"Bell X1" redirects here. For the aircraft with a similar name, see
Bell X-1.
Bell X1 are an Irish rock band from County Kildare in Ireland. They have thus far released four critically-acclaimed albums in Ireland, and in recent years have gained 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, received a North American release in February 2008. Their fourth album, Blue Lights on the Runway was released in Ireland on 20 February 2009 and had a US release on 3 March 2009.
Bell X1 began their existence as Juniper, a successful 1990s act in Ireland which included Damien Rice before he became internationally renowned as a solo artist.
On October 2, 2008, Brian Crosby announced his decision to leave Bell X1 following their October 19 Flock tour finale at the Panorama Festival in the Lebanon.[1]
The band have had significant success in Ireland and the United States; however, they are not recognised as much in the United Kingdom.[2] In the US, they have achieved critical acclaim with Paste calling them "one of Ireland's greatest bands" and New York Daily News reporter Jim Farber praising Paul Noonan's "sharp eye" and "flair for dialogue".[3] They have also had strong album sales and made several appearances on David Letterman.[2] They have performed sold out shows on both coasts and toured the US four times in 2008.[2]
Career
Origins
Most of the band were originally members of Juniper, which became a quartet with the departure of lead vocalist Damien Rice over creative differences and arguments over the choice of song to release as a single.[4] Rice later granted a rare interview to The Independent in which he admitted they argued over issues such as whether or not their CDs should come packaged in recycled paper - Rice insisted they should, whilst the rest of the band "couldn't give a shite".[5] He "simply explained to them that if they left me alone, the music would be better, and that if they started interfering again, it would fuck things up."[5] After a short break the remaining members reformed themselves as Bell X1, named after the Bell X-1 (note the hyphen), the first plane to break the sound barrier.[4] 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, paving the way for the Talking Heads style sound that the band is known for today. Also amongst Bell X1's members are bassist Dominic Philips and former member, the guitarist and keyboard player Brian Crosby. Tim O'Donovan, who also fronts Neosupervital, drums for the band when they are on tour.
Universal Island Records and BellyUp 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 released three albums whilst with Universal; Neither Am I in 2000, Music in Mouth in 2003 and Flock which was released in 2005. BellyUp Records released Tour De Flock in 2007 and Blue Lights on the Runway in 2009.
Neither Am I and Music in Mouth (2000 – 2006)
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 and Tour De Flock (2006 – 2008)
Flock was Bell X1's third 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 Theatre in Dublin in December 2006, their largest headline show at that time.
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 [6] 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 embarked on a European tour with The Frames in mid-February and with former Juniper singer Damien Rice in late-March 2007.
A live CD and DVD set called Tour De Flock was released on 15 June 2007. The set was the band's first post-Island release. [7] It was released on the band's own record label, BellyUp Records [2]. Two weeks later, the band played an outdoor gig at Malahide Castle in Dublin. [8] 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.
In 2008 Bell X1 achieved representation in the United States where they are signed to Yep Roc Records and managed by the Intrigue Group. Flock was released in the United States on 19 February 2008. [9] 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. [10] 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. [11] 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. [12] 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 manager, Foye 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. [13]
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 departure
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. [14] 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.
Blue Lights on the Runway (2009 – present )
Bell X1 released their fourth studio album Blue Lights On The Runway in early 2009. It is scheduled for a U.S. release on March 3 through their American Yep Roc label. This follows a Feb. 20 release in Ireland. Blue Lights on the Runway will include songs such as "Light Catches Your Face", which was played during a recent episode of One Tree Hill (TV series) in the U.S. (November 2008), "Blow In's", "How Your Heart Is Wired" and "One String Harp" which have all been played at their recent sell out shows in Vicar Street, Dublin. Blue Lights On The Runway was preceded by its lead single, titled "The Great Defector".[15] The Great Defector became the bands most successful single yet peaking at number 3 in the Irish singles chart, dropping 2 spaces to 5th before regaining ground the following week landing in at number 4.
The band recorded a Ukulele Session with the newspaper Le Soir to support the album in Belgium.
A world tour has been scheduled with to promote the release of the album. Countries included on the tour include USA, Ireland, Germany, The Netherlands, France & England. The Irish leg of the tour was extended; after many of the dates sold out within hours of the tickets being released. Tickets for the Dolans show in Limerick City sold out in record time, while 2 extra dates had to be added to supply demand in Dublin. Marc Aubele on keys and Rory Doyle on drums feature during live performances, the former replacing Crosby in the band.[17] A second single from Blue Lights on the Runway, titled "The Ribs of a Broken Umbrella", is due for release soon.[17] The band will accompany The Script in supporting U2 during their sold-out 27 July 2009 Croke Park show, part of the U2 360° Tour.[18]
Members
Current
Paul Noonan: (1999 - present) Lead vocals; Guitar; drums; percussion; kazoo. He has also been known to occasionally play drums live if a session drummer is not available.
David Geraghty:(1999 - present) lead guitar; banjo; (electric) piano; backing vocals; occasional lead vocals.
Dominic Philips: (1999 - present) Bass guitar; backing vocals.
Live Members
Tim O'Donovan: (1999 - present) Drums. O'Donovan is the long term live drummer of Bell X1. He contributed drum to Blue Lights on the Runway. Due to other commitments he did not drum on the Blue Lights on the Runway tour.
Marc Aubele (2008 - present) Guitar; keyboards
Rory Doyle (2008 - present) Drums
Former
Brian Crosby; (1999 - 2008) guitar, keyboards and did backing vocals before his departure in 2008.
Discography
Studio albums
- 1 Flock was released in the UK on 20 March 2006.
- 2 Flock was released in North America on 16 February 2008.
- 3 Blue Lights on the Runway was released in Ireland on 20 February 2009.
- 4 Blue Lights on the Runway was released in the UK on 2 March 2009.
- 5 Blue Lights on the Runway was released in the U.S. on 3 March 2009.
- 6 Blue Lights on the Runway was released in Continental Europe on 16 March 2009.
Other
Singles
Other releases
Trivia
- Bell X1's single "Rocky Took a Lover" was released in Ireland on 28 August 2006. Many Irish radio stations, including Today FM, had been playing the track since before the release of the previous single "Flame".
- The band's name has in the past been mispronounced by well-established chat show hosts (even in Ireland where Eamon Dunphy called them "Bell Life" and Late Late Show host Pat Kenny once famously introduced them as "Bell Eleven" only to cheer them off the stage as "Bell X Eleven" after a performance of "Alphabet Soup" on another occasion).[21][22]
- BellX1 performed live on MTV Canada's version of TRL, MTV Live in March 2008.
References
Articles
External links
David Geraghty
