Expertise

https://www.youtube.com/@thefranklyns https://www.facebook.com/profile.php?id=61556681353253

DESIGN IS NOT A MATTER OF OPINION.
 
The music presented here spans a forty year period and is best accessed via the 'playlists' and 'Albums' options on this page.

This is the SoundCloud page for Steve Betts. 
Music from Vachement Bath, Howard Hughes and the Western Approaches, L. Howard Hughes and The Books.
All tracks written/composed by Steve Betts. 
Video footage of performances with The Franklyns, The Western Approaches, The Associates, Eurythmics and Pete Murphy on the Youtube channel playlist.

All tracks downloadable for free on request.

In 1978 I formed a band called The Books and signed to Logo/RCA records and Virgin Music. 
The band recorded singles and an album, Expertise, all produced by Colin Thurston, and toured the UK supporting The Skids.

In 1982 I adopted the name L. Howard Hughes 
and began working with Billy Mackenzie and The Associates touring the UK, Europe and USA and recording the single 'Breakfast' and the album 'Perhaps'.
Around the same time I met Peter Murphy, from the band Bauhaus, who was beginning a solo career and worked with him co-writing and producing his first solo album, 'Should the World Fail to Fall Apart.'

In 1984 I formed another band, Howard Hughes and the Western Approaches and released singles on Abstract/Polydor and EG records. 

Throughout the 80s and 90s I worked with various artists touring and recording in Europe, the States and Japan as a session player, arranger, producer as well as writing, performing and releasing my own music.

In 2006 I formed a band called Vachement Bath and we played shows in London. I have also contributed to the 60x60 project as well as creating an online catalogue of work.  I led the BA(Hons)Music Performance and Production Programme at the University Of East London from 2014 to 2021 after which I co-formed my current band, The Franklyns. I live and write in the countryside.

Record label based in UK, really into new acts that sound like they're living in 1981. Two vinyl albums and 14 limited edition 7" singles released so far. More to come in 2022!
Two vinyl LPs released: 'Songs For This Nuclear Age' by The Phone, and Various Artists 'Tunes That R...'. Two vinyl LPs in the pipeline including the debut Treeline LP. Owner of the label, Steve Lippert, has also designed over 200 record sleeves for labels such as Vinyl On Demand, Anna Logue, Fortuna Pop, Genetic, Harbinger Sound, Sorted, Bella Union.