By Toma Lynn Smith

No your Mama didn’t leave her Duran Duran or Tears for Fears cassette tape playing, she actually is playing the CD “Bring on the Comets” by the Louisville band VHS or Beta.

Although their style may seem reminiscent of 80’s pop music, they are offering something fresh amongst today’s hard rock wannabes, “Sexyback” sounds, and the hip flop that is playing on the radio. Like their namesake, they are rewinding their fans to way back when.

They made their network television debut last month on NBC’s Late Night with Conan O’Brien performing “Can’t Believe A Single Word” from the “Comets” album. Looking like a human version of Noodle (animated lead singer of ‘Feel Good’ group Gorillaz) lead singer and guitarist Craig Pfunder rocked it out with bassist Mark Palgy, drummer Mark Guidry, guitarist Mike McGill, and keyboardist Chea Beckley.

This foursome is currently miles from their old Kentucky homes in Louisville, where they still reside. They are currently on an U.S. tour and according to their Myspace account, where they have shared the stage with electronic dance musician Fatboy Slim, old “skoolers” Sugar Hill Gang, and fellow Louisvillians My Morning Jacket and of course, Duran Duran, who “they seem genuinely privileged to kneel at the temples of,” stated Rolling Stone magazine.

In 1998, the band released the EP “On and On” and not until 2004 did the critical acclaim began. That year, popular music glossy Blender gave their album “Night on Fire” four stars and they made its “one of rock’s best new bands” list. About three years later in the fall of 2007, their third album “Bring in the Comets” was released by major record label Astralwerks.

With this label, they join the likes of The Chemical Brothers and Yoko Ono. Their musical company is as different as they are when it comes to their sound. They are not copycats in the sense they dominate their fans with remakes but they are inspired by the originals, such as The Cure and Talking Heads. New York Post Reporter Mary Huhn described their sound as a “dance-punk-soul-house groove,” which makes them hard to categorize.

Indie Rock is the category they are listed in the most. Recoil magazine stated, “Originally an indie-rock band, VHS or Beta wanted to shift their sound to dance without having to sacrifice their instruments” Pfunder added, “We just knew that we wanted to be a dance band and wanted to keep our own instruments and not ditch them for sequencers and turntables.” With their instruments they have managed to create disco for the 21st century and have the record sales and tour dates to back it up. No matter what list they are on or category they are in, these Louisville guys will always stand out.