Bio

Alpha Cast are a three piece Dunedin based band who formed in late January 2003. Alpha Cast play an original brand of melodic indie rock and take pride in that they have been compared to at least a dozen different bands with no common denominators arising.

Alpha Cast draw energy from one another and in the live arena they have excelled, drawing consistent crowds to their regular gigs.

Alpha Cast released their debut EP entitled Inside Your Mind on May 15th 2003 having only been together for four months.

Mike and Ed had a long history of music together but the addition of Chris solidified the line-up and sound. The EP has been receiving favorable reviews in media, and getting consistent airplay on Dunedin BNet station Radio One. At the time of writing, Red Spider, a track from the band’s debut EP, has just entered Radio One’s weekly Top 11 at number five.

Following a support slot for Goldenhorse in Alexandra, Radio Central, a local radio station, approached the band and requested a copy of the EP which has since been getting regular airtime.

Alpha Cast has also been played on More FM nationwide with breakfast presenter Simon Barnett dedicating part of his show to the release of the EP. Ashburton radio station Fox FM has also featured the EP dedicating a segment of their breakfast show to the band for an entire week. Dunedin’s Channel Nine television station has also featured the band playing live to air, and has since repeated several of the songs that were filmed.

Alpha Cast took out the inaugural OUSA Battle of the Bands, an Otago University organised event, a competition featuring 40 of Dunedin’s best bands. Critics dubbed this years competition as the best in years and many are predicting another wave of the “Dunedin Sound” to emerge from some of the promising talent.

"a band with class and sophistication" - Max Johns, The Critic, Issue 9, May 5 2003

"Their guitar-driven alt-pop has a maturity belying their years” “As good, if not better, than much of the stuff coming out of UK" - Nick Gormack, Christchurch Press, May 15 2003

"dynamic and entertaining, with brilliant and catchy choruses" - Darryl Baser, Otago Daily Times, June 7 2003

Alpha Cast went on to become The Alpha State.

Band Members:
Mike McLeod (vocals, guitar)
Ed Lonsdale (bass, vocals)
Chris Butchard (drums, vocals)