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Trespass - Biography


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1979-

Biography

TRESPASS was formed in Sudbury, Suffolk, England in April 1979 by brothers Mark (guitar, vocals) and Paul Sutcliffe (drums) and friend Dave Crawte (guitar) Richard Penny (bass). Mark, Paul and Rick Sutcliffe in FusionMark and Paul had previously formed a three piece band playing covers and original songs with cousin Rick Sutcliffe on bass guitar, called FUSION which did not get to the gigging stage.
Dave had been a member of local band BLACK MARIAH along with guitarist Nick Hodge. The three met in a guitar and music shop, Sudbury Music based in North Street Sudbury where Dave was working. Mark, Paul, Dave and Nick on bass formed TRACK IV again playing covers by bands such as THIN LIZZY, UFO, LYNYRD SKYNYRD, STATUS QUO and DEEP Track IV's first gigPURPLE but always featuring their own original material.

Richard Penny an experienced local musician, replaced Nick on bass guitar in early 1979. TRACK IV played their debut show at a local School theatre in aid of Amnesty International, on March 11th 1979. Around this time the band changed their name to TRESPASS a name suggested by Paul and started gigging around East Anglia, playing a mix of rock covers and original songs including early versions of One Of These Days and Lightsmith. Dave at one of the early Trespass Gigs. The band were spotted by Trial records, a new local independent record label and were offered an opportunity to release a single.

TRESPASS recorded a self financed session at Hillside Studios Ipswich in October 1979. This featured One Of These Days and Bloody Moon which were destined to be the bands first single on the Trial label. A number of other tracks were also recorded at this session such as Ace of Spades, Money, Bombay Mix. One of these days was released as a single in January 1980 One of these Days single and gained airplay on Radio One's Friday Night Rock Show hosted by Tommy Vance and was also played by legendary DJ John Peel.

One of these days became a firm favourite with the crowd at the Sound house rock disco hosted by Neil Kay in London and featured regularly in their metal charts featured in Sounds magazine. Richard Penny, despite all he had contributed it was decided, was not right for the long term and he was replaced on bass guitar by Cris Linscott. It was decided (on outside advice) to recruit a front man and as a result, Steve Mills was added to the line up.

The band recorded a session at Spaceward studios in Cambridge which was also used by Iron Maiden for their Sound house Tapes.Paul taking a break from recording at Spaceward Studios. A new version of One Of These Days, a new track called Stormchild, Lightsmith and a potential new single Live It Up! were recorded. Mark and Dave St Peters Church February 18th 1980Trespass played a sell out concert in a disused Church the middle of their home town Sudbury.

One Of These Days and Stormchild were to 'headline' the EMI compilation Metal for Muthas volume II. Metal for Muthas Volume IIAll other bands on the album were represented by one track. IRON MAIDEN had similarly had two tracks featured on Metal for Muthas volume I. James Hetfield of Metallica with Dave and Mark 2014During this period Lars Ulrich and James Hetfeild of the fledgling METALLICA joined the TRESPASS fan club.

TRESPASS were on their way or so they thought. The band signed to ITB one of the most influential booking agencies in the world at that time. Many UK shows followed including at the prestigious Marquee club in Wardour street London. A radio one session for The Friday Night rockshow was recorded. A track from which Visionary, with an excellent lyric written by bass guitarist Cris Linscott, was featured on the BBC compilation album Metal Explosion Metal Explosion BBC Albumwhich also featured bands such as SAMSON and GILLAN.

A new singer and front man Liverpudlian Robert Eckland was recruited. and a new double A side single Live it up / Jealousy was recorded again at Spaceward in Cambridge. Great interest was still being shown in Trespass during this time by major labels and the release of Live it up was delayed due to interest in the song by Michael Schenker's Management. Trespass Robert, Dave, Mark, Bob and PaulCris Linscott was replaced on bass guitar around this time with Bob Irving . Despite much hard work including a demo of new songs recorded at Hillside Studios, a major deal was not forthcoming, and following Ecklands departure in 1981 the band recorded the Bright Lights EP with Mark Sutcliffe on vocals. Bob Irving left the band during recording and Mark played bass guitar on the track Man and Machine.Bright Lights EP

Following the tragic early death of Mark and Paul's father Allan Sutcliffe, TRESPASS finally split in 1982. Despite their fairly short lived time on the metal scene Trespass made a lasting impact. Lars Ulrich and James Hetfeild of Metallica remained fans and One Of These Days was featured on NWOBHM compilation 79 revisited put together by Ulrich and Geoff Barton in 1990 79 Revisited

A further major worldwide release was One Of These Days the Anthology released in 2004 through Castle/ Sanctuary Records.

The band have currently reformed with Mark Sutcliffe and Dave Crawte at the heart of things and a new line up. 2015 Trespass Line up A new album Trespass is now available, featuring brand new versions of the bands early tracks, Trespass Album 2015 recorded to a high standard with a consistent sound and feel.

An album of new songs is planned for later this year as well as live shows. In 2016 Dave Crawte left Trespass citing musical differences, Paul Martin and James Last also left. Jason Roberts and Joe Fawcett joined and recorded, with Danny B on Bass, an album of new songs and some old favourites for release in 2017.