Alternative Pop from Beat The Drum

Beat The Drum have moved through decades of music on their own terms, building an impressive output across a range of styles while dealing with highs, lows and line up changes along the way. Now operating as a London-based duo made up of Chris Calloway and Steve Murrell, the project carries with it a long and winding history based in independence, experimentation and an adventurous sense of sonic curiosity.

Their story first began in West London, where Beat The Drum first formed as a five-piece band during the late eighties. Active across clubs and small venues, they cut their teeth on the scene with a handful of vinyl releases, including their album Nation to Nation. Their sound found its way far beyond the capital too, with the 12-inch single of “This City” even landing on the New York Danceteria chart.

Despite that recognition, mainstream success remained just out of reach, leaving Beat The Drum to exist as something more elusive, a cult presence operating just below the surface. When the original lineup eventually disbanded, Chris and Steve shifted forms, working under different names and continuing to explore new creative directions.

The nineties saw them recording as Crasherama, venturing further into experimental areas and even releasing a Bafta-nominated video for “This Is” with The Intrepid Birdman. By 2016, the pair had reconnected under the original name, bringing with them years of experience and the following year’s release, That Was Now, This Is Then, gathered remastered material from their Crasherama era alongside previously unreleased tracks.

Having continued to share well-received material on this new chapter, their latest single titled “Wonderland” offers the perfect snapshot of their shared musical vision. Recorded in their studio on the edge of London, the track feels like a reflection of the city itself, layered, unpredictable and alive with different influences coalescing into an intoxicating alternative pop cocktail. Jumping straight into a punchy groove, the shuffle of metallic percussion and pulse of warm bass forms an engaging rhythm as the stabs of sax notes pepper the arrangement with flashes of colour.

With vocal layers entering above the energising rhythm, the track expands with saxophone flourishes and electronic samples, building a sound that feels at once mesmeric and invigorating. The bounce of rolling drums and intricate flicker of instrumental flourishes maintain a steady momentum while memorable vocal hooks inject catchy moments throughout. It’s most certainly dancefloor-ready, but not in a conventional sense; rather, it’s a kaleidoscopic jam that develops into a wholly absorbing flurry of lively sax leads and sweeping synth textures.

Flowing through passages of tight percussive grooves and intricate piano backing, “Wonderland” sees Beat the Drum serve up an infectious outing that’s catchy, original and subtly experimental. As they continue to operate at the very highest level, Beat the Drum once again adds another superb release to their enduring musical output.

Listen to Wonderland below

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