We're deeply saddened today to have lost another member of the 1919 family: our former bass player, Steve Madden.

Steve joined the band in early 1983, performing at our second Peel session and on our Cry Wolf EP. The title track, alongside B-sides Dream and Storm, have proven to be among our most popular and enduring works.

After the band split in '84, Steve worked with Mark and Ian in Another Cinema, releasing two further singles before retiring from music soon afterwards and committing himself to family life.

Steve and Mark remained close over the years and were neighbours in Baildon. When Mark was first trying to re-form the band in 2014, he'd wanted Steve to be involved but his health wouldn't allow it. Mark would visit Steve when he was unwell, and Steve would return the favour years later.

Through their friendship we were able to re-connect after losing Mark, almost exactly 2 years ago now, and we asked Steve to perform as a guest on Futurecide. His last 1919 record will prove a fitting swansong for a man whose place in our history is matched only by his own towering stature.

Standing at a huge 6' 7" (that's about 2m to our continental friends - and why he was often crouched in band photos!), it was an honour to have worked with him for one last time, a gentle giant who was full of love throughout life's peaks and troughs.

Our thoughts are with Martha, Sally, Vicki, Sean, and the rest of the lovely Madden family at this difficult time.

RIP Steve. Always 1919 x