Ex-Beta Band members John Maclean and Robin Jones have formed the Aliens and will release Astronomy for Dogs June 19th via Astralwerks.

Joining Maclean and Jones is longtime friend and songwriter Gordon Anderson. Anderson had a brief stint with the Beta Band during the group’s early years, but has since recorded under the moniker Lone Pigeon.

Astronomy for Dogs is a noticeable departure in style from the Beta Band, as Jones characterizes the songs as “quite pure. All of the arrangements were much more upbeat; there’s not a lot of darkness.”

The Aliens will tour the U.K. in June, with tentative plans for a U.S. tour this September.
http://www.billboard.com/bbcom/news/article_display.jsp?vnu_content_id=1003571476