LANDMARQ BIOGRAPHY - THE OVERVIEW…

Landmarq are a UK-based neo- progressive rock band. Since forming in 1990, they have so far released a total of ten albums, four of which were recorded live at various concerts in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Two concert DVD’s have also been released in 2006 and 2015. EARLY DAYS… Initially signing to a Dutch record label in 1991, SI Music, then later forming their own label, Synergy Records, the band soon established themselves within the world of progressive rock. Although ‘Prog’ is their main focus, their style may also extend into album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock and even a slightly jazz edge. Vocalist Damian Wilson left the band after three very well received albums to concentrate on his solo career and the band found a replacement in Ian 'Moon' Gould. 'Moon' spent a year with the band, playing various gigs in the UK and the Netherlands, before deciding to move on. TRACY… It was at this point that Landmarq decided to go for a radical change to their sound and recruited lead vocalist and long-time friend of the band, Tracy Hitchings, who formerly sang with Quasar. Landmarq then got straight into production of their next album, “Science of Coincidence”, released in 1998. BACK ON THE ROAD… Landmarq have played shows and festivals in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, Italy, the USA and Mexico; both as support and as headliners at various festivals and music venues. The band have worked with many well-known artists including Marillion, Focus, John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Family), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Hugh McDowell (ELO, Wizard), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), IQ, Pendragon, Arena and even Suzi Quatro. Apart from making strong in-roads into Europe and America, Landmarq have reached further territories worldwide, as far afield as Russia, eastern Europe, the Far East, and Australia through various magazine/webzine articles, interviews, radio air-play and also compilation CDs from various music magazines. DVD (I)… The band's first DVD was released in March 2006. Entitled “Turbulence – Live In Poland”, it features Landmarq filmed in concert at the Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, in November 2005. The DVD was released by the Polish label Metal Mind Productions and has received some of the band's best reviews to date. The DVD also comprises a wealth of bonus material including audio and video archive tracks, an interview with the band, a huge photo gallery and much more. Following an enforced break for a few years, Landmarq re-emerged on to the Prog scene early in 2012 with the release of their eagerly-anticipated fifth album, “Entertaining Angels”, a Special Edition double-CD set. This proved to be a triumphant return for the band as they received many glowing reviews from fans and music press alike. This was followed up with "Angels On Tour", a series of live dates through 2012-2013, that saw Landmarq performing in various festivals and venues again in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Also to much acclaim and some excellent reviews. Following on from their gigs in 2012, Landmarq continued their live shows -- dubbed "Angels On Tour" -- with more UK and European dates through 2013, including the Cambridge and Summer's End rock festivals in the UK and the Rock Itervoort Festival in The Netherlands. MORE PRODUCT… Landmarq releasd more new product throughout 2014/15, including "Entertaining Angels" on vinyl (a double-LP set). Also, a long-awaited compilation album entitled "Origins - A Landmarq Anthology - 1992-2014" (2-CD set) featuring vocalists Tracy Hitchings and Damian Wilson. The album also includes a brand new song, entitled "Origins". DVD (II)… The latest release from Landmarq is "RoadSkill - Live In The Netherlands", a 2- disc DVD+CD set, filmed and recorded live in 2013 at one of the band's European shows at De Boerderij, NL, released in 2015. CHANGES… A major change of line-up occurred once again in 2018 when, due to relocation in both cases, vocalist Tracy Hitchings and drummer Danny Martin separately made the difficult decisions to move on from Landmarq. Uwe, Mike and Steve resolved to continue writing new material for a proposed new album and also began the search for Tracy’s and Danny’s replacements. Following a series of auditions, the band returned to full strength with the addition of vocalist Wolf Campen and drummer Andy Allen who were thrust straight into some intensive rehearsals in preparation for a series of gigs beginning in October 2018. This was followed by various shows and festivals in 2019 through to the present time (excluding 2020/21, due to the Covid pandemic). In 2024, Landmarq decide to take time off from live shows in order to concentrate on production of their next studio album. But not before a successful appearance in March 2024 at the UK festival, “Fusion 5 - Music Without Boundaries”, where the band treated the audience to a live preview of one of the songs from their, as yet untitled, sixth album. However, with the new album still in production, the band will play three dates in 2025. See the Live page for details. To be continued… June 2025

Tracy Hitchings and Danny Martin (photo: Paul Blue)

...Without doubt, 'Entertaining Angels' is the strongest album of their career... - Nick Shilton, 'PROG' magazine, UK

Click a band member image to see individual biogs…

Photo by Sam Collins

ABOUT

Photo by Paul Blue

Photo by Kian Raines

In early December 2022, we had to report the very sad news that our dear friend and former Landmarq singer Tracy Hitchings had passed away following an on-going battle with Cancer. (click image to read more…)

MIKE VARTY - PRODUCER / KEYBOARDS / PIANO / VIOLIN / VOCALS Mike is best known for his internationally popular work on the progressive music scene, where he is regarded as a technical and keyboard 'wizard'. He received the award for Best Keyboard Player from the UK’s Classic Rock Society in 2013. In addition to Landmarq, Mike has a whole catalogue of recordings to his name with bands including Shadowland, Credo, Infinite Sunday, The Mighty Rooster and the multi- award winning Janison Edge. He regularly tours UK, Europe and worldwide with these bands, as well as with Mick Pointer's early Marillion show and DeeExpus. Mike also runs Gargoyle Studio where various projects have been produced, most recently the live Landmarq release, new material with Credo and the recent debut CD from Infinite Sunday – a jazz chill-out project he has also been involved with in recent years. Mike has a particular talent for arrangement and production which draws heavily on his classical music training and natural musicianship. He has produced several albums and other projects, as well as lending his production skills to assist other bands. He has also written and produced the soundtrack for cult films Foiled, Fluffy the English Vampire Slayer and the recent spoof blockbuster Big Chimp; and provided original music for a number of cartoons and shorts. The music originally recorded for Fluffy the English Vampire Slayer has just been remastered and re-released in 2013 as Espresso Requiem by Noscaferatu. Mike is a classically trained pianist and violinist, who started studying at the age of 4; he also has a degree in electronics; both of which give him the broadest technical and compositional expertise to underpin his extreme musicianship. Mike's other bands/projects: Credo | DeeExpus | Janison Edge | Shadowland | Infinite Sunday | The Mighty Rooster | Mick Pointer’s Marillion / Script for a Jester’s Tour | Noscaferatu | Mike’s Facebook | Gargoyle Records.

STEVE GEE - BASS GUITARS / BASS PEDALS / GUITAR / VOCALS Began playing guitar aged 10. Later helped form first real band, the Prog-influenced 'Artemis', in 1969/70. Started out as lead/rhythm guitarist and subsequently made the transition to bass guitar at age 15. Supported bands such as Camel and Egg. Played with many bands in and around the London area. Spent time in Paris recording/gigging for American singer-songwriter Irvin Mowrey, then played bass for French pop star Danyel Gerard. Returned home and helped form award-winning Country band, Firewater, recording both original and cover material and playing many of the Country music clubs and festivals and touring up and down the UK (1983-89). Came full-circle back to ‘Prog’ in 1989/90 joining with Uwe D’rose, Steve Leigh, Dave Wagstaffe to help form Landmarq. The band celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2020. OTHER STUFF Lowe and Brzezicki’s ESP is a ‘Prog Tour de Force' collaboration with musicians from Big Country, King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator, Procol Harum, GTR, Landmarq and more. Written and Produced by producer/guitarist Tony Lowe and released in 2016, ESP’s debut album, “Invisible Din”, has been compared to Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Roger Waters, The Alan Parson’s Project and Brand X. MUSICIANS ON THE ALBUM: Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki, David Cross, David Jackson, Phil Spalding, Steve Gee, John Beagley, John Young, Alison Fleming, Yumi Hara, Pat Orchard. Also bass player for Jazz quartet, Heads Up, and singer-songwriter Jeanette Murphy. Summary of other artists/bands previously supported/worked with (in no particular order): The Syn (incl. ex-Yes member Peter Banks), Camel, Capability Brown, Strider, Pacific Eardrum, Ron Geesin (ex-Roger Waters/Pink Floyd), Larry Adler, Irvin Mowrey, Danyel Gerard, Anton Karas, Paul Slade, Frank Ifield, Rose Marie, Becky Hobbs, Poacher, The Searchers, The Tremeloes, The Rockin' Berries, Suzi Quatro... and from the land of Prog: Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Focus, Marillion, Greenslade, Pendragon, IQ, Clive Nolan's Thin Ice Orchestra, Tony Lowe/ESP. Steve’s website: www.stevegee.com

LANDMARQ BIOGRAPHY - THE

OVERVIEW…

Landmarq are a UK-based neo-progressive rock band. Since forming in 1990, they have so far released a total of ten albums, four of which were recorded live at various concerts in the UK and elsewhere in Europe. Two concert DVD’s have also been released in 2006 and 2015. EARLY DAYS… Initially signing to a Dutch record label in 1991, SI Music, then later forming their own label, Synergy Records, the band soon established themselves within the world of progressive rock. Although ‘Prog’ is their main focus, their style may also extend into album-oriented rock, melodic rock, hard rock and even a slightly jazz edge. Vocalist Damian Wilson left the band after three very well received albums to concentrate on his solo career and the band found a replacement in Ian 'Moon' Gould. 'Moon' spent a year with the band, playing various gigs in the UK and the Netherlands, before deciding to move on. TRACY… It was at this point that Landmarq decided to go for a radical change to their sound and recruited lead vocalist and long-time friend of the band, Tracy Hitchings, who formerly sang with Quasar. Landmarq then got straight into production of their next album, “Science of Coincidence”, released in 1998. BACK ON THE ROAD… Landmarq have played shows and festivals in the UK, the Netherlands, Germany, Belgium, France, Poland, Italy, the USA and Mexico; both as support and as headliners at various festivals and music venues. The band have worked with many well-known artists including Marillion, Focus, John Wetton (Asia, King Crimson, Roxy Music, Family), Steve Hackett (Genesis), Hugh McDowell (ELO, Wizard), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), IQ, Pendragon, Arena and even Suzi Quatro. Apart from making strong in-roads into Europe and America, Landmarq have reached further territories worldwide, as far afield as Russia, eastern Europe, the Far East, and Australia through various magazine/webzine articles, interviews, radio air-play and also compilation CDs from various music magazines. DVD (I)… The band's first DVD was released in March 2006. Entitled “Turbulence – Live In Poland”, it features Landmarq filmed in concert at the Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, in November 2005. The DVD was released by the Polish label Metal Mind Productions and has received some of the band's best reviews to date. The DVD also comprises a wealth of bonus material including audio and video archive tracks, an interview with the band, a huge photo gallery and much more. Following an enforced break for a few years, Landmarq re- emerged on to the Prog scene early in 2012 with the release of their eagerly-anticipated fifth album, “Entertaining Angels”, a Special Edition double-CD set. This proved to be a triumphant return for the band as they received many glowing reviews from fans and music press alike. This was followed up with "Angels On Tour", a series of live dates through 2012-2013, that saw Landmarq performing in various festivals and venues again in the UK, the Netherlands, Belgium and Germany. Also to much acclaim and some excellent reviews. Following on from their gigs in 2012, Landmarq continued their live shows -- dubbed "Angels On Tour" -- with more UK and European dates through 2013, including the Cambridge and Summer's End rock festivals in the UK and the Rock Itervoort Festival in The Netherlands. MORE PRODUCT… Landmarq releasd more new product throughout 2014/15, including "Entertaining Angels" on vinyl (a double-LP set). Also, a long-awaited compilation album entitled "Origins - A Landmarq Anthology - 1992- 2014" (2-CD set) featuring vocalists Tracy Hitchings and Damian Wilson. The album also includes a brand new song, entitled "Origins". DVD (II)… The latest release from Landmarq is "RoadSkill - Live In The Netherlands", a 2-disc DVD+CD set, filmed and recorded live in 2013 at one of the band's European shows at De Boerderij, NL, released in 2015. CHANGES… A major change of line-up occurred once again in 2018 when, due to relocation in both cases, vocalist Tracy Hitchings and drummer Danny Martin separately made the difficult decisions to move on from Landmarq. Uwe, Mike and Steve resolved to continue writing new material for a proposed new album and also began the search for Tracy’s and Danny’s replacements. Following a series of auditions, the band returned to full strength with the addition of vocalist Wolf Campen and drummer Andy Allen who were thrust straight into some intensive rehearsals in preparation for a series of gigs beginning in October 2018. This was followed by various shows and festivals in 2019 through to the present time (excluding 2020/21, due to the Covid pandemic). In 2024, Landmarq decide to take time off from live shows in order to concentrate on production of their next studio album. But not before a successful appearance in March 2024 at the UK festival, “Fusion 5 - Music Without Boundaries”, where the band treated the audience to a live preview of one of the songs from their, as yet untitled, sixth album. However, with the new album still in production, the band will play three dates in 2025. See the Live page for details. To be continued… June 2025

...Without doubt, 'Entertaining Angels' is the strongest album of their career... - Nick Shilton, 'PROG' magazine, UK

Click a band member image to see individual biogs…

Photo by Kian Raines

ABOUT

Wolf Campen

Mike Varty

Uwe D’rose

Steve Gee

Andy Allen

STEVE GEE - BASS GUITARS / BASS PEDALS / GUITAR / VOCALS Began playing guitar aged 10. Later helped form first real band, the Prog- influenced 'Artemis', in 1969/70. Started out as lead/rhythm guitarist and subsequently made the transition to bass guitar at age 15. Supported bands such as Camel and Egg. Played with many bands in and around the London area. Spent time in Paris recording/gigging for American singer-songwriter Irvin Mowrey, then played bass for French pop star Danyel Gerard. Returned home and helped form award-winning Country band, Firewater, recording both original and cover material and playing many of the Country music clubs and festivals and touring up and down the UK (1983-89). Came full-circle back to ‘Prog’ in 1989/90 joining with Uwe D’rose, Steve Leigh, Dave Wagstaffe to help form Landmarq. The band celebrate their 30th anniversary in 2020. OTHER STUFF Lowe and Brzezicki’s ESP is a ‘Prog Tour de Force' collaboration with musicians from Big Country, King Crimson, Van der Graaf Generator, Procol Harum, GTR, Landmarq and more. Written and Produced by producer/guitarist Tony Lowe and released in 2016, ESP’s debut album, “Invisible Din”, has been compared to Genesis, King Crimson, Yes, Roger Waters, The Alan Parson’s Project and Brand X. MUSICIANS ON THE ALBUM: Tony Lowe, Mark Brzezicki, David Cross, David Jackson, Phil Spalding, Steve Gee, John Beagley, John Young, Alison Fleming, Yumi Hara, Pat Orchard. Also bass player for Jazz quartet, Heads Up, and singer-songwriter Jeanette Murphy. Summary of other artists/bands previously supported/worked with (in no particular order): The Syn (incl. ex-Yes member Peter Banks), Camel, Capability Brown, Strider, Pacific Eardrum, Ron Geesin (ex-Roger Waters/Pink Floyd), Larry Adler, Irvin Mowrey, Danyel Gerard, Anton Karas, Paul Slade, Frank Ifield, Rose Marie, Becky Hobbs, Poacher, The Searchers, The Tremeloes, The Rockin' Berries, Suzi Quatro... and from the land of Prog: Steve Hackett, John Wetton, Focus, Marillion, Greenslade, Pendragon, IQ, Clive Nolan's Thin Ice Orchestra, Tony Lowe/ESP. Steve’s website: www.stevegee.com