Steve Larkman: From THE CRACK to a Powerful Solo Career

RISING

9 Lounges Team

12/7/2025

Few artists travel through as many eras, genres, and creative landscapes as Steve Larkman—a musician whose roots in the UK punk scene eventually evolved into a decades-long career rich with experimentation, collaboration, and heartfelt songwriting. From the raw energy of Hull’s punk-rock movement to working with producers linked to David Bowie and U2, Steve’s journey is proof that true musicians never stop reinventing themselves.

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Angel Studio: Building a Creative Home for Musicians

At just 23, Steve took an uncommon leap for a young artist—he founded Angel Studio near Hull. What began as a space for local acts grew into a professional hub attracting major labels including:

Virgin Records
EMI
Link
Ten Publishing

Through the studio he worked with renowned producers and industry icons such as:

Mick Ronson – celebrated guitarist and arranger for David Bowie
Howard Gray – producer/engineer known for work with U2

These collaborations added depth and polish to Steve’s growing understanding of songwriting and production.

Early Beginnings: From School Guitars to THE CRACK

Steve’s passion for music started during his school years, sparked by the guitar-heavy sound dominating UK radio at the time. He quickly picked up both guitar and drums, and writing songs soon followed.

That early spark led him to form the Hull punk-rock outfit THE CRACK, a band that captured the grit and urgency of late-70s/early-80s punk. Their single “Making The Effort / Easy Street” earned attention, and years later “Easy Street” was featured on Gary Crowley’s Best Punk Ever collection released through the BBC (2018)—a nod to the band’s lasting influence.

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A Flourishing Solo Career: Albums That Tell a Story

Steve launched his solo career with the well-received album Tearjerker (2003). The record found strong support on BBC radio, with multiple singles charting in Northern Ireland’s Top Ten.

Over the years, he shaped a diverse catalogue, including:

The Start of the End of the World
Love, Hope and Glory
Take a Look
Acoustic Takes
Word Games (in collaboration with TKO publishers)

By 2011, his entire discography expanded into digital platforms, opening the door to a global audience.

A Creative Rebirth: New Collaborations & New Sounds

In 2016, Steve recorded “Saved by Rain” for Fairview Studios’ 50th anniversary—a turning point that inspired him to form a band and eventually release A Certain Kind of Rock and Roll.

His creative momentum continued. In 2019, he teamed up with Hilton and Nick Rosenthal of Split Sounds to produce Cover In A Week Session, a 12-track passion project celebrating the music that shaped him.

The 2024–2025 Wave: Singles, Revival & Renewed Recognition

Recent years have been some of Steve’s most active. He released a string of singles such as:

Broken
Crazy Time
7.33
Blue Money Bills
She’s in Love
Thinking of You

In 2024, a German superfan revived interest in THE CRACK by releasing a rare-recordings album—leading the band to reunite for a special performance in Berlin, reconnecting fans old and new.

Today, with 38 singles and 5 albums, and working alongside Angel Music Plus and Routenote, Steve is already shaping new music for 2026.