THE brother of Swindon musician Steve Carvey has paid tribute to his “universal and cosmic” big brother, who died last month.

Alan Carvey, 52, from Hinton Parva, said the family were in shock following drummer Steve’s death from blood poisoning arising from pneumonia on June 13 at the age of 56.

“I was shocked that this had happened. He liked a drink and was a heavy smoker but you don’t expect it to happen. It was completely unexpected,” Alan said.

“He was a creative person with a big imagination.”

Lorry driver Alan said he had grown close to his older brother in recent months after he moved in with mother Brenda in Stratton St Margaret.

He said: “Steve did his own thing and it was the typical up and down sibling relationship.

"I spoke to him more than I ever have in the months before he died. I’m grateful for that.

“He had his family and then his second family in music.

"He was very talented but didn’t have a lot of self confidence for a musician. But I was very proud of his achievements.”

Alan recalled fond memories of the brothers growing up in Swindon and attending classes at Dorcan Academy, where Steve exhibited his musical flair in his first punk bands Urban Disturbance and Atomic Earth Band.

“I remember going to Flashback Records in Curtis Street in 1978 and buying Steve’s debut release, Wild Boys in Cortinas, for 60p when he was in Urban Disturbance,” he said.

“It was a great day because we both shared a love of music.”

And Alan revealed Beehive regular Steve already had a fan club at a young age.

“A couple of girls in my class had Urban Disturbance badges and, of course, I had one too so we were the fan club at the school,” he said.

The percussionist and music teacher played in a variety of bands. As well as Urban Disturbance there was The Tokens and Pagan Fringe before British-Australian outfit Kangaroo Moon.

Over 40 years in the music industry, Steve shared the stage with legendary rockers Daevid Allen from Gong and XTC’s Barry Andrews.

He was also known as a regular onstage at the Beehive pub.

Steve’s funeral will be held at the Westmill Burial Ground at 2.30pm on Thursday. Mourners are encouraged to don festival dress and have a summer picnic in his honour of the drummer.

Live music performances – including one from Pagan Fringe, which Steve was a founding member of – are expected at the service.

Alan said the funeral will reflect his brother’s love of music and nature.

He said: “It will be true to him.

“He was an atheist and very much a free spirit in life so it will be a fitting tribute to him with flowers, a picnic and a lot of good music.

“He was universal and cosmic, that was what he was all about.”