27-Mar-1999 :

Beangrowers. So who are they? Where did they get their name from? What are they up to? How did their latest single make headlines?...

Who are the Beangrowers ?

Beangrowers were all born in 1977 and come from the same town (St Julians pop. 15,000) in Malta.

After watching a local gig of a band called 'The Flying Alligators', at the age of fifteen Mark and Ian (friends since the age of 8) decided to form a band with another friend. Soon Alison (a long running acquaintance) was recruited as a keyboardist, however seeming as she could sing too, the guys figured that perhaps it was a good idea to have a singer in the band. The band immediately started writing their own material and began to play gigs far before they even knew how to tune a guitar.

After a long time of going through other guitarists and other musicians the band finally became a 'three piece'. The prime aim of the band at this point was to play gigs. The band played anywhere that would allow them to, independent of money or sound quality. Often gigs would be with punk and metal bands, however the band couldn't care less who the audience was.

The name Beangrowers in fact was actually given to the band by a fan. It happened when the band had to play a big festival and the organiser demanded a band name for the posters. The band totally forgot to give the organiser a name and asked a girl to go and give in any name in the world to the organiser. She named the band Beangrowers, who were from then on known by that name.

Being from Malta the band achieved a good balance between influences from the American & European scene, unlike most bands who tend to be polarised by either one or the other. They each pushed new music onto each other constantly. Albums like 'Forever' by Cranes, 'Laid' by James and 'Star' by Belly seemed to be the ones that stirred the band onto their path. However the band have diverse influences ranging from Violent Femmes to Joy Division.

Each Beangrowers' member writes songs drawing from Gothic, Punk & Pop. The fact that all members are songwriters, results in the band having more songs than they can hope to remember.

At the age of 18 (in 1996) the band began recording demos, experimenting mainly with sounds deriving from early 50's sci-fi movies and early 80's computer game sounds. Through all this however the band kept faithful to their roots.

One year later the band played a small club tour in Germany at the age of 19, having great reactions from their audiences. At this point people were looking for the band's album in stores. It was time for the band to take it the final step, when they signed a record contract with Rough Trade one year later.

Alison Galea was born on 07/08/77.

She always had a passion for music and was brought up in a musical family.

Her father was a singer and guitarist in a band, a popular DJ in the 70s and, presently is also an actor (theatre and TV). Both parents sing in a well-known church choir in Malta.

Alison is a proud owner of a massive vinyl collection from the 60s and 70s, which is a great source of inspiration for her. She grew up listening to this music, together with 80s music.

She studied music theory and started piano-lessons at age 5 and continued for 8 years until she thought she had learned enough about piano! She picked up her Dad's guitar and thought herself how to play it.

Alison wants you to know that she is a great animal lover ? her house is almost like a little zoo!

She studied languages in college and started an English Language / Literature and Communication studies course in the University of Malta in 1996 but dropped out less than a year later. She decided to concentrate and spend her time exclusively to her band.

Alison has done several backing vocal sessions - the last session was for Phillip Boa's 'Lord Garbage' album in 1997.

Describes herself as being: small, considerate, responsible (sometimes) and mad. Personal influences and favourites (so far) include : Bjork, Radiohead, Tori Amos, Jeff Buckley, Placebo, Edie Brickell & the Beatles.

Mark Sansone was born on 17/02/77.

Mark's Dad was a Colonel in the army and his mother is a school teacher. Mark is supposedly the English King Edward III's 24th grandson!?.really! Mark met Ian at the age of 8 at religion lessons. Soon after meeting, they both got themselves kicked out! Mark played tennis keenly till the age of 15, when he decided to take up music instead.

He studied Communications and Theatre at University. He is a keen writer/novelist/poet. He has had a history of 'fire' mishaps in his life, his house burned down twice. The first time was 'probably' his fault! He has an amazing ability for losing things, especially when they belonged to other people. His personal influences are primarily Gothic and electronic, liking bands such as The Cure, Cranes, Daft Punk and Throwing Muses. Self description: hairy (he is a proud owner of a beard).

Ian Schranz was born on 09/03/77.

His Dad is a professional tennis-coach and his Mum is a teacher. His ancestors were famous Austrian (or maybe German) artists who decided to live in Malta. When Ian met Mark at 8, Mark asked him to join a 'secret organisation' called 'Legends of the Sky', that would fight organised crime. However the organisation fell apart when Mark demanded that no women were allowed. Ian and Mark were the 3rd best (under 16) tennis 'doubles' players in Malta.

Ian is a painter and aspiring film-maker, producing a B-movie with Mark called 'Kill Kill Kill' (title says it all)! Ian studied Communications (Film and Photography) at University. He survived Meningitis at 18 and figures: 'What the fuck?' His influences range from : Breeders, Pixies, Joy Division, Birthday Party, etc.

Recent Press Releases:

Beangrowers sign to Rough Trade Records.

Alternative rock band Beangrowers have made history by becoming the first ever Maltese band to sign an international record deal.

The contract is for four albums over a span of five years. Rough Trade own the rights for world-wide distribution. The first album and single are scheduled for February/March release, initially in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

Rough Trade Records is a world-famous leading independent label, specialising in alternative rock/pop music. For the past twenty-something years, the label has released and distributed some of the most prominent alternative music artists, such as Heather Nova, Stereophonics, The Smiths, Pixies and Julian Lennon (son of John). Rough Trade is the largest independent label in Europe, and also distributes labels such as 4AD, Jive, V2 and Too Pure.

Beangrowers is made up of lead singer/guitarist Alison Galea, bassist Mark Sansone and drummer Ian Schranz.

Debut Album from Beangrowers

Local band Beangrowers, recently signed to Rough Trade Records, have just completed the recording and mixing of their first album. The recording sessions were held at Temple Studios of Mistra Bay. The album, entitled '48k' contains 14 songs produced by David Vella, with some songs co-produced with Thomas Hanreich and engineered by Beppe Fellegara.

The album '48k' was mixed by Gareth Jones, a well-known personality in the pop music scene. Throughout his career, Gareth Jones has worked with name bands such as Depeche Mode, Erasure, Garbage, Madness and Nick Cave.

Rough Trade Records are planning to release the album this May, and will initially be releasing it in Germany, Austria and Switzerland.

The album release will be preceded by a single, 'Astroboy', to be released on 22 March, for which a video has also been shot.

Meanwhile, a remix of 'Feel', another song from the album, has already been released as part of the soundtrack album of the new Detlef Buk movie, 'Liebe deine Nachste'. Buk is a well-known film producer in Germany.

Beangrowers Germany Promo-Tour

Following the release of their first single, 'Astroboy' on 'Rough Trade Records', Beangrowers are off to Germany to promote the single together with their forthcoming album '48k'. 'Astroboy' was released to the German press earlier this month, generating a very good reaction.

While in Germany, Beangrowers will be giving interviews to various magazines. They will also be interviewed on German radio, with some of the shows including a live acoustic set. The tour will take them to Munich, Cologne, Hamburg, Berlin, Stuttgart, Frankfurt and Kiel .

Meanwhile, the 'Astroboy' single is now for sale in Malta, while the debut album '48k' will be released in May. During the month of April, Beangrowers will be performing various gigs locally to promote both the single and album. Dates confirmed include:

The Alley - Thursday 8 April

Duke's - Wednesday 21 April.

'Astroboy' has also generated a tremendous response in Malta, and is strongly in demand with the radio stations. The single has also achieved popularity thanks to the video clip, which has so far been shown during 'Xarabank', 'Fizz' and 'Caqlaq', with various other TV programmes featuring the clip in the coming weeks.

BEANGROWERS on MTV

Local alternative band BEANGROWERS' video for their debut single, 'ASTROBOY', has been played on MTV's Alternative Nation (Central). This is the first time that a Maltese band has been featured on MTV. The video is also being aired on various alternative shows on popular music channels in Germany, such as Viva 2.

Meanwhile, 'ASTROBOY' has entered the German alternative charts (DAC charts) at number 25, climbing up to the 19th place after one week. These charts are compiled on the basis of the number of plays on radio and in clubs. Rough Trade Records are very pleased with the reaction to 'ASTROBOY', and are looking forward to the release of the second single, which will be 'GENZORA'. The video for the 2nd single will be directed by Olaf Heine and is expected to be finished around the 25th May to coincide with the release of the album "48k".

BEANGROWERS have just returned from a promo-tour in Germany, where they were kept busy with up to 15 interviews a day with radios and music papers. Judging from the enthusiastic response they received, the band is expecting excellent coverage for their forthcoming debut album '48k'. The band had interviews with several magazines including 'Music Express/ Sounds', 'Wom Journal', 'Future Pop', 'GQ' and 'Der Spiegel'.

In the coming weeks, the band will also be featured in 'Visions', undoubtedly one of the most influential magazines within the German music industry.

The single itself has also received very positive reactions, resulting in 'ASTROBOY' being played on 45 different radio stations so far.

48K album - Official Launching

The much-expected debut album '48k' from BEANGROWERS is finally available! Following its release in Germany, Austria and Switzerland on Monday, the album was presented to the Maltese press on Tuesday at a launch held at Muddy Waters, St. Julians. The album is released by the world-famous leading independent label, Rough Trade Records

The recording sessions of '48k' were held at Temple Studios of Mistra. The 14 tracks on the album were produced by David Vella with some tracks co-produced by Thomas Hanreich, and engineered by Beppe Fellegara. All the songs on the album were written by BEANGROWERS.

The album '48k' was mixed by Gareth Jones, a well-known personality in the pop music scene. Throughout his career, Gareth Jones has worked with name bands such as Depeche Mode, Moby, Erasure, Garbage and Madness.

'48k' is available in Malta from Virgin, Exotique and D'Amato. This Saturday 12 June, the band will be at Virgin Megastore in Plaza to meet their fans, sign CDs and will also perform a live acoustic set.

In Germany, the album has already received positive reviews, and the video-clip for the new single, 'Genzora', is expected to be featured on both MTV and Viva. In fact, a delegation from Viva is expected in Malta on the 11 June to cover the band.

BEANGROWERS are to be featured on VIVA 2's popular programme,

'2 Rock', presented by top German TV personality Marcus Kavka. The feature will take place during the edition which goes on air on Monday 21 June at 8pm.

Kavka, together with a crew from VIVA TV were in Malta last weekend for the filming of the BEANGROWERS feature. During the programme, Kavka, together with the band members, will be presenting their favourite videos from other bands, as well as BEANGROWERS' new single, 'Genzora'.

Meanwhile, the album '48k' has been very well received by the general public, and is receiving a lot of prominence from both local and foreign record stations.

On Friday 18th June 1999, BEANGROWERS will be playing their first gig since the album release at The Alley, Paceville, at a gig starting at 10.30pm.

Definitely not to be missed!

Maltese promotion contact:

LUIGI PELLEGRINI

Tel: 3290-2121, 436049 mobile: 097-3631 e-mail: lpel1@um.edu.mt