Steps Cover shoot and interview for FAULT Magazine

Words: Miles Holder

If the value of a band’s worth is measured by consistency, longevity, cultural relevance and fanbase, then Steps are up there with the best of them. Whether you love Steps or hate them, their contribution to British culture is undeniable, and their fanbase has only grown both in size and commitment as the years have gone by.

With a new album out today, we caught up with the group to discuss their career so far and of course, their FAULTs.

What sets ‘What the Future Holds’ apart from your previous album?

Faye: The last album was very much us inviting people back onto the dancefloor with high energy, but this one is more of a rollercoaster and more intimate. It’s one foot in the past and one foot in the future, and it feels like our core sound but with a modern twist. 

Is it hard to modernise and gain new listeners while also trying to appease your older fanbase?

H: We’ve been very lucky, our appeal back in the day wasn’t just towards children, we got the parents on board as well. Those children from back in the day are adults themselves now, and some have had kids, so it’s amazing to perform and see three generations of listeners in the crowd.

Faye: In our last tour, when we did meet and greets there would be twenty-year-olds, and I’d ask “how do you know Steps!?”. We have a wider fanbase worldwide thanks to social media and the amount of American and Asian fans we have is amazing. 

Was it difficult to find songs which were both modern and at the same time very Steps sounding?

Lisa: When we do come to record new albums, we go through all the songs submitted, and sometimes you hear a great song, but it’s just not us. As soon as we heard ‘What The Future Holds’ it was a no brainer – Sia is so current, and we have so much respect for her and to have her write the title track is perfect.

Lee: I think the lyrics “one foot in the past one in the future” really stood out to us. We were very nervous about the future, and while it’s still a bit daunting, we’ve had a bit of pressure taken off of us from the success of our past work. 

Do you feel the success from Tears On The Dancefloor helped you take make risks this album?

Lee: Our success comes from being true to who we and knowing what fans want from our sound. Once we put our vocals down and get the production sorted, every song will sound very us. 

What’s something new you’re doing in your personal life?

H: I recently added my pronouns to my Instagram because I think it’s something that’s a very current topic that needs addressing because it’s so small but also so meaningful. 

You’ve been open recently about your own sexuality, how important has coming-out been to your journey?

H: Back in the day, I didn’t have anybody that I could relate to as a gay man. I never had a safe space or environment that I could confide in, but today it’s so different, and there are so many role models that do incredible things for the community. I like to think that we as a band are inclusive of all people and our gigs are a safe place where people can feel free. 

What’s something that you wish people would stop asking?

Lisa: Eurovision! If we had as many votes as times we’ve been asked then maybe! It’s such a political gamble, and I don’t think we’re liked enough as a country. 

H: Everyone talks about us having come back, but we’re not really “coming back”, we’re just returning. 

What the biggest fear this time around?

Faye: When we released ‘Tears on the Dancefloor’ we were very apprehensive because it was our first album in years, which was a huge risk. This time we’re doing it for our fans, and if it goes further that’s fine, but we’re not after world domination. 

Lisa: I’m ever the hopeful and optimist, so I don’t see things that way, and I always see what can happen and not what can go wrong. I think it’s a great way to be especially in a year like 2020, but I do feel that Steps give people hope in hard times.   

In other groups we often see members drop out or be replaced over the years – how have you avoided this?

Faye: We always said we wouldn’t do it unless it were the five of us, we didn’t want to dilute the band. I think this is my favourite chapter because we were all so excited.

As someone who has recently released a solo project, has it been easy to transition between project?

Claire: My Wildest Dreams was the realisation of something I had wanted to do for over 20 years – but it took me a while to get used to performing on stage by myself. It’s not really something I’ve done much throughout my career, and with such big stages as Celine Dion’s British Summertime show in Hyde Park you can imagine why it was a bit daunting! But coming back into Steps is pretty easy, the way we operate these days does mean we aren’t constantly on the road, so it always feels very natural, we seem to just pick up where we left off with no problem every time. I hope the fact that I’ve now taken that first step into solo music projects means that the transition won’t take any getting used to next time.

Are you actively conscious of the group’s longevity?

Lisa: Longevity is something we’ve only recently started to be asked about. After 23 years it’s amazing to be at that place where people are discussing our longevity, and it’s completely down to our fans.  

After all these years, people are still so crazy about Steps. Why do you think people are still so in love with your unique style, and how come it hasn’t been replicated successfully with other groups?

Claire: It’s hard to say really but I think a lot of it stems from the fact that we don’t pretend to be something we’re not! We also don’t apologise for it either. We give the fans a sense of escapism and a place to feel safe to be themselves and let go even if it’s just for the length of one of our songs.

It probably hasn’t been replicated simply because most young groups main goal is to be ‘cool’. I don’t think any of them would deliberately take the path we have, even we wanted to be ‘cool’ for a while back in the day! I mean I was desperate to be in All Saints in the 90’s, but as we’ve gotten older and we began to understand our audience, we then understood our place in the market, so it means that everything we do now is for the fans and their enjoyment. I think that comes across quite naturally too.

What’s something new you’ve learned about yourself during lockdown?

Lee: I liked lockdown! My wife works in IT and usually has really long days out of the house so it was really nice to have the time to have chats and see her throughout the day. 

What’s the biggest hurdle you’ve had to overcome? 

Lee: Back in the day we were put together, and I didn’t know what was really going on. From 5678 we just stuck, but we never got played on the radio or positive press, I don’t think our accomplishments were recognised.

What is your FAULT?

Lisa: I am overconfident; I can find the confidence to do everything. I love it so much, and I’ve always said it’s not my job; it’s my life, and it’s what I always hoped I could do. 

Lee: I care too much what people think, which isn’t good in this industry. I’m always people-pleasing, and overtime I should be a but more confident in myself and say what I feel. 

H: I often speak before I think, and I’ve gotten better through the years, but I should sit back and analyse what I’m going to say before I say it. 

Faye: For myself, it’s self-deprication because I am quite hard on myself, and I should chill out and have a nice time – I’m learning to do that more as I get on. 

Claire: I think the one that affects me most in life is worrying too much what other people think about me or what I’m constantly doing! It tends to make me go a bit over the top in some situations; you could say it makes me that person you’d call ‘extra.’