Borderlines
The Landmarq On-line Newsletter

Autumn 1999 - Special Edition

At last, after one or two production delays (ok, so someone forgot to set their alarm clock!) and changes in tour schedules, the first live album from Landmarq is finally with us. As regular visitors to this website will already know there are eight tracks on the CD (or nine, if you count the excerpt from 'Suite: St. Helens' at the end of 'Between Sleeping And Dreaming').

In this special edition of 'Borderlines' we'll give you a few glimpses behind the scenes and at some of the people who shed their blood, sweat and beers(!) in assisting with the birth of the new 'baby'…

We've also got 10 signed copies to give away in a competition to celebrate the release of the new album. See below for details.

Behind many bands there are a bunch of people who toil away unseen (though not necessarily unheard), working to ensure that what the audience sees and hears is what they expect to see and hear. In this case, Landmarq doing their thing…as only Landmarq can!
So by way of a tribute to those folks behind the band, here is a brief rundown of the roadies, sound engineers, bartenders, etc.

Main live road crew:

• Steve Rispin - sound engineer. Landmarq's longest-established sound man and general Mister Fixit. Once described Landmarq as "one of the tightest outfits I've worked with - they've never bought me a drink in nine years!"
• Jan Buddenberg - roadie, keyboard tech and chief translator. It has to be said that without our own 'flying Dutchman' Landmarq might even now still be somewhere in Europe (probably Holland) trying to figure out how they got so lost and exactly which road to take.
• Bo Collier and Richard Dixon - sound engineers (stand-by). Bo has been out to Holland with Landmarq and Richard came in at the last minute to mix the Paulusfeesten gig in Belgium back in August '99 (see gig report in 'Borderlines Summer 99 extra'). Both have been recommended on occasions when Steve Rispin was otherwise engaged and both have performed wonderfully. As for their sound engineering, though… ;-)
• Justin Coffey - roadie, guitar tech and chief bartender. When he's not roadie-ing for Landmarq, Justin performs (and roadies) in his own band, "Beats Workin' ", where it has been known for him to drag along certain members of a Prog-rock band not a million miles from this very newsletter.
• Bill Kidd (drum tech) and Marco Visser (bass tech) - Bill actually came down from his native Scotland, travelled across to meet up with Landmarq in Holland at their gig with Marillion back in Utrecht (September '98). He then went straight back home that same night at the end of the gig. Dedication, or what? Marco also did a similar thing for that same gig. Only difference is, Marco actually lives near Utrecht!
• Matt Snowball - Matt has taken care of Landmarq's transport. Very little else is known about this man except a certain story of a donkey, a car foot pump and 3 kilos of carrots…!

1. Pinewood Avenue…
Landmarq decided to open their very first live album not with a version of one of their latest releases but instead to look at the whole range of live material available and simply choose something that was a 'kick-ass-attention-getter'. This version of 'Pinewood' proved as good as any.

2. Solitary Witness…
'Solitary' has a new arrangement with an intro that could well see Landmarq returning to its tradition of putting the title track of one album on the following album. Could this be a taster of a composition entitled 'Thunderstruck'...???

3. Science Of Coincidence…
Another rocker for Landmarq, this almost opened the album, although on occasion the band would open a show with something more like 'The Vision Pit' for it's more atmospheric introduction. Dave wagstaff: "It was quite difficult to put together the final track order for 'Thunderstruck' given the album represents a whole collection of concerts recorded over a period of about eighteen months. We had about ten different permutations, including tracks that will now be used for the second live album".

4. Tailspin…
Save the whales - collect the whole set! (Ok, we've used that one already). This is the more mellow side of Landmarq with a popular message in the song and another re-arrangement of an older number. Landmarq laid-bacq?

5. The Overlook…
A true Landmarq mini-epic; at almost ten minutes, this song works well live and has become a particular favourite of fans and the band alike. Those of you familiar with the Jack Nicholson movie 'The Shining' may remember 'The Overlook' was actually the name of the hotel that featured in the film. Oooooh!

6. Between Sleeping And Dreaming…
A real break in the show as the stage is left to just Tracy, accompanied by Steve Leigh on piano and synth's. A very delicate song with some real drama as it evolves into yet another re-working of an earlier Landmarq track. This time it's the 'Reprise' from 'Suite: St. Helens' from way back on the first album 'Solitary Witness'.

7. Borders…
Also from the first album and a true long-time favourite of just about everybody. Originally one of the bands encore numbers, 'Borders' is always good for a spot of anthemic-foot-stomping-arm-waving… Say no more!

8. Summer Madness…
Landmarq chill-out, get-down, rock-on and generally show they can have something of a good time as Tracy closes this first live collection with the band introductions. This is also a number that audiences have been fast to pick up on, singing along with the chorus. Ah yes. Summer Madness is definitely in the air.

The photographs in the 'Thunderstruck' CD booklet are basically a collection of the band and individual members taken while on their previous tours plus a few candid off-stage shots. There are also a number of pictures of the band members in their very early days.
Note, in particular, Dave wagstaff's impression of Count Dracula, Steve Leigh's attempt at surfing with a floor-mop on a caravan roof and exactly who is that caught live in the shower?

See below for details of the competition to win a signed copy of the new CD. It includes something to do with one of the photos in the booklet.

You can win one of ten signed copies of the new live album 'Thunderstruck' by answering these all-too-easy questions. Don't worry - we've made them multiple-choice so it's easier still. The answer to questions 2 and 3 can be found in this website. (We're too good to you, ain't we?).

Q.1
Here is a photo of Tracy and her two sisters when they were all but innocent cherubs (aaah!). Just say which one you think is Tracy herself:

a. The one on the left.
b. The one in the middle.
c. The one on the right.



Q.2
Landmarq was formed in which year:
a. 1989
b. 1990
c. 1991

Q.3
Name the correct title of Tracy Hitchings' debut solo album. Was it:
a. From Inverness With A Cup Of Tea.
b. From Innocence To Empathy.
c. From Ignorance To Ecstacy.

Tie-Breaker:
Supply a comical caption to the following picture: 



IMPORTANT: Please note the closing date for this competition has been extended to the end of January 2000. This is partly due to the fact that the copies will not actually be signed by ALL of the band until the new year. (One of our number has taken his family to Mexico and will not return until after the Christmas/New Year holiday).
E-mail your answers to reach us by 31st January 2000.
The first 10 correct entries will receive a signed copy of 'Thunderstruck'. The best tie-breaker photo caption will also receive an extra bonus prize.
The judges decision is final - so there!