Steel Revolution takes the stage

Steel drum band brings Caribbean rhythms to annual recording session

April 20, 2026

By Jessica Hardy

Steel Revolution plays at The Reach Performing Arts Center in Deer Isle. Photo by Jessica Hardy.

DEER ISLE—Steel Revolution, a steel drum band from George Stevens Academy, brought Caribbean rhythms to Deer Isle on April 15 for an all-school assembly and annual recording session. 

Held at The Reach Performing Arts Center inside the Deer Isle-Stonington Elementary School, the setting provided an ideal atmosphere for students and community members to experience the band’s high-energy sound. Performed on steel pans crafted from 55-gallon metal drums, the group delivered upbeat music that contrasted with the long winter season.

“The afternoon show was great. Kids were up and dancing,” Reach Director John Lincoln said. The school assembly performance served as a rehearsal for a live recording session that was open to the public later that day. 

Steel Revolution, often called Steel Rev, performed a wide range of songs ranging from Michael Jackson’s “Thriller” to the classical piece “Élégie” by Gabriel Fauré and songs from the local steeldrum group Flash! in the Pan. Senior Eddie Knights and sophomores Fox Sweimler and Cody Chattin were featured soloists in the jazz song “Spain.” 

Steel Rev consists of 23 students ranging from freshman to seniors. The band practices three days a week and plays gigs throughout the state. 

Band director Martin Conte, who also teaches English at GSA, works year round to develop the students’ distinct vibes and performance style. The instruments are divided into six sections to create their unique sound: tenor, cello, percussion, bass, double seconds and guitar.

This is the first year the band opened the doors to the public for its recording session. 

“Are you ready for 90 minutes of crazy musical output?” Conte said, pumping up the students before the performance.  

He knows his group thrives on the audience’s response so he leveraged that aspect for the recording session. 

Cody Chattin dances to the beat while playing. Photo by Jessica Hardy.

“We're choosing to do this as a live, public performance this year, because in general we perform with more energy, enthusiasm, and excellence when we're in front of an audience,” Conte told the Rising Tide in an email.

For students, the experience was magical. “This past recording season was a great time to play our entire repertoire, realize how far we have come throughout the year and learn all the different genres of songs,” Jacob Allen, a senior at GSA, said. “It is especially great playing in the auditorium in Deer Isle because it just sounds so good.”

This year marked the fourth year the band has made a live recording.

“Given the nature of the program, we are a ‘new’ band every year, which means how we sound and what we choose and the vibe we give off musically changes, so it's nice to have the record,” Conte said. “Many students who have graduated like to reminisce about their musical experiences by listening to old recordings.”

While the group does not plan to sell its music, the goal is to make it widely accessible in the future with the hopes of possible online streaming services.

“We want the opportunity to share their music with as many people as possible,” he said. “The goal is maximum accessibility for current fans, future audiences and program alumni.”

Steel Rev will perform at the school’s spring concert on May 20 in the GSA gymnasium.