Marcus Fenix

Today’s Desert Island Discs are chosen by star of Gears of War and Gears of War 2, Marcus Fenix. When he’s not fighting the Locust Horde with his partner Dom and the rest of Delta Squad, what does a gravel-voiced, hardened Space-Marine listen to? Check out his his Spotify playlist for a few surprises…

Eye of the tiger (Survivor). This was playing at the Boxercise class where I first met Dom – he still jokes it was a timetable clash with Chainsaw Maintenance 101. We got chatting and he persuaded me to enlist. The Major was such a dear, putting us to bunk together. I did send the Major a nice fruit bowl as a thank you, but Dom still thinks “he really owes him, and will return the favour when he’s least expecting it.” It’s that boundless gratitude which I so admire in Dom.

In the navy (The Village People). Dom insisted I included this – he constantly teases me about falling for his jape about Space Marines being the equivalent of solar sailors! I don’t regret signing up though. I knew my cupcake business was doomed the moment galactic war was declared. And the uniforms are so sharp, which never hurts!

I want to break free (Queen). I love to sing along while doing the house work, you know, like Freddie and his chums in that outrageous video? I just wish Dom would get the vacuum out a little more often. Honestly, our shag pile’s an utter disgrace. I nearly died the last time the Major came round for inspection, but I think we just about got away with it – it’s amazing how you can distract attention to certain focal points within a room with a few well placed doilies.

Killing in the name of (Rage Against The Machine). Life in the Marine Corps is not constant slaughter. There’s lots of sitting around waiting for assignment. It’s important to keep focused during these down-times. While it’s not really my cup of tea, Delta Squad are particularly fond of chanting along to “Killing in the name of”. Pre-mission, it’s also important to keep your energy up. A lot of the young bucks like to throw burgers down their sizable necks, but I daren’t with my metabolism! Instead I like to keep a variety of healthy snacks on hand. I find goji berries work well.

You raise me up (Kenny G). As part of my post-battlefield ritual, I do enjoy a long soak in the bath: That power armour can really chafe, and you’d never believe where gristle can work its way after a full day of chain-sawing brutish monsters through the face. A long soak, Kenny and a glass of Chablis really help me unwind. I wish Dom would follow my lead, he always seems so tense. I bought him some scented candles, but they’re just gathering dust with the massage oils I got for his birthday last year.

We like to party (The Vengaboys). Recently, Dom has been spending more and more time with the rest of Delta Squad. Rather than sit up and wait for him to roll in drunk yet again, I’ve starting enjoying the company of our pool boy, Jose. He introduced me to the Vengaboys, and wow, those guys really do like to party!