Incredibly, it’s been ten years since The Beta Band decided to call it quits, a decision I always wonder if they regret. Despite ill-received albums and curious decisions made by the band itself, there’s a nagging feeling that there’s still another chapter to be told in The Beta Band story. Arriving out of nowhere with the incredible 'Champion Versions' EP in 1997, Steve Mason, Robin Jones, John MacLean and Richard Greentree were four Scotsmen who played percussion-heavy indie/folk/electronic music and had a penchant for dressing up and daft videos. They released a series of EPs before three albums revealed a self-destructive and mischievous streak: containing as many rousing tracks as stupid flights of fancy, this proved to be the band’s eventual downfall. Live, though, they were something else. The highlight was always the slow build and eventual rousing sing-along of their first and best song "Dry The Rain," but we also got the crazed dance rhythms of "The House Song," the extended psych rock of "B + A" and the gentle folk swoon of "Dog’s Got a Bone." Each and every moment was greeted like it was the Beatles or the Stones on stage. How the band managed to throw it all away is beyond me. Ten year reunion tour, anyone?
Adrian Sherwood
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