THE end of 2002 brought a major change for Landmarq when co-founder keyboardist Steve Leigh made the decision to 'retire' from the band and move to Spain. In a slight twist of coincidence, Steve was replaced by Gonzalo Carrera – actually from north-west Spain! Gonzalo had previously worked with Spanish Prog-rock band Galadriel, ‘Yes’ tribute band Fragile, Huw Lloyd-Langton (ex-Hawkwind), Clive Bunker and Glen Cornick (both ex-Jethro Tull). At the same time, Dave Wagstaffe was invited to play on Oliver Wakeman’s ‘3 Ages of Magic’ CD with Yes guitarist Steve Howe.

January 2003, saw Landmarq embark on a UK tour, with further dates in Holland. Among these dates, the band double-headlined with legendary Dutch band Focus at The Underworld venue in London. Landmarq were fortunate to have a very special guest appear with them. Cellist Hugh McDowell (ELO and Wizzard). The band were also joined by French saxophonist Laurent Hunziker (who counts Supertramp among his many credits) for two UK dates including the previously-mentioned Underworld show.

2004 saw solely UK dates including more with Focus while the band also finished writing their new studio album. Steve Gee played on the new album of the re-formed pre-‘Yes’ band ‘The Syn’ originally featuring Yes-men Pete Banks and Chris Squire. Squire was unable to make the recording, so Steve stepped in and did the sessions. Chris Squire has since agreed to tour with the new line up of Syn which, at the time of writing, also featured Francis Dunnery (guitar) and Gary Husband (drums).

In January 2005 Tracy, Steve and Dave offered their services toward the ‘Prog Aid’ charity single, ‘All Around The World’, with proceeds going to victims of the Asian Tsunami of 2004. Gonzalo and Dave were invited to work with ‘The Nice’, featuring original guitarist Davy O’List, and Landmarq started recording their new and fifth studio album, for the ‘Mystic’ record label.

Unfortunately, Gonzalo’s other musical commitments at this time were proving too difficult for him to continue with Landmarq so sadly the band were obliged to find a replacement. They were fortunate enough to find that an old friend from the past - Mike Varty - was free and was pleased to join the band and lend his talents, his first job being the new album. Mike first came to the notice of Prog-Rock audiences as the ‘live’ keyboard player with the band Shadowland. But his connection with Landmarq first began a few years previously with a project called Syren, which had exactly the same line-up of musicians that is now Landmarq! A number of songs were completed at this time, the most notable of which, Entertaining Angels, has been played live by the band for a number of years and which is the opening track of the new album. Just before the ‘Syren’ project, Mike was the keyboard player and writing talent behind the Janison Edge album ‘The Services of Mary Goode’ along with vocalist Sue Element, on which album Dave Wagstaffe also played drums. The music from this album was the soundtrack for the film ‘Foiled’ in which Mike also acted.

During 2005 the band played some UK dates with Mike which included the band making their first trip to Poland to play a concert in the city of Katowice. This was filmed at the S. Wyspianski Silesian theatre in front of a capacity audience and resulted in Landmarq's first DVD, 'Turbulence - Live In Poland', released in early 2006.

Due to a number of delays and setbacks, the new Landmarq CD album has now been put back to as soon as possible in 2008. See the news pages for more details.

Landmarq - London, 2008

To be continued...