MarkGT joined The Mission (aka The Mission UK in North America) in autumn 1992, replacing previous long standing guitarist Simon Hinkler who left the band acrimoniously on the eve of a US tour two years before. 

The band also recruited Rik Carter (Heartland) on keyboards, and Matthew Parkin (Jesus & Mary Chain) on bass, who replaced former original member Craig Adams (a founder member of the Sisters of Mercy; Craig later joined The Cult and played on their last album for Beggars Banquet, before rejoining the reformed Mission in 1999- see below).

Meanwhile Andy Cousin's previous band All About Eve (former labelmates on Phonogram) split up in the Spring of 1993, and Andy teamed up with The Mission in the summer that year after things didn't work out with Matthew.

MGT went on to tour with the band in 1993, 1994, 1995 & 1996 before the group disbanded, with Andy & Rik alongside founder members Wayne Hussey & Mick Brown, and recorded the two Mission studio albums 'Neverland' and 'Blue', contributing music to each album (including Lose Myself in You, Daddie's Going to Heaven, Sway, Black & Blue, Alpha Man and Bang Bang). The Mission later reformed with a new line-up featuring MGT in 1999, touring the USA and Europe on the Resurrection tour, followed by Recon2000. A new album 'Aura' was recorded and released in 2001- Mark left the band in Nov 2001 to persue other interests, and was to rejoin the band in 2005 for the 'Lighting the Candles tour. more info below.

THE MISSION MKII SIGN NEW RECORD DEAL (1994)

The Mission MKII lineup's official recording debut was on the Phonogram Mission singles compilation 'Sum & Substance', releases in 1994, which included new songs 'Afterglow' (the Mission's last single release for Phonogram; a new revised version was recorded for the Neverland album) and 'Sourpuss'  - never released as a single; only available on 'Sum & Substance' (Unofficially the very first 'released' recording of the new lineup (featuring Matthew Parkin on bass) was a heavy reworking of 'Crazy Horses' by The Osmonds, which was recorded back in December 1992 and released on limited edition flexi-disc only to Mission fans via the Mission World Information Service fanzine in 1993). 'Tower of Strength' was remixed by Youth and reached No.36 in the UK National charts in January 1994, prompting the first TV appearance of the Mission MKII lineup on UK chart music show Top of the Pops

MGT WITH THE MISSION : 1993 / 1994 / 1995 / 1996

The Mission parted company with Phonogram in 1994 and signed to Equator/SONY Europe (Dragnet), releasing the 'Neverland' album in 1995, touring both Europe and South Africa (Lose Myself in You was number one on the SA 5FM radio playlist for 6 weeks during 1995, prompting Mark and Wayne to travel to Johannesburg for press and TV promotion and perform two sold-out impromptu 'unplugged' Mission shows in 1995). Neverland was quickly followed by the release of  'Blue' on Equator/SONY Europe in 1996.

THE MISSION ('BLUE' ALBUM PHOTOSHOOT 1996) In August 1996 Wayne Hussey finally decided to call it a day (on The Mission's 10th anniversary)  after the Blue European tour... the band did reform in October 1996 for one final farewell show to 60,000 fans when The Mission headlined the 5FM festival in Johannesburg, South Africa. Wayne relocated to California, USA in January 1997, and was busy producing and remixing a variety of artists, also completing 'Resurrection', a Mission UK remix album released on Cleopatra records USA in October 1999; Andy Cousin formed LucyNation with Anna Nystrom (as well as supporting The Mission with a reformed All About Eve in 1999); Rik later joined the touring AAE as live keyboard player, and Mick was last seen DJing in his hometown Leeds.

WAYNE HUSSEY & MARKGT
PERFORM IN JOHANNESBURG S.A 1995

After a 3 year hiatus, The Mission decided to reform in the summer of 1999 whilst Wayne Hussey was working on a commission to rework classic Mission songs on a new 'Greatest Hit's album called 'Resurrection', released in the USA on Cleopatra and Eagle records in Europe. At the same time Gene Loves Jezebel approached The Mission (via ex-bassist Craig Adams) to reform and co-headline a tour of the USA with Mike Peters. Craig got talking to Wayne, Wayne got talking to MGT, and the band was reborn, with Craig's colleague Scott Garrett on drums, who was in The Cult with Craig. The new lineup of Wayne Hussey, Craig Adams, Mark Thwaite and Scott Garrett toured the USA, UK, Spain and Portugal in the fall of 1999; a live album taken from the Resurrection tour, Everafter - live, was released by Trojan/Receiver records in August 2000.

After the success and popularity of the Resurrection tour the band decided to continue and commence work on a new album, as well as undertaking the RECON2000 world tour, where the Mission played in many countries including South Africa, Greece, Spain, Brazil, Portugal, Argentina, Belgium, Chile, Germany, Holland, UK, Mexico, Sweden, Czech Republic, Norway and the USA.

MGT/THE MISSION - LONDON ASTORIA UK (1999)

NOV 2001: A NEW ALBUM; A SAD DEPARTURE

In November 2001 the Mission MK3 (Wayne Hussey, Craig Adams, Mark Thwaite, Scott Garrett) released the much anticipated comeback album 'Aura' - the Mission's first studio album in 5 years. Hailed as a striking return to form, the band toured the album extensively from late 2001 & 2002.

AURA (2001)          

Due to, amongst other reasons, guitarist Mark Thwaite's ever increasing touring commitments with TRICKY, and by mutual consent with the remaining three members of the band, the band were sad to announce his departure from The Mission in October 2001. MGT regretted this unfortunate clash of his commitments, and wished the Mission success with promoting the new album he helped create. MGT was to continue touring and recording with Tricky, including the 'Vulnerable' album released on Epitaph in 2003; Mark also formed his own band NEW DISEASE in 2002, signing a record deal with Universal records in 2004. The band recorded their debut with noted producer David Bottrill (Tool, Peter Gabriel, Godsmack). 

THE MISSION with MGT: SHOOTING 'EVANGELINE' VIDEO (August 2001)

JULY 2005: MARKGT REUNITES WITH THE MISSION AFTER 4 YEARS..

Following MGT's successful US tour with Bauhaus vocalist Peter Murphy in May 2005 (Peter Murphy artist page), Mark agreed to reunite with Wayne Hussey and The Mission for two special shows in Johannesburg, South Africa on 1st/2nd July 2005. Previously a full-time member of the band from 1992-2001, this marked MGT's first live performance with The Mission in over 4 years. 

AUGUST 2005: MGT REJOINS BAND FOR MISSION UK/EUROPEAN TOUR

Following the success of the Mission’s recent shows in South Africa, MarkGT returned on guitar with the band for the whole of the Mission ‘Lighting The Candles’ European tour. This marked the first time that Mark has played guitar with the band in mainland Europe since 2000. Mark is now permanently back in the fold and is currently collaborating with vocalist Wayne Hussey on new material for the band's next studio album, tentatively scheduled for an early 2007 release.. Check the band's official website www.themissionuk.com for regular news and updates..

THE MISSION 2005: Richard Vernon, Mark Gemini Thwaite, Wayne Hussey, Steve Spring

21ST OCTOBER 2006: MGT COLLABORATES WITH THE MISSION ON NEW STUDIO ALBUM..

After completing the 'Lighting the Candles' European tour with The Mission last year, Mark joined the rest of the band in a studio in the UK last month to record guitars on the new Mission studio album, slated for a tentative release on SPV in March 2007. Several of MGT's compositions and collaborations with singer Wayne Hussey have been shortlisted for inclusion, including 'Belladonna', 'Headshrinker' and 'Dumb'.

'God is a bullet', the new album released on SPV in Europe and Cooking Vinyl in UK/USA in summer 2007, is the band's first studio release in over 5 years, and will be MGT's fifth studio album with the Mission since he first joined the band in 1992. A European tour and double live CD 'MMVII' recorded at London Shepherds Bush Empire was released in June 2007.

THE MISSION UK SEPTEMBER 2006: Wayne Hussey, Rich Vernon, MGT, Steve Spring

During the recording sessions the bandmembers were interviewed, you can check out the video interview with Mark on YouTube (click here). For more information visit the official website at www.themissionuk.com and www.myspace.com/themissionuk