New Release: Steve Atkinson – This Town And Me

Steve was born in Middlesbrough in 1959, so his first album has arrived quite late in life.  That’s not a bad thing though, because the songs are crafted with perspective and hindsight, and Steve is able to draw on many of life’s experiences and milestones.

The son of a steelworker and a seamstress, Steve is very much aware of Middlesbrough’s industrial working class history, something that he reflects in the song of the same name.  Having attended a comprehensive school during the first half of the 1970’s it’s not surprising that some of Steve’s greatest musical influences are also some of the best known glam rockers of that time.  His tribute to Suzi Quatro appears on the album, and he’s proud that Suzi personally requested a copy (signed of course!)

The album took eight years in all to complete.  This included several rewrites and many songs that didn’t make the album.  It was recorded entirely at Nigel Cuff’s studio in Poole, with Nigel performing almost all of the instruments. Most of the vocals were recorded in Detroit, and Nigel produced and mastered every track.

After working as a teenager at both British Steel and ICI, Steve then spent most of his working life in the Civil Service and retired three years ago in order to set up his own light haulage business.

Music has always been an enjoyable hobby, which goes hand in hand with being a solo artist who works full-time, and whose focus is songwriting.  That said, so far the album has been well received and in particular the songs ‘Middlesbrough’ and ‘Jimmy Doesn’t Look For Trouble’ have had some radio interest.  Steve is kept busy promoting the album, promoting individual songs, trying to get airplay and to get people talking.

CD Track listing:
1. Jimmy Doesn’t Look For Trouble
2. Leather And Bass Can The Can Remix
3. Middlesbrough
4. Lauren Veronica, Where Do You Go?
5. The Girl Is Wild
6. They Say A Lot Of Things Michele
7. Lonely Angel
8. Ron
9. The Idaho Trucker
10 Prettiest Eyes