LIVE PREVIEW

STEVE MASON
Static, 21st June

As a pioneer of the late '90s 'Folktronica' movement with his previous carnation and cult heroes The Beta Band, STEVE MASON's forthcoming show at The Static Art Gallery will do much to excite fans from across the Northwest. The Beta Band themselves are a group whose influence and importance to alternative and avant garde music should not be underestimated. From 1999's self-titled long play début, to 2001's Hot Shots II, through to 2004's swansong and personal favourite Heroes to Zeros, Mason deserves genuine credit for helping to shape the landscape of what's good about British indie today. Through the Beta Band he has a highly impressive and credible body of work which has not only received that mixed blessing of 'critical acclaim' but also bothered the album charts of the day to boot. Add to this as well the Three E.P.s Collection which many devotees consider to boast the band's best work. Since the band's demise in August '04, Mason has released work under various pseudonyms including King Biscuit Time and Black Affair but has most recently reverted back to his given name for the purpose of his new album Boys Outside, released in May of this year. Utilising the prowess of producer Richard X, the album leads with single All Come Down and is likely to feature at Static on the 21st. A gig for admirers new and old alike.
Pete Robinson