Stepstar90
15th Jul 2007, 12:25
No more Mr Nice Guy
Jul 6 2007
by Chester Chronicle
LEE Latchford Evans is actually quite surprising. Softly spoken and clearly passionate about music, he comes across as an ordinary bloke who is trying to put himself and his music out there - you wouldn't think he was once involved in something as ubiquitous as Steps.
'I am heavily influenced by bands like U2, Simple Minds, Bon Jovi and Depeche Mode,' he said. 'I also like bands like The Calling and Hoobastank, but The Latch is our own brand of fun pop rock.'
Lee, who now lives in London, was born in Chester and raised in Ellesmere Port, where his family still live.
Like his father, Lee is an ardent Everton fan - he was named after Evertonian Bob Latchford and was training to become a footballer when he joined Steps in 1997.
He is also a classically trained actor and has appeared in two feature films as well as a West End production of Grease since Steps disbanded in 2001.
These days, however, Lee is focusing on his new band. The Latch was formed when Lee was introduced to Simon Pinto by a producer a few years ago.
The duo has been working on the band's first, as yet untitled, album and touring small venues for the last year.
The band is unsigned but Lee and Simon are setting up their own record label, Lair Music, and are preparing for their first single release, Miracle, in August.
'It's been a massive learning process,' said Lee. 'It's great because I'm always learning, always improving. All we have to do is get people to listen to us and enjoy the music without judging me for what I used to do. That part of it is incredibly hard.'
Lee still keeps in touch with most of his former Steps bandmates and they have been approached with offers for a reunion.
Lee, however, is unsure about whether it is the right thing to do. 'The Latch is extremely important to me so now isn't the right time - but never say never.'
Asked about how difficult it was to return to playing small venues after the phenomenal success he had with Steps, Lee said: 'Steps was a job - The Latch is my life. When I was in Steps we did have a lot of input but were ultimately told what was happening.
'Now it's just a bunch of guys and their guitars, - no back up tracks, no dance routines. It's a different ball game and actually quite liberating.' nSee The Latch at de.bees Music Bar, 17-19 Market Place, Winsford tonight (Friday, July 6). Admission is £3.
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http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/newsandreviews/tm_headline=no-more-mr-nice-guy&method=full&objectid=19417027&siteid=50020-name_page.html
Jul 6 2007
by Chester Chronicle
LEE Latchford Evans is actually quite surprising. Softly spoken and clearly passionate about music, he comes across as an ordinary bloke who is trying to put himself and his music out there - you wouldn't think he was once involved in something as ubiquitous as Steps.
'I am heavily influenced by bands like U2, Simple Minds, Bon Jovi and Depeche Mode,' he said. 'I also like bands like The Calling and Hoobastank, but The Latch is our own brand of fun pop rock.'
Lee, who now lives in London, was born in Chester and raised in Ellesmere Port, where his family still live.
Like his father, Lee is an ardent Everton fan - he was named after Evertonian Bob Latchford and was training to become a footballer when he joined Steps in 1997.
He is also a classically trained actor and has appeared in two feature films as well as a West End production of Grease since Steps disbanded in 2001.
These days, however, Lee is focusing on his new band. The Latch was formed when Lee was introduced to Simon Pinto by a producer a few years ago.
The duo has been working on the band's first, as yet untitled, album and touring small venues for the last year.
The band is unsigned but Lee and Simon are setting up their own record label, Lair Music, and are preparing for their first single release, Miracle, in August.
'It's been a massive learning process,' said Lee. 'It's great because I'm always learning, always improving. All we have to do is get people to listen to us and enjoy the music without judging me for what I used to do. That part of it is incredibly hard.'
Lee still keeps in touch with most of his former Steps bandmates and they have been approached with offers for a reunion.
Lee, however, is unsure about whether it is the right thing to do. 'The Latch is extremely important to me so now isn't the right time - but never say never.'
Asked about how difficult it was to return to playing small venues after the phenomenal success he had with Steps, Lee said: 'Steps was a job - The Latch is my life. When I was in Steps we did have a lot of input but were ultimately told what was happening.
'Now it's just a bunch of guys and their guitars, - no back up tracks, no dance routines. It's a different ball game and actually quite liberating.' nSee The Latch at de.bees Music Bar, 17-19 Market Place, Winsford tonight (Friday, July 6). Admission is £3.
---
http://iccheshireonline.icnetwork.co.uk/entertainment/newsandreviews/tm_headline=no-more-mr-nice-guy&method=full&objectid=19417027&siteid=50020-name_page.html