The Big Dish Fan Site Recently Updated

This content has been archived. It may no longer be relevant

One of the most underrated bands from the 80s, The Big Dish formed in Airdrie, Scotland comprised of  Steven Lindsay (vocals/guitar), Mark Ryce (guitar) and John Harper (keyboards). The trio was subsequently joined on stage by Paul Albertis (bass) and John Hendry (drums).  Sadly, only after 3 albums under their belt, they disbanded.

Fortunately, there is a very nice a comprehensive fan site that was recently redesigned and updated. From it, is this bio on the group:

“The Big Dish Formed In Lindsay’s Native Airdrie In 1983 And Came To The Fore In 1986 With Their First Single ‘Big New Beginning’, A Song About The Move To, And Life In A New Town.  A String Of Crafted Singles Peppered The Band’s First Albums.  From ‘Swimmer’ Came ‘Prospect Street’, Named After An Edward Hopper Painting, It Betrayed Some Of The Formative Influences Lindsay Had Discovered During His Time At The Glasgow School Of Art.  ‘Slide, A Salubrious Shuffle-Beat Of A Single Brought Acclaim From The Critics Who By Now Were Comparing The Band Favourably With The Likes Of The Blue Nile, Prefab Sprout, The Bible, China Crisis And Tears For Fears.  

“‘Creeping Up On Jesus’ The Band’s Second Album, Followed Line-Up Changes And Tentative Live Appearances.  It Was Preceded By The Gusto Of ‘European Rain’ A Single Which, As With Its Successor ‘Faith Healer’, Encapsulated Lindsay’s Ability To Pen Consummate Pop Music.”

“1990 Saw The Band Transfer Allegiance (They Were Dropped By Virgin) To East West.  A Natural Home For The Band As Parent Company Warner Brothers Had Released Two Earlier Albums In The U.S..  1991 Saw The First Fruits Of The Band’s Labours With Producer Warne Livesey Come Forth.  ‘Miss America’ Upped The Big Dish’s Stock And Preceded The Robust ‘Satellites’ Album.  The Departure From East West Was as sudden as it was unexpected.  Shortly afterwards The Big Dish Were No More, Lindsay Preferring To Work Alone And Under His Own Name.”

Lindsay went on to have a nice solo career and most notably joining former bandmate and composer Craig Armstrong for his 2002 release “As If to Nothing.”

Lindsay returned in late 2004 on his own Seminal label with the piano-driven  “Exit Music”  featuring string arrangements by the Scottish Ensemble. Lindsay plays and programs all other instruments. The Australian edition of the album contains two additional tracks. Lindsay was then signed to  Chrysalis Records, and in 2007 the second solo CD  “Kite”  was released, including a cover of “Monkey Gone to Heaven, ” originally by  Pixies.

As Lindsay describes it on his current website: “After studying Drawing and Painting at Glasgow School of Art I embarked on a career in the music industry with my group The Big Dish. The band released three albums and I later made two solo records. I also worked as a designer, art director and illustrator before returning to painting, which came back to me almost like a calling.” Visit his Facebook page to learn more about his art.