Bell X1 (band)
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| Bell X1 | ||
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| Background information | ||
| Origin |  Celbridge, County Kildare, Ireland |
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| Genre(s) | Rock | |
| Years active | 1999 – present | |
| Label(s) | Universal Island Records | |
| Associated acts |
Juniper, Damien Rice | |
| Website | Bell X1 Official Website | |
| Members | ||
| Paul Noonan Brian Crosby Dominic Philips David Geraghty |
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Bell X1 are an Irish band from North County Kildare, Ireland.
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[edit] 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 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.
[edit] 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, 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 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 number 16 in the singles charts and the album went to number 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 to date.
[edit] After Island
In February of 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 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 [1]. The band is currently embarked on a European tour with The Frames and former Juniper singer Damien Rice.
[edit] Members
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.
Dave Geraghty plays lead guitar, banjo, (electric) piano and does backing vocals and sometimes lead vocals.
Dominic Philips plays bass guitar and does backing vocals.
Brian Crosby plays guitar, keyboards and also does backing vocals.
Tim O'Donovan plays drums.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Studio albums
| Year | Album | Label | Other Information | Irish Chart Position |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2000 | Neither Am I | Universal Music Ireland | Produced by Nick Seymour, former bassist of Crowded House | 30 |
| 2003 | Music In Mouth | Universal Island Records | Produced by Jamie Cullum, of the British musical duo Elcho. | 15 |
| 2005 | Flock | Universal Island Records | Produced by Roger Bechirian | 1 |
Note: Flock was released in the UK on 20th March, 2006.
[edit] Singles
- "Pinball Machine" (Irish release)
- "Man On Mir" (Irish release)
- "White Water Song"
- "Snakes and Snakes"
- "Tongue"
- "Alphabet Soup" (Aborted after the promo release)
- "Eve, the Apple of My Eye"
- "Next To You" (Radio-only release)
- "Bigger Than Me" (Irish release)
- "Flame" (13th March 2006) UK #65
- "Rocky Took a Lover" (28th August 2006)
- "Bad Skin Day"
[edit] Other Releases
- "The Perfect Height For Kicking" (EP)
This four track EP was released prior to the Irish release of Neither Am I .
[edit] Trivia
Bell X1's latest single is "Rocky Took A Lover", and was released in Ireland on August 28th 2006. Many Irish radio stations, including Today FM, have been playing the track since before the release of the previous single "Flame".
Their cover of "Another Girl, Another Planet" can be heard on the 2006 Vodafone Christmas TV commercial in the UK.
The band will also support former bandmate Damien Rice on his European tour.
