Because Acquire The Beta Band back catalogue

29 September 2017 - Press release

The Because Group have acquired the back catalogue of acclaimed Scottish group The Beta Band.

The acquisition, part of the Parlophone divestment process agreed between Warner Music Group and Merlin/IMPALA, sees catalogue including the following studio albums and compilations transfer to Because:- The Three EP’s (1998), The Beta Band (1999), Hot Shots II (2001), Heroes To Zeros (2004) and The Best Of The Beta Band (2005).

The acquisition also includes two King Biscuit Time EPs, a solo project of Steve Mason’s. King Biscuit Time Sings Nelly Foggit’s Blues in “Me And The Pharaohs” and No Style were released in 1998 and 2000 respectively.

The group plan to reissue The Beta Band and King Biscuit Time material via their frontline label, Because Music.

Said Steve Mason, The Beta Band:  “I am delighted that the Beta Band catalogue has found a place on an independent record label. I think that Because Music is a perfect home for our hard work and endeavours. Bon voyage Beta Banditos.”

Added Richard Greentree, The Beta Band:  “It is a happy day indeed finalising this deal with Because.  The opportunity the divestment process has presented for many artists, to revitalise and re-promote their works has been an interesting, exciting and unexpected one.

“The outcome for the Beta Band, of finding a great deal, with the best suited and hottest record label of the moment, shows just how exciting and unexpected it gets.”

Emmanuel de Buretel, founder Because Music commented:  “We are delighted and honoured to acquire such an amazing body of work from such an important and influential band.  We are hugely excited to be given the opportunity to re launch The Beta Band’s incredible catalogue of work to fans old and new.”

In addition to the acquisition, Because Music UK recently won Independent Label of the Year at the 2017 AIM Awards. This follows the label’s win in the same category at the Music Business Worldwide A&R Awards 2016.

Earlier this summer, Because acquired Warner Music 90, encompassing the majority of the catalogue formerly known as London Records, from Warner Music Group in part of the same Parlophone divestment process.