The Guitar/Vocal Wizardry of Steve Brown

Upcoming Steve Brown Performances:

Saturday, Nov. 20: “One Night of Acoustic Glory” Steve Brown and Eric Martin (Mr. Big)

Debonair Music Hall, Teaneck.

https://debonairmusichall.com/

Wednesday, Dec. 15: The Wizards of Winter. Bergen Performing Arts Center, Englewood. www.bergenpac.org

Steve Brown ranks among the very busiest men in show biz, a great thing for fans of melodic hard rock. Brown, a Paramus native and Ringwood resident, is also among the best when it comes to upbeat, infectious hooks and riffs, soaring solos, and a positive attitude that shows in his songwriting, reflecting his life-affirming approach towards rock.

The energetic guitarist has been constantly gigging over the decades, building a resume par excellence. Brown has played with own bands, most famously platinum-selling arena rockers Trixter, as well as in hard rock heroes Tokyo Motor Fist. The self-taught ax-man has also performed at Wembley Stadium in England with Def Leppard when guitarist Vivian Campbell was battling cancer; has appeared on Broadway in "Rock of Ages"; and is the guitarist for the holiday-themed extravaganza that is the Wizards of Winter, an ensemble featuring many former members of the Trans-Siberian Orchestra.

You can also see Brown onstage with his good friend Eric Martin of Mr. Big fame and as the touring six-stringer for former Styx front man Dennis DeYoung. Even his Eighties covers band, Rubix Cube, is exceptional, having played in Russia.

Brown recently took to the spotlight releasing his very first solo single and accompanying music video for "Where Do We Run," a soulful, emotive acoustic/electric rocker that calls Thin Lizzy to mind.

We recently had the pleasure of speaking with Steve Brown.

Q. You live for the stage. How did you cope with no gigs during the pandemic?

I did a ton of work at my home studio mixing and mastering records. I also took the better part of a year transferring original tapes I had made in 1986. I digitized everything and used Pro Tools to preserve the legacy. I did some private gigs with very strict Covid protocols. But to be honest, after being on the road for the better part of 36 years, getting to be home for a year with my family, my wife and two daughters, was good. There was no saying, where do I have to drive to or fly to now? I've practiced singing and playing now more than I have in the last five years.

Q. You recently released your first ever solo single, “Where Do We Run.” It’s a very expressive number, reminiscent of Thin Lizzy.

(Singer-bassist) Phil Lynott and (guitarist) John Sykes are definitely big influences. I love Lynott’s phrasing, musical and lyrical. It also reflects some of my other biggest influences like Richie Sambora (Bon Jovi), Steve Lukather (Toto), Peter Frampton and the late, great Gary Moore (solo, Thin Lizzy). The funny thing is about "Where Do We Run" is it's not really a brand new song. While I was going through my old tapes during the pandemic I found it. Its first incarnation was written in 1994. It's really different and appropriate for the times we're living in. Though it's a dark themed song at the end there's a hopeful message.

Are you working on a first ever solo album?

The goal is probably going to be to release one or two singles for the next five or 10 ten years, enough for a first official solo record. I just don't have the time right now to do an album all at once. I will say it will be extremely varied. I'm influenced by all the different types of music I play in all my bands and beyond that. I just love great songs. I don't care what type they are or what type of songwriting is involved. A great song is a great song and great songwriting is key in any style of music.

Q. Your next show is playing an acoustic show with your good friend Eric Martin of Mr. Big fame on Nov. 20 at Debonair Music Hall in Teaneck. It's billed "One Night of Acoustic Glory."

I get to fly all over the world and play all different countries but there's nothing like coming home and playing to fans and friends in an intimate venue. Eric and I have been friends for 30 years. Being an acoustic show, it's more focused on the songs and the stories behind the songs. There's lots of joking around. It's the first time we've done a full-on acoustic show together. Eric Martin is absolutely amazing. He had a multi-week No. 1 song with "To Be With You." He's an incredible talent.

Q. Next up is a Wizards of Winter homecoming show at the Bergen Performing Arts Center in Englewood on Dec. 15. What can you tell us about the Wizards of Winter?

It's great to have a hometown show especially so close to the holidays, and doing a Christmas-themed show. We perform a holiday rock opera called "The Christmas Dream." It's a positive, uplifting story, perfect for the holidays. Wizards of Winter is kind of a mini version of TSO. We don't have the pyro and 50-foot video screens but we do tell a story. We have a narrator, Tony, who was with TSO for years. Wizards of Winter also showcases some incredible musicians. It's led by a Jersey couple, Scott Kelly (composer, keyboardist) and Sharon Kelly (flute, vocals). Scott is an amazing keyboardist. He's like Rick Wakeman. Sharon is a cross between Dennis DeYoung and Floor Jansen (Nightwish). Everyone in the band is superb. Compared to TSO I think Wizards of Winter is a better band.