Steadman

Steadman, which previously performed under the name the Dharmas, functions as a melodic Brit-pop and alternative pop/rock group whose sound has drawn comparisons to Radiohead, Oasis, and Suede. The ensemble originated in Hastings, England, during 1998. Following a series of performances throughout the United Kingdom, the Dharmas secured a recording contract with Arista’s British division. That association ultimately collapsed, allowing the musicians to terminate the agreement, adopt the name Steadman, and proceed with independent recording. Frontman and chief songwriter Simon Steadman established his own imprint, Freeloader Recordings, in the late ’90s; the outfit’s debut album, Loser Friendly, appeared on that label in England in 1999. One year later the Los Angeles-based Ozone Recording Company (ORC) issued the same album in the United States. Loser Friendly retains most of the band’s original personnel, among them Simon Steadman, bassist David Walton, and drummer Russell Field, although keyboardist Ellie Wyatt was succeeded by Chris Murphy and guitarist James Board joined as a later addition.