The lost Band.

Mainstream UK, not to be confused with a handful of other more recent bands using this name. If I recall correctly The Rozzer discovered these guys in a Q or NME circa 1997/1998. We found the first single, Step Right Up in a Virgin Records , San Francisco and were totally blown away. The A side, Step Right Up opens with a nasty guitar riff followed by a big Hammond which is a hammering constant throughout the track. Lead singer Anthony Neale has a voice so smooth yet when mixed with Conrad Mewton's guitars a fantastic passion resonates.

Nude records released two more singles I know of, Canjam and Hurricane. Both with fantastic B sides including a Perfecto remix with a big beat (Step Right Up). Their debut and final album was released in 1998. I recall listening to this album and being completely floored. This album is truly a sophisticated britpop psychedelic masterpiece. Anthony Neale has a voice and a swagger I would compare only to Brett Anderson. The album artwork is also very Coming Up (Suede) with it's sexy shine. With the omnipresent Hammond organs one can only think of The Charlatans. Track eight, Transatlantic is a nine minute psych odyssey which takes you on a britpop journey you can't really take with any other band of that era. It truly is a thing of beauty. Mainstream is the perfect marriage of Suede and The Charlatans. I feel strongly that this is without a doubt the most underrated, under appreciated band of the britpop era.

I'm not quite sure what ever happened to these guys. Like their haunting beat they seemed to disappear into the night. I do remember reading something in the late 90's about them getting into some trouble in Turkey, but it was rather vague. I wish I knew more.

Parklife.