The Steppes - Enquire Within (1989/2019)

An American-Irish psychedelic rock band predominantly active during the mid to late 1980s, based around the talented Fallon brothers.

The Steppes were originally formed as a powerpop trio in 1982 by brothers John and David Fallon with drummer Eddie GrzybThe Blue Macs". There were five demos that were recorded and given a brilliant review in Melody Maker in March of '83. John and David relocated from Dublin to Los Angeles and added Tim Gilman to the line up. The name of the band was now changed to The Steppes. They recorded 8 songs that were released by Mystic Records in Hollywood February of '84. James Bailey became the drummer shortly after. The Steppes gigged in Los Angeles and around southern California from 1983-1985. John and David Fallon returned to Ireland for several months. Greg Shaw of Bomp Records signed The Steppes to a multi-album deal after The Steppes played one show at Greg's Cavern club in Hollywood near the Capital Records building. The Steppes then recorded Drop of the Creature LP in west Los Angeles in '86. the album was realeased in '87. The Steppes then recorded the Stewdio LP in '87 in Hollywood. The album was released in '88. John Fallon played guitar on a Dementia 13 album called "Disturb the Air" which came out in '88. The same year, The Steppes toured Europe. They played shows in England, Belgium, Germany, and Greece. After the tour, they recorded 'Enquire Within' in London. The Steppes then did 22 shows plus a TV appearance in Greece in '89. The Enquire Within album resulted with a second and larger European tour in October. There were 30 shows in England, Germany, Italy, Greece, Belgium, and Holland. After the tour, they returned to London to record 'Harps and Hammers' in December of '89 and January of '90.

The final album by The Steppes was recorded for Delerium in 1995 and was produced by John Frankovic of Plasticland. As you would expect it's a classic release with all of the key Steppes elements in place. Superb arrangements -including the bands trademark West Coast guitar and vocal harmony interplay - and some of the best songs the band ever wrote.