Steve Stares (bass)
It is rumoured, albeit from a very good authority, that Steve Stares was conceived in the summer of ’68 with the music of Louis Armstrong’s “Wonderful World” playing in the background. Perhaps it is this auspicious start in life that instilled into him a love of roots music and a strong sense of rhythm. However, it would not be for nearly a further two decades that these two passions would re-unite and result in Steve embarking on his bass playing career.
In his formative years Steve listened to music of all genres from classical to rock. However, he was always drawn by the call of roots music and quickly gravitated towards the influences of Blues, R&B, Soul, Reggae and Gospel. Following years of listening to and absorbing such music Steve and some fellow college friends formulated a plan to form an R&B outfit. Surely it couldn’t be that difficult, could it? The line-up was almost complete with drums, lead guitar and vocals. It just lacked a bass player.
No-one else wanted to do it so Steve stepped up to the plate…
It was only after starting to play that Steve realised what a wonderful space the bass occupies between the rhythm section and the lead and he immediately appreciated the importance of the bass in supporting and unifying the band. Steve has always insisted that you only notice a good bass player when he stops playing. It’s all about getting into the groove and staying there!
The original band changed personnel a few times and did a few gigs and Steve continued to gain experience by attending jam nights at local bars. Then, in the summer of 1994 a very good friend managed to organise an audition with the Bob Pearce band. Bob was changing line-up and needed a new rhythm section. Steve had the audition on Tuesday, a call on Thursday and was on stage with Bob and the band on the Friday at the famous Station Tavern in London’s North Kensington. And so it’s been since, gigging, touring and recording with Bob and the band….
Steve has played the major UK Blues Festivals with Bob, supporting and backing touring US musicians, has gigged in mainland Europe and has recorded on Bob’s last three studio releases.
Bob’s newly formed backing band developed to become a well respected outfit in their own right, touring and gigging under the name of Blues etc. Steve continued to play with Blues etc until 2004, releasing a number of CD’s and even taking in a tour to the Falklands Islands. Then, after a couple of years break from playing bass the phone rang once more….
It was Bob after a bassist again and a couple of Gospel gigs ensued. Over the following year or so Bob got the current line-up established and recorded a further two CDs. Currently Steve can be found playing bass with Bob and the band at various Blues and Gospel gigs.
On a note of trivia, Steve’s first ever record purchase was a duet recorded by Martha Wash and Izora Armstead, can you guess what on Earth it might have been….? |
