In Conversation with Colin: Steve Overland of FM

AOR veterans FM are back on the road in support of their latest album, frontman Steve Overland and his bandmates are touring to promote Brotherhood, which has received across the board positive reviews.

FM’s discography is filled with memorable songs that have left an indelible mark on the music industry. Their songs showcase FM’s ability to create catchy melodies, intricate arrangements, and heartfelt lyrics that resonate with listeners. The band’s music seamlessly blends elements of pop and rock creating a captivating sound that appeals to a wide audience.

Newport City Radio’s Colin Palmer had a chat with lead vocalist Steve Overland about their brand new album, Brotherhood. The conversation covered everything from the band’s penchant for smaller venues to finding new fans in destinations he never expected. Steve also reveals the secret to the band’s longevity.

FM have been around since 1984 (with Overland’s brother Chris the original lead guitarist), albeit with a 12-year hiatus from 1995. From early on the brothers forged their own sophisticated rock sound. With intelligent lyrics, strong melodic hooks, plus intricate rhythms and harmonies they crafted memorable songs in the studio.

To put the band in context one must take account of the cultural landscape of 1984 – Elton John married studio engineer Renate Blauel, Jim Kerr married Chrissie Hynde, and Mick Fleetwood filed for bankruptcy. Live Aid was still a year away and petrol was £1.75 per gallon. Andy Warhol and Phil Lynott were both very much alive while Dynasty and Dallas were top television shows. That’s how long ago it was.

The fact that any version of FM is still out there and audiences are still buying tickets and attending shows is a testament to the power of the songs since the band’s debut, despite the onslaught of rap, hip-hop, many different styles of metal, grunge and other genres which have still yet to knock classic rock off the airwaves (and in all likelihood never will).

Since reforming in 2007, the band have consistently been putting out new studio albums under the notion of not wanting to rely on their past accomplishments. The three remaining members from the original line-up include lead vocalist Steve Overland, drummer Pete Jupp and bassist Merv Goldsworthy.

“The one thing you never do in this industry is burn your bridges”. Steve tells me. “Always keep the doors open and try to fit in with what people do and that’s how you have longevity in your career I think. Be adaptable, I make so many records a year not just with FM because I never do close the doors.

“FM are quite a busy band, we do a lot of touring because we are lucky enough to have that heritage I guess to be able to tour the world. We go to South America, we go all over Europe and have a big following in Spain, so when we start touring this new album in September it will be a year’s worth of touring but there are obviously gaps. I also write with young developing artists and that’s what keeps it exciting and interesting. I got contacted by somebody I knew twenty five years ago and they said “we’re trying to put together a country band in Nashville, will you write some songs for it?” and I just automatically said “yes”. Then I have to go and buy all this Americana music and study Keith Urban and Rascal Flatts and all these bands that are selling millions of records and just adapt and see how it’s done. The lyrics have to be written differently, they’re more straightforward.”

The band have performed around the world including such diverse venues as The Royal Albert Hall and The Patriot in Crumlin, yet Steve admits to enjoying the more intimate venues. “Well we’ve done Wembley and the NEC, we’ve done everywhere,” he laughs. “I love doing the acoustic shows because you get to meet the audience. It’s all about them, it’s not about the band. I just love those smaller shows because people get a chance to be a part of the show, and they do also with the electric show but it’s not the same. There’s no big lighting rig, there’s no backdrops, there’s no big announcements it’s about sitting on the stools and talking to the people that buy your records. You get a real idea of what they think of you and what they want.

“Some of the venues are 150 capacity and those shows were amazing, they were packed and people had a great time, and that’s what it’s all about. When you’ve been around for forty three years all of your fans are like a part of your family, you’ll see new faces but there are a lot of the same people at every tour and that’s what is so great about. They bought into the band in 1985 and they are still there, and that’s the great thing about FM, longevity. We’ve got a great background and heritage but for me it’s all about the next thing that we do, because although we’re where we are in our career it’s all about what we do next.”

FM’s fan base is still spreading across the globe in places that may not seem obvious at first glance. These rockers have gained a newfound following of late in Latin America.

“South America was a real eye opener for us because we had no idea that we were that big there. We went there and it was fanatical, we turned up at the airport in Brazil and I’m knackered after the flight, we’ve got guitars and I heard this massive cheer, and I’m looking behind me to see if there’s a Brazilian footballer behind me but there were around one hundred and fifty people with FM banners saying ‘Welcome To South America’. Every show was packed and to discover new territories when you’ve been going forty two years is still a great thing for us, it’s a real buzz.”

FM’s new album Brotherhood echo’s the spirit and melodic strength of their early classics yet the songs are unmistakably fresh and vibrant. Highlights include the memorable rocker ‘Don’t Call It Love’, the punchy and powerful ‘Coming For You’, the emotionally charged ‘Time Waits For No One’ and the infectious anthem ‘Living On The Run’.

“Living On The Run was the first single from the album, and it’s funny because Jem (Davis) our keyboard player never used to write for the band,” explains Steve. “He bought this fantastic house in lockdown with a proper full size recording studio in it, and since then he’s written some fantastic songs. Living On The Run was his first song for Brotherhood. It’s kind of a Bonnie & Clyde story, it’s a young couple that basically leave their home town and go on a rampage. His songwriting is fantastic, he comes up with great concepts for songs, and this is a straightforward rocker but it’s a great song and he’s great to work with and very prolific.”

The opening track, ‘Do You Mean It’, brings a bluesy, soulful vibe that echoes the Doobie Brothers’ classic ‘Takin’ It To The Streets’, setting the tone for the album. Supporting vocals come courtesy of a female guest choir adding warmth and dynamic depth to ‘Do You Mean It’ and ‘Just Walk Away’, one of FM’s most powerful ballads to date, it’s a beautifully emotional song that highlights the band’s mastery of melodic rock.

“Just Walk Away is a ballad that I wrote in about an hour in the studio,” says Steve. “I picked an acoustic guitar up and it was sort of a soul ballad and I didn’t know if it would be right for FM so I did a version of it and sent it to Merv our bass player, he was in Las Vegas lying by the pool and he got back to me and said “this is absolutely amazing and we have to include it’. So we did it, I think it’s a fantastic song, it starts really melancholy with not too much on it and then it gets to be an anthem by the end with a female choir, it’s an epic ballad.”

As they continue to inspire and entertain, FM’s legacy as one of the greatest radio-friendly audaciously smooth melodic rock bands of all time remains firmly intact.

Colin Palmer

Excerpts of this interview were broadcast on ‘The Rock Vault’ September 2^nd, 2025.