Music
Press
“It's a lonely business being a fan of country music in England, especially if your tastes don't run to the mainstream. So there's something miraculous about discovering a SOS reader who is not only familiar with the genius of Robbie Fulks, but writes absolutely first class material in the same vein. Like Fulks, Steve McCormick draws on the hard-edged honky-tonk of the '60s Bakersfield scene, yet manages to sound thoroughly up to date. His pithy lyrics strike exactly the right balance between funny and sad, and he never falls into the temptation of writing the same song over and over again.
In a field where live playing is everything, it's a shame that Steve hasn't been able to find a band to back him, but all the more impressive that he's concocted such convincing backing tracks of his own. Playing everything himself except the pedal steel, he makes full use of the latest computer tools such as EZ Drummer and Guitar Rig, and his arrangements are absolutely spot-on, as is his singing and guitar playing. There are times when I'd prefer a slightly more gritty, old school mix to the smooth compression and 'nice' reverbs employed here, but Steve clearly knows his way around a desk, and the results sound impressively modern and slick. His is the best reader album I've yet heard, and I only hope he can overcome the Great British Public's indifference to country music to achieve the success he deserves.
Sam Inglis” - Sound on Sound
Discography
CD album - Lowlights and Footnotes. Entire album available to stream at http://www.stevemccormick.co.uk
Photos
Bio
Formed in 1975, although not actually born until 1976, I'm the result of a night of passion (or, quite possibly, a perfunctory fumble) between my parents. Just over thirty years on this planet, and over half of them with a guitar in my hand (although not constantly - going to the toilet, bathing, driving, etc. would be difficult).
I'm a singer/songwriter based near Carlisle, Cumbria, England. I wear my musical influences on my sleeve and don't try to fit into an idealised image of what any genre should sound like. My music is often categorised in the realms of country, alt.country and Americana ("Englisha" anybody?), and there's a good bit of that influence in there, but, as a friend of mine said, "Pigeon holes are for pigeons." I like western shirts, but it would be true to say I'm not a fan of the idea of Englishmen with fake American accents wearing Stetsons singing about being "Down home on the range". I prefer honesty and straight-forward story-telling. The likes of Squeeze, Led Zeppelin, AC/DC and Guns 'N' Roses spend as long on my turntable as Merle, Hank or Waylon.
My debut album, 'Lowlights And Footnotes', includes 12 original songs and was described as follows by international magazine Sound on Sound (where it was awarded CD of the month in September 2008):
"Steve McCormick writes absolutely first class material in the same vein as Robbie Fulks and draws on the hard-edged honky-tonk of the '60s Bakersfield scene, yet manages to sound thoroughly up to date. His pithy lyrics strike exactly the right balance between funny and sad, and he never falls into the temptation of writing the same song over and over again. I only hope he can overcome the Great British Public's indifference to country music to achieve the success he deserves."
The album was recorded, mixed and produced in my own home studio and I played all of the instruments (guitar, bass, mandolin, banjo, lap steel) other than the pedal steel, performed by Dave Midgley. The album was mastered was by Simon Heyworth (co-producer of Tubular Bells who has mastered George Harrison, Nick Drake, etc.).
I'm currently gigging as a solo acoustic act, performing mostly (if not all) originals, and putting together a live band. I'll play anywhere and need only a P.A. to plug my guitar and microphone into (no chair required!). Preferred maximum set length is an hour (split bills with somebody else performing an hour are a good option).
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