Steve Stoeckel



Photo © Laura S. Tinnel, used by permission.

 

I began playing guitar at age 10. My first influence was Peter, Paul and Mary -- I was a folkie. The Beatles changed my direction immediately; after hearing Sgt. Pepper's, I became a bassist, and learned all the British Invasion stuff. My first band was Eros, followed by a country rock band called Sassafras. There were a series of other top 40 bands during the 70's, followed by what was to be a one night stand with a band we formed as an afterthought: The Spongetones. The Spongetones recorded 9 albums and EPs during the 1980's, 1990's, and 2000's and were inducted into the Power Pop Hall of Fame in 2017. We still gig after nearly 40 years. I have also released 4 CD's with fellow Spongetone Jamie Hoover under the name Jamie and Steve.

In addition to Pop Co-Op music, I'm currently working on my first ever solo album with Big Stir Records, due out in 2022. I've already released two singles on Big Stir.  One was a co-write with Irene Peña.

My musical influences include, in addition to the Beatles: XTC, Squeeze, Rockpile, Elvis Costello -- anything, really that's well-crafted with good melodies and smart lyrics.