BIO

Above The Steel is a two piece blues and roots band. Their music includes styles of blues, folk and rock. The bands influences are many with slow finger picking melodies to rocky guitar riffs complemented by lap steel riffs and solos. Above the steel prides itself of being experimental but respectful of days past. Blues influences are obvious in the bands songs as well as experimental folk which seems to draw on storytelling as much as melody and riff structure. Above the steel has graced many a venue and market place able to entertain with original songs which somehow sound familiar. “The songs are written as to pay respect to music’s history as well as push forward into new territory” says Above the Steel front man Lucas, thus introducing Above the steel.

The two members of the band create a full band sound. This has a lot to do with one man band ‘Ben Meinl’, able to play bass, guitar, lap steel and drums all within the one live performed song. Ben provides the backbone of each song whether tranquil and melodic to bluesy rock, he is constantly building layers and providing a constant rhythm. Ben is equally at home playing lap steel as he is playing the bass. His bass riffs can often end with him soloing over top on his acoustic. He is a musician who seamlessly moves from instrument to instrument and all the while does not stop the beat.

Lucas Castle is the front man of Above the Steel who seems more like a musician interested in creating good music rather than being out the front of the band. He sings, plays acoustic guitar and lap steel. His acoustic playing is sometimes finger picking and sometimes rhythmic strumming. He seems equally at home flat picking his way through a solo as he does slowly finger picking the melodic backing to softer songs. His lap steel playing is equally impressive providing searing atmospheric solos to rhythmic riffs showcasing the instruments strengths and potential.

Vocally Lucas has an earthy approach harmony mixed with realism. His vocal can sound deep and bass filled and then transform into a higher range which falls into a softly sung melody. The truth is Lucas’ vocals showcase diversity. Equally impressive are the moments both members are playing the lap steel transforming the audiences idea of what can be done with this instrument. Essentially Above the Steel is an example of two musicians diversity and adaptability. A two piece band doing the jobs of three or four people. Both musicians of a number of instruments, not definitively one or the other. It is also evident that the two musicians are having a great time playing their music which perpetuates a refreshing sense of a genuine love of music.

Having just finished their first seven track studio album Above the Steel are showing the beginning of a bright, creative song writing future. The album showcases the different styles the band can dish out having blues songs which also include folk, country and rock. A definite show worth seeing which leaves the audience wondering how in fact two people can produce such an extraordinarily big sound. A blues and roots band worth seeing as far as this genre stands in the Australian music scene Above the Steel are as individual as they are respectful of days of yore.

“You cannot write good music without taking into consideration all the brilliant music of the past we are here to be part of music not separate from it.” (Lucas Castle - Above the Steel 2019)