Biographies

Sue Element has changed her name to Sam Collins! She started playing the piano at the age of 9, although gave up formal lessons shortly after, preferring to teach herself the Genesis covers and pop songs that her teacher wouldn't let her play! She later won her first synthesiser in a caption contest when she was 17 and began to compose. Sue spent many of her early years performing on stage. She has played a number of roles in the theatre and has recently completed her first starring role, with Mike, in a feature length cult sci-fi B-movie, Foiled. She has also sung in a number of guises, winning her first talent contest on London's Capital Radio at the age of 13, impersonating The Bee Gees, Elvis Costello, Kate Bush, Jon Anderson and Kermit the Frog!

Sam writes both music and lyrics. She has always loved the use of words and employs a fluent gift for language in her lyric-writing. The Services of Mary Goode is her first album and represents the fulfilment of a long held ambition.

She is currently travelling quite a lot, still singing, drumming and writing.

Mike started playing the piano and violin at the age of 4. In his later teens he traded orchestras for rock 'n' roll in his first band - the Somerset-based folk-rock trio, HMV. Throughout the early 90s, he earned a solid reputation around the Hampshire/Surrey border area with the band Study in Scarlet - 'progressive rock with a hint of scarlet' - playing bass. In 1993 he spotted an advert put in a local music store by Clive Nolan, and got the job of live keyboard player for Shadowland. He quickly became a full member of Shadowland and contributed to the writing of the last album, "Mad as a Hatter". In 1996 he joined the more regular performers Credo and they've now released their second album "Rhetoric". In 1999 he got back together with Steve Heath, one of the members of his very first band (HMV), by joining folk rock group, The Mighty Rooster. Sadly, this band finally retired in 2005 after recording 2 studio albums, a live DVD and a live album, but Mike still plays acoustic fiddle sessions with Steve on vocals. As of 2005, Mike joined Landmarq to perform on they're new DVD, Turbulence (release early 2006), and to record the keys on the new studio album (release 2006).

Mike's degree in electronics has led him to set up Gargoyle Studio where the Janison Edge album was recorded. He also has a talent for arrangement and production which draws heavily on his classical music training and natural musicianship.   As well as having produced the first Janison Edge CD, he has provided soundtrack music for Foiled, produced the all of the Rooster CDs and the Credo CD, Rhetoric, and also engineered miscellaneous other small CD productions.

Ian started piano lessons at the age of 9, but later found his true talent when he picked up the guitar. He is an intuitive guitarist, largely self-taught, drawing from a wide range of influences including Wes Montgomery, Jimi Hendrix, Santana and his own father. He also plays bass guitar and his versatility in this respect is well-known in the prog field, particularly as a member of Shadowland and most recently Arena. He has toured throughout Europe with both bands aswell as working with members of Pendragon, the Lighthouse Family and Oliver Wakeman. His written and recorded work includes albums with Shadowland, Tracy Hitchings, Peter Gee, Bandicoot, Obsessed with Voodoo and Martin Darvill and Friends.

Ian also plays blues harp professionally, dabbles in keyboards and drums and knows his way around a mixing desk.   He is currently playing bass with Arena .

Dave started playing guitar as a child but switched to drums at the age of 12. Throughout the 70s he worked with numerous bands, touring with the likes of Thin Lizzy, Pink Fairies and Lindisfarne. In the 80s he worked with former Samson vocalist Mark Newman and released two albums with Heavy Metal band Gaskin. He then recorded three albums with progressive rockers Quasar, touring extensively in the UK and Europe. He joined Landmarq in 1991, a very popular band on the progressive rock scene. Landmarq released their 4^th album "The Science of Coincidence" in 1999 and the live album "Thunderstruck" in 2002. They're just about to release a live DVD and their 5th studio album. Dave also gives drum tuition.

Paul started playing bass in 1989 and played in various bands after school in his hometown of Maidenhead, where he was later to come to the notice of fellow resident Clive Nolan. He joined Medicine Man in 1995. Their 2^nd album "Dark and Dangerous Rhythm" was recorded in February 1997 and has attracted a great deal of radio airplay throughout Europe. Paul's excellent musical memory and good ear have been put to good use on The Services of Mary Goode. His contribution to Janison Edge continues to prove his credentials in the prog field. Paul is currently playing in The Oliver Wakeman Band.