54 Steps was officially reformed in the summer of 1999 with members from all over the country as well as different bands. Their original sound resonates from the strong musical impact of such former bands "The Beatles" and "Credence Clearwater Revival" , steadfast artists " Neil Young", "Tom Petty" and "The Rolling Stones" to today's artists " Matchbox 20" and "Goo Goo Dolls". These influences , along with the band's own material , provide a unique blending of classic and modern classic rock n' roll that pivots the crowd onto the dance floor everywhere 54 Steps play. Their most notable performances include "Hampton Bay Days 2000" under their former name CLU54, and the "Doc Holiday Show" along with several local venues including Hoss's Deli, Damon's, Sea Ray's , West Beach Cafe, Poppa's Pub, Otis's Raw Bar , Towne Point Pub and Scandals. 54 Steps is comprised of four musicians blending their own individual talent to provide the audience with one powerful show. Their music has been described by many as "no frills rock n' roll" and their professional stage presence is backed by state of the art sound and light equipment . They currently have two original albums with enough new music for a third.
Members list:
Phil Preisach------------Vocals, Guitars
Russ Harville------------Guitar, Vocals, Keyboard
Ken Walker---------------Drums,Vocals
John Litz----------------Bass,Vocals
Phil Preisach from Pittsburgh, PA, main lead vocalist, delivers searing guitar licks along with his harmonious voice. His songwriting capabilities are seemingly endless, all he needs is a drumbeat and in a few minutes he has written a new song.
Russ Harville is out of Shreveport, LA, and he bring a crazy Cajun influence to the band. He's played from coast to coast and everywhere in between. His experience includes Las Vegas shows, Rock & Roll concerts and country shows and he puts all of it to work for 54 Steps. Russ is the "Grand Old Man of Rock & Roll", even though he's the second youngest in the band. He sings, plays keyboard, and swaps lead and rhythm guitar lines with Phil. The Cajun zest for life can be felt whenever Russ sings or takes a lead.
Ken Walker shuffled in from Buffalo, NY. He is the groove master that carries one through the 54 Steps experience. Having cut his teeth on the various ethnic styles of music that are at home in Buffalo, Ken's passion for playing, energy and endurance are visible at each performance. He has also performed for audiences across Europe and America while in the US Navy Band and since his retirement he calls 54 Steps home. He's also the practical joker (every band has one). So don't get him started...you've been warned.
John Litz-Someone needs to fill the gap between the wild guitar work of Phil and Russ and the heavy polyrhythmic backbeat of Ken's drumkit. That someone is here, and he is called John Litz!
John is the rubber cement of 54 Steps, holding it all together no matter how wild things get on stage. His thick tone, solid groove and tastful lines contribute vastly to the "good feeling" on the dance floor as well as the stage.
John is the youngest member of the group, and brings a different outlook with musical tastes that range between Zappa and Skynyrd to Devo and AC/DC, Primus and Mingus, and "whatever feels good at the time".
John has played with many groups between Culpeper and Tidewater, but his favorite by far is 54 Steps.
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