10 Bands Who Justifiably Should Have Been Huge

7. The Beta Band

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kkjg3SgUUkY On paper The Beta Band seemed to have everything a band would need for world domination, swooning reviews in the music press, name checks from Radiohead and Oasis (who would go onto completely steal the bands style on their dreadful 'Standing on the Shoulder of Giants' album). But it didn't happen for them, which is a great shame because they made wonderfully inventive music that had music writers tying themselves up in knots to describe it. They weren't a straightforward anything; instead here was hip-hop, electronica, pop and folk all wrapped up in a deliciously psychedelic wrapper. They certainly had their problems; lead singer Steven Mason battled with depression - potentially brought on through taking too many hallucinogenics. They were constantly falling out with their record label too, describing their first album as 'utter crap' even after a three extraordinary EP's. But they consistently released song after song that was truly innovative and maybe that was the problem, they were so different the masses just couldn't get it. Faced with mounting debts and bemusement at their lack of breakthrough they decided to go their separate ways. On their farewell tour Steve Mason told the Guardian "I always imagined we'd be as big as Radiohead, but it hasn't happened. I still can't understand why". If you've not listened to The Beta Band before, I promise that once you have, you won't understand why they weren't massive either.