The Magic Band live in the 21st Century were extraordinary.

Blasting out explosive, raw, spiky, jaw-on-the-floor renditions of some of the best tunes ever recorded by Beefheart and the Magic Band, this was no flaccid cash-in, it was the real deal and they absolutely blew our stacks.

Sincerely, for those of us who have missed Beefheart's presence over the last two decades, this really helped make up for it.

The reformed Magic Band played a number of (mainly) European dates between 2003 and 2006 - see below for photos, press reviews, band-member and audience reports.

Two superb albums are available, Back To The Front, and 21st Century Mirror Men, featuring the reformed Magic Band playing Beefheart classics.

A DVD The Magic Band - Crow's Milk is also available. This features a full live show and full length documentary about the reunion with a commentary from the late John Peel. It is exceptional.

The current line-up of the Magic Band is as follows:

• John French - drums, vocals, harmonica
• Gary Lucas - guitar
• Denny Walley - guitar
• Mark Boston - bass
• Michael Traylor - drums

Robert Williams also appeared on drums at the first UK shows and was replaced by Michael Traylor in late summer 2003.

Don Van Vliet / Captain Beefheart was not involved in this project.

The reunion drew to a close in September 2006. Read our statement and message of thanks from John French.

See our complete list of past gigs with links to reviews, comments and photos.

The stunning album, Back To The Front, is available now. Featuring seventeen new versions of classic Beefheart tunes, it's a real thrill.

The power of the band is quite extraordinary as they thunder their way through material much of which is over 30 years old in a way that no "tribute" band has ever managed.

Order from amazon.co.uk or amazon.com

Please see the discography for more details.

John French's account of the 2004 tour, along with some of his personal photos from the road.

Interview with Michael Traylor - the Magic Band's new drummer fills us in on his background. Interview by Derek Laskie.

John French writes about his experiences performing Beefheart's songs in 2003

Denny Walley and Janet The Planet's photos of the Magic Band's performance at ATP

Eye witness accounts from Radar Station visitors - 2003 shows and 2004 shows

Photographs and images

Set list for the Shepherd's Bush Empire 7th April 2003 show

The Magic Band: Captain insensible article about the reformed Magic Band from the 11.07.2003 edition of The Independent.

The Magic Band: Back to the Front - a tepid review for the album from The Guardian on 04.07.2003

Times review for the London gig, from The Times 10.04.2003.

Guardian review for the London gig from The Guardian 09.04.2003.

Captain Fantastic - Matt Groening's thoughts on the Magic Band reunion from The Guardian 07.04.2003

Book my own band? Eat my shorts! - Matt Groening briefly interviewed by the Daily Telegraph about All Tomorrow's Parties 03.04.2003

They do like to play beside the seaside - The Daily Telegraph previews the UK All Tomorrow's Parties weekend 03.04.2003