 Dunedin-based 3 piece.
Alpha Cast are a three piece Dunedin based band who formed in late January 2003. In the short time they have been together, Alpha Cast have already achieved considerable success. Alpha Cast play an original brand of melodic indie rock and take pride in that they have been compared to at least a dozen different bands with no common denominators arising.
Mike McLeod (Vocals, Guitar), Ed Lonsdale (Bass, Vocals), and Chris Butchard (Drums, Vocals) all combine their vastly different musical influences together and gel with a unique blend of exciting and innovative music. Alpha Cast draw energy from one another and in the live arena they have excelled, drawing consistent crowds to their regular gigs.
Alpha Cast released its debut EP entitled “Inside Your Mind”
on May 15th having only been together for four months. Mike
and Ed had a long history of music together but the addition
of Chris solidified the lineup and sound. The EP has been
receiving favorable reviews in media, and getting consistent
airplay on Dunedin BNet station Radio One. At the time of
writing, Red Spider, a track from the band’s debut EP, has
just entered Radio One’s weekly Top 11 at number five.
Following a support slot for Goldenhorse in Alexandra, Radio
Central, a local radio station, approached the band and
requested a copy of the EP which has since been getting
regular airtime. Alpha Cast has also been played on More
FM nationwide with breakfast presenter Simon Barnett dedicating
part of his show to the release of the EP. Ashburton radio
station Fox FM has also featured the EP dedicating a segment
of their breakfast show to the band for an entire week.
Dunedin’s Channel Nine television station has also featured
the band playing live to air, and has since repeated several
of the songs that were filmed.
Alpha Cast recently took out the inaugural OUSA Battle of
the Bands, an Otago University organized event, a competition
featuring 40 of Dunedin’s best bands. Critics dubbed this
years competition as the best in years and many are predicting
another wave of the “Dunedin sound” to emerge from some
of the promising talent.
Alpha Cast will not be a band to fade into the background.
Although they have been together for only a short time,
the motivation and drive of the members will carry the talent
of the band into the foreground of the music industry for
many years to come.
“a band with class and sophistication” - Max Johns,
The Critic, Issue 9, May 5 2003
“Their guitar-driven alt-pop has a maturity belying
their years” “As good, if not better, than much of the stuff
coming out of UK” - Nick Gormack, Christchurch Press, May
15 2003
“dynamic and entertaining, with brilliant and catchy choruses” - Darryl Baser, Otago Daily Times, June 7 2003
|
