History

Early years

Steve was first given a Guitar by his Nan at the age of 5. Shortly after he began lessons with David Taylor, a Local Guitar Teacher in Towcester, Northamptonshire, where Steve grew up.

After a couple of years learning the basics, for his Birthday, Steve was bought his first Encore Electric Guitar with a 1Watt Marshall Amp . On this Guitar Steve passed up to Grade 4 Trinity Rock School Grades. Following this a better Guitar was required, and so a trip to Rocky Road Music in Corby saw Steve the proud owner of an Aria Pro 2 Hollow Bodied Electric Guitar. Steve progressed the following four grades with this Guitar (as well as borrowing a very nice Gibson Les Paul Gold Top from his Guitar Teacher for the final Grade 8 exam piece).

During this time Steve also learned to play the Flute, and the Bass Guitar, as well as self teaching himself the Piano attaining a Grade 6 in Flute. To aid in Steve's learning he was always encouraged to get involved in whatever music was going on. His family being very musical he was taken to many Folk Sessions in local pubs and encouraged to have a go.

A large part of his younger life also involved being taken away to camping weekends with a national folk organisation, again being encouraged to "have a go" and play whatever instrument felt comfortable in the scratch bands formed at the time. This gave Steve a wealth of experience playing different genres of Music and is attributed to his love of Folk Music today, as well as his ability to entertain varying crowds and alter a set accordingly. Within the Folk organisation Steve played Bass and guitar as well as singing in the "Hot 'n Cold Ceilidh Band" which was an amalgamation of three families all interested in Folk Music.

Alongside all of this Steve took an interest in Sound Engineering and when another Sound Engineer called in sick it was Steve's turn to work the controls and balance the band in St Lawrence Church, Towcester for the carol service where a band from the local Music School was playing. From that point on Steve was left in charge of the Sound Systems for the (later) Towcester Rockschools as they were formed. Following on from this Steve started running the sound for the family Ceilidh Bands and working sound at various events throughout his younger life.

Throughout his School life Steve played in various School Ensembles including the Concert Band (Flute), the Big Band (Guitar) and progressed to principle Guitarist in the Northamptonshire County Youth Jazz Bands which went on to win various national competitions. Steve also played Bass and Guitar in the Pit Bands for the various school productions including Grease, West Side Story, Return to the Forbidden Planet, amongst others.

University

In 2003 Steve packed his bags and went to University in Staffordshire to study Music Technology with Management, a culmination of his Musical interests and a desire to study Sound Engineering.

Modules in Acoustics, Business Management, Studio Design, Event Management, Live Sound Engineering, Studio Work, Stage Management amongst others were undertaken.

During his studies Steve started employment with the Students Union and amongst bar work also worked as a Sound Systems Technician for the live band nights, building up knowledge and experience of live sound engineering for a variety of genres and acts. This included working with external sound companies for events in the Leek Road Venue, setting up, working and de-rigging large venue PA systems.

One of the last engagements Steve undertook working for the SU was the stage management of the Live Music Tent for the Summer Ball in 2007. This involved liaising with some very high profile acts and agents on the day and working around a quite changeable schedule.