In 1991, Phil Spurr - a Youth and Community Tutor - asked Dave Perrett, Head of Music, for ideas of a project. Dave suggested a steel band and Phil established an immediate rapport by bringing in some professionals. Maybe it was the two bottles of Barbadian rum they consumed at their first meeting that helped in the birth of a Steel orchestra.
£1,5OO bought five steel pans and some professional assistance from Bath-based Rainbow Steel orchestra's, Toussaint Clarke. Suddenly, everyone wanted to be in on the music-making action. The Estover Percussion Project found the funds to back what members of both school and community wanted to do. 8 members of Estover Community College came together to form a steel band known as the Estover Steel Band. Since then, hard work and dedication have turned that small group in to a 25-strong all-girl steel ensemble now known as the much-acclaimed Real Steel.
Real Steel is now firmly established as one of Europe’s top youth steel bands. With an intensive tour schedule embracing major festivals, venues and live events, its work attracts immense media interest. The band has been the subject of a full-length national TV documentary and has performed live on BBC'S Children In Need, Channel 4's Big Breakfast, the ITV Telethon, Sky News, at Prince Charles' Anniversary Celebrations in Wales and in the Queen’s Jubilee Steel Orchestra.
From an eight-strong outfit in 1991, Real Steel has scaled the heights of professional success. Featured as finalists in the National Festival Of Music For Youth at the South Bank, participating in the Notting Hill Carnival and playing at the Soundhouse’s street Rhythms Festival in the 2,000-seat Plymouth Pavilions. In July 1995 the band scored its greatest triumph when it pioneered an International Youth Music Exchange when the entire band spent two weeks refining their skills, exchanging ideas and experiencing and exploring the culture in Barbados. They returned in 1997 for a high profile tour featuring performances for the Prime Minister of Barbados, the British High Commissioner and for Crop Over.
As a result of their success, other steel bands have evolved in the local community, including Metal Fatigue, an adult steel band and Panache, a junior steel band at Estover Community College. Players from Panache 'graduate' to Real Steel.
Real Steel has established a busy workshop program in schools. Workshops are tailored to fit the demands of the curriculum. The workshops encourage an understanding of playing in a group, keeping time and manual dexterity. After the workshops schools have formed their own steel bands with continued support from Real Steel. Their CD, ‘Bounce’ recorded in 1997 was produced by Alex Christaki and engineered by Alex and Spencer O'Shea.
After 7 years of playing on the road at Notting Hill Carnival Real Steel decided to compete in the 2002 Panorama contest for the first time. It’s 45-50 players included ex-members of Real Steel and players from other bands in France, London, Thornbury, Bath, Portsmouth, and Swindon. Their rendition of the ‘Bomb’ earned them third place with 268 points. They continued to compete in the Champions of Steel competition annually and perform perform at numerous gigs throughout the year. These actions have assisted in their progression as well as musicality.
Contact Real Steel by
e-mail: info@realsteel.org.uk or realsteel@panpodium.com
Website: www.myspace.com/realsteelorchestra
Miller Way
Plymouth
PL6 8UN
UK
Tel & Fax: 01752 207881