Beta Band
| The Beta Band | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Edinburgh, Scotland |
| Genres | Folktronica, experimental music, downtempo, indie rock, Scottish, folk |
| Years active | 1996–2004 |
| Labels | Regal |
| Associated acts | King Biscuit Time, The Aliens, Black Affair, The General And Duchess Collins, Lone Pigeon, The Roman Noseband |
| Past members |
John Maclean Richard Greentree Steve Mason Robin Jones Gordon Anderson Steve Duffield |
| The Beta Band discography | |
|---|---|
| Studio albums | 3 |
| Compilation albums | 3 |
| Video albums | 1 |
| EPs | 3 |
| Singles | 6 |
The Beta Band were a Scottish musical group formed in 1996. They were critically acclaimed and achieved a cult status. Their style was described as being "folktronica", a blend of folk, Scottish, electronic, rock, trip hop, and experimental jamming.
The Beta Band disbanded in 2004 but during the course of their career, they were hailed by both Radiohead and Oasis.
The Beta Band formed in 1996 around St Andrews Scotland musicians Steve Mason (vocals, guitar) and Gordon Anderson. The two had plans to call their group The Pigeons but later changed their minds. As they pulled together songs for their debut EP, Champion Versions, they added Robin Jones (drums) and John Maclean (DJ, sampler, keyboards). Steve Duffield was the original bassist but quit the band soon after recording Champion Versions. Not long after they were signed to Regal/Parlophone, Anderson became ill and decided to quit the band. He would later produce recordings under the name Lone Pigeon. The remaining members added Englishman Richard Greentree (bass) and solidified their lineup.
Champion Versions was released in July 1997 to critical acclaim not only for the music but also for the record's innovative cut-and-paste sleeve design (the work of John Maclean). The trumpet solos recorded for Dry the Rain on Champion Versions were played by Jonathan Levien, credited as Jon Levien on the record. Jonathan was attending the Royal College of Art in 1997 where he met John Maclean in the Art Bar and mentioned that he could make some interesting whale sounds on his trumpet. Jonathan Levien was invited to the Chalk farm recording studio shortly afterwards where he was asked to play three riffs on his trumpet for Dry the Rain.
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