Bell X1 (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Bell X1


Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland
Genre = Rock
Years_active = 1999 – present
Label = BellyUp Records
Associated_acts = Juniper, Damien Rice, Neosupervital
URL = [http://www.bellx1.com/ Bell X1 Official Website]
Current_members = Paul Noonan
David Geraghty
Dominic Philips
Past_members = Brian Crosby

Bell X1 are an Irish rock band from North County Kildare in Ireland. They have thus far released three critically-acclaimed albums in Ireland, and are rapidly gaining success in the United States, where their music has been used on popular television shows such as "The O.C." and "Grey's Anatomy". Their third album, "Flock", which was previously only released in Ireland and later in the UK, has recently received a North American release in February 2008.

The band's name has in the past been mispronounced by well-established chat show hosts (even in Ireland where Eamonn Dunphy called them "Bell Life" and "Late Late Show" host Pat Kenny famously introduced them as "Bell Eleven"). [cite web|url=http://archives.tcm.ie/businesspost/2006/01/22/story11124.asp|title=Take-off time again|date=2006-01-22|accessdate=2008-02-10|publisher="The Sunday Business Post"]

On October 2, 2008, Brian Crosby announced his decision to leave the band following their October 19 "Flock" tour finale at the Panorama Festival in the Lebanon. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4872209.html|title=Brian Crosby leaves Bell X1"|date=2008-10-02|accessdate=2008-10-02|publisher="Hot Press"]

Members

Current

Vocalist Paul Noonan also plays guitar, percussion and kazoo. Paul plays drums on all of Bell X1's studio recordings. He has also been known to occasionally play drums live if a session drummer is not available.

David Geraghty plays lead guitar, banjo, (electric) piano and does backing vocals and sometimes lead vocals.

Dominic Philips plays bass guitar and does backing vocals.

Tim O'Donovan plays drums.

Former

Brian Crosby played guitar, keyboards and did backing vocals before his departure in 2008.

Career

Origins

Originally known as Juniper, the band became a quartet with the departure of lead vocalist Damien Rice and after a short break reformed themselves as Bell X1. Drummer Paul Noonan became the band's new frontman. The move heralded a significant shift in the band's style as Noonan and guitarist Dave Geraghty's writing styles came to the fore. Also amongst the band's members are guitarist and keyboard player Brian Crosby and bassist Dominic Philips. Tim O' Donovan, who also fronts Neosupervital, drums for the band when they are on tour.

Universal Island Records

Juniper's original contract with Polygram Ireland was moved to the Universal Music Group with the buyout of Polygram in 1998 by Seagram. In the process pf, Seagram also acquired Island Records which had been purchased by Polygram in 1989. Bell X1's published music has been inconsistently labelled as published variously by Universal Ireland and Island records, with the latest two albums being marketed under the Island label. Bell X1 have released three albums to date; "Neither Am I" in 2000, "Music in Mouth" in 2003 and "Flock" which was released in 2005.

"Neither Am I" was released only in Ireland and although it did not have a dramatic impact commercially the band did build up an incredibly devoted fanbase on the gig circuit, due in part perhaps to the popularity of Juniper. Their second album fared better, garnering greater fan acceptance and critical acclaim. The wider appeal of the band was also helped by the use of their song "Eve, the Apple of My Eye" in a contentious episode of The O.C., during a scene in which two of the female characters shared a lesbian kiss.

"Flock" is the band's latest studio album, it was released in Ireland in 2005 and the UK in 2006. "Bigger Than Me" was the first single to be released from this album, though the single was only released in Ireland. It reached #16 in the Irish Singles Chart and the album went to #1 in Ireland a fortnight later. The response to the album in the UK has been more modest, though a dedicated fanbase is rapidly building there. The band played at The Point in Dublin in December 2006, their largest headline show at that time.

After Island

In February 2007, the band issued a statement to Phantom FM that Island had offered them a renewal of their contract to record a fourth album. The band declined and left the label [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/2909424.html|title="BellX1 part company with Island Records"|date=2007-02-11|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] stating that they intend to record a new album with an as yet unspecified party. This was later confirmed on Bell X1's official website [http://scripts.digicc.com/bellx1/news.php?id=1016603909] . The band embarked on a European tour with The Frames in mid-February and with former Juniper singer Damien Rice in late-March 2007.

BellyUp Records

A live CD and DVD set called "Tour De Flock" was released on June 15 2007. The set was the band's first post-Island release. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/2922541.html|title="Bell X1 return with new album + own label"|date=2007-05-02|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] It was released on the band's own record label, BellyUp Records [http://d3007956.u101.hosting365.ie/phpBB2/viewtopic.php?t=703] . Two weeks later, the band played an outdoor gig at Malahide Castle in Dublin. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/music/reviews/live//3889405.html|title="Bell X1 live at Malahide Castle"|date=2007-07-13|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] Support was provided by Duke Special, Jape and Herman Düne. In July, Bell X1 played The Marquee in Cork, supported again by Duke Special.

Separately, Paul Noonan's song "Some Surprise", from "The Cake Sale", featured in the US TV show "Grey's Anatomy" in December 2007. It was a specially re-recorded version with Noonan himself singing the male lead alongside Lisa Hannigan.

2008 US and European tours and fire

Bell X1 now have representation in the US where they are signed to "Yep Roc Records" and managed by the Intrigue Group who also cared for James Brown. "Flock" was released in the US on February 19 2008. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4447365.html|title="Bell X1 's Flock receives US release"|date=2008-02-19|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"]

The band spent much of January 2008 in the US on promotional duties including a showcase gig in Joe's Pub in New York and an appearance on "Late Night with Conan O'Brien" where they performed "Rocky Took a Lover". They also played London's King's College for their first UK date of the year. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4413928.html|title="Bell X1 announce UK date"|date=2008-02-05|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] They have returned to the US in March 2008 for a series of gigs, with shows confirmed so far in New York (Bowery Ballroom), Cambridge, Massachusetts, Minneapolis, San Francisco, Toronto and more expected. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4381962.html|title="Bell X1 head stateside"|date=2008-01-31|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] On March 15 their tour bus caught fire outside the hotel where they were staying in Medford, Massachusetts. Paul Noonan and Dave Geraghty were on board the vehicle at the time and raised the alarm after smelling smoke. [cite web|url=http://www.phantom.ie/content/view/1427/104/|title="Bell X1 experience a real life 'Flame'"|date=2008-03-18|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher=Phantom FM] Fire fighters were called to the scene shortly after 3.30 a.m. and took 90 minutes to put out the blaze, which started in the bus’ ventilation/air-conditioning unit and caused an estimated $50,000 worth of damage. Talking to local newspaper, the "Boston Herald", the band’s tour manager, Foyce Johnson said:

“The guys were basically around the bus, which was a good thing because we were able to get all the equipment and instruments out. We’re in the middle of the band’s first tour of America and to lose your gear would be a real problem.”

After a few hours of sleep, off they went in a replacement vehicle to New York City where the band played a sell-out show in the Bowery Ballroom. On Saint Patrick's Day they appeared on the "Late Show with David Letterman". [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/4513828.html|title="Bell X1 & The Village in fire dramas!"|date=2008-03-17|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"]

While touring America in late March 2008, Bell X1 took time out to perform a live date in Copenhagen, Denmark. Following this further dates were announced for France, Luxembourg, Germany and the Netherlands. The band returned to Ireland (and County Kildare) in July for a performance at Oxegen 2008 where they headlined the Green Room on the Friday night.

Crosby departs

On October 2, 2008, Brian Crosby announced his decision to leave the band following their October 19 "Flock" tour finale at the Panorama Festival in the Lebanon. As curator and producer of "The Cake Sale" project (twice platinum, raised €250,000 for Oxfam), Crosby went on to make music for TV and radio (winning a Prix Europa Best Radio Drama award for 'Mayday') and to produce the forthcoming One Day International record, 'Blackbird'. Having juggled this work with band life for some years, it is for this reason that he announced he would like to concentrate on film scoring and producing in the future.

Crosby said on his departure: "It's been an extraordinary privilege to be in a band with your mates for more than 15 years. I'm really grateful for everything I got to do with Bell X1, for all the adventures we had and for the great support of our fans. It's been particularly wonderful to have connected with so many people and to have got to meet people all over the world doing what I love. I look forward to continue making those connections. At the same time I'll be applauding the boys continued success." Noonan said on the band's website: "We've grown up making music together, and will of course miss Brian in all of the areas that he drove things. The band has become a hub from which many other projects have sprung over the past few years, which is a very healthy thing I think - it's been great to explore other areas of music. I know his voice will continue to reach people, and I'm sure we'll work together again in some shape or form." He also said that a new member would be brought into the live band.

Discography

Studio albums

:₁ "Flock" was released in the UK on March 20 2006.:₂ "Flock" was released in North America on February 16 2008.

Other

Singles

* "Pinball Machine" (Irish release)
* "Man on Mir" (Irish release) IRL #30
* "White Water Song"
* "Tongue"
* "Snakes and Snakes"
* "Alphabet Soup" (Aborted after the promo release)
* "Eve, the Apple of My Eye" IRL #18
* "Next to You" (Radio-only release)
* "Bigger Than Me" (Irish-only release) IRL #16
* "Flame" (March 13 2006) UK #65, IRL #12 ; "Bladhm" ("Irish language" version) released in Ireland only for domestic market.
* "Rocky Took a Lover" (August 28 2006) IRL #18
* "Bad Skin Day" (2007)

Other Releases

* "The Perfect Height For Kicking" (EP). This four-track EP was released prior to the Irish release of "Neither Am I", despite sharing its title with a lyric from the song "Rocky Took a Lover", found on their third album.
* A promo EP, also titled "The Perfect Height For Kicking" was released during the promotional campaign for the Flock album. This EP has a different track list, and features songs from the Flock album.
* The band performed a medley cover version of Justin Timberlake's "Like I Love You" and Kylie Minogue's "Slow" on the charity album "Even Better than the Real Thing Vol. 2"

Trivia

* Bell X1's most recent single "Rocky Took a Lover", was released in Ireland on August 28 2006. Many Irish radio stations, including Today FM, had been playing the track since before the release of the previous single "Flame".

* Their cover of "Another Girl, Another Planet" was heard on the 2006 Vodafone Christmas TV commercial in the UK. [cite web|url=http://www.hotpress.com/news/2891168.html|title="BellX1 take on 'Another Girl Another Planet'"|date=2006-11-03|accessdate=2008-03-18|publisher="Hot Press"] It was later made available as a free download by the band for one day only.

* BellX1 performed live on MTV Canada's version of TRL, MTV Live in March 2008.

References

Articles

* [http://www.ireland.com/timeseye/virtualireland/articles/article4.html "Starin' into the ditch"] - "The Irish Times"
* [http://www.independent.ie/entertainment/music/bell-x1-overvcome-a-host-of-teething-problems-and-start-to-sell-out-venues-stateside-1323380.html "Bell X1 overvcome {sic} a host of teething problems and start to sell out venues Stateside"] "Irish Independent"

External links

* [http://www.bellx1.com/ Official site]
*
* [http://d3007956.u101.hosting365.ie/phpBB2/viewforum.php?f=1 Bell X1 Official forum]
* [http://www.bellx1.com/musicinmouth/index.html "Music in Mouth" website]
* [http://www.davidgeraghty.com/ David Geraghty's Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/davidgeraghty David Geraghty's MySpace page]
* [http://www.npr.org/templates/story/story.php?storyId=21308288 Recorded interview of Bell X1 at NPR]
* [http://wers.org/reviews/?id=234 Bell X1 "Flock" Album Review at WERS.org]