Beak (band)

For other uses, see Beak (disambiguation).

Beak>
Geoff Barrow performing with Beak> in 2010
Background information
Origin	Bristol, England
Genres	Electronic, experimental rock, krautrock
Years active	2009 (2009)–present
Labels	Invada, Ipecac, Temporary
Members	Billy Fuller Will Young
Past members	Geoff Barrow Matt Williams "Team Brick"

Beak> are an English experimental electronic rock music band formed in 2007. Until September 2024, the band comprised Geoff Barrow (of Portishead), Billy Fuller (of the Sensational Space Shifters) and Will Young (of Moon Gangs); Young replaced Matt Williams (MXLX, Fairhorns) in 2016.^[1][2] In 2024, Barrow announced his departure.

History

Beak> released its self-titled debut album on 16 November 2009. The music was recorded live in one room with no overdubs or repair, only using edits to create arrangements. All tracks were written over a twelve-day session in Bristol, England.^[3] Beak> produced the debut album Anika by Anika, and co-wrote two of the album's songs in 2010.^[4]

In 2010, the band toured in the US and the UK. They performed at the ATP I'll Be Your Mirror festival, that Portishead curated in July 2011 at London's Alexandra Palace, as well as the US version of ATP's I'll Be Your Mirror in Asbury Park, New Jersey.^[5]

Beak> did the soundtrack for Tom Geens' 2015 film Couple in a Hole, drawing largely on the band's earlier material.^[6] On 27 September 2024, Barrow announced his departure from Beak to focus on other projects.^[7]

Discography

• BEAK> (Ipecac Records, Invada, Temporary Residence 2009)
• >> (Invada Records, 2012)^[3]
• Couple in a Hole (2016)
• >>> (Temporary Residence, 2018)^[8]
• >>>> (Invada Records, 2024)

Compilations

• L.A. Playback (2018) – a selection of songs from various Beak^[9] releases 2012-2015

References

1. "Geoff Barrow forms new band". Line of Best Fit. Archived from the original on 25 August 2009. Retrieved 23 August 2009.
2. Michaels, Sean (1 September 2009). "Portishead's Geoff Barrow announces new band". The Guardian. Retrieved 19 August 2010.
3. Phares, Heather. "Beak> – Music Biography, Credits and Discography". AllMusic. Retrieved 20 February 2013.
4. Phares, Heather. "Anika". AllMusic. Retrieved 19 March 2011.
5. "ATP: I'll Be Your Mirror London". Atpfestival.com. Retrieved 19 February 2013.
6. "Couple in a Hole – Original Soundtrack". Drowned in Sound. Archived from the original on 12 August 2017. Retrieved 6 July 2017.
7. Monroe, Jazz (27 September 2024). "Geoff Barrow to Leave Beak> After Next Tour". Pitchfork. Retrieved 27 September 2024.
8. ">>> – Beak> | Songs, Reviews, Credits". AllMusic. Retrieved 8 January 2020.
9. "Listen to Beak>'s New Rarities Album". Pitchfork. 13 April 2018. Retrieved 8 January 2020.