THE BETA BAND unveiled their debut album proper last week at The Strongroom recording studio in London.
Released on June 14 through Regal Recordings, the as-yet-untitled album is the band’s first release since September 1998’s compilation ‘Three EPs’.
The album, which features 10 tracks recorded in Cornwall and Wales, was planned as a double but two 30 minute pieces which were recorded to constitute the album’s second section have been dropped.
The Beta Band‘s bass/percussion player Richard Greentree told NME: “We didn’t have enough time for that. We were all tired after finishing the first half so…it didn’t work out. But we’re gonna redo it or remix it or something. We’ll do something with it but we wanted to leave it off the album.”
Songs featured include ‘Beta Band Rap’, ‘It’s Not Too Beautiful’, ‘Simple Boy’, ‘Dance O’er The Border’, ‘Broken Up A Ding Dong’ and ‘Smiling’.
Influences, characteristically, are far-reaching and surprising, with a heavy emphasis all percussion.
‘Beta Band Rap’ – the album’s first track – opens with a fairground-style melody leading into the song’s main rap with Elvis-influenced vocals. Other parts of the album feature the Star Wars theme tune, samba beats and Carribbean carnival sounds.
The Beta Band, meanwhile, plan to tour around the album’s release in June and will play
Edinburgh Liquid Rooms (June 13) Leeds Irish Centre (14) Wolverhampton Wulfrun Hall (15) Cambridge Junction (16) London Kilburn National Ballroom (18)
Tickets for the shows 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.