HE SURE AS HELL FITS. MEET STEVE SCHILTZ, MUSICAL MAGICIAN AND GUITARIST WITH BLUE OCTOBER
“STEVE!” I YELLED OUT FROM FRONT AND CENTER STAGE.
It was prior to another magical Blue Experience, that I noticed the unmistakable lanky figure of Steve Schiltz emerge from the shadows to prepare his guitars. Immediately he stopped, walked over, and shook my hand. Without hesitation or irritation, he truly places the fan first.
“I am so glad you are with the band now Steve, you are awesome,” I exclaimed in admiration. “Well thank you, I really appreciate that, have a great show my friend.” He replied sincerely.
I had the privilege of the closest spot underneath Steve’s microphone stand in Pittsburgh recently. He apparently had noticed the pure joy the show had brought my wife and I and probably recognized me from past meetings and shows.
When the light came up, without asking, he carefully peeled up the set list, from the opposite side of the stage, and came back, picked me out, handed me the list, bowed, smiled, and sincerely thanked me, simply for being a fan.
No thanks necessary, I cherish every minute of every show. Just goes to prove though that Steve Schiltz, like all members of Blue, are – as they say in my native city of London UK – “Diamond Geezers.”
At the start of every Blue October show. Like a Guitar commander, without fail, Schiltz positions himself, with guitar in hand. Then with a confident, positive aura, prepares for musical battle. You always know something special is about to happen.
ROCHESTER NEW YORK NATIVE
So where has this debonair guitar legend in the making come from? From where I have lived many years. Western New York. Rochester New York to be exact. The birthplace of Blue October’s newest and hopefully last new member.
Much has been uploaded to the inter-web about Steve. A litany of accomplishments and accolades. I hope to offer a different insight.
This is one die hard Blue October connoisseur’s heartfelt take on one man, I consider not only one of the most gifted lead guitarists to grace the rock stage, but the sugar to Blue October’s coffee. Where did Steve earn his rock medals and experience? Here’s a quick snapshot.
As a young man with that rock dream and youthful twinkle in his eye, like all self-made successful individuals – Steve busted his ass. Pure and simple.
Schiltz originally played guitar in a band called Scout. From Toronto to New York City, he traveled, played, sweat, and rocked every tiny venue he could, blazing his way toward the forefront of the indie rock scene. It was 1999, when Steve said goodbye to Ro “cha-cha,” and headed down Thruway 90 to his new digs in New York City. Here he settled and formed the band Longwave, who shook the walls regularly at the Luna Lounge on the Lower East Side. Then in 2002, shit got real.
RCA signed Longwave and producer Dave Fridmann took the wheel. The result? A March 2003 release of the album and major label debut “The Strangest Things.” US and international tours with The Strokes, The Vines, Bloc Party, OK Go and others, followed, and flew by in an exhausting blur.
Enter Justin Furstenfeld and Blue October – center stage. At a steamy Austin Texas show, close to their own homes, brothers Jeremy and Justin Furstenfeld experienced the Longwave magic, during a tour for “The Strangest Things.” Both instantly became fans of Schiltz and Longwave.
A future relationship both professional and personal took root.
Longwave followed up with the “Life Of The Party” EP. Then renowned producer John Leckie (Radiohead, XTC, Stone Roses) sprinkled his magic dust on things. Result? “There’s a Fire,” released in 2005. More touring followed, including dates with The National, Blue October, Doves, Kasabian and more.
STICKIN’ TO HIS DREAM
In 2009, following the release of their album “Secrets Are Sinister,” a rest period ensued. One would expect healthy financial returns at this point. Not yet. However – again, another characteristic of the self-made successful – Steve stuck to his dream, his calling and most important his guitar style, and returned home to Brooklyn road-weary with a hefty $42 in the bank.
2009-2011 is a story in itself. Let us just say that Steve never stopped working and going after his dream.
He expanded his talents to produce another album “Tonight Is The Ghost,” with the track “Monsters,” being cherry picked for the “Twilight Saga” film soundtrack which certified Platinum. It peaked at #1 on the Billboard 200, with over one million units sold. Steve summed it up eloquently, “It was like I won the lottery.”
As a result of “Monsters,” Schiltz recruited musicians to create “Hurricane Bells” -the new project- which became a fully-fledged band and hit the road embarking on several US tours and venues as far flung as India and Japan. Schiltz was on his way. Busting his ass was finally paying dividends. He became a sought-after songwriter, composer, and touring and studio guitarist. He also squirreled away his cash and invested in his own recording studio, Olé Recording.
Like a mad musical professor, Schiltz blew apart the confines of rock normality into unique and unheard-of sound dimensions.
His particular high pitched guitar melody, tempered by smooth fluidity, and soul searing notes, is unmistakable, and simply make Blue October alternative rock legends.
BLUE COLLABORATION
Long admired by Blue October front man Justin Furstenfeld, Steve joined Blue October with his creative superpowers. Collaborative efforts resulted in October’s album 2011 Any Man In America.
In 2012, Justin was becoming a better person and changing his life personally. At this time, In almost a musical equivalent of a military exercise, four musically gifted gentlemen, and now friends, gathered at Jeremy Furstenfeld’s (Drummer and brother of Justin) home.
Steve and Jeremy combined forces and as a result of their musical toil, we were gifted eleven songs. Bassist Matt Novesky arrived, and like whipped topping on Apple Pie, he rounded out the phenomenal collaboration.
In 2014, recording completed, Steve eventually dipped his toe in the October concert pool in San Marcos, Texas, and played guitar in the thundering tune “Bleed Out.” A five song limited EP was available at the merch table. The band eventually released their self-titled debut album in 2020.
In 2018, Schiltz added to the October experience and co-wrote the current encore show stopping tune “I Hope Your Happy.” Straight form the ninth studio album by American band Blue October, released on August 17, the same year, on Up/Down and Brando Records.
It peaked at number 28 on the Billboard 200
Longwave also opened and or were on the marquee with Blue October during 2009, 18, and 19 Tours. During the 2009 tour, playing Boston, Justin Furstenfeld joined Longwave on stage to sing the song “I Know It’s Coming Someday”.
Schiltz went on to co-write Blue October classics “This Is What I Live For,” “Fight For Love,” “Change” and “Coal Makes Diamonds.”
It’s 2024 now. I’ve loved Blue October since my epiphany in 2019 (see link). My wife, and fellow Blue fanatic, have numerous shows under our belts. This year alone we flew to Boise, Idaho, and locally were blown away in Cleveland, Buffalo, and Pittsburgh. Syracuse and the always incredible, Danforth, Toronto experience loom on our horizon. VIP is a must.
I know ask myself, how the fuck do you improve perfection? How do you make the Mona Lisa better? How do you improve a $500,000 bottle of Screaming Eagle Cabernet whine? Or better yet, how do you improve a gifted musical amalgamation called Blue October?
You bring in a musician from a higher place. With gifts and talents that enhance rather than detract. That, if possible, fine-tunes the unparalleled formula of soul soothing tones we call the Blue October experience.
TAKE AWAY
Steve Schiltz simply fits. The reason the band clicks along like a family is shared qualities. Every member of Blue October are humble. And Thankful. And professional. And truly love their fans and their calling. Steve Schiltz has all of these qualities and more. He sure as hell fits.
With it he adds gifted lyrical Insite, charisma, a feeling of a family, a perfect blend of positivity, all accompanied by lashings of lead guitar melodies, that will shake your core and ride down your spine, in a symphony of chords.
So, when I thanked Steve and told him we were all glad he was finally an official member of Blue October, no truer word was spoken.
Justin also feels the magic with the addition of Steve to the October family. “When you play with your younger self’s guitar hero things seem to just make more sense. Since Steve Schiltz has been playing with us, I’ve been able to really drown myself in the music of Blue October. Every member is so talented that sometimes now, I like to shut up during the song just to listen to the four of them play together.” (Blue October post Sept 17, 2023. Facebook)
And, in a recent post, JustiN remarked, “I still can’t believe that I get to travel and play in a band with this man. He has always been a hero and mentor when it came to music, so now that he is such a big part of our lives, I feel truly grateful.”
We are all grateful. Devoted Dad, and guitar virtuoso, Mr. Steve Schiltz is a future guitar legend. And, like the entire live Blue October experience, while the opportunity exists, need to be seen, listened to, and savored forever.
See you at the next show.
SOURCES/CITATION
- https://www.steveschiltz.com/bio
- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Harvard_of_the_South_(band)
- (Blue October post Sept 17, 2023. Facebook)
- (BO Post March 23, 2024)