Search - Steve Rowe :: No Refund No Return

What do you get when you cross a classic bluesman with a punk/jazz songwriter? A blues album with attitude. The unlikely, unpredictable duo of Steve Rowe and Alec McElcheran have come up with the new release "No Refund, No Return". Traditional? Not quite. Original? Absolutely. Steve Rowe was born to play the blues. It?s what he loves, and what he does best. With the rich, full tone of his 1950's style semi-acoustic Ibanez, coupled with a '65 Fender Bandmaster Amplifier, Rowe?s guitar has sound of it?s own. Or perhaps, the ?63 Stratocaster becomes his weapon of choice. Whatever he plays, you always know it?s Steve. Alec McElcheran, Bass Player/Songwriter with a degree in music, has played everything from punk to big band. His initial interest in blues was it?s lack of pretension. "At first listen, blues might sound like it has nothing new to offer. It might not be clever or tricky, but in the end, I find it more fulfilling. There?s more room for honest emotion. That?s what drew me to Steve. It was his authentic approach to playing the blues that got me." For Steve's latest project, "No Refund, No Return", he wanted to create a record where each instrument has it's own space, guitar, of course, being the highlight. Recorded in the classic manner of blues: 1/2" tape and a 16-track board, the band had to be hot, tight, and ready. Together, Rowe and McElcheran sought out ways to refresh the blues. For instance, the lead tune "No Refund, No Return" was based on a standard blues progression from the 1930?s, rarely heard today. Or the inspiration of "Same Old Song" was the spooky rumba?s of Howlin? Wolf. Says Hammond B-3 player, Pedro Ullmann: When I play with Steve I feel an earthiness, a kind of honesty. He says what he thinks. When I recognize this quality in a person, I sense that it?s in their music as well. I connect with Steve on that basic earthiness level. Dave Neil, Drummer, states the following: "Steve is real, true to himself and to playing the blues." Simply put, Rowe has been keeping audiences riveted for two decades with his passion, originality, but mostly his virtuosity.