Just Like The First Time | The Celebration Issue by Ultimate Steps

Hello Steppers

Welcome to this very special fanzine, released on 20th anniversary of the week that Steps' first single charted.

2017 has been amazing year for Steps as they embarked on a celebration of their 20 years in the industry. During those 20 years, Claire, Lee, Faye, Lisa & H have broken records, won numerous awards, sold out tours - selling well over 1million tickets and topped the charts. This fanzine is a mini celebration of those achievements, and their fans' enduring love of the band.

Contents Better Best Forgotten Drivin Me Crazy

8 Just Like The First Time

Crying At The Disco 28 It May Be Winter Outside 40

18All I Need Is The Music 34 Story Of A Heart

46 The Story Has Just Begun The Last Thing On My Mind 60 64 The Ultimate Stomp All Night Now 68 72 All Of Me Make My Heart Go Boom 74

76 The Way You Make Me Feel

THE HIT ALBUM OUT NOW Includes the singles Scared Of The Dark, Story Of A Heart, Neon Blue and Dancing With A Broken Heart

CD | Individual Signed CDs | 2x Glitter & Gold Vinyl | Download

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Thank You

Ultimate Steps was first conceived in 2000 by it's original creator Carl, at the peak of Steps success it became one of the go to fan sites to get your latest Steps news & gossip. The site continued to function after the split, but as interest in the group faded the site slowly wound down and eventually disappeared. In 2010, with yet more rumours of a reunion, Matt & Sean decided to revive the Ultimate Steps name as part of their long discussed Steps project and started to rebuild the site and social media. 7 years later Ultimate Steps has, once again, become a go to community for Ultimate Fans to interact with other fans and get the latest news and gossip. We thank you for your continued support!

Sean x

Matt x

SOME THINGS ARE

Better Best Forgotten It's a date every Steps fan knows - May 7th 1997 - the day the final lineup of a brand new pop act wes born as Faye, Lee, Lisa, Claire & H became Steps. But dig a little deeper and there's a chapter missing - H & Lisa had already been in the band for around 6 months with three completely different band mates.... Back in 2001 NOW revealed the story of what happened to the original lineup as they chatted to original member Derek O'Brien. JLTFT reprints here highlights of that interview Only LISA SCOTT-LEE and H, real name IAN WATKINS, were picked at that first audition in November 1996. The original line - up included three other members, all of whom, despite months of hard work, haven't made any money from the groups success. The trio - Mitch Stevens, Maddy Chan and Derek O' Brian - quit the band months before their debut single 5678 stormed to the top of the charts. Speaking for the first time, Derek, 23,

"I hated it. I couldn't stand the music" says "I'm glad I left. I couldn't have stayed with STEPS another day. The Manchester born singer adds: "We worked ridiculous hours and didn't make any money. In fact, my 6

seven months with STEPS left me £1,000 in debt. While we did all the hard graft, our replacements have reaped the rewards. The way I see it, they owe me £1.000." Most people assume the group famous for hit singles TRAGEDY and ONE FOR SORROW - was the brainchild of pop Svengali Pete Waterman. In fact, it was the invention of music manager Steve Crosby and musician Barry Upton, Waterman only got involved a year later. Crosby, who was closely involved with the line - dancing phenomenon that sprung up mid '90s, decided to put together a group to represent the growing craze. Together with song writer and musician Upton, he went into a studio in April 1996 to compose some tracks. "The result was 5678," Crosby says, "We knew it was a hit and decided to put a band together to record it. We spent £100 putting an advert in the stage to find it." On the big day in November 1996, around 300 people turned up at the hall. The end result was Derek, Mitch, H and LISA.

"LISA particularly stood out, but I was couldn't meet their expectations." pleased with all of them," Says Crosby. Within days, Maddy and Mitch had also given their notice, Maddy to work The five were soon rehearsing seven on other musical projects and Mitch to be a backing singer with indie band St days a week. Several record labels showed interest in them and one even Etienne, Dannii Minogue & Girls Aloud. suggested a Eurovision song Contest launch, but within the band there was a lot of dissension. While Crosby puts this down to "amicable unrest," Derek puts it down to their credibility and working conditions.

Three weeks later he put another ad in the Stage. A week after that FAYE, LEE and CLAIRE were introduced to H and LISA.

After a series of showcase gigs - one specifically for Pete Waterman, who guided Kylie Minogue to success - the band was signed by Jive Records, "I wasn't happy," he recalls, "I was doing something I didn't believe in and under Waterman's guidance. The rest is History. there were too many restrictions. We weren't allowed boyfriends or So who knows what STEPS would girlfriends and then we were ordered have been like if the original five had to cut down our drinking and late stayed - would they be as successful nights or get out. I decided on the as STEPS are now? who knows? latter." "They tried to make me sign a contract, but i laughed at it. Even though I ran into debt, we always made sure we went out at night and had a good time together. LISA was the best of all. She's a real party girl. But we always managed to get up for rehearsals in the morning. Things came to a head after seven months, just as the band were being suggested for the Eurovision Song Contest. "I couldn't take it anymore" says Derek "I sat down with the management and said I didn't believe in the music and

Just Like Th 1997 Line up confirmed 07.05 First photoshoot 27.08 First Showcase 29.08 First video shoot 09.09 First TV Performance / First PA 23.09 First trip abroad as Steps 31.10 First roadshow 05.11 First single released 10.11 World record broken for most people in a line dance 21,11

1998 First Top Of The Pops performance 09.01 first magazine cover (big!) 19.08 First album released 14.09 8

he First Time

1999 03.01 First number 1 single (heartbeat/tragedy) 21.01 1 millionth album sold 06.03 First tour begins 14.07 first US tour date (supporting britney) 04.11 first wembley date

2000 03.03 awarded brit award 29.10 1 millionth concert ticket sold 9

5, 6, e M ' n i Driv 10

7, 8 Crazy It's time to begin in, now count it in... On paper a techno line dance song with a thumping bass doesn't sound like it's going to be the biggest hit - even if line dancing fever is sweeping the country. Steps were more Europop than country & western, and this is what immediately made them stand out from the crowd. It seems unlikely that this song would launch a career that has this month spanned 20 years, but with their gimmicky dance routine that could be copied at office christmas parties across the land, a new pop sensation was born. It become their lowest charting single in their original UK chart run, stalling at number 14, but gave them their first ever number 1 in Australia and number 2 in Belgium & New Zealand. And it was with their debut release that Steps started as they meant to go on: breaking records - it became the biggest selling single of the 1990s not to make it into the UK Top 10. As of March 2017 the song had sold 365,000 copies - making it their 3rd highest selling single release. Due to the song's continued success into the new year, Top Of The Pops relented and invited them onto their 9th January 1998 edition. So thanks to this 'one-off' 'novelty' single, an unexpected chart run and a gold certification we are here celebrating 20 years of a pop phenomenon

"Steps were only signed for one single â&#x20AC;&#x201C; with good reason, for '5,6,7,8' was shit of the very highest order." Peter Robinson - Gold: Greatest Hits liner notes 11

ME IN

YOU IN SO COUNT

GONNA ROPE

UK SALES: 365,000 UK STREAMS: 3,440,000 UK CERTIFICATION: GOLD UK PEAK POSITION: 14

Worldwide

Australia: 1 Belgium: 2 Netherlands: 7 New Zealand: 2 Sweden: 7

Versions

Album Version Euro Step Mix Extended Version Instrumental Karaoke Track Radio Edit Wip Mix Wip 2002 Mix

STEPSOGRAP

PHY: SINGLES

ONE FOR I wanted your love but l

It's the perfect summer pop anthem, so is it any wonder that it was voted the ultimate Steps single by the Ultimate Steps community....?

These days, it’s rare for it to take three singles to really discover a mainstream act, but each single that Steps released during 1998 built on the previous single’s success. One For Sorrow, despite being an obvious homage to Abba’s The Winner Takes It All, was the perfect bridge to take Steps from fun summertime hit-makers who would maybe disappear after two singles to bona-fide popstars who won-over an instant and devoted following who were hungry for a full album. As has been so well documented by now, it was also this song that caused much of the issues within the band, after Pete Waterman made the decision that Claire would sing the entire song alone, essentially relegating the other four members to backing vocals. It stands up as one of the most iconic Steps singles all these years later, and we don’t ROC think its aged a day. 16

SORROW look what it s done to me Wayne, Glasgow The first Steps single I purchased was: One For Sorrow The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One My Favourite Steps single is: One For Sorrow

"ItĂ&#x160;s the definition of Steps for me. Danceable melancholia. It also made Steps a serious pop contender to be reckoned with." Favourite member of Steps: Claire Favourite tour: Gold...but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see what Party on the Dancefloor brings! 17

ALL I NEED IS

We take you on a whirlwind tour of some of the

LAST THING ON MY MIND From the opening bars of Last Thing On My Mind, I get chills. While 5-6-7-8 was there debut, this was the song that felt like the true introduction to everything that we love about Steps today, 20 years on. I remember the first time I heard it, the ‘90s synths, the urgency of the beat, and Faye, Claire and Lisa’s wonderfully individual delivery of each verse. I don’t think we’d have got bored even if every single from there on out had followed the same pattern. It had all the ingredients we’ve come to expect from a Steps single – the ABBA undertone, the colourful, summery video, and that floor-filling dance-routine. This was the beginning of Steps imperial phase, even if we didn’t realise it until the next single.

LOVE'S GOT A HOLD ON MY HEART Following an album that produced hits like One For Sorrow, Last Thing On My Mind and Better Best Forgotten can’t have been an easy feat for the team of songwriters and producers behind Steps. That’s without even mentioning the massive profile-boost they’d received from Tragedy. Expectations were high, and the cool-off period was only a few months after Better Best Forgotten, but felt like years for Steps-loving pop fans. When Love’s Got A Hold On My Heart surfaced, Steps felt and looked refreshed – gone were the ABBA influences and in its place there was an almost Kylie-esque early ‘90s vibe, and then there was the video – from Faye’s flowing curls to a those unforgettable yellow outfits – Steps were on the cusp of becoming pop legends in the UK, and they were only on their sixth single. The most iconic part of all though was that shared chorus between Claire and Faye, which proved that as well as knowing their way around a dance routine and a perfect pop melody, Steps were vocally a very credible act. 18

S THE MUSIC

e most iconic singles, as reviewed by you....

TRAGEDY Every so often in pop music, there’s a stroke of genius that occurs that is almost impossible to put your finger on, or replicate – think Hung Up, think Can’t Get You Out Of My Head. For Steps, that song was Tragedy. The song was recorded for a Bee Gees tribute record, and so didn’t feature on ‘Step One’, their debut album, which had been released just a couple of months before. Tragedy, despite being a cover, was unknown to probably most of Steps young audience at the time, who lapped up the thumping remake which had all the hallmarks of a hit that stands the test of time. While it might not be on too many fan favourites list thanks to being overplayed over the years, there’s no denying that this disco masterpiece took Steps to the A-list and made them one of the biggest bands in Britain.

DEEEPER SHADE OF BLUE While the entire ‘Steptacular’ was a massive success, giving Steps their first and only number one studio album as well as three further top 5 hits to their name in 1999 alone, many fans were just waiting for the moment that Deeper Shade Of Blue got its chance to shine as a single. It marked a number of changes for the band – for the first time the verses weren’t simply split between Faye, Claire and Lisa – with H taking a full verse to himself. It was a refreshing change at the time, and the while the song peaked at number four and sold less than the band’s previous singles, it made many Steps doubters sit-up and listen. This was a real dance record, it was dark and mysterious, and the video with Steps transforming from themselves into their alter-egos, is without question of the group’s finest of their career. It has become both a band and a fan favourite, and was often mentioned as the blueprint for their new material when they decided to comeback in recent years. We would happily take an album of Deeper Shade Of Blue’s should Steps decide to stick around. 19

BETTER THE DEVIL YOU KNOW The true marmite track of Steps back catalogue, you either love it or you hate it! (For the record I fall into the former category!) Already established as an iconic track, Steps didn’t even try to imitate what had come before and instead chose to inject their own unique brand of happy pop to this song. Vocals being shared predominantly amongst the girls only further enhances the campness of it all - an enjoyable, fun romp which doesn’t take its self too seriously and should be enjoyed as such and I’d just like to end on this direct quote from Mr Pete Waterman the man who originally wrote and recorded both versions of the track – “What everyone forgets is they were my biggest selling act, bigger

WHEN I SAID GOODBYE A true hidden jewel in Steps crown. A simple beautiful melody intertwined with lyrics expressing the struggles within a relationship. Claire takes on the lead with vocals and (as always) completely conveys both the real despair and hope intended.

SUMMER OF LOVE The dawning of a new era for Steps, signalling what we had to come – a more mature pop sound perfectly matched with memorable lyrics. Each member is given their moment to shine on this track which lends its self well to this new grown up sound. Instantly it has you hooked using lines from the chorus for its opening bars and from that moment it never loses momentum, cascading it’s way through to the echoing end..

STOMP While we had heard the first teaser of Steps third album ‘Buzz’ when Summer Of Love was released as a double A-side with When I Said Goodbye during the ‘Steptacular’ album cycle, it was Stomp that really felt like the beginning of a new era. Steps styling had changed – there was no colour scheme as such, but the band hadn’t travelled further down the dark road they’d hinted at on Deeper Shade Of Blue. Instead, they took influence from the ‘70s, namely Chic’s Everybody Dance, taking the chorus melody and remodelling it for a new generation, who lapped it up and sent it to the top of the charts, giving Steps their second number one single. While Steps are often associated with Europop and even dance music, the band’s flirtations with disco have always been fruitful – as well as commercially successful – and in retrospect we would have quite liked ‘Buzz’ to have followed suit and provided more ‘70s-sampling gems.

IT'S THE WAY YOU MAKE ME FEEL Having made all of their singles to date with Pete Waterman’s PWL team, who had served Steps very well during the early part of their career, the five-piece and their management made the decision to explore new sonic landscapes for their third album ‘Buzz’. Working with international names who had worked with global stars like N Sync and Britney, Steps seemed especially proud of this single, which was written and produced by Jorgen Eloffson, who would go on to write songs for H & Claire later in their short career as a duo. As a song, It’s The Way You Make Me Feel was the second notable turn in Steps career after Deeper Shade Of Blue, albeit in a totally different direction. Sonically, it was mature in a more globalfriendly fashion, with none of the Eurovision stylings present on many of their previous singles. We would go as far as saying that it could well have become a hit in the US had the band had a bigger machine behind them instead of such Britain-centric management. The only downside for us on this track is the odd choice to have Claire take a backseat for much of the song, though it certainly allowed Faye and Lisa a well-deserved opportunity to show-off their skills.

CHAIN REACTION Steps’ team had suggested they recorded the Diana Ross classic on more than one occasion before they eventually surrendered and made their energetic version of Chain Reaction for their greatest hits album. It was an album that needed, and deserved, a phenomenal lead that would sound equal to their finest cuts from the previous three years, and hell did they get it right. Chain Reaction, to us, is on par with Tragedy as one of the most iconic Steps singles of the past 20 years, and how curious that both tracks should be written by the Gibb brothers. While the band had enjoyed continued success during their third album era, Chain Reaction was exactly the kind of track that reminded the recordbuying public what was so great about Steps, and it gave them their best-seller since 1999’s Say You’ll Be Mine. The truth was Steps didn’t need wholly original songs – whether they took a sample from the ‘70s and made it their own, or fearlessly took on a song that had already been a number one hit, Steps singles always had that essence of feel-good fun that didn’t take itself too seriously but at the same time was by no means a gimmick or anything less than world-class vocally. The real genius in this cover though was the video, set in a hospital, making it feel even more like Tragedy’s companion, and full-to-the-brim of Carry On-style hilarity, followed by a straight-forward dance sequence that fans practically demanded from Steps videos at this point. At the time we didn’t know that this would be Steps final proper video until their 20th anniversary reunion all these years later, but we honestly feel like Steps captured everything that made them special in those three minutes, and their chosen producer Graham Stack breathed new life into the song.

Richard, Wallasey The first Steps single I purchased was: Last Thing On My Mind The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One My Favourite Steps single is: Deeper Shade Of Blue

"Always felt it was one of their strongest singles and the video was incredible. " Favourite member of Steps: Faye Favourite tour: Ultimate. Only because I got to see them live again which was something I never thought would happen! 22

BABY DON'T DANCE The single that never was. A real Steps classic which really did deserve a fair crack at the whip. If rumours are to be believed the song was being lined up as the final track to be released from Gold but alas sadly never saw the true light of day. A real mixture of vocals injected with joyful lyrics and a swing like beat, make BDD utterly fabulous. Some rare promotional copies, complete with remixes, were produced to coincide with the record company’s decision to release ‘rarities’ album The Last Dance.

LIGHT UP THE WORLD New song alert! New song alert! The first original recording from Steps in over ten years. This track is a slow burner, it doesn’t grab you instantly like Steps songs of the past however after a few listens the haunting lyrics, nodding nicely to the past, coupled with the ricer, deeper tones of the groups vocals soon have you locked in and coming back for more. A track that shows just how far they have come within their overall tone, style and delivery as a group. The only question I have – what happened to the epic video Steps!?!?!?

Sarah, Scotland The first Steps single I purchased was: Last Thing On My Mind The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One My Favourite Steps single is: One For Sorrow

"It reminds me of happy times when I was a kid" Favourite member of Steps: Faye Favourite tour: Ultimate. Only because I got to see them live again which was something I never thought would happen! 23

SCARED OF THE DARK It’s hard enough to continue banging out hits when you get to your fourth album for any artist – the initial hype has died down, you stop making new fans for the most part and you try to hang on to those who’ve supported you to get to that point in the first place. Imagine now that Steps fourth album (unless you’re counting their holiday-themed Light Up The World record, which we’re not) came 17 years after their previous studio album – in a musical landscape that had changed many times over. No longer had Steps got their trusty PWL writing team in their corner, nor had they their original management who knew their brand so well. The band didn’t even have a major record deal. What they did have was a massive level of respect and pride for their initial singles run, and while the band wanted to create new music, they were extra cautious about damaging their legacy as one of the most reliably brilliant pop acts of the last 20 years. With a little (actually probably a lot) of help from Fascination, their new management, Steps managed to find a song that sounded exactly what you’d hope a Steps song would sound like in 2017. In fact, we all hoped we’d hear it quite a bit sooner than that, but most expected wed never get another single from Steps again after the pre-split Words Are Not Enough, or again after their self-labelled “winter warmer” Light Up The World in 2011, which to be fair was a perfectly fine song, just not a particularly Steps song. Scared Of The Dark, from its synth-orchestral opening, is high-drama and over-thetop, almost like Steps’ version of I Will Survive. Claire’s centre-stage placing on the track was by all means the right decision, because why hide a voice like that which has essentially become the sound of this band we love. Faye and Lisa get their fair share of lines on the track, which is “Stomp” with more substance for 2017. Coming back with an original felt like the right move for a band in Steps position, but there are a couple lines nestled in there that make you think “why is this so familiar?”, and that’s one of the reasons why this sounds like an instant classic, and without question one of Steps finest singles – and the song that put them back on the map 20 years after they were formed.

STORY OF A HEART â&#x20AC;&#x153;ABBA on speedâ&#x20AC;? a description from Pete Waterman about Steps back in their infancy. So it really is fitting that not only have they recorded a song written by Benny and Bjorn, it was chosen to be the second single release from TOTD. A true return to form for Steps with the bittersweet lyrics, about the emotion of finding and losing love, coupled with a sweeping piano melody perfectly match the luxurious vocals from the group.

Charlie, New York The first Steps single I purchased was: One For Sorrow The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One (USA) My Favourite Steps single is: Stomp

"It was the first time I felt like I got to experience a Steps release at the same time with the rest of the world properly. Growing up in the U.S., I became a fan later - I didn't discover Steps until I saw them open for Britney in summer of 1999. So, "Stomp" and Buzz were the first releases where I was ready and waiting for new music along with all the other fans on the official forums, GenSteps etc. It also was right when Napster came around. I remember I was able to hear the leaked WIP Mix before I even heard the original version of the song!" Favourite member of Steps: Lisa Scott-Lee, OF COURSE Favourite tour: Probably the Steptacular Tour (that intro!), but I also feel like I am severely missing out never having been able to see the Steps Into Christmas tour. 25

Claire oh Claire where have you gone? Come cheer me up, my face is so long, We could go dr ink champagne and shop forev For gossip or f er, or singing a so ng With stunning looks & superb voice, This is why you 're my number one choice!

Phil Goodway

Singer/Songwriter & Steps fan Robert O'Connor takes a look at one of the biggest pop comebacks of 2017

COME OUT COME OUT

Dance With Me This time last year, rumours started to circulate that a pop act fitting Steps description were set to reunite at G-A-Y nightclub in London on New Year’s Eve 2017. Those of us who remained fans of the band had gone about our lives since their previous reunion in 2011, and despite the murmurs that Steps had plans for their 20th anniversary up their sleeves, there had been no signs of life coming from the members on social media to suggest it was any more than fan fiction. The 2011 reunion got off to a strong start with a high-on-drama Sky Living reality series, and a number one greatest hits record that added nothing to 2001’s ‘Gold’ save for an illadvised cover of ABBA’s “Dancing Queen”. The fact that Steps could be number on the album chart in 2011 in itself was fascinating. So much had changed since their heyday – both in the musical landscape and in the way the public consumed music – we never would have predicted it possible that our favourite five-piece would re-connect with the recordbuying public outside of their fan base, which all those years later you’d have expected was cult-sized at best. But it happened, and every member of Steps seemed equally proud, regardless of their hesitation about continuing beyond promoting their hits collection.

Following a sell-out tour, documented in the frantic follow-up Sky Living reality series ‘Steps On The Road Again’, the band were faced with the decision of “what next”. They debated whether the love for the group was purely based on nostalgia, or if indeed they could bring their brand of pop into a new era. With new manager Steven Howard by their side, they reached the decision to keep momentum going with a festive album, which would be accompanied by an intimate theatre tour. The album, immaculately produced by Stephen Lipson, sounded more like something you’d expect to hear from Barbra Streisand, filled to the brim with melancholy downbeat numbers like “One Less Bell To Answer” and “A House Is Not A Home”, a couple of sub-par holiday covers by the boys, and the record’s sole single “Light Up The World”, which sounded a lot like Steps were scrambling to find their version of a Take That comeback single, despite being written by Karl Twigg, who was partially responsible for most of their heyday hits. It all felt distinctly off-brand for Steps, and the result was a number 32 chart entry in the UK, just one year after their number one slam-dunk with the ‘Ultimate Collection’. It seemed like it might be the last we’d hear from Steps. After all, how would they justify making more new music when the public had made it apparent that the appetite simply wasn’t there? Of course, the reality wasn’t that the public weren’t there for new Steps music, they simply weren’t there for this new incarnation that didn’t include fun, dance-accompanied hi-NRG pop that made the group a hit in the first place.

Steps disappeared for five years, and waited for their moment to strike again. Their 20th anniversary celebration year has been planned out meticulously in secret and behind-the-scenes by pop-mastermind management team Fascination headed up by Peter Lorraine, a former marketing director at Polydor UK. Aside from the five

Peter has handled the entire campaign as if Steps were taking up where they left-off in 2001 members of the band itself, this is the man we all need to thank for getting it so right this time. Where Steven Howard seemed at a loss with what to do with the group, while utilising all the tools available to him in 2017. By contrast to the 2011 comeback, Steps have been self-assured and certain this year. There’s been none of the exhausting “will we or won’t we” hesitations, and instead it’s all felt so definite from the moment they stepped on the stage at G-A-Y to perform their best-loved hits. It was the wait for their comeback single “Scared of the Dark” that was the most-agonising, and the wondering if they had learned that change was not necessarily a good thing after the muted reception to their ‘Light Up The World’ project, which did the exact opposite to what it said on the cover. As we all now know, we needn’t have worried, “Scared of the Dark” was and is an absolute triumph, heralded by critics and fans alike as one of the band’s finest singles of their entire 31

career – well-written disco pop that avoided jumping on any bandwagons and somehow managed to sound like no time had passed at all. It sounded nostalgic despite being a brand new original song, and perhaps that’s why it was

welcomed with open arms by those who had been out in force buying the ‘Ultimate Collection’. The single’s parent album ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’ was a rush from start-to-finish – with singer/ songwriter Darren Hayes comparing the 10-track record to Madonna’s monumental ‘Confessions on a Dance Floor’. Fellow Fascination-managed remix team The Alias were drafted in to produce the majority of the album, with of-the-moment writers like Steve Mac, Wayne Hector, Carl Ryden and Fiona Bevan coming up with the goods that would be the difference in Steps being lauded or loathed for making another appearance in the pop world. A number of cleverly-chosen covers of tracks that had been hits in further afield territories – like Lara Fabian’s “I Will Love Again” and Darren Hayes’ creation “No More Tears On The Dancefloor”, gave the album that onefoot-in-the-past, one-foot-in-the32

future feel. Fascination knew what it was that Steps fans wanted, and they were giving it to them coated in glitter and gold. Since the release of ‘Tears’, we’ve been treated to a 1999-style year from Steps – with three stellar singles accompanied by videos, magazine interviews and TV appearances, all reaching a pinnacle with their performance on Strictly Come Dancing in recent weeks – a feat that was considered unlikely even by their most loyal fans due to the mainstream media’s disregard for most popstars of their time. We have the biggest treat of all still to come, with the ‘Party on the Dancefloor’ tour imminent, and the news that Kyliecollaborator Steve Anderson is the man filling the Musical Director role on the tour, which will see the band trying their hardest to please the casuals with their classic hits, while including all those ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’ cuts that diehards have so vocally praised since the album’s release. The group appear to have gone as far as listening to super-fan suggestions

like including never-before performed album track favourites such as 2000’s “Paradise Lost” in the set-list, which Claire recently described as “long”, surely music to every fan’s ears.

might just manage to continue the celebrations beyond the 12-month mark, while retaining some semblance of normality in their home lives. With a string summer concerts just announced too, tagged ‘Summer of Considering the year has been Steps’, it seems a similar approach to th tagged as a ‘20 Anniversary this year’s proceedings could well be Celebration’, fans are inevitably the plan for 2018. Either way, Steps curious if this is a 12-month reunion, or have given us far, far more than we could have ever expected in an era a full-on comeback, and that is a question that remains unanswered when even the Britney’s and Gaga’s of at least for now. It seems as the pop world fail to stick around for a always, some members have campaign beyond two singles. been more explicit in their desire to continue than The recent ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’ others – with both Lisa package served to beef-up an and Faye expressing already perfectly formed original their desire to album, giving fans a fleshed-out “make more release including a host of remixes, albums” – extra original tracks and a curiously though we clever cover version of Delta cannot Goodrem’s “Dancing With A Broken Heart”, a track that was practically unknown to many fans having never been released in the UK. Having already given Ed Sheeran a good fight before settling for number two on the album chart, the repackaged version, with its tongue-in-cheek ‘Crying at the Disco Deluxe Edition’, managed to give Steps technically their second assume the Top 10 album within a year. lack of comments from H and Claire in particular signify As the band get ready for their a lack of interest on their parts. biggest feat yet in 2017 – performing Fans have speculated that H’s their hits over a gruelling 22-dates to role as a parent to twin baby sell-out arenas in the UK and Ireland – boys, as well as some casual but we know one thing’s for sure, the tears possibly cryptic Instagram comments, on the dancefloor at each and every would put the band’s future in venue will be the fans tears of joy. jeopardy, but with Steps’ new business model of regrouping for a couple of weeks here-and-there throughout the year for quick bursts of promotion, as opposed to the living in each other’s pockets lifestyle they experienced during their 1997-2001 original run, it is possible that they 33

Story o

the

of a heart

e story all of it mine

Steps fan Chris Solari takes us on the story of his heart, in a full and frank personal account of what Steps mean to him

YOU MAY FIND IT TOUGH

Words Are Not En I can’t speak for anyone but myself but I hope that many people will recognise the same feelings as I do, that Steps for me is an escape from the world. To listen to an album, watch a DVD, a live performance or look at the many merchandise items collected over the years gives me time to forget any worries or concerns and transform myself into a place where everything else can just stop.

This may sound all a bit dramatic and most people would still not understand why it would take a five piece pop group originating from the nineties to do this. As I said we all have different ways of dealing with different issues and for me, Steps is my escape into my happy place, and even when I don’t have to escape, it heightens my positive emotions to a new level. „ItÊs time to begin, now count it in 5,6,7,8‰ Where did it all start to become such a big thing in my life? I would be lying if I was to say I was a fan from the start. I was in my early years at secondary school and t has always been a question that has music really hadn’t entered my life. I been asked to me, and I am sure that Listened to the radio, I had danced to many other fans have also been asked Macarena and Saturday Night numerous too as to why they like Steps so much. times, and realised I liked the element of Everybody, of course, will have different answers and reasons to the question but being able to copy routines that somewhere along the way I am sure there everybody does on the dancefloor, and not just try to dance to the beat. are many similarities. As I am in my early 30’s now, I can look back and reflect on this very entertaining journey that following Steps has brought to my life. Many emotions, highs and lows throughout my life have always had Steps mixed in. Whether it is to heighten an already great mood, or to bring myself back from a low point, I have always found that Steps have been a perfect remedy for any emotion at any point in my life.

I did not fit in to the majority of my school year, however I had my small group of friends which I cherished. I cared a lot for them and would do anything for them and I still talk to some of them today (after many years later). However, kids will be kids and I was unfortunately picked on at times at school. I was never in the ‘in’ crowd and I was very quiet, choosing my own company rather than try to fit in with groups I knew that I wouldn’t adjust to.

nough

Things got progressively worse over time, however I am lucky to not have had any physical abuse. It was merely name calling and general petty bullying. Still, as anyone knows, during the early teens, this gets to feel more and more like the only thing that is happening in your life and I was the one who buried my head in the sand and didn’t speak out. It got progressively worse and I would end up in tears most evenings with the worry and the panic. My emotions got darker and along with that, so did my thoughts. Looking back it was an awful time and one particular day I had planned out to do the worse thing that I could have ever done. I won’t go too much into that as I was fortunate enough to have a lifeline. That very same day, I was talking to my best friend at school, Chris. We took Music classes and it was one of my most enjoyable lessons. Chris was the first one who mentioned about Steps. Now I had heard of 5,6,7,8, and I remember my sister buying the CD single. She will probably deny this now. Although I had heard the song I had no idea about the group. It was the first and last time I ever muttered the words ‘Who are Steps?’ Ironically, if anyone says this to me these days, I get a bit frustrated and mildly angry. Chris told me that he had the album ‘Step One’. So instead of doing the work that we were supposed to be doing in that class, he played me the album instead. I remember very clearly listening to ‘Steptro’ for the first time, and this warm feeling came over me that any dark emotions I had that very morning were now the ‘Last Thing On My Mind’ (yes I did just quote that). I had so many questions that the one hour class faded away so quickly. Then when I was told that there

were dance routines to each song, I was then converted. “The Next Step‰ Working as a paperboy every day, my attention turned to getting this album, and then the week after the video. This was before I really realised each single release had a CD and cassette out as well. I was then hooked and I was able to escape into the world of Steps and I had the support of my friend Chris as well. As Steps continued to release songs and albums, with new dance routines, we would spend hours practising the moves, making our own concerts and yes we did perform a couple of numbers to a crowd on a couple of occasions. This time of my life there were no smartphones, common digital cameras or social media so pretty much all of it has no evidence of it ever happening. However those memories will always be embedded in my mind and it changed my teenage years. I drew apart from Chris as we stepped into college years. We occasionally talk and I look forward to meeting with him again in the not so distant future. Even though we drifted apart, I have never ever told him how I was feeling that morning before we spoke about Steps. If it wasn’t for Chris and Steps, I don’t know if I would ever be writing this now. I have a lot to owe to both Chris and Steps and a lot of thanks to give. „I was just too weak to resist‰ After that it then just became so normal to go out and buy the CD singles, albums, tour tickets, merchandise and anything else I could get my hands on. Everything I

„When the feelings gone, and you canÊt go on‰ Like the memories of collecting merchandise, every fan knows when they heard the news in 2001 that Steps had split up. I was just into my college years and it was awful to hear the news over the Christmas break. I very clearly recall walking into college after the break and my performing arts class mates delicately asked me if I was OK. They knew that I was all about Steps, and even if they didn’t all understand, they were very supportive. I had been out of touch from my friend Chris, and I know that he would be going through the same emotions as I and all the other fans were going through. Of course life goes on, and I was involved in college and entering into adulthood, so I just carried on. The releases of material by H&Claire, Lisa, Faye and the one offering from Lee helped ease the blow of have is self-funded and could only get the split over the coming years following things if I could afford it. It is a shame that I the split. However it never truly felt they wasn’t my age now back then with the job had gone away, and I bring the attention I have now as I could have collected a lot on to one website that many of us have more merchandise, but over a course of been following for many years – Ultimate now 20 years, I have managed to collect Steps. It was a place with a forum and any quite a bit of memorabilia. Many times I new information about any of the band have to get it all out of the boxes to recall members was. It really kept the fans exactly what I have but once again this is a informed for as long as I can remember, way of transporting into my own little world and through all of that time that Steps and every item brings a different memory. were away, it helped to keep the story of When you look at a piece of memorabilia, Steps going. I don’t know if the creators or CD, you can recall when you got that, and administrators of the website who you were with, how you went about understand how thankful I am for their getting hold of it, so every piece has a hard work, commitment and dedication, story. I am sure that all fans will relate to but I am so appreciative of everything this. they have ever done, and continue to do.

That feeling when you receive any piece of merchandise is a very happy feeling. I can’t tell you how may times have I transported all the CDs and had to put them back in chronological order, but even that it an enjoyable feeling. It continues to grow and grow and I probably have over 900 pieces of memorabilia. It has never been a competition just a personal interest. Some people collect key rings, I collect Steps related items.

I had the most wonderful opportunity of filming for a TV programme called ‘Superfans and Superstars’ which concentrated on my passion for Steps. It was a strange and unique experience but I like to look back at it as representing all Steps fans and not just myself. For I always believe that the fan base are not just a community but a family. I have never said I am the Ultimate fan, and nor do I believe that any fan is a bigger fan than anyone else. We are all following the same thing and that is what brings up together. Although I had followed Steps and their

careers for many years, that day would bring a first for me. It was the first time that I got to meet all 5 members of Steps at once. I was unable to meet them during the first time round as I was too young to go to television studios, and too young to be hanging around backstage doors for hope of a glimpse and to meet all the members, so now that I was older, this was a perfect opportunity. I was glad it was recorded and it will always be a memory for me, not only through my own emotions, but now that I can rewatch it, without trying to cringe. If you can deal with watching it, then YouTube – Chris Solari – Superfans and Superstars. Apologies for the singing! After that occasion, I met Steps properly in Manchester as I signed up for my first meet and greet. I had the most wonderful of times, however I really wished I had also worn a Christmas Jumper.

“Here and Now‰ I am sure that everybody was delighted in 2011 when Steps announced that they were getting back together and all those exciting emotions that had buried their head were able to resurface again. One moment there was nothing and then a new greatest hits album, tour, and performances leading to the same thing for the Christmas album, tour and performances. Once again Steps were back again and the journey continued. Although there were rumours that they had split up again, I always

believed that they were on hiatus, of which the group also confirmed. Then bang, 2017 happens and what a year we have all had. 4 singles with videos, a new album, a deluxe version of the album, another arena tour, upcoming DVDs and more live CDs, and more importantly, seeing that Steps appear to be happier this time. Learning from everything in the past and utilising that knowledge to have a most steptacular comeback. The most delightful thing is that we all, as fans, are able to continue on this journey together. I am so thankful for the return of the group and to all of those that have made the journey over the past 20 years memorable and fun. Thank you Steps, thank you to the fans, thank you to Chris and thank you to Matt who I am now sharing my Steps journey with. Steps have always said that although the music is upbeat, the lyrics are

bittersweet. As fans, we take the songs and relate them to our lives and I look forward to this continuing. Remembering that every fan is an ultimate fan and the whole thing only works when we are all supportive of each other and the Steps Project. I hope that all fans have had an exciting and memorable 20 Years of Steps, and together, we should all look forward to what the next 20 Years of Steps has to

offer. There truly is No More Tears On The Dancefloor. 39

It May Be

WINTER Outside Music Blogger & Steps fan Paul Reynolds writes an exclusive article for us on why you should all fall in love with Steps' 4th studio album Light Up The World and his perfect tracklisting

History (which is made at night) has taught us that while 2017 comeback opus, Tears On The Dancefloor, is the album that fans have long desired, it was their 2012 winter-themed collection, Light Up The World, that demonstrated Steps are a group with many strings to their bow. Not quite a regular studio album and not quite a Christmas album, the hybrid release was a departure from their mainstream sound - giving the listener more focus on their beautifully textured vocal harmonies in a pensive, melancholy setting. Their least successful studio album to date (it peaked at 32), I believe it

Side One Light Up The World Light Up The World ~ There is no denying that more should have been made of the title track single release. There should have been a gloriously sumptuous video accompanying it & an intense tv promotional campaign because make no mistake, as a song it is an elegant throwback to 90s pop yet tinged with a foreward thinking production sheen that reflects the band's growing maturity over the past 10 years. Their harmonies and vocals (all getting a chance in the spotlight) sound effortlessly delightful & that chorus just gets better with each listen. Heavenly.

showcase for reminding people that the Steps sound went beyond perky pop. Their sweetly blended vocals are framed by a warming orchestral backdrop with a lovely flamenco guitar giving the song some charming personality.

One Less Bell To Answer ~ when I first heard this I remember thinking that it sounded positively theatrical, like the devastating denouement for tragic characters at the start of Act 2. Cheer up, gang - things will get better! It does place Steps as serious narrators of emotions however - rather than the observational bystanders they may History Is Made At Night ~ Sounding have been in the past. H's "why did he deliciously sixties in the same way Kylie's leave me" plead is particularly poignant Tears On My Pillow & Jason's Sealed and a nice touch to this sincere With A Kiss did back in the late 80s/early rendition of a classic ballad 90s. This was one of my favourite songs A House Is Not A Home ~ this lovely, from late, lamented TV show Smash so I languorous ballad continues beautifully was pre-disposed to love a Steps what One Less Bell started. A version of it, but I genuinely think it's the breathtaking lead vocal from Claire is most seductive and charming track on equally matched by the aching the album - and would have made a harmonies that the rest of the group perfect Valentine's Day second single elegantly provide. These two songs from the album in early 2013. were performed in this order on the Overjoyed ~ Possibly included as winter Christmas With Steps 2012 tour and were themed on the album due to it's inclusion (are) a radiant testimony to what their on Diana Ross' rather bonza 1994 collective voices can achieve. Christmas album, this was the perfect 42

Side Two It May Be Winter Outside It May Be Winter Outside ~ If side one of a revamped tracklisting focused on the non-seasonal tracks, side two brings Christmas directly into your speakers. It May Be Winter Outside (the sparkling Love Unlimited song) is one of the more uptempo festive tracks on the album. Starting off with some Spector-group-esque harmonies, it saw the group return to a sound they were more well known for. They sounded (and looked - the album cover art was gorgeous) like they are having an amazing time, which is what Christmas should be all about. This would have made a brilliant last minute Christmas week single.

Christmas (Baby Please Come Home) ~ a fine track, infused with horns, a percussive beat & swooning backing "whoos" that, all added together, make a wistful, pleasing number. H does a fine job of bringing range and agility to the song and, by the end, you have to admit it is a pretty hard request to say no to. Plus, it actually makes a nice change to hear Steps do something outside their musical comfort zone (and succeed so well) - an ongoing theme of this album.

Please Come Home For Christmas ~ two 'come back for Christmas' songs in a row? Although there were so many other songs they could've chosen, it's still a lovely number which, once again, is more theatrical, more narrative than previous Steps songs - and, in no small part to Lee's impassioned singles, still shines in it's own sad, muted way Dear Santa ~ oh sure, this came out five years after the release but let's face it: this rather endearing seasonal plea fits in more perfectly with Light Up The World than it does with Crying At The Disco. It works well within the reflective nature of this album. Dear Santa swathes the yearning vocals in delicate chiming piano, shimmering strings and cascading wintry sound effects that conjure up images of elegant snow-laden wonderlands gazed at out of an icy window. A musical Christmas card right in your stereo. Have Yourself A Merry Christmas ~ this confirms my suspicion that LUTW is a musical just waiting to happen. This take on the Judy Garland number is very faithful to the original and transports you back to the simpler times of 40s & 50s Hollywood musicals. The piano work is positively mesmerising whilst the shuffling percussion gives the instrumental a jazz tinged feel. The collective vocals, particularly as they sing "through the years we all will be together", are one last final, uplifting hug before this revised tracklisting brings the album to a close.

STEPSOGRAP

PHY: ALBUMS

Steps fan Michael S. takes a look back at Steps' 5xplatinum selling debut album,

1998 saw the release of the Step One album, one of the first albums that I ever owned, bought for me on cassette tape for the christmas of 1998. The first glimpse of what they had to offer as a band.

sees Lee placed firmly up front and centre on the verses, a position he would not be granted again until 2000's Buzz album. This cheeky uptempo track helped catapult the group into the nation's subconscious and although it failed to make the top 10 it has the accolade for highest selling single of the 90s not to reach the top 10. Not an instant favourite of mine but the novelty charm of it gives it an annoying endearing charm. One For Sorrow - Claire's anthem, it's easy to see why this caused friction between the band members with Claire gaining lead vocal rights to the 90's answer to I Will Survive is without a doubt an instant classic and if it hadn't been released against the Manic Street Preachers it could have easily made #1. Whilst not my favourite track it's staying power and power punch it packs are undeniable.

Heartbeat - The first half of the double a-side that would land Steps their first #1 single in the UK. A more mature side to Steps was offered on this track which made a welcome change after the line dance-esque debut and perky PWL/SAW influenced follow ups. Doubled with Tragedy for the first period, I much prefer this half of the double A-Side as it is often underrated even if the video is cheesier then a 70's party with a cheese and pineapple hedgehog. Also after the clairefest of One For Last Thing On My Mind - So here is where the Sorrow it's nice to hear all three ladies take a album starts properly, with the song that share of the lead vocals. Bananarama failed to make a hit but in the This Heart Will Love Again - The first non hands of Steps was a top 10 smash in 1998. single on the album. It backs a punch although Full of their instant charm, it's not hard to see it feels like it is lacking something to make it why this was the start of run of 14 top 10 consecutive hits. The perky pop stylings of Pete truly amazing. Its' definitely a highlight on the album but when it is sat against such giants as Waterman are evident on this track and it is One For Sorrow and Heartbeat it is never going easily my favourite track from their debut to take the gold. offering. Steptro - A pulsating intro track which nicely segues into the first proper track, It actually sounds like a heart beating in anticipation which is probably what most Steps fans were going through when it first came out. Would the album deliver? What style would the album be? Would there be another 5,6,7,8 lurking on the album? A nice enough track but in the grand scheme of things it has always felt unnecessary.

5,6,7,8 - Where their journey began back in 1997, taking advantage of the country and western/line dance craze that was sweeping the nation for whatever reason but hey we all have our crosses to bear. A track that 48

Experienced - Oh dear. Where to begin with this one. The gospel like production backing vocals, the lyrics laced in lies. Purely awful. Would it have worked better with Lee? Unlikely, there were better b-sides like Why?

Back To You - A rather jaunty little track that although rather forgettable, wouldn't sound too out of place on either of Kylie's first 2 albums. It's pleasant enough and could have Too Weak To Resist - Quite why there are two potentially done well if they had wanted a 6th H solos back to back on the album is a mystery single but probably a good job that they didn't. (aside from the obvious) at least this one is a vast improvement on Experienced, mind you Love U More - Just before the album's close, that's not a difficult task. This definitely feels the group ramp up the energy levels with this more sincere than the previous effort. Whilst high energy dance-pop number which is seen by it's not a masterpiece it does make for a good many as a highlight from the album. It does album filler. stand out on the album due to the lack of any other tracks sounding similar, however it Better Best Forgotten - After the downbeat definitely feels needed on the album. I can take pace of the previous tracks, Faye takes us up a this track or leave it. notch or 10 with this late 90's perky dance-pop number with the help of Claire and Lisa. It's Stay With Me - An album wouldn't be an easy to see why this was deemed the best album if it didn't end with a ballad and Step One is no exception. The pace is drastically reduced candidate for the final single. Such a shame it from the fast paced Love U More when Faye was kept off of the top spot, although at the and Lisa take on this brooding pop-ballad. time of release I was obsessed with it's b-side, Whilst not earth shattering, it feels like the Why? perfect way to close the first glimpse into the and A Love To Last that could have replaced this. Has anyone actually made it through to the end?

STEPTACU

ULAR

Steps fan Gareth Jones takes us on a track by track journey through Steps' second album

The brightness of a nice sunny summer with Stetsons and yellow outfits had well and truly gone, and with the autumn looming, after begging the powers that be – or at least the powers that paid the bills – to phone up and subscribe to the Steps: Live In Your Living Room broadcast on Sky, and them giving in to do so – the release of the anticipated follow up album to Step One, “Steptacular” coincided with the broadcast. Between the introduction of Love’s got a hold of my heart/Last thing on my mind and When I said goodbye, when Faye screams “and today it went number one!” I take full credit for going out on release day to buy it – it was lucky in pre-internet shopping days that I had a dentist appointment! Thankfully.

here!) presented by Andi Peters – at first listen it wasn’t the catch-fest that One For Sorrow was – but 18 years on and they are on par – joint second in the singles discography in my opinion! I’ll never forget being jealous of a few friends who went to the Top Of Anyway, on the way The Pops recording of the After home – the glitter the love performance – it was holographic logo on the in Swansea, so just up the cover was dying to burst through road!! After the second the cellophane(?) and it wasn’t verse and instrumental break – long before the introductory riffs with a high karate kick thrown into the of “Tragedy” with maximum bass routine for good measure – it was a was playing in the car. Tragedy return to the height of the summer needed no introduction – almost of ’99 – for the quintessential every performance on TV when it Steps single – and my all time wasn’t the new single that needed favourite – Love’s Got a Hold on promoting - was Tragedy – and I can’t my heart. have been the only one who had my own home made headmic on while watching the fab five on their promo The best ever “track 3” on any original studio album by Steps – even though “It jaunts!! May Be Winter Outside” might possibly pip 5678, Summer Of Love and Story Of Tragedy was followed by After The A Heart to claim the second place! My Love has Gone, One For Sorrow’s long favourite EVER performance of Loves lost sister, and while the video was Got a Hold on my Heart was on SMTV – exclusively shown on a half-hour it opened the show and Ant & Dec documentary behind the scenes of were told by Cat to get in Steps – midthe US Britney tour, (there was no way through the performance the mention of Britney’s private jet Geordie duo kidnapped H & Lee

and were ‘in Steps’ for the next minute and a half! Everything about this track worked – of all the close number 2 positions Steps claimed in the charts – Loves Got A Hold on My heart was the number 1 song that never was. Track 4 – was Say You’ll Be Mine – not everyone’s cup of tea – but the first time we got to hear a proper solo line from Lee – they still remain few and far between, but 28 years on, some would correctly argue that his voice is more “pop vocal” than H’s. The cringeworthy tribute to 6 big movies still remains to be one of the worst promotional videos during the 20 years of Steps – showed exclusively on the Live In your living room broadcast which would come later that week – remember I’m still listening in the car! The reworking of the track for the Christmas With Steps tour – though – did wonders – and theres still a piece of me thinking how the hell did both Say you’ll be mine and After the love has gone miss out on the “Ultimate” tour setlist.

opener to the Steptacular tour – and mixed into a sleazesisters medley almost as the opener of the Gold Tour – Deeper Shade Of Blue is a fan favourite – despite in my eyes being one of the most overplayed. In the days of reunion number 1, the shade of blue was prominent and one of the tracks Steps performed the most in their few promotional appearances! It worked! The Ultimate Collection was number 1, and the Ultimate tour sold out! PLUS – Sony Music were laughing all the way to the bank!

Straight upstairs and the CD was straight into the CD player and skipped to track 8 – the second Bananarama track for them to cover (after turning Last Thing On My Mind into a hit!) was Movin ‘On – it didn’t deter much from the original, and packed a punch just as well as their second single had done – it was the first track which used the Faye & Claire vocals prominently – an equation that works – as so many of their singles prove – but if After The Love Has Gone was One It was a change of pace for track 5 For Sorrow’s long lost sister track.. Never Say Never Again (Track 9) could – I think its love – Clara took lead vocals with H interfering every so often claim to be just that for Love’s Got a hold… still one of my all-time Steps – a lush track, vocally more “Light album tracks. When I Said Goodbye Up The World” maybe than was another H & Claire led track – H “Steptacular” but Claire’s moment this time taking control of the first verse to shine, before “Make It Easy On and second bridge – rather than just Me” was certainly Lisa’s opportunity to the ad-libs on Claire’s solo – but shine on album number 2. I still don’t despite not really know why “Just Like The First Time” was left off the UK edition of the album, but while most were expecting Make it easy on me to be Lisa’s Solo track o the Next Step tour – we would be even more thrilled with her non-album track. Track 7 marked the half-way point of the album – and this is when I arrived home! The car engine had to be left running until Deeper Shade Of Blue was complete – as the emphatic

being a typical “Steps” track, When I said Goodbye was the last single to be taken from the Steptacular era – on a double A side with “Summer Of Love” – with the ballad allowing us to hear Steps’ live vocals (which we hadn’t really heard before).

A little nod to tragedy perhaps in the background, adds a little tempo to an otherwise dull track – before closing the album out with, on first listen, the album’s weakest track “You're Everything That Matters To Me”! As time went on, a pattern in I Surrender was another Clara/ albums emerged, start Faye led track – which Claire later with a pre-released single went on to perform as her solo track (i.e Tragedy here, and Better The Devil on the “Steptacular” tour – again, You Know on Buzz), but each album like Never Say Never Again, closed with a killer ballad too, that this track sits easily in the most casual Steps fans would not top 5 album tracks Steps have thought possible of 5 head-mic have recorded. Since You wearing, miming popstars, but Stay Took Your Love Away was next – With Me (Step One), You're Everything vocally and technically similar to I to Me That Matters and If You Believe Think its love – but with Faye (Buzz) would turn those cheesy smiled taking the reigns from Claire fivesome into credible vocal artists! and H on ad-libs. Faye performed this track LIVE on the Next Step Tour – it wasn’t her What an album – an era that was finest hour – but my favourite “Gold” for Steps – before Buzz, the member she can do no harm! greatest hits, and the un-ravelling of one of the 90s biggest pop artists! Whether they were cool or credible My Best Friend’s Girl had appeared as (they clearly weren’t!) didn’t matter – a B-side on the After The Love Has whatever they tried to achieve Gone single – and is a nice enough worked, and Steptacular remains to track, but I think To be Your Hero be their finest piece of work as a would have fitted better if the powers whole! that be wanted a boys (or H!) led track.

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I GET A B-B-B

BUZZ

Michael S. returns to take a look at would become Steps' last studio album for 11 years

Their last original album of their first run. The album had an odd feeling to it. With 2 tracks being double a-sides with Steptacular singles and 5 songs co-written by the band themselves, it was a move forward but was it a step too far?

single so felt old. Whilst a great summer party track it's hard to say whether this was the album's true lead single or Stomp. Such a great energy on this track, it's a shame it couldn't have charted higher. It's The Way You Make Me Feel - On it's original release I loathed this track. It felt too twee and sickly sweet and I was bitter that You'll Be Sorry wasn't getting a single release at that point. However, over the years I have mellowed to it and thoroughly love it now. The video is one of their classics and both song and video see them mature and give a glimpse of what could be. The vocals are shared nicely between the members, even Lee can be heard more clearly on this track comapred to others. You'll Be Sorry - Such an amazing track, this i why I love Steps because their songs were not like S Club 7 where everything was fun and happy and everything was going to be ok, Steps had light and shade and their songs weren't afraid to say life is a bit crap but hey you'll learn to deal with it. Such an infectious melody too. One of their top 3 tracks in my opinion.

Better The Devil You Know - Their cover of the #2 Kylie classic has divided opinion over the years but few can deny that their version is in keeping with their sound and feels like an instant Steps classic. It always goes down well. First performed on their Next Step tour, the positive reaction prompted it's single release. It is such an energetic track that never fails to put a smile on my face. Stomp - The 2nd of Steps 2 number ones. One it's initial release, I loved this track, although over time it now feels like a cheap and annoying track that didn't really deserve to be number one when far better songs struggled. The perky 70's disco funk infused track is infectious and was the most obvious choice to launch the album with. Summer Of Love - Steps go latino(ish). By the time of the album's release, Summer Of Love had already couple When I Said Goodbye as a 58

Learn To Love Again - H's solo track. A rather odd track, an uptempo ballad whose instrumental track wouldn't sound out of place on a car advert. I Never Get Over You - Lisa's solo track carries on from H's brooding track but adds a disco eurodance beat. Full of heartbreak, surely the blueprint for Tears On The Dancefloor? Hand On Your Heart - A big powerful ballad from Claire for her solo. I must confess, I have never liked this and find it dull and dreary. Dont get me wrong the sentiment of the track is heartwarming but the spoken "telephone" part just feels dull and naff. Happy Go Lucky - If Lucky by Britney Spears took illegal drugs, this would probably be the results. Very sugary sweet and does feel like it's opening a US section with this, Buzzz and Here And Now. One of the worst tracks on this album.

Buzzz - This does sound very Britney and is probably one of the tracks Claire discusses in her autobiography as being unhappy with, hence why her vocals are practically no existant on the track along with H's. The Hand Claire duo allowed their fellow band members Lisa, Lee and Faye take up duties on this US electro bubble gum number. It's nice that they dusted Lee off for this though even if it feels like a pity track.

Turn Around - Lee's co-write. Poor Lee, even when his bandmates get to sing solo on their co-written tracks, Faye is brought along for the ride. Whilst their vocals suit each other nicely, it would have been nice for Lee to get his moment to shine like the others. Bizarrely at the time of release, it felt like it could have been a single on hindsight that is madness. A great uptempo track to counteract the final 2 ballads.

Here And Now - I LOATHED this track with a passion when it was really as I felt You'll Be Sorry should have been the focus for promotion and performances. Whilst I have mellowed to it slightly, I am still not overly fond of it. Whilst it remains a fan favourite by the time of it's release, it felt like an after thought. It's a pleasant enough track although it feels like it was shoe horned onto the album specifically to be a single.

Wouldn't Hurt So Bad - A ballad that wouldn't have sounded out of place on Step One. Would have made a good early single but by this point it feels slightly awkward.

Paradise Lost - The single that never was. Such a different style from Steps, this track always stood out from the day of release. It was like nothing else they had ever released. It felt fresh and alive and a perfect vehicle to move forward. Alas it was not meant to be. The chilled middle east meets Spain vibe is perfect for lazy summer days by the pool.

If You Believe - A very classic Disney style ballad that feel TOTALLY out of place in Steps hands let alone on this pick 'n' mix album called Buzz. If it wasn't for Experienced this would be their worst track. Sorry Faye, I love you but no! Human Touch - Although only a bonus track in selected countries, this has bags of fun and energy that could have easily lifted Buzz nicely. It would have placed some of the filler quite nicely. Could have made a decent single, made they should have carried it over to the greatest hits in place of the dire Only In My Dreams. Mars And Venus - Another bonus track in the USA, unlike Human Touch this is a rather forgettable and bland ballad that goes nowhere and deserves it's bonus track status.

a w I s g n i h t e h t Of all this was the

G N I H T T S LA

r o f g n i n n a l p r as eve

D N I M Y M G ON A chance twitter plea from a journalist gave Jess the chance to meet her idols. Re-read the original article here

In the year 2011 it sprang few greater musical surprises than Steps' comeback: just when the group seemed destined to be a garishly coloured footnote in 1990s pop-culture history, the newly reformed band stormed back into the limelight with a reality TV show and a greatesthits album that got to number one. But perhaps it's always been easy to underestimate these avowedly uncool popsters, whose passionate fanbase includes trainee teacher Jessica Druett. Jessica got into the band in 1998 when given their debut album for Christmas. Soon enough, singles and DVDs were collected, dance routines were learnt, and posters were plastered across bedroom walls. When the group split in

2001, she says, "It felt like part of my childhood had gone." The one thing I didn't get to do first time around was see them live; now, though, sheâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s determinedly making up for lost time by going to six dates on their new tour. When we speak, she is working hard on a scrapbook to present to them at the Manchester concert, comprised of photos and thank-you messages from members of the Ultimate Steps fan website. These fans have become just as important to Jessica as the band themselves; over the past decade, she has developed online and offline friendships with fellow devotees from Birmingham to Scotland. Not that the world of Steps fandom is wholly sweetness and light, with

debates kicking off on subjects such as the sound quality of the band's new live CDs. "But when we were teenagers, we definitely used to argue a lot more," she says. "I think all of us have grown up."

it's Claire [far right in the picture], without a doubt. "A lot of the messages in the phonebook are for her, and I think that's because she's such an amazing role model. She's been up and down with everything, and has such an amazing voice."

As Jessica sees it, the band's continuing appeal lies in their Taken from The Independent "nostalgic, old-school vibe" and Newspaper May 2012 an unabashed sense of fun. Then, of course, there's the dancing. "In Newcastle, I turned around [to the audience] and got a great photo of everyone doing [the routine] for 'One for Sorrow'. There's something really cool about seeing all these people doing the same moves." As for her favourite member, she says

Jess, York The first Steps single I purchased was: One For Sorrow The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One My Favourite Steps single is: Here & Now

"I loved the dance to it and loved how the video was portrayed. It was part of my teenage years and I remember dancing to Here and Now in my bedroom!" Favourite member of Steps: Claire Favourite tour: Gold...but weâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;ll see what Party on the Dancefloor brings! 63

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ALL NIGHT NOW... As they embark on a brand new 22 date tour this week, Steps fan Matt Lawrence takes a look back at some of the biggest parties in town...

TONIGHT IS THE NIGHT

Of Our Lives

With over 1 million tickets sold, the 'Biggest UK Pop tour'' in history, and a special BRIT Award for the Best British Live Act it's not difficult to see why a live Steps show is a Steptacular experience Throughout their amazing career Steps achieved many things, one of the most notable aspects is their phenomenal tours. Starting with an simple affair â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Step One Tour. The tour took place in small venues such as theatres and was used to promote their debut album Step One. Despite the smaller venues Steps still put on a steptacular show and set the tone for what was to come. Following hot on itâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s footsteps (see what I did there ;P) was The Next Step tour. This was Steps first venture into an arena show and what a show it was! Split into three sections, Carnival, Space and Garden they showcased some tracks from their 2nd album Steptacular including When I Said Goodbye, Deeper Shade Of Blue and Say You'll Be Mine which all went on to become singles. The 31st October 68

Manchester show was broadcast live on Sky Box Office and included an iconic performance of ghostbusters and was later released on VHS as "The Next Step Live", which also included some backstage footage of the show. At the time the Next Step Tour was the biggest UK pop tour in history. Upping the ante once again we were treated to The Steptacular Tour, the show which really raised the bar and set Steps apart from the rest. Using many extraordinary techniques including pyrotechnics & aero apparatus we were truly treated to an amazing performance which again showcased songs from the up coming album Buzz. On the back of the success of the tour 5 Additional full scale open-air concerts were later added.

Next we have the elusive Steps into Christmas tour, which had by far the most iconic opening to a show ever â&#x20AC;&#x201C; The Steps dolls coming to life (a secret wish we all had!) Once again performed throughout arenas, it included many fun and festive elements (A castle, A castle!) in particular a notable performance of All I Want For Christmas by Lisa. Sadly no official recordings of what is arguably many Steps fans favourite tour is available. Steps fifth arena tour Gold: Greatest Hits marked their biggest and best show to date, despite being an amazing celebration of everything they had already achieved in their four years this tour was tinged with sadness as it became Steps last for eleven years. The final show in Manchester was recorded for a TV broadcast and a DVD/VHS later entitled "The End Of The Road" which was released 25 November 2002,

almost a year after the split of the group. Throughout the concert members of the group were seen upset and sometimes crying; it was later revealed in 2012 prior to this, Claire and H had unfortunately informed fellow members Faye, Lee and Lisa that they would be leaving the group. April 2012 marked the return of Steps with 'The Ultimate Tour'. As previously the tour supports the band's current album release, The Ultimate Collection. It was the group's first concert tour in 11 years. The initial dates sold out instantly of their general release, leading the band to announce six further dates. The tour used innovative technology such as a giant interactive video screen. The screen is used interactively by the band. The use of pyrotechnics was enhanced with the group becoming fire handlers. We also see a nod to a previous tour with Steps once again coming to life in 69

their opening number. The show truly marked a celebration of the world’s greatest pop band. Once again due to the astounding success of the shows, Dates were once again added for music festivals over the summer of that year. At the time of writing we have our final tour outing for the glorious group, Christmas With Steps. This marked a return to Steps initial days, with the shows taking place once again in theatres providing a more intimate experience. They used a stripped back performance and for the first time had a live band to accompany them. Once more the shows supported the group’s current album release at the time – Light Up The World. As well as songs from the current album the setlist of the concert included many fan favourites and also hits that Steps unfortunately did not perform as part of The Ultimate Tour. A rather amusing inclusion to the show was a

question and answer session during the second half of the show. Audience members posted questions for the band into a silver post box located in the lobby of each theatre. The box was taken onto the stage during the second act and the band pulled questions out at random to answer. Also included was a ballad performance of Better Best Forgotten which can only be described as pure beauty. Party On The Dancefloor. I truly am at a real loss for words with this one. I don’t think any of us ever thought we’d get to see a Steps concert again let alone one of this absolute pure brilliance. From its

Harry Potter inspired dementor styled opening right through to the bridal gowns Steps really do now how to put on show. The band express a much more mature, almost sexy, style whilst making very clear nods to their camp, fun reputation. The setlist fantastically showcasing Steps great new material whilst cramming in as many of those classics (with a few amazing surprises) beautifully remained by the superb talent that is Mr Steve Anderson. I honestly cannot express just how

glorious this production is. I feel I need to acknowledge just how genuinely happy Claire, Faye, H, Lee and Lisa are to be their doing this together again. Also those fortunate enough to be at Wembley how cute were the children - Steps the next generation! Thank you to Steps for providing us with many wonderfully, fabulous performances and opportunities to lose our selfâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s in an amazing world of pure entertainment, enjoyment and fun. Then, Now, Always.

ARE YOU READY TO PARTY AGAIN? PRE ORDER NOW www.liveherenow.com/steps

REVIEW

All Of Me Avid reader & Steps Fan Rachel Phillips reviews Claire's autobiography Firstly you should know; I am a huge fan of steps. I’ve seen them many times on tour, I’ve met them various times and Claire has always been my favourite. I’m very protective of her if people are mean. I also have this vision of her that perhaps is clouded by what Claire has allowed us to see in the past and what I have wanted to see of her myself. I know she’s no angel (she did leave steps duh!) and I also know she’s human. But I had so many fears about reading her autobiography. I didn’t want my view of Claire to change, I kinda didn’t want to know all the juicy details behind the split. I just didn’t want my idol, changing everything I grew up believing. Stupid isn’t it? So I brought this book when it was released in paperback. I wanted it to add to my ‘steps’ collection. I never had any intention of reading it, I just didn’t want to know. Obviously I changed my mind… The book is very easy to read. It pretty much starts with Steps’ being backstage in Belfast on the opening night of their reunion tour. Then goes through the journey of Claire’s life. From her first dreams of 72

fame in the made up group ‘Sindy Swingers’ (Claire was a kid), to being in the girl group TSD (I own the singles too!) and then onto Steps. Her trials and tribulations in the group, splitting up, her marriages and her battle with food. It’s jam packed with the lot. From a personal level I could relate to a lot of what Claire said, only her personal life mind. Steps is a whole other ball game. But I realised I’m very much alike Claire. She’s a Leo (me too!), but whilst Leos are shown to be fierce and loud, there’s another side to us, and thats the quiet, kinda uh-oh side. I hate confrontation, and I’m also very much happier to stay in rather than go out all the time. I’m very family orientated too. I reacted the exact same way that Claire did when my parents split up. And i felt so drawn to Claire and her experiences. Okay there was some stuff I didn’t want to know. I’m not prudish, but I don’t really want to hear my favourite pop star talk about sex. I don’t know why, it just seemed wrong haha! But heyho, it’s natural. It’s nice to know there

are people out there who have morals. Plus i did have to giggle when she said ‘i’ve only ever slept with two people in my life and I married them both!’ It tickled me. If you are looking for any gossip on the split, it’s not there. This is Claire’s story. You read what built up to it, and why Claire handed in her resignation but theres not a lot of bitchiness in it. It does give you an insight to the struggles of a very successful british group. It’s very scary. No matter what anyone thinks, we never know everything and we never will. Even with a tell all book. It’s not about Steps. It’s about Claire. Claire’s battle with food and her weight plays a huge part in the book. After her voice it’s probably what she’s known for which is stupid. It has to be very hard to go from one extreme, of feeling the biggest out of three girls (which is so wrong because I’d have done anything to have a tummy like Claires!) to having everyone in the press writing utter crap about something that every woman battles with. Not technically to

the same extremes, but god this world is cruel. This book is honest. I never actually thought Claire would ever release something like this, because she always seemed the most private of the steppers. And I kinda liked that. But perhaps releasing this, it’s put a stop to all the stupid questions and shut some people up. Claire will always be one of my idols. I have all the time in the world for her and I’m so very glad she’s back singing. I’ve missed her voice so much. She’s a huge inspiration to girls everywhere with her just ‘i don’t care anymore’ attitude. Claire came out from everything she has been through, fighting, thanks to her family, gorgeous babies and even fans sticking by her. And I don’t think anyone deserved it more. I only hope Ms Clara one day realizes just how wonderful she truly is. You don't have to be a fan of steps to read this. I’d say it’s certainly more aimed at girls, who will relate to Claire more than they think.

STEPS Play the unofficial top trumps game* not available in shops

*college project created by Steps fan Sally Briars 73

MAKE MY HEART

Go Boom

We challenged Matt Lawrence to review every Steps video in 2 sentences or less!

5678 A fun cheesy video

YELLOW YELLOW!!!

that doesn’t take its self too seriously a perfect fit for the song also Lee shirtless.

After The Love Has Gone MI5

Last Thing On My Mind Very questionable styling with this one and not much of a story to be fair although this is all forgiven due to Lee in speedos

One For Sorrow A beautiful video shot in

Steps at your service. A delightful oriental theme which fits perfectly with the melody of the song. Say You'll Be Mine Once again we are treated to some amazing green screen work. The costume choices and acting for this video are beyond camp, such fun!

the south of France, complete with angst Better The Devil You Know Our first to mirror those lyrics and the beginning concert footage video from Steps, it of the matching colour scheme does exactly what it says on the tin Heartbeat Green screen at its best! Also however a special mention has to go out are we sure they had cast the wicked to the red pvc and devil horns! Queen correctly... ;) Deeper Shade Of Blue Another foray Tragedy An idea borrowed from the into the world of pvc for Steps, movie the graduate for this one. admittedly looking somewhat like Everyone looking amazing from dress’ to flight attendants! I’m sure everyone suits, also hello Pete Waterman! agrees we are all totally on board Better Best Forgotten The first of many with the alter egos and welcome blue affairs, another silly romp that back to shirtless Lee doesn’t take its self too seriously despite When I Said Goodbye The setting, those melancholic lyrics. tone, visual aesthetic of this whole Love's Got A Hold On video is just perfect..

My Heart

A chase around cannes to rescue the film we all wanted to see – STEPS the movie. Everyone looked gorgeous in this video and it’s the colour scheme that is always referred to by the group, YELLOW 74

Summer Of Love Good Steps VS Bad Steps, a theme borrowed from West Side Story. Welcome back to Faye dreads – another great video fitting so well with the melody and themes to the song. Is it wrong I’d rather we kept bad Steps.... ;)

Stomp Steps living the celebrity lifestyle

and getting their party on getting their party on! Very questionable style choices with this one again, looking at you Miss blue hair and blue braces!

It's The Way You Make Me Feel Downton Abbey before it even existed! Another magnificent example of how their videos really told a story.

Here And Now Steps visit Hampton court for the day! A notable shift in direction of video style for Steps acknowledging their maturing sound.

Baby Don't Dance I am aware that technically we were never really going to get anything other than concert footage for this one given the circumstances however in my opinion I feel it works so well with the song, simple yet effective.

Scared Of The Dark – Welcome back Steps on so many levels, looking stunning , incredible song with a fantastic video that manages to incorporate every aspect of who they are, colour theme, dance routine whilst embracing their mature status.

Story Of A Heart A video that warms the heart despite the melancholic lyrics which the lush vocals suite so well. Also can we please acknowledge Claire in her steptacular tour coat, phenomenal lady.

You'll Be Sorry Where are the competition winners!? An odd choice as intended to be a brother/sister for H&N and you couldn’t really get further apart!

Neon Blue Three words – Well Done Lee

Dancing With A Broken Heart This

has everything the sound, the look, the story however in my opinion it Words Are Not Enough An animated just wasn’t quite executed in the affair due to the Gold tour. A right way. Not a bad video just not dramatic tale of Steps once again quite right. needing to rescue one of their Long may these wonderful own. I wonder if it’s Tim Byrne creations, bring on the next twenty under that hooded cloak ;) years I Know Him So Well I must admit I feel a bit robbed on this one, such a lovely song that needed an equally lovely video and not just stock video footage!

It s The Way You M 76

Make Me Feel

4 Steps fans tell us about their Steps experiences.

AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO

Put Up A Fight

Fan Gem Taylor, tells Just Like The First time she was late to the party on the dancefloor, as she discovered Steps 19 years later... Yes 19 years after they officially formed, I became a Steps fan! It’s strange to think really, as they weren’t in the public eye when I became a fan, it was during my summer half term after my final year of secondary school. I had so much time to spare in the mornings I decided to put on the MTV music channels to play in the house, the specific channel being MTV Classic as 90’s pop music seemed to be very common on this channel and since I was sick of a lot of today’s music I decided it was the best channel to listen to. As you can imagine, Steps appeared on this channel a lot, specifically their classic tune Tragedy, which I used to be a big fan of as a child, but I never knew about Steps back then. After hearing the song, a numerous amount of times every morning, I decided to do google the band, learn their names at least and research about how they formed and when they split since none of my family knew much about them. Soon enough, I became addicted to them and started watching tons of videos of them on YouTube, mainly their performances and interviews. Watching them sing and dance in perfect sync got me 78

hooked, maybe because I am a big fan of the video game Just Dance which follows a similar formula to Steps. My first CD of theirs I got was their Ultimate Collection CD released in 2012 and I didn’t know many of their songs at this point so listening to all their best hits made me realise how good their music is. After having this summer half term obsession with Steps, I started my A levels, one of them being Media. Conveniently, the coursework for this subject was to do a 30 Minute Radio Show based on anything and I decided to do 90’s Pop Groups as I was also familiar with others like S Club 7, Take That and Spice Girls. However, we had to do this project in groups, but I managed to convince these people I didn’t know at all to go along with my idea! We all decided to specialise with one pop group each, with me of course representing Steps. From this I discovered even more information

about the group that I didn’t know before and I ended up watching the dramatic reunion series on YouTube which gives a much better perspective into their breakup and what they were doing 10 years on. At the time of creating this Radio Show there was speculation of Steps reuniting for their 20-year anniversary. Because of this, I started to check each members twitter account everyday seeing if there were any clues, but they all did a pretty good job keeping it a secret. When they had confirmed they reunited on New Year’s Day this year I was so excited, and it came at the perfect time!

unsigned copy of their new album, which I think is brilliant, particularly the songs Happy and Glitter & Gold! I have also started collecting their older stuff like their books, CD singles and albums, which will be tough to complete as I have learnt that there are some rare ones, like the brilliant “Baby Don’t Dance” CD single. Listening to Steps has also gotten me into remixes as a lot of Steps songs have a remixed version, with my favourites being the You’ll Be Sorry WIP Remix and the Deeper Shade of Blue Sleazesisters Remix. My 18th Birthday has just gone this November and I made sure that alongside a signed Faye deluxe CD and a Glitter & Gold vinyl that one of my So, a few months on I finished my first presents was Steps concert tickets. I year of A levels and got an A in my had to get my Dad to order them on Media, so I can thank Steps for some of the very first presale so that we would that! Throughout the year I have been have decent seats! So, I will be going to watching all the performances and see Steps at Liverpool on the 18th of interviews Steps have done on TV and November which will be the first arena social media. I’ve made a couple of concert I will go to. Like many Steps YouTube videos about them like a lyric fans, I have been watching their video for the single that never was, concert DVD’s for preparation for this Paradise Lost and a Top 10 Steps tour and I cannot wait to go! Songs video. I got one signed and one

Phil, Bristol The first Steps single I purchased was: One For Sorrow The first Steps album I purchased was: Step One My Favourite Steps single is: One For Sorrow

"It

defines Steps, their music & style "

Favourite member of Steps: Claire Favourite tour: Steptacular Tour 79

YOU CAN NEVER MAKE ME There was a danger of talking TOO much about a band that has been such a big part in my life, from memories of gigs, to my favourite interviews and all the highs and lows in between. So I kept it down to 8. I used to LIVE on Ultimate Steps and Official site Message Boards and I am so thankful for them existing so I could meet like minded people from around the world. It's time to begin, so count it in....

Love Yo

4 - My mum certainly wouldn't have allowed the random, totally unplanned day of 'Lets Follow Steps for a Day' including a CD signing to a Christmas Light Switch On. Now, as I have recently moved to London, spontaneous 'Find Where Steps Are Appearing' is a common activity. 5 - My first ever Steps meeting was with a friend from the US message board (Flump) when we went to see Lee in Grease. I've pretty much seen all of their theatre endeavours since....

1 - Going to the Step One Tour in Plymouth in 1999. Then going back there to see Steps on their first night Christmas Tour in 2013 with my best friends from school who 6 - But the first time I met H (who has also shared a mutual love! It felt like I had been, and will always be my Number 1) come full circle. I also dressed up as a was at Rhinestone Mondays. I didn't think Christmas Tree.. (They said to go wearing Festive Jumpers - I just had to go that one my H Fangirl Life would get better until... extra step...) 7 - The #TeamH Madness. Sure - I'll just help set up a social media campaign, That morning I (actually almost physically) order t-shirts and head up to London bumped into H as he was going shopping every week to go to the Live Filming of around the mall earlier. I think I had a panic attack outside M&S when I realised Tumble. No Problem! who I almost rammed into...

It was the first time I met PoohBear (Jo) from the boards even though we've been chatting for a long time before. What was more shocking for me is being known by NAME to H even a few years later. My 12 year old self would have NEVER dreamed of this happening.

2 - One of the best, and most defining memories of being a Steps Fan was our performance at 8 - From Best Friends at school through Plymstock School to online friends, this has been a journey Year 11 Leavers not travelled alone. Thank you all. Talent Show of a Chain Reaction/ Casualty sketch. We included cheesy medical jokes such as this classic "5,6,7,8 Stand Clear! - I can hear a Heartbeat". I wish it was filmed. It was before the days of YouTube - else it would have been a sure hit :P 3 - I used to have MAJOR teenage strops because my mother would never allow me to go to any arena tours. I made up for it now in my 30's... HA!!

H-Aholic Nic Williams

ou More I first saw steps on tTV preforming 5678 and from then on I started liking them, I'd save my pocket money each week to buy the new cd when it came out. I'd buy every music magazine published in the hopes Steps were in it. My alarm would be set for 8am each Saturday morning so I could get up to watch SM:TV or Live and Kicking. I never had internet access till after the split. I saw them in concert once in Dublin in 2000, I was sitting ion the balcony and the more H told everyone to get up and dance, all up on balcony were told by security to sit back down. I then begged to go to see the Gold tour but as it wasn't coming to Dublin my parents refused but they eventually relented and I got to go see it at Wembley. I wasn't impressed when I was made to leave during the encore to "beat the queues". I found out about the split on the radio on my way to a family party On St. Stephan's day, I was devastated and refused to believe it, I spent the whole night sitting in one of the bedrooms listening to my cassette tapes on my Walkman. Once I got access to the internet I joined all the forums I could but I rarely posted as I was and still am very shy! This eventually turned into joining twitter and then Facebook after the Ultimate Tour.

I went to the Ultimate Tour in Dublin and a day or 2 before the show I decided I wanted to do a Meet & Greet, so after a few phone calls I was sorted, this was the very 1st time I met them and the 1st time I attended a show where I had my own money to buy merchandise as I hadn't been allowed any on previous tours other than one t shirt at the Gold tour. I was really nervous when meeting them and barely spoke but I loved every second of it. After the Christmas tour was announced and some gentle persuading from Sarah Pips I decided to fly over to Glasgow alone to see it with her. This show I also decided I'd do Meet & Greet I had never met another steps fan until my last year in school when I was putting my locker keys in my school bag and a girl standing by the wall asked if that was Steps on my keyring. But after I left school I didn't meet any more till I joined the websites. Through my love of steps I've made many friends online though I've met very few, I do hope to meet more. I've made several trips across to Sarah to see different members in different shows. If it wasn't for these sites I wouldn't have any friends at all. I've got to see places and got the courage to do things alone. I hope I can continue making friends through Steps and I hope to meet some more of the ones I've already made.

Karen, Ireland 81

AND NOW IT'S TOO LATE TO

Put Up A Fight

As a young child growing up I always loved music and at the tender age of six I became one of the many fans to become part of the Steptacular army. One night while watching Top of the Pops in August 1998 I was introduced to a group that not only was their routines fun and exciting but their music was catchy. Yes I am talking about the best pop group ever…STEPS. The first song I actually heard of theirs was ‘One for Sorrow’ which to this very day is a firm favourite of mine and with an iconic routine to match. From the moment I clapped eyes on Faye, Claire, Lisa, Lee and H I instantly fell in love and at a young age I began to follow everything about them.

As time went on I always asking my mum to get me the singles, albums, videos and it is with great pleasure my first ever single was Heartbeat/Tragedy so I had to start somewhere. So as time went on I always made sure to grab every poster, videotape as many 82

performances and get any piece of merchandise I could get my hands on. For myself, Steps were just more than a pop group they were my music icons who always put a smile on my face, made me think positively and that there is nothing wrong in being fabulous and unique. In time like any other fan, I wanted to go and see them and I fondly remember seeing them for the first time on the Steptacular Tour in the King’s Hall, Belfast on the 6th June 2000. I remember my mum giving me an envelope on my way to school and telling myself to open it and it was tickets for the concert. I was ecstatic, at eight years of age I was going to see my heroes live on stage. When the night of the concert arrived and I went with my mum and my older sister and I was beaming and dying to get into the venue. However, I remember getting told off to stand on the floor because I was so small I stood on the chair…well I wanted a great glimpse of my favourite group from far away. The concert itself was amazing and it had made me realise how much I loved music and theatre and with that I was so happy that they have brought myself so much happiness. Fast forward to that Christmas and it was an exciting Christmas, reason being it was filled with so much Steps stuff (from videos, stationery and calendars to name but a few). I felt I

was in cloud nine. As time went on and I often wondered when I would see Steps again, sadly at this moment I couldn’t as tickets sold out quickly for the Gold Tour in 2001.

When the concert came round I remember the phenomenal entrance they made in the glass tubes and it was fun and great from start to finish and all I kept thinking was ‘My Heroes are back’.

With all the fun aside roll on to 2017 and like many fans I cannot believe that Steps are 20 years old this year. When they released ‘Scared of the Dark’ I was excited with anticipation as it was their first original hit in five years and when I first listened to it I felt euphoric as if the lights exploded over a glitter infested 70’s disco dancefloor. I was crying with joy as this group who have helped me through good and bad came back with a vengeance and When I never changed and for that is why found out that the split occurred I was STEPS is loved by so many. When devastated as there wasn’t going to ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’ was be any more songs and I fondly released every song kept up the remember friends of my mother asking rhythm and fun that STEPS stands for her was I alright. Although I was sad, I and I am proud to say that this album always knew Steps would be in forever along with the rest delivers Pop in my heart and I always kept listening musicality to utter perfection. to their music through good times and As I write this as one of many fans, I am bad. proud to be a STEPS fan and I As time flew on and am pleased to say that as that six year old myself, my mum and now my was now a final year younger sister who will have English student I just turned 21 will be going to found out that very Party On The Dancefloor and band that I loved she too adores Steps and is were reforming for excited to get her boogie another tour and my shoes on for once again the friend said to me ‘Do first show on 12th November you fancy it?’ I said 2017. If I ever got the ‘Yes, of course but I opportunity to meet STEPS I need to check my just want to say one thing, thank you so account first.’ much for the brilliant music and that your music has inspired my life in so Obviously being a student requires a strict budget and luckily I booked my many ways and I love introducing your ticket for myself and my friend to see music to many other. For me whether Steps on the 2nd April 2012 in the near or far as a group your music will Odyssey Arena in Belfast and this was always be part of my life. special as this was to be the first show of the tour and we were both excited. 83

Thank You

Ultimate Steps would like to thank the following people for their support & contributions which have helped to put this Fanzine together

Matt Ralph, Sean Kennedy, Paul Reynolds, Robert O'Connor, Matt Lawrence, Gareth Jones, Michael S, Charlie Adelman, Chris Solari, Wayne Cundy, Richard Orr, Phil Goodway, Karen O'Rourke, Rachel Phillips, Gem Taylor, Sarah Pips, Robert Oxley, Kevin Aerts, Sally Briars, Dylan Wood, Nicola Williams, Barry John Roe

JUST LIKE THE FIRST TIME

In Memory Of

Truestepper