I start writing a novel then destroy the manuscript. I smoke spliffs before going to church. I listen to Madchester music and my old punk vinyl through the night. I begin another journey towards the light at the end of the bipolar tunnel ...
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publication date

A version of BrainBomb was published in 2009, written as a semi-autobiographical novel, containing elements of fantasy, and released on a limited print-run.

The 2020 remix has been completely revamped and re-written as a biography, including extracts from my actual psychiatric case file.

Currently it is going through a few final edits before publication this summer.
Mark Fleming playing guitar with Desperation AM, an Edinburgh postpunk band, alongside L-R Paul Research and Ross Galloway

brainbomb: background

I came from a stable, loving family in Edinburgh, had an active social life, wrote short-stories that were published, went through the whole punk thing, playing in bands, gigging across Scotland, getting airplay...

... only to fall seriously ill with depression and put on long-term anti-psychotic drugs...

This is what happened.
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brainbomb excerpt: low

Signed-off work with stress, I'm actually undergoing a serious mental episode. Today I've tuned into TV coverage of the Tory party conference being held in the Winter Gardens in Blackpool. My delusions spiralling out of control, I think the latest speaker, Norman Tebbit, isn't addressing the crowd. He's talking directly to me.
Rollercoaster, metaphor for uncontrollable highs of bipolar

brainbomb excerpt: high

BrainBomb describes the downs and ups of bipolar disorder. If the downs represent depression, apathy, and paranoia, the ups, characterised by constant elation, are surely less distressing? No.
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brainbomb excerpt: RECOVERY

After a downward spiral of depression, memories of pogoing to Stiff Little Fingers during my punk youth helped to spark a painstaking recovery.
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  • Home
  • About me
  • BrainBomb
  • Blog
  • Interviews
  • Articles
  • Music Therapy
  • My bands
    • 4 Minute Warning
    • Desperation A.M.
    • Little Big Dig
    • Axidents
    • Noniconic
  • Contact