Music, chat and The Beta Band’s Steve Mason

Mark Radcliffe and Stuart Maconie present a feast of great music and chat for weekend breakfast.

Today they are joined by Scottish singer, songwriter and founding member of The Beta Band, Steve Mason. Steve shares his ‘First, Last and Everything’ - that’s his first record, the most recent one he's enjoyed and the record that means ‘everything’ to him. He also chats about his recent autobiography ‘Failure Is Always An Option: Glorious Adventures On The Beta Band Front Line & Other Tales’.

Formed in 1996 the band were quickly embraced in the media and hailed by famous fans from Radiohead to Noel Gallagher. Following their 2004 break-up, Mason also recorded two EPs and an album as King Biscuit Time and has since had an incredible solo career, releasing six critically acclaimed albums, including his most recent in 2023 ‘Brothers & Sisters’. In 2025 the Beta Band reformed to play a series of live shows, with their Autumn UK tour rapidly selling out.

Also on the show ... long-running feature ‘The Chain’ which gives listeners the chance to pick a track that links in some way to the last. The list now contains over 8,700 songs.

With a selection of music old and new to get the weekend started.

Produced in Salford by Audio Always for BBC Radio 6 Music.