svann@mweb.co.za

About the Steve Van band

Steve Van (singer/songwriter) has been performing since 1996 after forming his first band Junglebook Vultures. The Vultures went on to release two CD singles through BMG Africa and received nationwide airplay. After the Vultures broke up in 2000, Steve and Ross Behenna (lead vocalist) still kept in touch, and in 2001, together with Adam Black and Gary Beckman (ex guitarist and drummer for Social Piranha and Shooflys respectively), formed Rust. This band immediately recorded a 5 track self-produced EP at Paris Studios. Their single 'Factor 35' received daytime play-listing on 5FM and their second single 'Give It Away' appeared on the cover CD of SL Magazine in June 2002, but was never released as Ross decided to leave for the UK, putting the band on hold.

A week after Ross left (July 2002), Steve decided to do some experimenting of his own in the studio, combining sounds from his folk rock past and present-day pop and dance. Getting Stronger, Steve`s debut CD, was recorded at Street Level Studios and produced by fellow musician Chris Tait. Adam and Gary both showed their interest in the new album and the talent of Alan Curtis (Tait) on lead guitar and Tammy Whalley on keyboard was added, completing the new line-up. Getting Stronger has received favourable reviews, including 'CD of the week' from Amuzine.co.za , charted at number 4 on the top 30 albums of SA Rock Digest.com and was profiled by Barney Simon on the World Chart Show on 5FM. The title track, 'Getting Stronger', was featured on the cover CD of the October edition of SL Magazine and 'Thinking About You' and 'Stay' were chosen for SABC 3's hit travel show 'Going Nowhere Slowly'. Steve and the band are at present recording a 12 track album, produced by Craig Ormond at Big Leap Records.