The First Steps

The First Steps

The First Steps were a British band originating from Worlington, Suffolk. The group's lineup consisted of brothers Chris Murrell on bass and vocals, and Jem Murrell on drums. They were joined by brothers Phil Thornalley on guitar and vocals, and Jon Thornalley, who served as the band's manager and producer.

Early Releases and Radio Play

In 1979, The First Steps launched their debut single, "The Beat Is Back," through their independent label, English Rose Records. This energetic punk-pop track, built on a simple four-chord structure, was complemented by two additional songs: "Let's Go Cuboids" and "She Ain't In Love With You." The single garnered attention from BBC Radio One, with plays from prominent DJs John Peel and Mike Read.

Subsequent Single and Band's Conclusion

The band's follow-up single, "Anywhere Else But Here," released the following year, did not achieve the same level of success, marking the end of The First Steps. This single also featured two bonus tracks, the comedic "Airplay" and "She Got The Noose." For this release, Will Gosling joined the band on drums.

Post-Band Success

Following the dissolution of The First Steps, songwriters Phil Thornalley and Chris Murrell went on to achieve success in the 1980s, contributing to the popular pop group Johnny Hates Jazz.