From Mushroom Pillow:

"Having known each other since the age of 11, the three guys mucked about for a few years in various bands to pass the time and went to school for a bit too! As is the way for a small detached island, the lure of brighter lights and grander visions led the trio to Glasgow. Instigating their departure, Willie was the first to go leaving his erstwhile band mates to ply their trade on the local pub circuit and when Gareth decided to enrol at University in Glasgow, Charlie was left to fend for himself on the local circuit before he too succumbed to the lure of the big city.

Soon after, the band's moniker was established (after Astrid Kirchherr, the girlfriend of 'fifth' Beatle Stuart Sutcliffe) and the newly named four-piece made their live debut at the Halt Bar. It was here they came to the attention of local cult 'popsters' Belle and Sebastian who were suitably impressed and invited the band to play at the 'Longest Day' festival. By the summer of '97 the band decided to commit themselves full-time and consequently left university and job security to pursue a record deal. By September they were again invited by B&S to support them, this time on their three stop tour which took in London's Union Chapel where they came to the attention of the fledgling Fantastic Plastic label."

Astrid are no longer with the guys @ Fantastic Plastic, but having released two great albums on the label, Strange Weather Lately and Play Dead, they are getting ready to release their third long player. It has a release in Spain through Mushroom Pillow and in Japan through Muzak Records on February 2004. The band are also supporting Snow Patrol in March.

News

• 18/02/2004: Astrid - New Album and Tour!

Features

• 23/03/2004: Drinking, Fighting, Old Crooners And, Oh Yeah: A New Album...

Links

• Astrid HQ - Official Site
• Fantastic Plastic - Old UK Label
• Mushroom Pillow - Spanish Label
• Suitable For Frequent Use - Fansite

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