The first (and only) single from our band 'Scandal', written by long-time friend and bass player, Chris Copping.  It was produced and recorded in 1979 by the talented John  Collins, who would go on to co-write and produce the Specials' 'Ghost Town'.

Comic Book Hero

A new arrangement of the first single written by Chris Copping for The Step

Love Letter

6 3 4 5 7 8 9

My final song written whilst part of the Step, re-arranged with the horn sound I’d always wanted.

New Faces

'Girl', an unreleased single by The Step recorded in early 1980

Girl

This is the original version of this song, co-written with Mick de Leiburne in the late 80's. 
I loved the summer feel and brass sounds on this track (a bit a la 'Lovely Day', I thought).  A remix version got to #8 in Greece.

Walking In The Sunshine

The first finished track co-written with Mick de Leiburne in the 80's under our band name, 'Blue Taboo'.  Recorded at London Bridge Recording Studios, with great views of the Thames!

Blow Me Away

The second single by The Step in 1980, recorded at Basing Street Studios in London. 

Let Me Be The One

Many followers of The Step may not know there is a connection with the Eurovision Song Contest going back to 1982 and a song written by band member Simon Jefferies the year before.  
In 1981 the music scene was changing, with the mod and ska movements running out of steam and fresh synth-based bands developing new sounds.  
The Step began working on new song and style ideas in that year, following the departure of Steve on guitar, Tony on sax and his brother Pete on trumpet.  To this end Simon joined the band on keyboards and brought his own songs along, one of which was ‘One Step Further’.  
The Step recorded a demo of this song produced by Pete Collins, along with the single ‘Model Soldiers’ written by bass player Chris Copping.  Pete Collins’ credits include singles by The Lambrettas and many other artists of the day. As The Step were rehearsing next door to 1981 Eurovision Song Contest winners Bucks Fizz, Simon seized the opportunity to offer them the song.  He was put in contact with Eurovision’s UK organisers where ‘One Step Further’ was chosen out of all the British entries for the 1982 competition.  
Performed by boy/girl duo Bardo, it came 7th in the Eurovision Song Contest and climbed to number 2 in the UK pop charts. 
The arrangement was not changed a great deal from the demo to the final Bardo version, confirming that Simon got it right first time.

John McSkimming

Pinned to spotlight

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