Namesakes #122: Steps

Eddie Cochran would have us believe that there are only Three Steps To Heaven. 

Well, I've got news for you, Eddie...!

THE STEPS #1

We'll start the climb with some Singapore Steps who enjoyed a long career from the late 60s to the 80s, both as their own group (mixing local tunes with a wide range of Western covers) and as a support act for a variety of female singers, including Ellya M. Haris, Sandra Sanger, Marini and Ivo Nilakreshna. 

The Steps - Sri Langkat

THE STEPS #2

Step two: from the Netherlands in 1969, some psychedelic pop from Chris van Putten, Henny Sluijs, Kees Sluijs, Joop Kortland and Herman van Eck. Van eck!

The Steps - You Are The Sun To Me

STEPS #3

If the words "Jazz Fusion" make you break out in a cold sweat, don't worry. Help is available from the Brecker brothers and their ever-changing roster of musicians who made a name for themselves in the New York jazz scene of the 70s and 80s, first as Steps... and then as Steps Ahead. 

Be warned though... treatment does take some time. Up to 11 minutes on the track below...

Steps - Uncle Bob

STEPPS #4

And if that wasn't enough... wait till you meet these Aussie jazz rock/fusion/progressive rock dudes with two Ps in their name, formerly known as Snakes Alive. Very popular in Sidney in the late 70s, apparently, "they used to pack the Royal George Hotel every Friday night." Only 50 copies of their album Waltz For Tiger Joe were printed... but youtube has the whole thing, if you're interested.

Stepps - Kolour Kode

STEPS #5

Another jazz band, this one hailing from the exotic climes of Bristol in 1977, with less fusion this time.

Steps - Same But Different

THE STEPPES #6

Being Geographically ignorant, I always thought the Eastern European Steppes were a mountain range... when actually, they're the complete opposite: a large area of flat grassland. 

I almost neglected to research bands with this particular spelling, which would have been a shame, wouldn't it? Our first group of Steppes come from London in 1979...

The Steppes - The Beat Drill

THE STEPS #7

Perfectly serviceable Wisconsin power pop from 1982. These guys also recorded under the name Bacchus Lotus, which is where I got the picture.

The Steps - Don't Want You

STEPS #8

Step up to some funky AOR from North Carolina in 1982. Beyond that, I know nothing, but I was pleased to find this one uploaded on the tube of you...

 Steps- Sugar

THE STEPS #9

Swiss Steps from the early 80s with a nice line in moustaches (except the guy second from the left who was probably called Frank Moustache). I don't know if this was their biggest "hit", but it was the one with the most views on tubular youbular... a massive 177 when I played it. I'm sure that will go up after today.

The Steps - Friend

THE STEPS #10

Southern Californian punk band from 1982, led by songwriter Paul Almanza who went on to form Chainsaw Pop, Million Six, Battery Life and The Curbhounds. Well, it kept him off the streets.

The Steps - It's Only Life

THE STEPPES #11

More Steppes, this time of the half Irish, half American variety, and formerly known as The Blue Macs. Here they are in 1985...

The Steppes - History Hates No Man

THE STEPS #12

French synth-pop from 1986. Could this be today's winner? Don't be a fool...

The Steps - Don't Be A Fool

STEPS #13

H, Clair, Faye... the other two. Together, they sold 5 million albums and almost as many singles. They formed in 1997 in that London, split up in 2001, then got back together ten years later for a reunion which appears to be still ongoing. I'm sure you're all aware that they chose their name to go along with their dance routines - the steps of which were included on the CD insert with every song. Who needs a lyric sheet when you've got dance steps?

Steps - Stomp

(I picked that video just because I enjoyed the idea of George having to sit through all 3 minutes 38 of it).

STEPPES #14

And finally, a third group of Steppes, from Michigan in 2017. Their page on the camp of bands tells us, "Combining honest lyrics with a real sense of fun and optimism... intricate, melodic guitars mesh with pop structures that make each track memorable and singible.” 

That's not how I'd spell singable. Decent tune though.

Steppes - Marceline The Vampire

Which Steps make you want to Step Up... and which ones do you want to push down the stairs?