Tag: Corporate Grave

Paul Jay – STE Bulletin – 4th January 1994

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

LIFE BEGINS AT 30 WITH PAUL…

As you’ve probably already realised, this bulletin is dedicated to the memory of Steve Burgess, who sadly passed away on December 28th 1993. For those of you who weren’t fortunate enough to know him, he was one of the nicest people you could ever wish to meet.

From a personal level, I first met. Steve about 8 or 9 years ago, when he came to see SUICIDE PACT + then NOX MORTIS + from then on he was a regular at our gigs, always being a friendly + jovial character.

I remember the times a group of us used to go to London for gigs (from memory it seemed as though it was every other week), having to wait for the 2.45am train to Southampton on Waterloo station, completely fucked + pissed off we’d missed the midnight train, still in a weird way it was a laugh.

Steve was a person who (from what I understood + witnessed) totally devoted himself to his wife Chrissy + 2 kids (Amanda + Rebecca), whom he loved + adored, his football which I know he played several times a week + music which he was involved with + through which I got to know him. I remember seeing the bands he played in (CORPORATE GRAVE, ALL THE GLORY + THIRST) on many occasions, admittedly in a drunken haze, + lastly he was always there for his friends, a person you could talk to, he was always there to listen to problems.

He will sorely be missed by family and friends alike. R.I.P.

Lastly, there will be a collection + a raffle at the FABRIC gig at the Joiners on Saturday, January 15th + there will also be a number of benefit gigs organised in memory of Steve, with all proceeds from the gigs, going to Wessex Heart Foundation, so please give generously, as this will be greatly appreciated by those he left behind.

Cheers for taking the time to read this!!

Rich Levine – STE Bulletin 22 – 3rd January 1994

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

MY HEART + THE REAL WORLD WITH RICH…

On Tuesday, December 28th 1993, Steve Burgess tragically died of a heart attack.

He was just 24 years old, married to Chrissy, with 2 daughters Amanda + Rebecca, aged 7 years + 3 months respectively.

Some of you may have known Steve from the bands THIRST, (+ earlier) ALL THE GLORY + CORPORATE GRAVE + as part of the Southampton punk/ hardcore scene over the last 8 or 9 years. To me, he was my best friend.

When I heard the news (whilst at the tranquillity of my Mum’s, in rural west Wales), I was numb. It didn’t sink in. It seemed so unreal like it was a big wind-up + suddenly Steve was going to turn up + say “Not Really!”.

Then came the tears + the pain. Tears of sadness, tears of anger at how cruel + unfair this world is, that someone with so much love, so much to live for, with so much purpose to his life, could be taken from us. My thoughts were with Chrissy + his family.

At times, I felt cheated – so many things I’d never be able to share with Steve. We all think we’re so invulnerable, take our lives for granted, that we’re going to be around for the next 40 years or so.

We never consider how fragile our existence is.

What can’t be taken away from me are my memories. I went to the

same school (Alderman Quilley in Eastleigh) as Steve + we became friends through punk rock. Going with him to his first gig (CONFLICT in Bournemouth), when he was just 15, forming our own punk rock band in his bedroom (the prototype CORPORATE GRAVE), seeing him on stage later on tape + record. Having the privilege of being the Best Man at his + Chrissy’s wedding + both of us being absolutely terrified of making our speeches! Witnessing what a proud father he was. So many scrapes + so many laughs…

Steve was a very thoughtful person. He had very firm beliefs but also liked to test these, by questioning even those which are considered sacred cows within our scene. A few weeks before he died, we had a long discussion about bands + ethics, until 3am.

We were both exhausted but as he dropped me home, we both agreed how much we’d enjoyed the debate. Steve loved life + had a wicked sense of humour (as witnessed in his occasional ‘Danny Zuko’ column for this bulletin).

Like all of us, Steve wasn’t perfect, he was a human being but it was impossible to dislike Steve – the number of people who attended his funeral is a testament to just how popular + well-liked he was. He loved + cared about his family + friends + was there when I was down + needed him.

For a time, I was thinking what’s the point in carrying on with the S.T.E. + this whole music thing. It all seemed so trivial. If that’s all it was (just music), then yes, that would be the case.

However, the friendships, feelings + sense of community spirit, that’s there in our scene, far, far outweighs mere notes + guitar sounds. At our regular Sunday night ‘Scrabble’ sessions, the day after a gig, Steve would often talk more about: the conversations he’d had with such + such rather than the bands who’d played.

If anything positive can come out of Steve’s death, it’s that you have to cherish + appreciate your friends. What we have in Southampton + the people who come to S.T.E. gigs are special – don’t take it for granted.

Right now, I’m listening to JAWBOX’s ‘Novelty’ album.  Their song ‘Dreamless’ (+ the other 2 songs played at his funeral, NICK DRAKE’s ‘Pink Moon’ + ‘Texarkana’ by R.E.M.) will always remind me of Steve. I’ll miss that laugh, I’ll miss making him tapes + him making me cups of tea + vegetable pate sandwiches + above all, I’ll miss him. Right now, I still feel the pain of his loss – time heals all wounds they say but the memory will always remain.

So long Steve, your friend Rich.

12th Jan 2024 – Rich was the first person that I really connected with in Southampton from attending and playing shows at the West Indian Club. Even though Steve and I had toured together in our bands I didn’t really connect with him until later. Rich, Paul, Rob, and Steve, along with Johnny, Chrissy and Selina became the group of folks that I was closest to and despite living quite removed from them I always had a feeling of kinship and warmth. For those closer to Steve in location, the impact of his passing must have felt even crueller.

40,000 Reasons For Living – STE Bulletin 22 – 2nd January 1994

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

Welcome to the first S.T.E. Bulletin of 1994. We hope you had a pleasant Christmas + have a Happy New Year. There’s been something of a cloud over us in the last few weeks, following the death of our close friend + THIRST guitarist Steve Burgess, between Christmas + New Year.

Suffice it to say all the columns this time are devoted to Steve + this + all future bulletins, are respectfully dedicated with love to Steve’s memory.

There are several benefit gigs being arranged, as a memorial + on behalf of the Wessex Heart Foundation. Watch these bulletins for details.

As always, we actively encourage people to get involved with the S.T.E. (in any capacity), so please get in touch. If anyone wishes to receive these bulletins on a regular basis then ask to be put on our mailing list. The Christmas gig raised £53 for Southampton Anti-Fascist Action, so thanks to everybody who contributed to that.

Cheers also to ONE BY ONE, KITCHENER, CHICKEN BONE-CHOKED, OLDER THAN DIRT, Chris, Mint, the Joiners staff, Tony, Pete Osmond + everyone who has supported us, we really do appreciate it

love + greetings.
Rich/Rob/Paul…the S.T.E. Collective.

12th Jan 2024 – See the next few entries for other’s thoughts and recollections about Steve in this month’s STE Bulletin.

Tie a rope to the back of the bus – 19th April 1989

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

22nd Feb 2021 – I’m not sure how long the ferry journey took but it was light by the time we were back in the van driving in France. Starving and sleepless we pulled into a bakery at a service station and enjoyed the warm French hospitality that non-French speakers probably deserve. But we ate a little at least.

Without telling anyone in the van, I’d stashed a smidgen of hash in with the tins of beer, without considering the consequences for myself or everyone else. Feeling happy with myself that I’d gotten away with it I announced my achievement to everyone and was met with much (deserved) criticism. I know we were on our way to Holland but what if we couldn’t find any smoke!? Be prepared!

A little journey, following the coast and passing Dunkirk (no time for any sightseeing) we found the Belgium border. Expecting a quick passport check, armed border guards approached the van and got irate with us when we all poured out. They took our drivers into a room and the rest of us waited nervously and impatiently, counting down how long we had to get to Hoorn to play our first show.

Sometime later, the boys returned looking gloomy and pissed off. Because we were carrying musical equipment we had to have a piece of paper with a list of all the items. Well, we had that, but what no one told us was that it had to be stamped or signed by the customs people in Dover. The boys had argued that they’d been allowed across to France as it was but the guards were having none of it. Perhaps they were waiting for a bribe?

As we contemplated going back to Dover, maps were investigated and it was decided to drive inland a bit and try to find another way into Belgium. I forget if there was even a crossing with guards but, whatever there was, we just drove straight through and were on our way again, seriously running behind time.

Looking on a map today the drive to Hoorn in Holland appears to only take 3 and a half hours but I’m thinking it took a bit longer 30 years prior. Also, our van, full of amps and smelly people, wasn’t racing anywhere. It was amazing to watch our two drivers plough on through and I think it was only after the tour had finished that I discovered they had been on speed for the journey so far. Only once did they take a turn into oncoming traffic, forgetting which side of the road to drive. Not bad!

Somehow we arrived in Hoorn without any checkpoint entering Holland but there was no time to settle in. It was straight to the cafe where the show would be held. This is where I discovered many cultural differences between the UK and Holland. Cafes in Holland were also bars and the focus wasn’t really around drinking but more just hanging out, with a snack, coffee or a beer. In 1989 UK, cafes and bars were totally separate things.

The place was surprisingly busy for a Wednesday evening. Tonight, was just us and Corporate Grave playing so there was little stress with timing and changeovers. The only adjustment that needed to be made was that the toilet door had to be removed to allow space for the players on stage. Fatty ended up playing with the head of his bass stuck into the doorway and having to move out of the way for anyone desperate enough to need a piss. It was quite an amusing sight.

I enjoyed the whole evening, especially after the long journey and stressful border situation and it was nice to receive a warm welcome from The Vernon Walters and their crew.

After the show, we went back to Mark’s place. I had connected well with Mark and enjoyed his company and it was a pleasure to stay with him for these few days. Our band was all here whilst Corporate Grave and Rich stayed with someone else.

Our next cultural difference was discovered in the bathroom. This was the first time I’d been in a bathroom with an open shower and just a drain in the floor, no bath. It somehow felt quite liberating but also a little insecure with no cover protecting my modesty in this big room. I don’t think I’d ever been naked in such a big space before.

And then there was the toilet. I had never imagined that toilets were different in other countries. Here in Holland, you didn’t shit into some water at the bottom of the bowl but instead onto a shelf, where you could safely inspect your work should that be necessary. In my 22 years up that point, I had never found it necessary. I was worried about the pile of poop stacking up and smearing all over my ass cheeks though I really had no idea of depth and proximity. So, I just squatted up a little and got it done and dusted as quickly as possible. I was too shy to ask exactly how one should use the toilet. I don’t think anyone else mentioned it either.

Please don’t be waiting for me – 18th April 1989

~ shaun tenzenmen ~ Leave a comment

21st Feb 2022 – How exciting. To be in a band.

A week or two after playing shows around the UK with our new pals from Holland, The Vernon Walters, we were off to Europe somehow, to play there with our local buddies, Corporate Grave. Our drivers, two Welsh hippie punk miscreants who kept us entertained with stories as they figured out which direction we should be headed. I don’t know how any of this happened. I was just the vocalist in the band. Before I knew it as a phrase, I would ‘get in the van.’

I don’t recall where we were picked up from, or any of the journey across the South of England to Dover where we would await the ferry to Calais. We would have picked up Rich and Corporate Grave along the way in Southampton.

We arrived in Dover in the late evening and beer seemed to be an important requirement so we bought a case of 24 cans of Stella. We had probably already spent all the spare money we had. Beer and cigarettes came before food.

We left in darkness, with a bunch of paperwork cleared, the details of which I’m vague on now, but it would have been related to earning money, carrying expensive equipment and those sorts of things. As we were accepted we assumed everything would be in order for the rest of the trip, particularly as Europe had just opened up without much in the way of cross border checking once on the mainland.