Blue Steam were Dave Kirkwood, vocals and harmonica, Simon Lloyd, sax, John Nelson, guitar, Joe Sharpe, bass, Dave Bloomfield, keyboards and the late John Lee on drums.

Their one and only released appeared on the Rip Off Record label in 1978. ’Lizard King’, received a remarkable, eye-catching sleeve as opposed the traditional trademark Rip Off records ‘brown paper bag sleeves’. The single received airplay from John Peel on BBC Radio 1 and even reached the British Top 100. Drummer John Lee went on to play in The Tearjerkers and Katmandu. He sadly passed away from a brain haemorrhage. Simon Lloyd later found fame as part of mid 80’s Australian band Icehouse. Bass player Joe Sharpe would later team up with some ex Tearjerkers to play in Etc Etc.

Blue Steam played some memorable gigs, including 22nd September 1977, support to Dr Feelgood at the Ulster Hall. In April 1978 they supported Stiff Little Fingers on their ‘End of the world tour’ which saw them play gigs from Cork to Larne. Cobra were also on the tour, however, they were later replaced by Curse.

If anyone has any further information or photographs of this band, then please DO get in contact via spit77to82@aol.com