Steve VanGogh (Band)

Steve VanGogh was an American Rock band that was active during most of the 1980s and 1990s. Despite having little commercial success during their existance, the band has since become one of the most critically acclaimed groups of the 1980s.

The band was formed in 1983 by Lead singer and guitarist Dick Steve, Drummer Richard VanGogh, and bassist Wessley Mixton in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania. The band's first three albums, *Steve VanGogh* (1983), *Acidic Blood* (1985), and *Machine* (1986) were initially relatively low sellers - Steve VanGogh had only sold around 30,000 records by 1990 - but had, by the end of the decade become highly respected by critics, and were included on several "Best of" lists for the decade. The band finally found their commercial breakthrough after the release of the 1991 album *New Year*, which would introduce them to the general public. After releasing several more albums during the 1990s, including the successful *Pocono River* (1993) and *Live at Centennial Coliseum in Reno, Nevada* (1996), the band would disband in 1997 after discord between members. The band would reunite in 2005, but would once again disband in 2007. Steve VanGogh has reunited for concerts several times since then, but have not released an album, or gone on a full tour.

## History

The band was formed in 1983 by Dick Steve, a 19 year old college graduate prominent in the Philadelphia music scene, Richard VanGogh, a 20 year old student at Drexel University, and Wessley Mixton, a 23 year old graduate of Camden County College. The band's name was created after merging Steve and VanGogh's surnames together.

The band quickly got to working on their debut self-titled album, finishing it in August 1983 after two months of recording. The album consisted mainly of hard and progressive rock songs, all of which were written by solely the band members (with *Lone River Sundance* being the only exception, which was co-written by long tim friend of Richard of VanGogh's, Linzey Watkins.) The album would sell slowly, mainly due to poor marketing my record label Little David Records. However, after touring throughout the megalopolis and eastern seaboard, the band would manage to drive the album up to nearly 40,000 records sold by 1986. This initial touring would help the band form a small yet dedicated following in the years following. However, due to the poor marketing by the band's record label, they would elect to depart Little David in early 1984. Early in the year, they would be contacted by Capitol Records - who were interested in signing them. The group would at first be weary of signing with a record company based on the other side of the country, but they would ultimately elect to do so, leading to the group moving to Los Angeles. This decision, among other disagreements with his fellow bandmates, would leave to Wessley Mixton departing the band. He would promptly be replaced by Steve's girlfriend Marjory Marris, who had previously been involved with the band during the *Steve VanGogh* recording sessions.

After taking a short break in 1984, the band would begin preparing to create their next album. After writing for several months, recording would begin in January of 1985. By April, recording had finished. The album would be released in August. The album would see a shift away from the heavy rock seen in their debut, instead focusing more on glam rock, progressive rock, and art rock styles. The album would also incorporate more piano then the debut, which would be played by session musician Kasen Mayweather. The album, similar to the band's previous release, would see little commercial success upon release, but would later be critically acclaimed.

## Discography

*Steve VanGogh (1983)*

*Acidic Blood* (1985)

*Machine* (1986)

*Departure* (1987)

*New Year* (1991)

*Pocono River* (1993)

*God is Careless* (1994)

*Love is Not Loving* (1994)

*Live at Centennial Coliseum in Reno, Nevada* (1996)

*Verdict* (1997)

*Redemption Tour (2005)*