Street Voice UK

First off a bit of context to how I met Steve and Tut. I had been blown away by Red Alerts debut album and wanted an interview for my first printed publication – Oi The News Letter. That interview happened and over the years Red Alert appeared in many of my publications be they printed or on line. Of course Steve and I kept in touch and I even put the band on in Margate where Steve was drunk under the table by yours truly! Over the years Steve invited me out to Spain but sadly illness, redundancy and covid got in the way!

I arrive the day before into Sunderland and booked two nights at the Roker Hotel. I believe Patty, Steve and a load of others used to drink in a bar downstairs. Lovely hotel but not much scenery out of the window!

Typical!

Tuesday morning arrives and its time to blare out Breakin’ All The Rules by Red Alert which was released in the mid-90’s on Dojo. The album was very diverse and one of my favourite releases in the 90’s.

After spending 90 minutes pampering myself it was time to put my coat on when I realised my cash point card was nowhere to be seen! In a state of panic I turned the hotel room up and down – God knows what the chamber maid had to say!

Having resigned myself to losing the card and therefore going to have to find a Nat West bank to get money from I thought I’d check at reception. Card found and I was on my way down the coastal road to St Benet’s church!

No doubt Steve would be looking down laughing at me for getting into such a state!

Finding the church was a bit of a mare but some kind chap walked me to St Benet’s from a main road! 10 minutes to spare wasn’t bad!

On arrival at the church I was greeted by Alison Steve’s sister then it was time to pay my respects!

On entering the church I was taken aback by how lovely it was and how beautiful the memorial was set up for Steve. Steve would have loved that. There was of course the religious element to the service but on most part this was a celebration of Steve’s life. Steve’s cousin said some words as did Cathy his wide. The words were a true reflection of how Steve lived it. He walked and talked how he lived – No compromise!

Some tunes were played from the likes of the Bon Jovi to the Killers to the Dropkick Murphy’s to Gerry & The Pacemakers and Steve’s own band Red Alert. The Dropkicks were Steve’s favourite band who are mine too! Both live and studio they really did it for the both of us!

After the service finished we all walked out to the sound of ‘You’ll Never Walk Alone’ by Gerry & The Pace Makers.

These chaps who were freind with Steve in the oild days offered me a lift to the Mill View Social Club. Before then they took me to the Howard Arms which was one of Steve’s old watering holes and name checked on Red Alert albums.

All 4 of us raised a toast in Steve’s memory!

Even the ride to the venue was a bit mad. The driver forgot to lock his boot and some chap ran after the car to tell us! We just thought he was some nutter. Steve would have laughed at that sight for sure!

On arrival at the venue I was surprised how cheap the alcohol was. At one point I paid just £3.80 for 3 drinks! It did rise to £5.80 but even that was dead cheap. On arrival back in Birmingham my mate got two doubles in and he was charged £14!

Met loads of people including Patty Steve’s brother and his wife and her mates. Good laugh those women were too!

Most of the night was spent with Gaz Stoker who I’d known for years and his wife June who was lovely. Some mad stories were shared and for once I didn’t attract any nutters. That was down to Gaz. Steve would have laughed at that too!

For those not in the know Gaz once played Bass with Red Alert.

Let’s not forget Steve’s other mates such as John, Alan and Kip and nother one of the Slobs who I met in person for the first time. Top lads. They also have a fair share of great memories of being around Steve.

7pm came and it was time for Red Alert to play one last gig in Steve’s memory. They did it in style which included on of Steve’s freind’s taking up vocal duties and they were also joined for one song ‘In Britain’ by Gaz Stuart the original bassist for Red Alert.

Mick, Dave and young Callum did Steve justice. Cast once said to me how great Callum was as a drummer and on Tuesday he did a blinding job for what was an emotional time.

Above is Gaz Stuart on bass and Steve’s friend on vocals paying their respects to Steve.

This was the set list from the show!

As many of you would have known the 27th December would have been Steve’s 60th so a memorial was set up at the club with birthday cards the lot. That sums up Steve and the character he was.

Steve’s mum also paid tribute and told all gathered about her invite to Rebellion punk festival as she and Steve happened to be in Blackpool at the same time of Rebellion. Steve’s mum was obviously in Blackpool to see another artist. A true story as Steve told me a few times about it!

Above is Alison who is Steve’s sister. We met at last. Steve had told her all about me as he did with his mum and dad. Steve’s mum introduced herself and told me Steve had said lovely things about me and thanked me for coming up all this way. I wouldn’t have missed this memorial for the world and it took a lot of last minute planning to make this journey!

There were lots of people I managed to say hello to including Fiona Duncan but was caught up in a massive catch up with Gaz. I did manage to have a meet up with Nina Cresswell who I’d have never of met if it hadn’t been for her going out with Mick (Red Alert) and Steve.

Alsso not forgetting Ian who is pictured with Gaz. Over the years Steve mentioned this chap a few times in many of his mad sties which always made me laugh!

There is so much more to tell but not enough room.

I wanted to visit Steve and Cathy in May of this year but alas I got poisoned which I thought I was a going to die at one point myself.

I am going to pay a visit there next year to raisse a glass for a mate who was there at the start of my fanzine life along with the late Tony Van Frater.

Big love to Cathy who I suspect played a big part in making sure the band got from A to B and back again through driving, booking flights and all that.

Sitting in my garden in Margate Steve told me how much he loved you Cathy. In fact he kept telling me inbetween raising toasts to the late Nidge Miller of Blitz who I was also mates with.

Over the years Steve told me the same thing and I for one am gutted for Cathy who is an amazing person in her own right.

I only wish I could have met you again with the man himself.

Rather not leave this on a downer Steve always made me laugh with the Spanish lessons and how good Cathy was at it and he wasn’t 🙂

Steve wouldn’t want us to be sad – So lets keep sharing those memories and keep the flame alive x

Big Love to: Cathy Smith, Mr and Mrs Smith, Alison Smith, Patty Smith and the Red Alert lads.