Steve Alexander has established himself as one of Britain's most accomplished players with a reputation for explosive power, astonishing technique and a resolutely original approach.



Steve was born in Wales, and subsequently moved to London, initially to study at University College London, (Psychology), but also because of the city's status as one of the world centres of the music business.



After graduating, Steve slowly started getting work as a session drummer, playing with a variety of bands and eventually working regularly in London's recording studios on film, t.v. and commercial sessions, and playing with the BBC Radio Orchestra.



Steve first came to wider attention as drummer for late 80's pop band Brother Beyond, firstly as hired hand then as a regular member of the band. There followed a succesful three years, releasing two platinum albums in the U.K., achieving chart success in a large number of countries, including two Top 20 U.S. hits. On the break up of the band Steve resumed his freelance career, working with a wide range of artists ranging from fusion (Jeff Lorber, Warren Cuccurullo), pop, ( Boy George, and others), to World Music , recording the award winning cd " Voyageur" with Zaire's Papa Wemba.



Leaving his past with eighties popsters Brother Beyond behind, Steve returned to the arena of floppy-fringes and ragged tigers when he joined the mercurial Duran Duran in 1995. Following the likes of Steve Ferrone, Terry Bozzio and Vinnie Colaiuta, he put his own mark on the band's new material and lived it up by bashing out the old faves on the greatest hits tour. Steve in Rhythm Magazine:

"Whenever we did old stuff, we'd always do a radical new twist on them. We did a mixture of Kraftwerk's 'The Model' and 'Girls on Film'. The first time we ever did it was in front of 20,000 people in Chicago. And stuff like 'Rio' and 'The Reflex' are great fun to play. In enjoyed it, and I enjoyed making it sound like the records, because the drums were always a major, major part of the Duran sound. And, you know, when Nick Rhodes starts that camera shutter going at the start of 'Girls on Film' and the crowd starts cheering, it's great."

He won't go into detail about the band's reputation for on-the-road excess, but suffice it to say they have not succumbed to the pipe and slippers yet. Which is heartening to know. More recently Steve Alexander found himself in the intriguing position of playing simultaneously with Duran and guitar legend Jeff Beck, a situation that is further testament to his versatility and an evident desire to make life as complicated as possible.



Steve's route to the Beck chair - surely among the most demanding on planet rock - was more complicated than rumours had reported: Steve was not recommended by previous incumbent Terry Bozzio). But the upshot is that, via a series of industry nods, he was brought to Beck's attention and, after a brief informal jam at the bad axeman's country retreat, was accepted into the fold. Steve:

"They said to me, 'We're only looking at you. Don't think of it as an audition, let's just see how we get along'."