Steer Clear

Steer Clear were a pop punk five piece band from Belfast, Northern Ireland, that played gigs from 2005 to 2009.[1]

Steer Clear
OriginBelfast, Northern Ireland
GenresPop punk
Years active2005–2008
LabelsBlastspace
Associated actsJody Has A Hitlist
Mr. Lightweight
Membersp0d/Pádraig McAlister - Vocals, Guitar
Mark McGowan - Drums
Sib/James McAuley - Bass
Conor Ebbs - Guitar
Simon Craig - Synth/ Keyboard
Past membersPearse Sharratt - Vocals, Ciarán Bartlett - Vocals, Dave O'Gorman - Vocals, Vinny Feeney - Guitar

History

The original line up consisted of Mark McGowan, Pearse Sharratt, Pádraig 'p0d' McAlister, James 'Sib' McAuley and Vinny Feeney. They released their first EP, Dog in a Bath, in 2005, recorded in Einstein Studios. Due to both personal and musical differences Pearse left and Ciarán Bartlett took over as lead vocalist, fitting in perfectly with the band's new style. The band released another EP in 2006, Fairytales That I Despise, recorded in Manor Park Studios. Again, Steer Clear lost their vocalist, to be replaced by Dave O'Gorman. After entering the Blast:beat competition,they reached the national finals but came in 4th. Blastspace still showed interest and signed Steer Clear. Due to musical differences Dave left Steer Clear and p0d was talked into taking over lead vocals for the recording of their first full-length album, No...You Hang Up.

They then decided to get a keyboardist for live performances, and after many applicants finally found Simon Craig, who gelled with the band almost straight away and helped create Steer Clear's unique sound.

Steer Clear had created a big fan base in Ireland and landed big support slots with Enter Shikari, Good Charlotte, Set Your Goals, Elliot Minor, Paramore, Anti Flag and InMe. These slots got Steer Clear to a wider audience and a wider fan base.

In reviewing a 2007 concert in Belfast, the BBC wrote, "There is a purity to the pop hooks that sets Steer Clear apart from the emo also-rans."[2]

They released their first single, "Please Be My Girlfriend Again" and their debut album, No...You Hang Up soon after.

Steer Clear played in South By South West in Texas in 2008. They were well received at the festival, and were described as "the next big thing", based on the merits of their performance at the festival.[3]

Steer Clear released the second single from their album, "Comebacks Aren't Your Thing" on 4 July 2008. They recorded a video for it in Bolton. [4]

From 7–14 July 2008, Steer Clear were all locked in a two-room secret location in Dublin, with only a practise and chill out room. They had certain tasks they had to fulfill if they wanted food, such as singing for their supper and writing a song a day. They were not allowed to leave the building. There was a 24-hour webcam and fans had to guess where the secret location was for a chance to win prizes and a chance to see them perform their new songs in The Lock In. The website received 50,000 hits in the first three days.[1]

The band's concert at The Academy in Dublin in July 2008 was a sellout.[1] They then were heading to Britain for a series of concerts, now with a management team, From Here To The Pier, that is based in Liverpool.[1]

In September 2008, Vinny (guitarist) left the band and Conor Ebbs, the new guitarist was introduced to the public.

Break-up

The band split up in November 2008, posting a final blog on their MySpace page. They said,

"Basically we always had the attitude that the band should be fun and the second it stopped being fun is the second we stop playing. We want to leave the band in a place in our hearts and memories as something we enjoyed, something we loved doing and something that we learnt from and grew up with."

p0d and Ebbs went on to form the band Jody Has A Hitlist in early 2009.[5]

Mark and Sib went on to form the band "I Fight Crime" with Rakan and Newg from local band "Boy Turns Hero", but Sib left soon after and the band broke up during autumn 2009.

p0d and Ebbs' new band released a 6-track EP including Steer Clear's track "Comebacks Aren't Your Thing".

Discography
Year Album
2005 Dog in a Bath E.P.
2006 Fairytales That I Despise E.P.
2007 No...You Hang Up
2008 Bridge the Gap E.P. (Limited Pressing)

References
  1. Burns, Martin. "It's Gig Brother", News of the World, 2008-07-13, p. 46.
  2. "Vital 2007: Steer Clear", BBC Northern Ireland, August 2007. Retrieved on 2008-07-31.
  3. Cooper, Ryan. "SXSW 2008 - Steer Clear", About.com Guide to Punk Music, 2008-04-02.
  4. "YouTube - Comebacks Aren't Your Thing [OFFICIAL VIDEO]". Web.archive.org. 19 January 2008. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
  5. "Damn Pesky Indie Kid". Web.archive.org. 21 February 2009. Retrieved 15 September 2020.
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