Flip through the latest issue of Gulf Weekly.
SKA-LOVERS put their best foot forward for a night of nostalgia with a tribute to one of the most prominent bands of the late 1970s and early 1980s revival of the reggae beat.
Formed in 1993, One Step Behind plays venues the length and breadth of Britain, including the marvellous Marqee Club in London, and took time from a busy schedule to touch down once again in the kingdom.
Sherlock Homes proved to be the perfect 2 Tone fit and whilst I caught them live on Thursday night they went down a storm too with a Friday Brunch performance to remember, according to numerous reports.
It’s not surprising, perhaps the greatest tribute came from original singer/songwriter Suggs himself. At a gig at G-MEX in Manchester he walked up to the microphone and said: “By the way, we’re MADNESS not One Step Behind!” Fine praise indeed.
Each member of One Step Behind grew up as a Madness fan and perfecting his portrayal of his original Madness counterpart has been a labour of love. They strive to match every detail of the original, both musically and in appearance. Like Madness, One Step Behind is well known for their on-stage antics with which they build up an authentic ‘Nutty’ atmosphere. This is One Step Behind’s philosophy - to carry forward the mad mantle into the 21st Century and beyond.
In lead vocalist Ian Soulsby, also known as Suggsby, the band has a charismatic stage performer with a superb voice, mighty Madness mannerisms and pure star quality. The whole band is tight and precision perfect with Mike Brown ‘Dix’ on sax, Ed ‘Edders’ Pearson on bass, Duraid ‘Alka-Setzler’ Alkazraji on drums, Toby James adding guitar and vocals, with Brendan Phipps ‘Monsieur Phippo’ on keyboards and vocals.
All the hits came one-after-the-other such as My Girl’s Mad At Me, Driving In My Car and my personal favourite Cecilia, a hit by American music duo Simon & Garfunkel that Madness covered, which Madness cover-band One Step Behind absolutely stormed.
They are also very nice guys too. A good friend of mine, Jamie Moore, plays in Badness, another Madness cover act, which recently won the title of top act at the National Tribute Music Awards in the UK. He tells me the first message of congratulations they received came from Ian & Co.
They must be hot because One Step Behind simply sizzled on stage and will want the title as their own.
– Stan Szecowka
