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The Beta Band: Audio & Visual Delights

Experimental and groovy at the same time.
08 december 1999, Paradiso, Amsterdam (NL)

Tekst: Alex Tobin

Publicatiedatum: 08 december 1999

Recycling is art. Just ask the willfully members of the Beta Band. They would probably be the first to agree that nothing in their music is exactly what one could call 'new'. After all, this is the same group who repeatedly and regularly trashed their own eponymous debut album in the press after its long-awaited release, stating that it basically amounted to a load of old bollocks. This is also the same group who chose to appear dressed as Indians at 1998's version of the Lowlands festival in the Netherlands. Oh yes - they're a tad crazy as well.
But what the Beta Band are so good at - and this was highly evident at the Paradiso concert - is what we, in this modern day and age of computer-aided creativity, refer to as 'cutting and pasting'. No, their music as such may not be new, but the way the group create sonic collages out of everything ranging from Pink Floyd-like soundscapes (think the Meddle era of the early 70s) to the bombastic gusto served up by the likes of 'composer' Jim Steinman is refreshingly challenging and vivid. All this and more, via a never-ending bass and percussion groove heavy enough to make Bootsy Collins fall out of his... well... boots.
In fact, at times it seems like the Betas have invaded the veritable Dustbin of Pop, looked around, stolen the best bits, and headed for the recording studio. It's that good.
Alongside the breathtaking music on offer, a collection of home-made (and it must be said: hilarious) films played throughout the show. Motor scooter chases, Space Invaders, men dressed up as huge parrots, and a supermarket full of human emotions... Weird? Yes. Good? Without a doubt..
One thing is clear: The Beta Band offer a stunning mix of audio and visual delights. It will be interesting to see where they take it from here. I hear Syd Barrett's got some time on his hands...

http://www.kindamuzik.net/live/the-beta-band/the-beta-band-audio-visual-delights/330/
Meer The Beta Band op KindaMuzik: http://www.kindamuzik.net/artiest/the-beta-band