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As soon as Voltaire was done and in the bag, I was back to writing. I soon had over 20 new songs that were ready to do something with. However, by the time I was ready to get rolling with recording, Kenny had gotten out of the performing side of the music biz. He was now the manager for Rip Dizzy.

A friend of mine named Ed McClendon introduced me to Andy Tyminski, a drummer from Buffalo, NY. Andy and I got together and discussed our musical interests, and decided to start laying down some tracks. I had a digital four track that I brought over to his pad. He used his electric kit in order to keep the noise down to a minimum for the neighbors, and it was much easier than trying to mic a full kit of drums and record them on a four track. I would record Andy's drum tracks at his apartment and then take all of the equipment home and record the other tracks there.

Some of the songs on No Landmarks are my favorites that I have written. However, recording on a four track does not allow one to get the best sound and quality in a recording.

In the summer of 2006, Andy spent a week at my house, and we re-recorded all of the drum tracks for Landmarks. At this time, I have not completed the tracks; however, I will be re-releasing the entire disk when it is finished.

Track Break Down

Don't Ask Me

Originally Written June 1994

Re-written January 1998

I have always liked this song. Something about the keyboards and the vocals has stuck with me over the years. The song came from an Education class I took in college. I was in class listening to this one woman going on and on about her life and how she would deal with certain situations in the class....blah, blah, blah. I just started trying to drown out her voice and started writing lyrics in my notebook.

Losing Control

Written April 3, 2000

I wrote this song while sitting on the couch, watching T.V. I think the words speak for themselves, and I also believe that most people have at one point or another shared these feelings.

My Turn

Written April 3, 2000

When I finished writing Losing Control, I immediately got the tune of this song in my head, so I worked it out. Two songs in one night, not too bad. I used to have a lot more of these types of nights in the past.

No Landmarks

Written November 1997

I had worked on this song for awhile, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I finally put it all together one night at about 3:00 in the morning. I was tired as anything and had just returned home from a show I was doing at Virginia Wesleyan College. I wanted to sleep, but I couldn't get this song out of my head. I went into my music room and just started working out all the kinks. I went to bed around 5:00, but I was a happier man.

TRY

Written February 12, 1998

I was tired of all the whining and gossiping that was going on around me at the time. I remember being in my car one night with some assorted passengers and saying to myself, "It will be ok, just scream inside your head." I used that line as the nucleus of this song.

When Kenny, Greg, Eric Insley, and I played the Voltaire show during Spring Fling at VWC that spring, we played TRY live for the first time. It was very different from the version I recorded later, which was just some crazy idea I had after buying a new set of keys. I actually had Karissa Peckham record her voice saying "Try" and "God knows how hard I try" at VWC, outside of the small theater. I later sampled it in to the song back at home.

Fable

Written July 1993

In the words of Adam Sandler, "I was listening to the Cure a lot when I wrote this song."

Gone

Written April 14, 2000

This is probably my favorite slow song that I've written. It strikes a tough cord on my life at that time.

Yesterday's News

Written May 1999

I've always felt that I write my best stuff when I'm angry or depressed. Well, I think this song is one of the reasons I feel this way.

Sheeva

Written November 1998

Definitely a dark moment set off this piece. I actually was feeling that I was someone else's favorite game to play at this time, so I wrote this from what I viewed to be her perspective.

Dancing Horses

Written July 1998

Dancing Horses was written as a tribute to The Connells, one of my favorite bands. The second verse contains the titles of their first five albums, Darker Days, Boylan Heights, Fun and Games, One Simple Word, and Ring.

For the Chorus, I recorded a group of friends singing at the cast party for Vinegar Tom.

Purgatory

Written August 6, 1999

This is definitely in my list of top ten songs that I have written. Andy laid down a Conga track that was a perfect effect for this song. I am desperately trying to be able to reproduce that effect for the re-recorded version. Unfortunately, Andy no longer has his Conga's.

Real

Written May 1998

Most of the lyrics to this song were written while I was in high school, but I changed the entire tune and wrote a new chorus to complete the version on Landmarks. A friend of mine, Calee Lucht, read the original lyrics on a band trip after I wrote them, and the first words out of her mouth were, "That's really depressing, Phil." I really don't know what inspired me to write about being a drug addict, giving up everything for a fix. I've actually written a few songs about it.

Walk Away

Written December 1997

Two friends of mine, a couple, had just split up. She was not sure what happened, he was playing the same games that he had played with every other girl he dated. I wrote this song for Chrissie. I’m not sure if she’s ever heard it, though.


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		No Landmarks Recorded Spring and Summer 1999 Released April 2000 Track Listing: Don't Ask Me, Losing Control, My Turn, No Landmarks, Try, Fable, Gone, Yesterday's News, Sheeva, Dancing Horse, Purgatory, Real, Walk Away



		As soon as Voltaire was done and in the bag, I was back to writing. I soon had over 20 new songs that were ready to do something with. However, by the time I was ready to get rolling with recording, Kenny had gotten out of the performing side of the music biz. He was now the manager for Rip Dizzy. A friend of mine named Ed McClendon introduced me to Andy Tyminski, a drummer from Buffalo, NY. Andy and I got together and discussed our musical interests, and decided to start laying down some tracks. I had a digital four track that I brought over to his pad. He used his electric kit in order to keep the noise down to a minimum for the neighbors, and it was much easier than trying to mic a full kit of drums and record them on a four track. I would record Andy's drum tracks at his apartment and then take all of the equipment home and record the other tracks there. Some of the songs on No Landmarks are my favorites that I have written. However, recording on a four track does not allow one to get the best sound and quality in a recording. In the summer of 2006, Andy spent a week at my house, and we re-recorded all of the drum tracks for Landmarks. At this time, I have not completed the tracks; however, I will be re-releasing the entire disk when it is finished. Track Break Down Don't Ask Me Originally Written June 1994 Re-written January 1998 I have always liked this song. Something about the keyboards and the vocals has stuck with me over the years. The song came from an Education class I took in college. I was in class listening to this one woman going on and on about her life and how she would deal with certain situations in the class....blah, blah, blah. I just started trying to drown out her voice and started writing lyrics in my notebook. Losing Control Written April 3, 2000 I wrote this song while sitting on the couch, watching T.V. I think the words speak for themselves, and I also believe that most people have at one point or another shared these feelings. My Turn Written April 3, 2000 When I finished writing Losing Control, I immediately got the tune of this song in my head, so I worked it out. Two songs in one night, not too bad. I used to have a lot more of these types of nights in the past. No Landmarks Written November 1997 I had worked on this song for awhile, but it just wasn't what I was looking for. I finally put it all together one night at about 3:00 in the morning. I was tired as anything and had just returned home from a show I was doing at Virginia Wesleyan College. I wanted to sleep, but I couldn't get this song out of my head. I went into my music room and just started working out all the kinks. I went to bed around 5:00, but I was a happier man. TRY Written February 12, 1998 I was tired of all the whining and gossiping that was going on around me at the time. I remember being in my car one night with some assorted passengers and saying to myself, "It will be ok, just scream inside your head." I used that line as the nucleus of this song. When Kenny, Greg, Eric Insley, and I played the Voltaire show during Spring Fling at VWC that spring, we played TRY live for the first time. It was very different from the version I recorded later, which was just some crazy idea I had after buying a new set of keys. I actually had Karissa Peckham record her voice saying "Try" and "God knows how hard I try" at VWC, outside of the small theater. I later sampled it in to the song back at home. Fable Written July 1993 In the words of Adam Sandler, "I was listening to the Cure a lot when I wrote this song." Gone Written April 14, 2000 This is probably my favorite slow song that I've written. It strikes a tough cord on my life at that time. Yesterday's News Written May 1999 I've always felt that I write my best stuff when I'm angry or depressed. Well, I think this song is one of the reasons I feel this way. Sheeva Written November 1998 Definitely a dark moment set off this piece. I actually was feeling that I was someone else's favorite game to play at this time, so I wrote this from what I viewed to be her perspective. Dancing Horses Written July 1998 Dancing Horses was written as a tribute to The Connells, one of my favorite bands. The second verse contains the titles of their first five albums, Darker Days, Boylan Heights, Fun and Games, One Simple Word, and Ring. For the Chorus, I recorded a group of friends singing at the cast party for Vinegar Tom. Purgatory Written August 6, 1999 This is definitely in my list of top ten songs that I have written. Andy laid down a Conga track that was a perfect effect for this song. I am desperately trying to be able to reproduce that effect for the re-recorded version. Unfortunately, Andy no longer has his Conga's. Real Written May 1998 Most of the lyrics to this song were written while I was in high school, but I changed the entire tune and wrote a new chorus to complete the version on Landmarks. A friend of mine, Calee Lucht, read the original lyrics on a band trip after I wrote them, and the first words out of her mouth were, "That's really depressing, Phil." I really don't know what inspired me to write about being a drug addict, giving up everything for a fix. I've actually written a few songs about it. Walk Away Written December 1997 Two friends of mine, a couple, had just split up. She was not sure what happened, he was playing the same games that he had played with every other girl he dated. I wrote this song for Chrissie. I’m not sure if she’s ever heard it, though.