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Home > Austin Music Source > Archives > 2007 > September > 15 > Entry
ACL: The Steps
- SoundCheck: Listen to The Steps
What a way to kick off Saturday at ACL! The BMI stage is usually the domain of singer songwriters, but Austin’s great teen hopes, the Steps, rocked like they were headlining Wembley Stadium. Guitarist/ singer Will Thompson displayed a Roger Daltrey-worthy screech on “Carousel” and his cousin Sam Thompson threw out serpentine leads on slow builder “Velvet Prison” and “Miss High Heels,” but it was the rhythm section of Z Lynch on drums and bassist Stephen Ross that gave the Steps their strong footing. Good name, great drummer — they’re ahead of the game even before you consider their sturdy songwriting. One thing young bands are saddled with is that critics are prone to spending the set trying to figure out who they sound like. But even limited with the standard guitar/guitar/bass/drums lineup, the Steps are truly original. OK, set-closer “Cold Floor” was a rip of “Loose” by the Stooges, but if you’re gonna steal, it helps to have good taste. This was a filler-free 30 minute set that throbbed on pure passion and the audience- many of whom mouthed the words- really soaked it up. A cool breeze blew across Zilker when the band opened with “Belle.” A refreshing start to a day that promises to be even hotter than yesterday.
(Photo by Jay Janner AMERICAN-STATESMAN)
Permalink | Comments (2) | Categories: ACL Festival
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By Marshaleigh Orr Bahan
September 15, 2007 2:16 PM | Link to this
I can now relax. Grandmother’s worry. Way to go THE STEPS.
By norm
September 15, 2007 8:09 PM | Link to this
Best set of the day. 2nd best was Jeffrey Steele. Both at the BMI stage. Who needs the White Stripes! We’ve got The Steps!