April 12, 1999 12:33

TOTALLY CLIPPED FROM THEIR ART

Ubermesister of bombast nixes [B]'Total Eclipse Of The Heart'[/B] quote...

THE BETA BAND have been forced by Bonnie Tyler lyricist and Meat Loaf collaborator Jim Steinman to rerecord a song on their debut album, 'The Beta Band'.

Steinman has refused to allow the Betas to use the lyric, "Once upon a time I was falling in love/But now I'm only falling apart" on their track 'The Hard One'. It is taken from Bonnie Tyler's 1983 hit 'Total Eclipse Of The Heart', from her 'Faster Than The Speed Of Night' album. Steinman refused the Betas permission because he plans to resurrect the song sometime in the near future.

The producer is best known for his work with Meat Loaf, although he's also worked with Celine Dion, Boyzone and Sisters Of Mercy.

'The Beta Band' will now be released on June 21 through the band's own label, Regal Recordings, a week later than scheduled.

The band have already released three EPs, which are now available on a compilation album on Regal, 'The Three EPs'.

Meanwhile, they head out on tour calling at

Edinburgh Liquid Rooms (June 12) Leeds Irish Centre (14) Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall (15) Cambridge Junction (16) London Kilburn National Ballroom (18)

Tickets are available from nme.com's 24-hour ticketline on 0870 121 0125 or click here to go to our online gig guide and ticket service.