No Rock And Roll Fun

OUT OF BETA: After eight years of hearty approval from people who wear the right sort of footgear, but less attention from the larger record buying public, the Beta Band are to call it a day after their autumn tour. We're sure this has been in no way influenced by the successful career-boost Orbital have been getting from their never-ending farewell tour; the shrewd dance act just about to set out on their first contract should really be thinking about announcing their retirement at the signing-on press call. Anyway, the Beta Band try not to sound too much like the Bitter Band:

Eight years of hard work and critical acclaim but little return in terms of commercial success inevitably takes its toll. The Beta Band apple has over-ripened and become riddled with maggots, it must fall from the tree and let its seeds return to ground."

They haven't yet booked any dates on their farewell tour, and are planning a farewell DVD collection sometime in 2005. This truly is a long goodbye.