If you were at Glastonbury between 1993 and 1996, stumbling around the Green Fields, the chances are that you may have stumbled across one of the happiest looking, dancable bands you'd ever heard the likes of. And maybe since that time you've always wondered what happened to them?
Well all is described below. Most of the musical output by The Dharmas is still available to download for free at :www.steadmanband.com. Along with all the material that has followed.
Anyhow, here's the story:
As the Dharmas we spread our sounds around the U.K. for over five years. Like all bands our humble roots were down the local pub, in this case "the Pig in Paradise", Hastings, England
I had written some songs and needed some people to play them with. I found them in Hastings (and surrounding countryside). Ellie was busking, Dom was at a local festival, Wal was in the audience and Russ drummed for every band in Hastings anyway. Thus The Dharmas were (almost) formed.
Local gigs started to go down a storm, involving ridiculous antics and much dressing up, infact we were having such a good time that we decided to try our luck at the Glastonbury festival 1993. It paid off! With a smuggled in generator and our amps, an unused stage was turned into"The Blaggers stage" and several bands with similar intentions turned it into a happenin' little corner of the festival which attracted many people, sick of wading through coke cans to the main stages. A live reputation was established and it was possible to hit the road. Festivals became a big part of Dharma life.
Chris,a local keyboard funkster,became the sixth member of the band in the new year of 1994.
The following year The Dharmas were given an "official" afternoon slot at Glastonbury on the Avalon stage and we played to several thousand happy groovers from all over. We also played at the Heineken big tops, the Harvest Fayre, Ponterdawe, Gosport, Trowbridge, Guildford and many other festivals in the U.K. A Saturday night headline gig on the Avalon stage at Glastonbury 1995 (where we played to well over five thousand Dharma Fans and Dharma Virgins), attracted the attention of Rhythm King Records. This small independent company signed us a year later (they had to be sure you know!)
Meanwhile we continued gigging at student unions, sleeping on student's floors,eating in student canteens, wondering at student's alcohol intake and reading up on post modernist gender issues?
After something in the region of 500 gigs we retired to the studio to record out long awaited album, with producer Steve Lyon (Depeche Mode, The Cure). we were later dropped by Arista records (Who bought out Rhythm King) for being in the wrong place at the wrong time. we have now released the Album ourselves. The remaining members of The Dharmas are now waving the flag with our new band Steadman.
Simon Steadman.
i was there too remember when you rocked the shit out of falmouth fantastic live band! RUNAWAY what a tune LIVIN FOR TODAY tune top band please put those tunes on here the early recordings were the best that ep you did?!!
Dear Dharmas!
Even though I despise technology, there are times when I want to kneel down to the great technological God and give a prayer of true thanks. It's great to have a page dedicated to what was, as far as I'm concerned, one of the best live bands I've ever come across. The life, colour, emotion and joy emitted from the band shone like a laser beam out to the audience... a kind of synergy many bands aspire to, but rarely ever reach. I grew up with your music and saw you at Glastonbury, Pheonix, Brighton, Maidstone, Tunbridge Wells Forum and countless other gigs and festis and it's true to say that every single gig absolutely rocked! Ellie's beautiful and energetic playing inspired me to learn the violin, which I do very badly, but love to do anyhows. So, just sending out massive, massive thanks to your musical inspiration which has found it's way into the music I make today and of course, for a countless number of incredible evenings.
Bloody Channel Hoppers. If I could runaway from them I would. Now I can fly again, I'm three miles high and at such a high altitude you can see the whole earth and I'd love to do that all our summer days. A lifelong shiner full of natural satisfaction and 1000 points of light. You should at write letters to a loved one and save them, maybe that could be your book inside you. What if it happens again? Then raise yer head and shake up. There's no time to celebrate, you will one day die. But first you must rise and be soul driven, in a whirlwind, safe and free.
How many song titles in that paragraph? Can ya guess? Can ya? Can ya?
So many great memories of great gigs and great songs! Saw you guys play once by accident at The Richmond pub (as was) in Brighton and after that many more times on purpose - including twice in one day at different venues!
Still love the tapes and treasure my wax sealed Runaway CD!
Hi Simon - thanks for the invite. So good to hear you again. Is it really over 13 years ago that you were found in that muddy Pilton field? They were fun times, when festivals were still festivals.
Have a great new year and keep in touch.
Jim
Hey Dharmas - I've so enjoyed hearing your stuff again - fab. I've checked out your site too - couldn't find a song that I loved. I think it started "Dear lady ... (something, something, something) ... coz I'm feeling so much stronger I don't neeeed you any more". Am I Likely to find it anywhere?
Cheers, Holly Climax
Thanks for adding us. Wow this page takes me back!! Glad to see somebody has taken the trouble to do this. I still think The Dharmas were one of the best live bands i ever saw. If only... :)
You will one day die
You will one day fade away
Still everybody craves an answer
Whats the point of it?
What gives me the will to stay?
I feel that I deserve an answer
How can I be
Of better use today?
Boredom seems to swirl around me
Drives me crazy
Its the same day after day
MY LIFE'S BECOME SO REPETITIOUS
You guys rocked. So many memories come flooding right on back. Shame about the World Dharmanation thang not working out but hope you are all in very happy places. :)
