Tristan Park
Encyclopedia
Tristan Park was formed in October 1986 by songwriters Brian Coombes, Chuck Dyac, and Marc Larochelle. Early Tristan Park sets included their theatrical/musical production, "The Screams for an Absent Dawn." It was an ambitious and influential beginning for a group of fledgling songwriters.
The band made its Boston
area debut in May 1989. Later that same year, Tristan Park released its first cassette, The Space Between, to positive critical response. In October 1989, the Nashua Telegraph hailed the band as "the Nashua area’s most literate, ambitious, and talented rock band."
Rick Black joined the band in August 1991, when founder Marc Larochelle relocated to California. Shortly after, the band’s long-time friend, Jim Turmel, became Tristan Park’s drummer. New England radio stations WHEB, WHOB, WAAF, and WCGY were all playing Tristan Park by the fall of 1991.
The band released "The Way it Should Be"/"Mourning of Spring" as a cassette single in August 1992. Sales were brisk and reviews positive. The band continued to perform constantly, building a loyal regional following throughout New Hampshire
.
Tristan Park’s debut disc, At the End of the Day, appeared in January 1994. Blending progressive-rock with lyrical AOR, the disc was the progressive rock
community’s introduction to Tristan Park. Singer Ray Bowles
joined the band in August 1994.
On the strength of At the End of the Day, Tristan Park signed to Cyclops Records/GFT Limited of England in January 1995. The band’s first disc for Cyclops, A Place Inside, was released in August 1995. The material on A Place Inside expanded on the progressive themes of At the End of the Day, while still maintaining an emphasis on melody and emotion. The disc received international attention and was added to radio playlists in Europe and North America. Guitarist Mike McAdam joined Tristan Park in August 1995.
Tristan Park celebrated its Ten Year Anniversary in 1996 with an appearance at the International Festival of Progressive Music (ProgDay) in Chapel Hill, NC in August and its first European tour in October. The band joined Cyclops labelmates Grey Lady Down for successful dates in England and Holland before returning to play the USA in November. The year closed with an impressive showing for Tristan Park in the Wondrous Stories (UK) year end Reader’s Poll, with the band finishing fourth in the Best New Band Category and sixth in Best CRS Gig, ahead of perennial CRS favorites Grey Lady Down, John Wetton
, and Rick Wakeman
.
A live disc recorded during the tour, Leave to Enter, was released in August 1997. The disc includes a guest appearance from GLD vocalist Martin Wilson, who joins Tristan Park on the Pink Floyd
classic, "Comfortably Numb." In September, Tristan Park performed at the Somerville Theatre as special guests to British rock legends Marillion
.
Tristan Park released Looking Homeward in 1998. The band toured Europe in September of that year to promote the disc before going into hiatus at the end of 1998. Coombes, McAdam, and Turmel formed a new group, Waking in the Blue
, who released Isn’t It Pretty to Think So in July 2003. The disc, distributed in the United States by Griffin Music, featured guest performances by Tristan Park singer Ray Bowles, progressive rock legend Ian Mcdonald
, and Squeeze singer/songwriter Chris Difford
.
In October 2006, the members of Tristan Park reunited for a 20th anniversary concert at the Tupelo Music Hall
in Londonderry, New Hampshire
. The reunited line-up included Rick Black, Ray Bowles, Brian Coombes, Chuck Dyac, Marc Larochelle, Mike McAdam, and Jim Turmel.
Brian Coombes went on to open Rocking Horse Studio
along with David Pierog. Coombes works currently as a producer, and recording engineer for the facility, with artists such as Christian Cuff, Will Kindler, Joe Mazzari, Prospect Hill, The Lucid, The Double Yellow
, and Godsmack
guitarist Tony Rombola.
The band made its Boston
Boston
Boston is the capital of and largest city in Massachusetts, and is one of the oldest cities in the United States. The largest city in New England, Boston is regarded as the unofficial "Capital of New England" for its economic and cultural impact on the entire New England region. The city proper had...
area debut in May 1989. Later that same year, Tristan Park released its first cassette, The Space Between, to positive critical response. In October 1989, the Nashua Telegraph hailed the band as "the Nashua area’s most literate, ambitious, and talented rock band."
Rick Black joined the band in August 1991, when founder Marc Larochelle relocated to California. Shortly after, the band’s long-time friend, Jim Turmel, became Tristan Park’s drummer. New England radio stations WHEB, WHOB, WAAF, and WCGY were all playing Tristan Park by the fall of 1991.
The band released "The Way it Should Be"/"Mourning of Spring" as a cassette single in August 1992. Sales were brisk and reviews positive. The band continued to perform constantly, building a loyal regional following throughout New Hampshire
New Hampshire
New Hampshire is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. The state was named after the southern English county of Hampshire. It is bordered by Massachusetts to the south, Vermont to the west, Maine and the Atlantic Ocean to the east, and the Canadian...
.
Tristan Park’s debut disc, At the End of the Day, appeared in January 1994. Blending progressive-rock with lyrical AOR, the disc was the progressive rock
Progressive rock
Progressive rock is a subgenre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s as part of a "mostly British attempt to elevate rock music to new levels of artistic credibility." John Covach, in Contemporary Music Review, says that many thought it would not just "succeed the pop of...
community’s introduction to Tristan Park. Singer Ray Bowles
Ray Bowles
Ray Bowles is a singer, best known for his work with the progressive rock band, Tristan Park.-Career:...
joined the band in August 1994.
On the strength of At the End of the Day, Tristan Park signed to Cyclops Records/GFT Limited of England in January 1995. The band’s first disc for Cyclops, A Place Inside, was released in August 1995. The material on A Place Inside expanded on the progressive themes of At the End of the Day, while still maintaining an emphasis on melody and emotion. The disc received international attention and was added to radio playlists in Europe and North America. Guitarist Mike McAdam joined Tristan Park in August 1995.
Tristan Park celebrated its Ten Year Anniversary in 1996 with an appearance at the International Festival of Progressive Music (ProgDay) in Chapel Hill, NC in August and its first European tour in October. The band joined Cyclops labelmates Grey Lady Down for successful dates in England and Holland before returning to play the USA in November. The year closed with an impressive showing for Tristan Park in the Wondrous Stories (UK) year end Reader’s Poll, with the band finishing fourth in the Best New Band Category and sixth in Best CRS Gig, ahead of perennial CRS favorites Grey Lady Down, John Wetton
John Wetton
John Kenneth Wetton is an English bassist, guitarist, keyboardist, singer and songwriter. He was born in Willington, Derbyshire, and grew up in Bournemouth. He has been a professional musician since the late 1960s...
, and Rick Wakeman
Rick Wakeman
Richard Christopher Wakeman is an English keyboard player, composer and songwriter best known for being the former keyboardist in the progressive rock band Yes...
.
A live disc recorded during the tour, Leave to Enter, was released in August 1997. The disc includes a guest appearance from GLD vocalist Martin Wilson, who joins Tristan Park on the Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
classic, "Comfortably Numb." In September, Tristan Park performed at the Somerville Theatre as special guests to British rock legends Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
.
Tristan Park released Looking Homeward in 1998. The band toured Europe in September of that year to promote the disc before going into hiatus at the end of 1998. Coombes, McAdam, and Turmel formed a new group, Waking in the Blue
Waking in the Blue
Waking in the Blue is a poem by Robert Lowell that was published in his book Life Studies and is a striking, early example of confessional poetry. Of the handful of poems from Life Studies in which Lowell explored his struggles with mental illness, this poem was one of Lowell's most forthwright...
, who released Isn’t It Pretty to Think So in July 2003. The disc, distributed in the United States by Griffin Music, featured guest performances by Tristan Park singer Ray Bowles, progressive rock legend Ian Mcdonald
Ian McDonald (musician)
Ian McDonald is an English multi-instrumental musician, best known as a founding member of progressive rock group King Crimson, formed in 1969, and of the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. He is well-known as a rock session musician, predominantly as a saxophonist...
, and Squeeze singer/songwriter Chris Difford
Chris Difford
Chris Difford is a singer, musician, songwriter, and record producer....
.
In October 2006, the members of Tristan Park reunited for a 20th anniversary concert at the Tupelo Music Hall
Tupelo Music Hall
Tupelo Music Hall is a small concert hall located in Londonderry, New Hampshire in a building that formerly housed an antiques shop. The readers of New Hampshire Magazine voted Tupelo the best small venue in the state for the last six years...
in Londonderry, New Hampshire
Londonderry, New Hampshire
-Demographics:As of the census of 2000, there were 23,236 people, 7,623 households, and 6,319 families residing in the town. The population density was 555.8 people per square mile . There were 7,718 housing units at an average density of 184.6 per square mile...
. The reunited line-up included Rick Black, Ray Bowles, Brian Coombes, Chuck Dyac, Marc Larochelle, Mike McAdam, and Jim Turmel.
Brian Coombes went on to open Rocking Horse Studio
Rocking Horse Studio
Rocking Horse Studio is an audio, video and multimedia production company located in Pittsfield, New Hampshire. The studio was established in 2003 by Brian Coombes of Tristan Park and his wife Michelle Coombes of Waking in the Blue, and designed by acoustician Michael Blackmer. Dave Pierog would...
along with David Pierog. Coombes works currently as a producer, and recording engineer for the facility, with artists such as Christian Cuff, Will Kindler, Joe Mazzari, Prospect Hill, The Lucid, The Double Yellow
The Double Yellow
The Double Yellow is an award-winning alternative rock band formed in Nashua, New Hampshire in 2006 and now based out of Greater Boston, Massachusetts. The band's debut album, Everything & Nothing, was released on December 20, 2008...
, and Godsmack
Godsmack
Godsmack is an American heavy metal band from Lawrence, Massachusetts, formed in 1995. The band is composed of founder, frontman and songwriter Sully Erna, guitarist Tony Rombola, bassist Robbie Merrill, and drummer Shannon Larkin...
guitarist Tony Rombola.
Current members
- Rick Black - keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and backing vocals (1999–present) - Ray BowlesRay BowlesRay Bowles is a singer, best known for his work with the progressive rock band, Tristan Park.-Career:...
- Vocals and percussion (1993–present) - Brian Coombes - BassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
, keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and Vocals (1986–present) - Chuck Dyac - Vocals (1986–present)
- Mike McAdam - GuitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
s and backing vocals (1995–present) - Jim Turmel - DrumDrumThe drum is a member of the percussion group of musical instruments, which is technically classified as the membranophones. Drums consist of at least one membrane, called a drumhead or drum skin, that is stretched over a shell and struck, either directly with the player's hands, or with a...
s, percussion and backing vocals (1991–present) - Marc Larochelle keyboardsKeyboard instrumentA keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
and saxophones (1986–1991; 2006–present)
Former members
- George TaylorGeorge TaylorGeorge Taylor may refer to:*George Taylor , soldier in Texas army, died in the Battle of the Alamo*George Taylor , see List of Sydney Swans players...
Drums (1989–1992) - Julia Spadafora (Badala) (Backup Vocals) (1991–1992)
- Jim Titus Guitar (1990)
Studio albums and EPs
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1994 | At the End of the Day | First studio album; This self-funded debut release brought the band to the attention of progressive and melodic rock lovers all over the world. |
| 1995 | A Place Inside | Released at the height of the band's popularity, A Place Inside was the group's first disc on England's GFT label. |
| 1998 | Looking Homeward | The final Tristan Park disc was released in September 1998. The band toured Europe in the autumn of 1998 in support of this disc before going into a hiatus that lasted until 2006. |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Notes |
| 1997 | Leave to Enter | This limited edition live disc was released in early 1997. It was recorded during the band's A Place Inside tour in Autumn 1996. |