Steve Adams : Guitarist | Composer

Steve is a Los Angeles-based artist with an impressive track record. Having been a member of many bands in the San Francisco Bay Area, Steve gained session work with the likes of Michael Hossack (Doobie Brothers), Myron Dove (Santana) jazz keyboardist Elliot Lewis, and others. He was a highly regarded " hired gun " whose fretwork was in demand by many of the top local acts for years.

After relocating to Los Angeles in 1982, Steve continued doing studio session work, and recorded and performed with a few local bands as well, most prominently with Nile, a Malibu-based group whose first album was produced by Richard Dashut (Fleetwood Mac). This led to many interesting impromptu live jam sessions with players such as Mick Fleetwood, Lindsey Buckingham, Gary Busey, Billy Burnette, and many others.

Steve met former Camel keyboardist Pete Bardens in 1989, around the time of Pete's " Speed of Light " tour. The following year he played guitar on a few songs for Pete, which were released later on his " Big Sky " CD. When Bardens' guitarist, Neale Heywood, left to join Lindsey Buckingham's band, Steve was a natural choice to fill his position. He knew all of the material from each of Pete's solo albums, and had a strong affinity for Pete's writing. For several years Steve recorded & performed with Pete in the U.S., including the recording of Pete's "Further Than You Know" CD.

Then in 1994 the two joined up with ex-Camel drummer Andy Ward, David Sinclair, Pye & Jimmy Hastings from Caravan, and bassist Rick Biddulph for a short tour of the UK and Holland as " Mirage ", resulting in a live CD recorded at the Manchester Apollo Theatre. Following that, Steve and Pete reformed the band with Dave Cohen and Desha Dunnahoe under the name of " Pete Bardens' Mirage " and toured Europe again - this time in March 1996, recording another live CD.

After doing a few live shows with Mirage in the U.S. during May 1997, Steve moved on to write and record new material for his first solo CD " Maiden Voyage ". Positive worldwide reviews of his playing on Maiden Voyage, and throughout his years with Pete Bardens, especially during tours of the UK and Europe, confirmed Steve's undeniable guitar virtuosity.

2000 saw the release of " Vertigo ", a fully instrumental Progressive Rock CD. Steve was joined by former Pete Bardens Mirage bassist Desha Dunnahoe, who took over keyboard duties for this project, drummer Andy Ward, (Camel, Marillion), and new member Susan Lyster on Bass. The CD included a brand new studio version of the Camel classic " Lunar Sea ".

Recent reviews of " Vertigo ", referred to Steve's playing as the work of a " Guitar Guru " and " Master Class". Taking the music out on the road, Andy Ward's position was ably filled by Dave Cohen (Richard Sinclair's Caravan of Dreams & Pete Bardens' Mirage.) The band performed in the USA, UK and Europe, as well as Poland. The culmination of these tours led to Steve and his band sharing the stage with the likes of Steve Lukather, Simon Phillips, Billy Cobham, and many more.

After appearing at the Music Cares Pete Bardens Benefit concert late in 2001 at The Canyon Club in Los Angeles with Pete, Mick Fleetwood, Dave Koz, Ben Harper, Joe Walsh, Sheila E., and many others, Steve concentrated on composing material for a new CD, " Camera Obscura". When Bardens passed away early in 2002, the loss of Steve's close friend ultimately inspired the composition of a few songs on the CD.

The resultant album was Camera Obscura - a move into a wider range of musical styles whilst remaining true to Steve's own unique sound. Yes, there are the Progressive roots, and elaborate, unique guitar solos, but also there is boundless feel, emotion and energy. From Progressive, to Ballads, to Rock, to the indefinable, all tracks remain uniquely Steve Adams.

The release of Camera Obscura was the start of a massive creative push by Steve and his band. Steve, now in full stride, is currently preparing to record three new CD's, which he says " Will show many more aspects of my playing, including Progressive, Experimental, Acoustic, and Heavier Rock tracks as well."