Steve Overland is a British

British people

The British are citizens of the United Kingdom, of the Isle of Man, any of the Channel Islands, or of any of the British overseas territories, and their descendants...

 singer/musician who was the lead vocalist

Lead vocalist

The lead vocalist is the member of a band who sings the main vocal portions of a song. They may also play one or more instruments. Lead vocalists are sometimes referred to as the frontman or frontwoman, and as such, are usually considered to be the "leader" of the groups they perform in, often the...

 and songwriter

Songwriter

A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...

 for the bands Wildlife, FM

FM (British band)

FM are a British AOR/'80s rock band. In the U.S., they are often referred to as FMUK. They have released eleven albums to date. Two of those, Indiscreet and Tough It Out reached the UK Albums Chart, whilst five of the band's singles made inroads into the UK Singles Chart.-Career:FM was formed in...

, The Ladder

The Ladder (band)

The Ladder British Electro-Industrial Aggrotech act, Formed in 2003 by Addz 'Vindicare' Milner to be later joined by Gaz 'Marial-K' Di-Petro & Katarina Ängst to complete the line-up, The Ladder fuses hard industrial beat with trance hook lines to create multi timbrel soundscape's somewhat different...

, Shadowman, and his own group, Overland. Overland's nearly 30 year career began in his home county of East Anglia

East Anglia

East Anglia is a traditional name for a region of eastern England, named after an ancient Anglo-Saxon kingdom, the Kingdom of the East Angles. The Angles took their name from their homeland Angeln, in northern Germany. East Anglia initially consisted of Norfolk and Suffolk, but upon the marriage of...

, where he and his brother Chris formed the band Wildlife

Wildlife (band)

Wildlife are a Canadian indie rock band formed in 2005. The band is currently based in Toronto. The band's debut LP Strike Hard, Young Diamond was favourably received by both Exclaim! and Chart.-Formation:...

 in 1980. The group were scouted by Adam Faith

Adam Faith

Terence "Terry" Nelhams-Wright, known as Adam Faith was a Teen idol English singer, actor and later financial journalist. He was one of the most charted acts of the 1960s. He became the first UK artist to lodge his initial seven hits in the Top 5...

 and soon signed to Chrysalis Records

Chrysalis Records

Chrysalis Records was a British record label that was created in 1969. The name was both a reference to the pupal stage of a butterfly and a combination of its founders names, Chris Wright and Terry Ellis...

, who released the band's debut album, Burning, in 1980. The band moved labels to the Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin

Led Zeppelin were an English rock band, active in the late 1960s and throughout the 1970s. Formed in 1968, they consisted of guitarist Jimmy Page, singer Robert Plant, bassist/keyboardist John Paul Jones, and drummer John Bonham...

 owned Swan Song Records

Swan Song Records

Swan Song Records was a record label launched by the English rock band Led Zeppelin on 10 May 1974. It was overseen by Led Zeppelin's manager Peter Grant and was a vehicle for the band to promote its own products as well as sign artists who found it difficult to win contracts with other major labels...

 for their 1983 self-titled follow up album, which featured Simon Kirke

Simon Kirke

Simon Kirke is an English rock drummer best known as a member of Free and Bad Company.-Biography:...

 on drums. The band were also managed for a short period by Peter Grant. The demise of Swan Song in 1983, meant that the Wildlife album was under promoted, with an American

United States

The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...

 release for the album being cancelled and the band split up soon after.

Overland next formed the AOR

Album-oriented rock

Album-oriented rock is an American FM radio format focusing on album tracks by rock artists.-Music played:Most radio formats are based on a select, tight rotation of hit singles...

 band FM

FM (British band)

FM are a British AOR/'80s rock band. In the U.S., they are often referred to as FMUK. They have released eleven albums to date. Two of those, Indiscreet and Tough It Out reached the UK Albums Chart, whilst five of the band's singles made inroads into the UK Singles Chart.-Career:FM was formed in...

, along with former Wildlife members Pete Jupp and Chris Overland. FM's first album, issued in 1986 on Portrait Records

Portrait Records

Portrait Records was a sister label of Epic Records and later of Columbia Records. Cyndi Lauper and Sade signed with Portrait, but their contracts were absorbed by Epic after that incarnation of the label was shuttered....

, was named Indiscreet

Indiscreet (FM album)

Indiscreet is the debut album from British AOR/hard rock band FM. Indiscreet was originally released in 1986 on the Portrait Records label, a sister label of Epic Records. The song "Frozen Heart" became a moderately successful single. The song "That Girl" was covered by Iron Maiden as a B'side to...

. The band's next album, Tough It Out

Tough It Out

Tough it Out is the second studio album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Tough It Out is the follow-up album to their 1986 debut album Indiscreet and was released in 1989 on the Epic Records label.- Track listing :...

, was released in 1989 with serious financial backing from Epic Records

Epic Records

Epic Records is an American record label, owned by Sony Music Entertainment. Though it was originally conceived as a jazz imprint, it has since expanded to represent various genres. L.A...

, which was Portrait's parent company. For this album, the band brought in songwriter Desmond Child

Desmond Child

Desmond Child is an American musician, songwriter, and producer. He is a member of the Songwriters Hall of Fame.-Career:...

, known for his work on Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...

's album, Slippery When Wet

Slippery When Wet

Slippery When Wet is the third studio album by Bon Jovi, released in August 1986 by Vertigo Records. Slippery When Wet was an instant commercial success. The album features songs that are today considered as Bon Jovi's most well-known tracks such as "You Give Love a Bad Name", "Livin' on a Prayer"...

. This 1986 to 1989 period saw the band at their commercial peak, scoring minor UK Chart

UK Singles Chart

The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...

 hits with "Frozen Heart", "Bad Luck", and the non-album release, "Let Love Be The Leader". The band toured as headline artists, as well as undertaking support slots with Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi

Bon Jovi is an American rock band from Sayreville, New Jersey. Formed in 1983, Bon Jovi consists of lead singer and namesake Jon Bon Jovi , guitarist Richie Sambora, keyboardist David Bryan, drummer Tico Torres, as well as current bassist Hugh McDonald...

, Tina Turner

Tina Turner

Tina Turner is an American singer and actress whose career has spanned more than 50 years. She has won numerous awards and her achievements in the rock music genre have led many to call her the "Queen of Rock 'n' Roll".Turner started out her music career with husband Ike Turner as a member of the...

 and Meat Loaf

Meat Loaf

Michael Lee Aday , better known by his stage name, Meat Loaf, is an American hard rock musician and actor...

.

The band was then dropped by Epic Records and signed to Music for Nations

Music For Nations

Music For Nations was a British independent record label focusing mainly on rock and metal. They were a subsidiary of the larger label distributor Zomba Records who in turn is owned by BMG....

 for their third album, Takin' It to the Streets

Takin' It to the Streets (FM album)

Takin' It To The Streets is the third studio album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Takin' It To The Streets was released in 1991 on the Music For Nations record label. This album does not represent a real AOR genre, it is bit closer to hard rock.- Track listing :#"I'm Ready" - 3:57 #"I...

. The album displayed a shift towards a more straightforward rock approach and also included a cover of "I Heard It Through the Grapevine

I Heard It through the Grapevine

"I Heard It Through the Grapevine" is a landmark song in the history of Motown. Written by Norman Whitfield and Barrett Strong in 1966, the single was first recorded by Smokey Robinson & the Miracles...

", which was released as a single

Single (music)

In music, a single or record single is a type of release, typically a recording of fewer tracks than an LP or a CD. This can be released for sale to the public in a variety of different formats. In most cases, the single is a song that is released separately from an album, but it can still appear...

. Chris Overland left the band in 1991 and was replaced by ex-Visage

Visage

Visage are a British New Wave rock band. Formed in 1978, the band became closely linked to the burgeoning New Romantic fashion movement of the early 1980s, and are best known for their 1980 hit "Fade to Grey".-New Wave years :...

 and ASAP

ASAP (band)

ASAP was a progressive rock band created by guitarist and vocalist Adrian Smith of Iron Maiden fame. ASAP released an album in 1989 titled Silver and Gold. A.S.A.P...

 guitarist, Andy Barnett. FM's fourth album, Aphrodisiac, followed in 1992 and is often considered to be the band's best. The band then signed to the Raw Power label to record Dead Man's Shoes

Dead Man's Shoes (FM album)

Dead Man's Shoes is a studio recorded album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Dead Man's Shoes was released in 1995 on the Raw Power record label.- Track listing :# "Nobody's Fool" - 5:33...

, which featured new keyboard player

Keyboardist

A keyboardist is a musician who plays keyboard instruments. Until the early 1960s musicians who played keyboards were generally classified as either pianists or organists. Since the mid-1960s, a plethora of new musical instruments with keyboards have come into common usage, requiring a more...

, Jem Davis. In March 1996, Steve Overland and Pete Jupp decided to disband FM, forming the band So! with Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash

Wishbone Ash are a British rock band who achieved success in the early and mid-1970s. Their popular records included Wishbone Ash , Argus , There's the Rub , and New England...

 bass player

Bassist

A bass player, or bassist is a musician who plays a bass instrument such as a double bass, bass guitar, keyboard bass or a low brass instrument such as a tuba or sousaphone. Different musical genres tend to be associated with one or more of these instruments...

, Bob Skeat

Bob Skeat

Bob Skeat is an English bass guitarist, best known for his work with rock band Wishbone Ash.-Musical career:Skeat had a musical upbringing, with his father, Bill – a session musician – actively encouraging his musical development...

, soon after. So!'s debut album, Brass Monkey, had two very limited releases, with copies of either release being difficult to come by.

Overland has recorded prolifically throughout the 2000s, with the bands The Ladder, Shadowman, and latterly, with his solo albums, Break Away and Diamond Dealer. In 2007, FM reformed for a one-off gig at Nottingham

Nottingham

Nottingham is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands of England. It is located in the ceremonial county of Nottinghamshire and represents one of eight members of the English Core Cities Group...

's Rock City

Rock City (club)

Rock City is a club in the city of Nottingham, England that focuses on live music.-Overview:Rock City, based in Nottingham City Centre, has a capacity of 2451, and is known for its intimate atmosphere. It has been described by NME as "sweaty, but truly indie". Rock City is divided into two rooms:...

. Overland has also appeared in the Broadway

Broadway theatre

Broadway theatre, commonly called simply Broadway, refers to theatrical performances presented in one of the 40 professional theatres with 500 or more seats located in the Theatre District centered along Broadway, and in Lincoln Center, in Manhattan in New York City...

 show Dreamtime

Dreamtime (musical)

Dreamtime is an original musical by Jean Marc Cerrone and David Niles. It was created by Niles, based on an original story by Cerrone. Niles wrote the book for the musical. The show's message is the power of love and dreams. Billed as a "New Broadway Musical Experience," the show combined giant...

, which had a successful run at the Ed Sullivan Theater

Ed Sullivan Theater

The Ed Sullivan Theater, located at 1697-1699 Broadway between West 53rd and West 54th, in Manhattan, is a venerable radio and television studio in New York City...

.

Discography

Wildlife

• Wildlife (1983)

FM

• Indiscreet
  Indiscreet (FM album)
  Indiscreet is the debut album from British AOR/hard rock band FM. Indiscreet was originally released in 1986 on the Portrait Records label, a sister label of Epic Records. The song "Frozen Heart" became a moderately successful single. The song "That Girl" was covered by Iron Maiden as a B'side to...
  
  (1986)
• Tough It Out
  Tough It Out
  Tough it Out is the second studio album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Tough It Out is the follow-up album to their 1986 debut album Indiscreet and was released in 1989 on the Epic Records label.- Track listing :...
  
  - (1989)
• Takin' It to the Streets
  Takin' It to the Streets (FM album)
  Takin' It To The Streets is the third studio album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Takin' It To The Streets was released in 1991 on the Music For Nations record label. This album does not represent a real AOR genre, it is bit closer to hard rock.- Track listing :#"I'm Ready" - 3:57 #"I...
  
  (1991)
• Aphrodisiac (1992)
• Closer to Heaven (1993)
• No Electricity Required (1993)
• Only the Strong - The Best of FM (1994)
• Dead Man's Shoes
  Dead Man's Shoes (FM album)
  Dead Man's Shoes is a studio recorded album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM. Dead Man's Shoes was released in 1995 on the Raw Power record label.- Track listing :# "Nobody's Fool" - 5:33...
  
  (1995)
• Paraphernalia (1996)
• Long Time No See (2003)
• Long Lost Friends (2005)
• Metropolis
  Metropolis (FM album)
  Metropolis is the long-awaited sixth studio album released by British AOR/hard rock band FM, their first since 1995. FM reformed in 2007 to headline Firefest IV, and following Andy Barnett's subsequent departure, FM recruited new guitarist Jim Kirkpatrick in time to once again headline Firefest in...
  
  (2010)

So!

• Brass Monkey (2000)

The Ladder

• Future Miracles (2004)
• Sacred (2007)

Shadowman

• Land Of The Living (2004)
• Different Angles (2006)
• Ghost In The Mirror (2008)

Overland

• Break Away (2008)
• Diamond Dealer (2009)

External links

• Steve Overland's Official Website.