If you haven’t heard of these guys yet, don’t worry, they make a conscious effort to dodge most of the press. Many would probably say that the Beta Band should jump right into the River of Fame because they would be caught by the public’s net immediately. Why? They’re perfect the way that they are, and it was proven even moreso during last Thursday’s performance at the Supper Club.
          John Maclean, Steve Mason, Robin Jones, and Richard Greentree make up this eclectic foursome. In most cases, it is best to provide you lovely readers with each member’s assigned instrument. Sorry guys, they will (and can) play just about anything. Robin has even been given the title of “multi-instrumentalist.” Their stage is very unique, usually consisting of John’s decks and machines decorated in wreaths of plastic flowers and colorful party ornaments. Usually, there are two drumkits, a steel drum, tambourines of many sizes, and more color! The one thing missing is a ball pit for the audience.
          And it doesn’t end there. The Beta boys always attire themselves in some sort of interesting costume. At least two of them usually resemble racecar drivers, and Steve is usually “pimped out,” wearing white pants, a white shirt, and a thick chain around his neck. It’s very cute and contrasting for such a strange, talented, and four-eyed Brit. When Steve - best referred to as the lead singer - first came out on Thursday night, however, he was dressed in a full length, black and red Oriental robe. Slightly disappointed at first that I wouldn’t get to see him in his “Puffy” (pardon me, “Diddy”) costume, I was happy to see the white pants and sneakers peaking out of the bottom of the robe.
          If only there were a way to truly incorporate what the Beta Band is doing to music into some sort of tangible explanation. They have already been associated with authentic contemporary innovation. For a band that switches instruments several times during a set, films hilarious home videos to be projected on stage during their performance, and the lengths they’ll go to get the sounds they want - hell, they’re also artists and publish a magazine called Flower Press - they don’t have a very large discography behind them. That’s good, though, for your college-like finances to get to a record store and buy The Three EP’s. The disc is a collection of - you’d never guess - their three EP’s: Champion Versions, The Patty Patty Sound, and Los Amigos Del Beta Bandidos. They’ve also produced two studio long players entitled The Beta Band and Hot Shots II.
          Personally, my favorite Beta Band song is “Squares,” the opener of their latest release, Hot Shots II. It was a highlight for me when they played that as an encore, preceeding “Broke,” my second favorite. However, the audience was most moved and syncronized with their bodily responses--eyes closed, smoked-up smiles, and side-to-side swaying--when they performed their cinematic hit “Dry the Rain” (featured in the film “High Fidelity”), dedicating it to New York. For those of you that missed a night such as this, don’t miss your chance to see them the next time around. I feel the need to officially declare, upon this live experience, that I love the Beta Band...and you should too!