Progressive Rock > The Winter Tree
THE WINTER TREE (formerly MAGUS) is a band formed by composer/multi-instrumentalist Andrew Laitres(a.k.a. Andrew Robinson) with vocalist/guitarist Mark Bond and his wife Deb Bond on keyboards. MAGUS was formed by Andrew in 1985 after a 4 year stint on the regional cover band circuit. Andrew wanted to focus his time and talents on creating original compositions. Several demos and cassette releases were issued between 1987 and 1993. At a New York City YES fan convention in 1994 Andrew noticed many vendors selling Progressive Rock CDs and merchandise. This inspired him to record the first full length MAGUS CD, the self-titled debut, released in 1995. Andrew formed a band to perform live with Debbie Moore on keyboards and Jeff Costello on drums. The group played 3 well received concerts and began to work on the follow up CD, "Traveller". Costello bowed out before recording commenced and, after laying down tracks to several songs(one which she co-wrote), Debbie Moore left. Andrew and the egineer on the album, Bryce Chicoine, finished the project.
In 1998, Andrew independently released the 18 minute EP "Highway 375". This was an all-instrumental work with a decidedly electronic feel and was very well received.
As the millennium came to a close in 1999, Andrew released a compilation CD entitled "Echoes From the Edge of the Millenium: Magus 1987-1999". This release contained remixes of tracks from the previous 3 MAGUS CDs as well as 4 previously unreleased tracks. Magus was now back on track and Andrew formed a new lineup featuring Japanese keyboard wizard Rue Yamauchi and drummer Steve Perkins. The band played a very well received debut gig in the Spring of 2000. Then Yamauchi abruptly quit. He agreed to play later that year at an opening gig for the renowned California Guitar Trio and at the Orion Studios in Baltimore, Maryland. After the Orion gig he left for good.
Perkins followed suit a few weeks later.
But Andrew carried on and in 2001 released "the Green Earth" with several guests. This was somewhat of a new direction and is the best selling Magus CD so far. More acoustic instruments were utilized and shorter more accessible compositions.
2002 saw the release of the MAGUS concept album "the Garden" featuring a short story by Andrew printed in the CD booklet. Drummer Tomas Hjort of the Swedish band CROSS was behind the kit and Gary Strater of the 70's American prog band STARCASTLE made a guest appearance on bass. Gary sadly passed away a few years later. "The Garden" remains Andrew's favorite Magus CD and most of the progrock critics agreed.
"Lucid Dreamer", a reissue of "Traveller" and the "Highway 375" EP along with 2 live tracks from 2000, was released by Big Balloon Music in 2005.
In late 2010 Andrew decided to rename the band THE WINTER TREE, after the song of the same title by one of Andrew's favorite bands, Renaissance. Andrew, along with new bandmates Deb and Mark Bond, released the self-titled CD "The Winter Tree" in late March of 2011. Deb Bond(formerly Deb Moore) is a former member of Magus from the "Traveller" era. Her husband Mark(guitars and vocals extraordinaire) is also a solo artist and has released several CDs.