Astronaut (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Astronaut
Background = group_or_band

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Img_size =
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = flagicon|England London, England
Genre = Alternative rock
Years_active = 1996 – present
Label = Fierce Panda
URL = [http://www.astronaut.co.uk/ astronaut.co.uk]
Current_members = Alex Eckford
Brychan Todd
Graeme Elston
David Masterman
Matthew Hawes
Past_members =

Astronaut are a band from London, UK.

History

Formed in Liverpool by Alex Eckford, Brychan Todd and Graeme Elston, Astronaut moved to London in late 1996, where they recruited drummer David 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 [http://www.bbc.co.uk/radio1/johnpeel/sessions/1990s/1998/Aug18astronaut/ 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'.

The band also played 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.

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

Discography

*What You Gonna Do? (7" Single) (Fierce Panda NING56) (Released 3rd August 1998)

*Stone Cold Sober (7" & CD Single) (Fierce Panda NING77) (Released 20th September 1999)

*Preview (CD & 10" Mini-Album) (Fierce Panda NONG09) (Released 11th October 1999)

*Just Cant Take It (7" & CD Single) (Fierce Panda NING88) (Released 13th March 2000)

*Three (CD Single) (Fierce Panda NING105) (Released 3rd September 2001)

*The Curse Of (CD) (Fierce Panda NONG18) (Released 27th August 2001)

"Compilations featuring Astronaut:"

*The Dead Cheap Fierce Panda Sampler (CD) (Fierce Panda NONG16CD) also featuring Coldplay, Seafood and Hundred Reasons

*Live The Dream (CD) (Fierce Panda NONG25CD) also featuring Death Cab for Cutie, Seafood, The Music and Easyworld

External links

*
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* [http://www.astronaut.co.uk/ Official website]