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BANDS: Punk
& Ska INTERESTS: Venues ETC... About LOTD
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BETA BAND I've never really been one for what they call art rock, but the Beta Band adds a new dimension to this term, perhaps even transcending it. The critics like to call this UK band a mix between Pink Floyd and Oasis, and I suppose I could agree. Still, that is only part of the story; listen closely and you will hear the influences of everything from hip-hop and funk to reggae and dub in this group's songs. And that is exactly their trademark--that their style is absolutely impossible to pin down, but so gosh darn good. Every single Beta Band song is full of experimentation and is a new journey down a different musical road. While this band has developed a cult following since the release of its first EP in 1997, they've nearly bankrupted themselves trying to get their music out to more listeners and extend their fan-base via constant touring. Their most recent release, Hot Shots II (July, '01), has received extensive airplay on American college radio, albeit surprisingly inconsistent reviews from critics, who ignorantly expected the Betas to stay the path of their past albums though this is exactly what they are known for avoiding. However the quantity of reviews the album has received is amazing for such a relatively unknown band, demonstrating the unprecedented interest in this band that exists in the underground music scene.
DISCOGRAPHY:
You can purchase music by the Beta Band at Amazon, Insound & CDUniverse LINKS: The Beta Band - Champion Versions The Beta Band - Champion Versions (This is a different site from the one above!) Astralwerks Official Homepage (Currently down due to terrorist attacks. Will hopefully be up soon.) REVIEWS: Beta Band - Live in Hackney & Dressed for Star Wars Ink Blot Review of Hot Shots II Utter Music Review of Hot Shots II PreAmp Review of The Beta Band Chart Attack Interview with Beta Band Chart Attack Article: Poor Beta Band Have Radiohead Roadie For Them Pitchfork Review of The Beta Band Music.Excite Review: Of Rulebooks & Restraint, The Beta Band Live Daily Interview with Beta Band Almost Cool Review of Beta Band Almost Cool Review of The Three EPs Pop Music Matters Review of The Three EPs TOUR DATES: Click here for current tour dates Please e-mail me if you have reviews, links, tour-dates or comments to add to the Beta Band page. About LOTD Contact/Staff Advertise Home All content © LEFT OFF THE DIAL 2001-2005. All rights reserved. |
