Astronaut (band)

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Astronaut

Background information
Origin	London, England
Genre(s)	Alternative rock
Years active	1996 – present
Label(s)	Fierce Panda
Website	astronaut.co.uk
Members
Alex Eckford Brychan Todd Graeme Elston Dave Masterman Matthew Hawes

Astronaut are a band from London, UK.

[edit] History

Formed in Liverpool by Alex Eckford, Brychan Todd and Graeme Elston, Astronaut moved to London in late 1996, where they recruited drummer Dave Masterman.

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 Radio 1's One Live In London season, supporting The Charlatans and Mint Royale at the Shepherds 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'.

Astronaut's last gig was at Camden Dingwalls on Wednesday 23rd January 2002, as part of Fierce Panda's Pandamonium 3, supported by Death Cab for Cutie and Simple Kid.