Steve Gee - A Potted History!

Bass Guitar (4/5/6 string & fretless) / Guitar (Elec. and Ac.)
Lead and backing vocals / Tuition for bass gtr and guitar

Early Days…

I FIRST started playing guitar aged 10 and took up bass guitar at 15.
My learning curve began with guitar lessons at school aged 11 with various pop, folk and classical pieces. I soon began teaching myself from books and listening to records (this was way before video!). I bought my first electric guitar around age 12 - a used no-name job for the sum of £10. The bridge fell off the first time I played it! I joined with various school friends to form a number of different bands and  gradually moved over to bass guitar at age 15. Also played double-bass for two years studying with a private tutor (c.1976).

I went on to work with various bands writing and performing original material and ‘covers’ building up an extensive record of live work in turn leading to recording sessions. Among those earlier sessions was an appearance with my first 'serious' rock band, Artemis, on the school TV programme ‘Music Alive’ made by ILEA-TV in 1974 (which also featured Frank Zappa, John Martyn and Kevin Coyne). GAMA Records, run by Max Hole and Geoff Jukes and a part of Decca Records, saw the band and were interested in signing them to the label, having also signed Progressive-rockers Camel. GAMA organised some recording sessions at Decca No. 1 Studio in Hampstead plus a support with Camel and the band almost(!) signed to Decca Records. Unfortunately, GAMA (whose financial hands were tied by Decca) had to concentrate on their previous and more-established signing. C'est la vie!
In my learning curve process, I also attended bass tutor and author Laurence Canty's course ('Reading for Bass Clef') at Goldsmiths College, London, in the early 90's.

In no particular order, artists/bands I've previously supported, worked with, shared a stage with, include Camel, Capability Brown, Pacific Eardrum, Ron Geesin (ex-Roger Waters/Pink Floyd), Larry Adler, Irv Mowrey (see below), Danyel Gerard, Anton Karas, Frank Ifield, Rose Marie, Becky Hobbs, The Searchers, The Tremeloes, The Rockin’ Berries, Suzi Quatro, Annie Haslam (Renaissance), Steve Hackett (ex-Genesis), John Wetton (Asia, Roxy Music, UK, etc. see below), Peter Banks/The Syn (see below), Marillion, Greenslade, Pendragon, IQ, Arena, Jeanette Murphy...

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Irv Mowrey / Danyel Gerard / Paris...

During 1978/79 I lived in Paris, France, recording and playing bass for American singer/songwriter Irv Mowrey on his 1979 album 'Continental Drift' (see discography), produced by Karel Beer and featuring many muso's (including some from the band Bachdenkel) who were in Paris at this time.
Irv was also gracious enough to allow me to join him on his various busking pitches in Paris for a couple of weeks which helped me in a number of ways and was a good, fun experience.
The photo (left) shows Irv with his beloved Martin 12-string and myself on a fretless acoustic bass guitar busking in Chatelet metro station.

This period in Paris also led to my working with French pop star Danyel Gerard, along with many of the guys from the Irv Mowrey album (including Irv himself). During this time, Danyel had the No.1 single in the French charts with the song 'Melodie, Melodie'.
I played bass for Danyel Gerard at various major venues including the Paris Olympia with his own 21-piece orchestra which included the afore-mentioned 'guys' and which was directed by French composer Yvan Julien. The finale of this concert featured a circus troupe on stage including high-wire artists, acrobats, etc. This concert was filmed and recorded for a proposed release as a double live L.P.
Also worked on occasional recording sessions with other French artists. Various other concerts were played with Danyel Gerard around Paris and in the south of France.

One particular career high-point for me was playing bass for Austrian composer Anton Karas, who was specially flown in from Vienna by Danyel Gerard for his Olympia concert to perform his famous composition ‘The Harry Lime Theme’ (from the 1930’s film ‘The Third Man’). This was, in fact, the very first tune I learned to play on the guitar.

While in France, I played at the 1979 MIDEM music industry festival in Cannes and Grasse (south of France) to promote the Irv Mowrey album, 'Continental Drift'. (I also became quite adept at pinball!).

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Firewater / Country Music and other stuff…

In 1983 I helped form a Country band, Firewater (1983-89) with Scots vocalist/guitarist Jimmy Nichols and drummer Billy Redif. The band toured extensively in the UK and signed to Magnum Records who released our critically-acclaimed debut album, 'Brand New Vintage', in 1986 on their Sundown label (see discography).

The album included both covers and original material - including my own ‘Lonely Road Café’. During it's time, Firewater received various awards from many of the Country music clubs around the UK for Best Band/Band of the Year. As well as bass guitar, I also played rhythm and lead guitar in Firewater.

 In 1987 Firewater supported and was also the backing band (I was on guitar at this time) for American Country singer/songwriter Becky Hobbs on her UK tour which was exceptionally well-received.

I've also worked with various ‘covers’ bands playing clubs/pubs/holiday camps performing most styles including ‘standards’, rock & roll, 60s/70s pop, jazz, blues, soul, through to more recent material.

Find more info and sounds at the Firewater Myspace page.

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John Wetton...

In 1995, I played bass for vocalist/bassist John Wetton (ex-Asia, King Crimson, UK, Roxy Music, etc.) at the end of his 'Chasing The Dragon' world tour to promote his much-acclaimed 'Battle Lines' album. The band included members of Landmarq and IQ (also Tracy Hitchings before she joined Landmarq). The line-up was completed by keyboard player Martin Orford (IQ, Jadis, Nolan/Orford). The band played some very successful concerts in Germany and Holland to conclude John's tour. The set included songs by Asia ("Heat of the Moment", "Only Time Will Tell", "Sole Survivor", etc) plus material by King Crimson and UK as well as John's solo material. 

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LANDMARQ…

I'm a founder member of rock band Landmarq which was formed in 1990 and signed to the Dutch SI Records label in 1991. SI released the bands first three studio albums. The band formed their own label (Synergy Records) after SI were wound up in 1996. Landmarq have had seven CD albums released to date (4 studio, 3 live) plus a live DVD and have proved very popular abroad, particularly in Holland, Germany, France and Italy. The band also have fans elsewhere in the world including North and South America, Scandinavia, Japan and Australia.

They have also been featured on a number of compilation releases from around the world (Holland, France, Germany, and Argentina). Landmarq CD’s have previously been distributed throughout the world by GFT/Cyclops (UK), SPV (Germany), Midstream (Holland), Musea (France) and Pendragon Merchandising (USA).

In 1998, to promote the release of their CD "Science Of Coincidence", the band played a support slot in Holland with Marillion, then returned to Holland to headline at the ‘ProgHeaven 98’ festival.

The Landmarq album, 'Thunderstruck' was released in 1999 and was, in fact, the bands first live album. The second live album (Aftershock) was released on the Cyclops label (GFT Ltd) in 2002 along with Landmarq's five other albums at the time.

Apart from the UK, Landmarq have played various gigs and festivals in Holland, Italy, Belgium, France, Germany, Mexico, the USA and Poland.

Following an appearance at the UK Spring Rock Festival, Rotherham, England in 2002, a major change occurred when original keyboardist and co-founder Steve Leigh decided to 'retire' from the band. Steve was eventually replaced by Spanish keyboardist Gonzalo Carrera (ex-Galadriel) who toured with Landmarq in 2003/4 but left the band in 2005 due to other commitments. Gonzalo was then replaced by keyboardist/producer Mike Varty (Credo, Janison Edge) in time for the band's trip to Poland where the band were filmed live in concert in Katowice (Nov 2005). This led to the DVD "Turbulence - Live In Poland" being released through the Polish label Metal Mind Productions (2006).

Currently Landmarq are working toward releasing their latest studio album, entitled "Entertaining Angels", due for release by the end of 2011.

(Landmarq biography, discography and other information can be found at the official website, 'The Spiral Staircase').

Peter Banks / The Syn...

Early in 2004, I was invited to play bass for original Yes guitarist Peter Banks in some recording sessions that saw the revival of his pre-Yes band, The Syn (c.1965). The original bass player was, in fact, Yes bassist Chris Squire.
Original members Steve Nardelli (vocals) and Martyn Adelman (drums) were available, however, and along with Gerard Johnson (Saint Etienne, Funky Monkey) on keyboards and sound engineering, recording went ahead at Paul (Oasis, The Finn Brothers, Chris Robinson) Stacey's Strangeways Studio in south London; Paul provided additional technical assistance and a rather good 'rocket fuel' coffee!

This is from the Yes.wikia.com website:
"...The Syn reunion grew out of two events. In 2003, Martyn Adelman contacted the webmaster of a Yes fan site and agreed to do an interview. Steve Nardelli saw this and was put back in touch with Adelman. With Banks too, they met up for lunch and discussed a reunion. Around the same time, Andrew Jackman died and there was a desire to mark his passing. In 2004, the new band started rehearsals. Banks had brought in keyboard player Gerard Johnson, with whom he had worked on several previous projects. John Wetton was originally to have played bass, but pulled out at the last minute and was replaced by Steve Gee (bassist in progressive rock band Landmarq). The sessions produced new versions of old Syn songs "Illusion" and "Grounded" and an extended new version of Yes' song "Time And A Word". Recordings were carried out at the studio owned by guitarist Paul Stacey..."

Top (l to r): Chris Squire, Martyn Adelman, Peter Banks.
Bottom (l to r) Stephen Nardelli, Gerard Johnson & Steve Gee, Gerard Johnson

'Original Syn 1965-2004' (Umbrello Records) was released in September 2005 and is a retrospective of The Syn. The album includes the early recordings plus the second bonus CD with the newer above-mentioned session material.

The Syn official website

ProgAID...

"... ProgAID was set-up in the wake of the terrible earthquake and Tsunami disaster that tragically struck on the 26th December 2004. The sheer destruction and loss of human life was of a scale that shook the world. It was therefore decided, that maybe the Progressive Rock Community could do something, even in a small way, to help alleviate some of the suffering endured and therefore help towards the rebuilding of lives and communities..." (source: www.progaid.com)

Consequently, "All Around The World" - the Official ProgAID single - was released on Monday 14th March 2005.

The CD was recorded on the 29th and 30th January 2005 and features many guest musicians from the Progressive Rock World. ALL proceeds will go to the Tsunami / Earthquake Disaster fund.

The single includes various mixes plus a "Making of..." video documentary filmed during the recording sessions which has a number of the artists featured (after which they probably made a hasty retreat back to the pub!!).

Price is just GBP3.50. Visit the ProgRock.co.uk website for details.

Tony Lowe and Alison Fleming - 'All Of The Above'...

I was very pleased to be invited to play bass on this project in 2008, to play the first ever live performance of the album 'All Of The Above' by Tony Lowe and Alison Fleming. Tony and I played in a band together years ago but had lost touch. Ah, Myspace can be a wonderful thing too! ;)

Musician, composer, producer and humanitarian Tony Lowe conceived and produced 'All of the Above', a concept album and live event with ecological and spiritual overtones. Based on the colour spectrum and combining music, imagery and colour, the soundtrack, co-written withvocalist/songwriter Alison Fleming, has been very well received by critics and listeners alike and was performed in full for the first time on October 25th 2008 in London.

Three times nominated for a Golden Kayak Award for musical excellence at IAC. 'All of the Above' made the first ballot for the 2007 Grammy awards in eight categories. .

Line-up for the live performance was:
Tony Lowe - Guitars and vocals; Alison Fleming - Vocals; Buj Stapley - Drums and Samples; Poppy Gonzalez - Piano and Strings; Steve Gee - Basses.

Tony Lowe and Alison Fleming's Myspace page has a number of tracks from the 'AOTA' album plus links to their individual Myspace pages and websites.

- Currently, aside from writing and performing with Landmarq, I am also a full-time member of covers/function band Shout!

- Another project I have been involved with is for singer-songwriter Jeanette Murphy having contributed a bit of bass to her album, 'Sugar and Spice' (2002) plus a demo of her jazz-tinged song, 'Too Busy'. The album was debuted with a live gig at The 12-Bar Club, London, in 2002.
I am also currently rehearsing with Jeanette and drummer Paul, preparing to go into the studio and begin recording her next album.

- Other projects have also included 'Audiovert', a three-piece instrumental band writing original material, featuring Paul Greenstein (guitar, guitar-synth, loops) and David Bouet (drums and percussion).

- Enquiries regarding bass and guitar lessons can also be made via the Contact page.

September 2011

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