VHS or Beta [AUDIO]

Fri 30th May, 2008 in Features

With killer hooks to burn, VHS or Beta is a shining example of how to combine guitars and synths without sounding like every other New Order wannabe.

That’s not to say the band from Louisville, Kentucky, doesn’t wear its influences proudly. Over three albums, they’ve tipped their hat to everyone from Daft Punk to Echo and the Bunnymen, but the results are never derivative. Coming from a staunch indie-rock background, VHS or Beta began introducing more electronic textures to their songs at a time when dance and rock were polarised in the US. Last year’s Bring On The Comets is perhaps the band’s tightest work, bolstered by a canny pop sensibility.

VHS or Beta is about to kick off its first-ever Australian tour, which includes a spot at the Come Together festival in Sydney. Here vocalist Craig Pfunder tells FL they’re a little unsure of what to expect.

Wed 4 Jun – Hi Fi Bar, Melbourne
Thurs 5 Jun – The Zoo, Brisbane
Fri 6 Jun – The Factory, Sydney
Fri 6 Jun – Purple Sneakers, Abercrombie Hotel, Sydney (DJ set)
Sat 7 Jun – Come Together Festival, Luna Park, Sydney