Josiah

Josiah is a Leicester heavy psych rock power trio active since 2000. The group centres on Mathew Bethancourt on vocals and guitar, Sie Beasley on bass and vocals, and Keith Beacom on drums. Its sound combines hard rock, heavy psych, psychedelic rock and stoner rock, with a strong emphasis on riff-driven, groove-based playing and a heavy beat.

Early years and first releases

The band forms early in 2000, originally with Mathew Bethancourt, Sie Beasley and drummer Chris Jones. Early live work includes shows with The Lost Prophets, Nebula, Zen Guerilla and Modey Lemon, which help establish the band on the underground circuit. In June 2001 Josiah releases the limited edition Out Of The First Rays EP on Cargo Records. Its track “Malpaso” receives radio play on Marianne Hobbs’ Radio One Rock Show, while “Spacequake” appears on a Metal Hammer compilation CD alongside a live review and interview.

Albums, touring and lineup changes

The band’s self-titled debut album, Josiah, appears in 2002 on Molten Records and is followed by a 20-date UK tour. Around this period “Malpaso” also appears on the soundtracks for the film King Size, the drama A Way Of Life and the Channel 5 skater programme RAD. In 2003 Josiah releases the limited 7-inch single “The Electric Cool” on Beard Of Stars, backed with a cover of Grand Funk Railroad’s “We Got This Thing On The Move”. Radio support includes Steve Lamacq’s Radio 6 show.

By autumn 2003 the band has a third drummer, Greg Baldwin, and records a live Radio One session in 2004 while touring the UK. It also plays with artists including The Killers and The Black Keys before recording the second album, Into The Outside. Released in 2004, the album develops the band’s fuzzed-out jams into groove-led riffs with heavy blues and acid rock influences. Keith Beacom is on drums by this stage, and the group follows the release with European touring, including support dates with Danish psych rock band On Trial and an appearance at Roadburn in 2005.

Later years and final releases

Josiah’s third album, No Time, is recorded at Foel Studios in Wales in 2006 and released worldwide in 2007 on Elektrohasch Schallplatten. It presents a darker and heavier side of the band. During this period the group continues to tour extensively, including headline UK dates, Swedish and European runs, summer festival appearances and a show at London’s Carling Academy supporting Orange Goblin.

The band’s final live appearance takes place at the DunaJam festival in Sardinia in 2008. In 2009 Elektrohasch releases Procession, a final album collecting rare studio recordings and a live set from the band’s 2007 Sweden tour. Bethancourt is later associated with Cherry Choke.