Astronaut

Bio:

The promo video for 'Three' on YouTube:


Band History

Formed in Liverpool in 1996 by Alex Eckford, Brychan Todd and Graeme Elston, ..Astronaut.. moved to London, recruiting drummer Dave Masterman along the way.

The band recorded two demos before winning the NME's Best Unsigned Band award in January 1998. Fierce Panda boss Simon Williams offered to release 'What You Gonna Do?' as a 7'' single that summer.

The single was supported by a handful of gigs in the capital, plus an NME On piece, which called the band's debut single 'a work of genius'.

1998 also saw the band play Manchester's In The City showcase, along with Muse, Coldplay and Badly Drawn Boy.

A compilation of Astronaut's first two singles and 1998 Peel Session was released at the end of 1999 as the mini-album 'Preview', described by Melody Maker as 'a magical debut'.

In April 2000 Astronaut played as part of BBC Radio1's One Live In London season, supporting The Charlatans and Mint Royale at the Shepherd's Bush Empire. Keen to capitalise on this success, Astronaut promptly did nothing for a year and a half.

August 2001 saw the release of the band's first full-length album 'The Curse Of', featuring the single 'Three'.

The band also played Camden Dingwalls on Wednesday 23rd January 2002, as part of Fierce Panda's Pandamonium 3, supported by Death Cab For Cutie and Simple Kid.

Astronaut's final gig was at The Borderline in central London on Thursday 14th June 2007.

Discography:

What You Gonna Do? [7" Single] [Fierce Panda NING56] [03.08.98]

(Click here to buy 'What You Gonna Do?' on iTunes) ....

Stone Cold Sober [7" & CD Single] [Fierce Panda NING77] [20.09.99]

(Click here to buy 'Stone Cold Sober' on iTunes) ..

Preview [CD & 10" Mini-Album] [Fierce Panda NONG09] [11.10.99]

(Click here to buy 'Preview' on iTunes) ..

Just Cant Take It [7" & CD Single] [Fierce Panda NING88] [13.03.00]

(Click here to buy 'Just Can't Take It' on iTunes) ..

Three [CD Single] [Fierce Panda NING105] [03.09.01]

(Click here to buy 'Three' on iTunes) ..

The Curse Of [CD] [Fierce Panda NONG18] [27.08.01]

(Click here to buy 'The Curse Of' on iTunes) ..

Member Since:

March 28, 2006

Members:

Alex Eckford - Vocals
Brychan Todd - Guitar
Graeme Elston - Bass
Dave Masterman - Drums
Matthew Hawes - Guitar
Ben Lambert - Piano

Record Label:

Fierce Panda