Landmarq Biography - The Overview

SINCE it's formation in London in 1990, where the band is still based, Landmarq have so far released seven CD albums, two of which have been recorded live at various concerts in the UK and Europe and a third live CD album taken from the DVD 'Turbulence - Live In Poland'.
Initially signing to a Dutch record company (SI Records) then forming their own label, Synergy Records, the band soon firmly established itself within the world of Progressive-rock, though their appeal extended beyond these boundaries to a more mainstream audience.

Landmarq’s original 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 Holland, before deciding to move on. It was at this point that Landmarq decided to go for a radical change to it’s sound and recruited the excellent voice of award-winning vocalist and long-time friend of the band, Tracy Hitchings.

Landmarq have played concerts in the UK, Holland, Germany, Belgium, France, 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, John Wetton (ex-Asia, Roxy Music, etc.), Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis), Hugh McDowell (ELO), Nik Turner (Hawkwind), Annie Haslam (Renaissance), IQ, Pendragon, Arena and even Suzi Quatro plus many others.

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 afore-mentioned music magazines (see the Discography and Reviews pages on the bands website for full details).

Meanwhile, the bands very first DVD was released in March 2006. Entitled 'Turbulence – Live In Poland', this features Landmarq filmed in concert at the Wyspianski Theatre, Katowice, November 2005. The DVD was released by the Polish label Metal Mind Productions and has received some of the bands 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.

A serious setback was to hit Landmarq in 2007 when singer Tracy Hitchings revealed she had been diagnosed with two forms of Cancer. This was a major blow for everyone – not least for Tracy herself – and the ongoing recording of the bands next album was put on hold.
Thankfully, following a strict regime of holistic and dietary treatments, plus sheer determination, Tracy was able to deal with her condition and following further tests was given the ‘all clear’. In the meantime, feeling better in mind, body and voice, she returned to the studio to lay down the final vocal tracks for the new Landmarq album.

In 2008 and early 2009, aside from continuing with production of the long-awaited new studio album, some of the members of Landmarq also became involved with other projects. This included drummer Dave Wagstaffe joining Martin Turner's Wishbone Ash for some extensive touring in the UK and Europe. Keyboardist Mike Varty was also invited to tour with ex-Marillion drummer Mick Pointer for his celebratory 'Script For A Jesters Tour' gigs.

At the time of writing, the new album is close to completion and the band look forward to its release as soon as possible as well as performing a series of live dates in support of the new release.

Line-up:
Tracy Hitchings - lead vocals
Uwe D'Rose - guitars
Steve Gee - basses
Mike Varty - keyboards
Dave Wagstaffe - drums

Landmarq CD product:
1. Solitary Witness (1992)
2. Infinity Parade (1993)
3. The Vision Pit (1995)
4. Science of Coincidence (1998)
5. Thunderstruck (1999) – live I
6. Aftershock (2002) – live II
7. New studio album (due 2008)

Landmarq DVD product:
1. Turbulence - Live in Poland (2006)

Other CD products featuring Landmarq:
Listed in the Discography page (click here)

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