The Beangrowers recorded demo tapes in early 1996 when they were just 18. Early recordings featured sounds from 1950s science fiction movies and computer-generated noise. Within a year they travelled to play in German clubs which resulted in a positive response. The Beangrowers record heavily in English but they are possibly best known in the German-speaking world where Ian Schranz's family hails from. In 1999 their first single made the top 20 of the Deutsche Alternative Charts, an alternative rock sales ranking in Germany. They also have become a minor hit in New Zealand where the single "José Clemente" from their album "Beangrowers" reached No. 7 on New Zealand charts and achieved steady rotation on Juice TV, the New Zealand equivalent of MTV. Relatively obscure in large English-speaking markets, various critics have voiced their opinion that they would do very well in Britain and the United States if more popularly known..