The Stairs

The Stairs are a rock band from Liverpool, United Kingdom, formed in 1990 and still active. The group is associated with beat music, blues rock, British rhythm and blues, and garage rock revival, and is commonly described as an indie and psychedelic rock act.

Formation and style

The band emerges from Liverpool’s early 1990s scene as a four-piece built around a retro-pop approach. Their sound combines psych influences with rhythm and blues, drawing heavily on the feel and energy of 1960s pop and blues-based rock. Their work is presented as a deliberate attempt to reinterpret that older style for a new audience rather than as a short-lived fashion.

Key releases

The Stairs release one album, Mexican R'n'B, which gathers their best-known material. The record is noted for its direct borrowing from obscure 1960s bands and for its collection of pop-oriented songs. Their seminal EP, Weed Bus, is also singled out as a collector’s item.

Line-up and collaborators

Ged Lynn is listed as a member of the group. In the band’s early form, singer Edgar Summertyme is described as a central figure, with a distinctive bluesy vocal style and a strong focus on detail. After the group ends, Edgar, later known as Jones, works with Paul Weller, Johnny Marr, St Etienne, and Lee Mavers. He also forms The Big Kids, which includes two future Zutons and Howie Payne of The Stands.

After the band

Following the end of The Stairs, Edgar Jones releases Soothing Music For Stray Cats, a recording that moves through jazz, R&B, doo wop, and rock and roll. The album uses double bass, brass, and bluesy vocals, and includes subtle references to Charles Mingus and Glenn Miller. It is recorded on a portastudio donated by Johnny Marr.

Record label and reception

The Stairs sign to Go! Discs, but the label loses interest after their initial attention. The music press also shows limited interest in their retro direction after the early hype. Despite that, the band is remembered as a distinctive Liverpool group with a strong live image and a cult following among retro-pop listeners.