Home > News & Reviews > Bell X1

Bell X1 Announce Glasgow & London Shows & Tickets
Wednesday, 30 March 2011 Written by Jon Stickler
Bell X1 Announce Glasgow & London Shows & Tickets

For their new release, 'Bloodless Coup', Bell X1 wanted to return to a more traditional way of recording. As in, write the songs. Rehearse the songs. Record the songs. In a recording studio. Bell X1 — singer Paul Noonan, guitarist Dave Geraghty and bassist Dominic Phillips, — brought two new humans into the studio fold this time -- Rory Doyle on drums and Marc Aubele on keys and guitar. To produce the album, Bell X1 brought on Rob Kirwan.

'Bloodless Coup' is about the idea that momentous change often happens in subtle or benign or lateral ways. Like realising that you'll now never do certain things. Our own country's economic implosion. Stepping up with grace and holding a loved one as they slip away. Losing one's religion.  But it's also about how, through friendships and shared human experience, the good will win out.

With 'Bloodless Coup', once again the band mixed the organic with the machine, the latter coming to the fore a little more than in previous outings. Noonan’s infectious voice whisks you away with lyrics that range from social commentaries to more personal introspective songs like, 'Nightwatchmen' and '74 Swans,' and the unforgettable first track 'Hey Anna Lena.' The albums lead single is 'Velcro' a fitting track about sticking together and working hard through the tough times.

While the past few years have seen Bell X1 making major artistic and career strides, the group has been honing its sound since its formation in 1999, and its members have been making music together since the early ‘90s. Having met at school in Ireland’s North County Kildare, Noonan, Geraghty and Phillips first recorded as members of Juniper, whose lead singer was Damien Rice. After Rice departed to launch his solo career, Noonan, Geraghty, Phillips and Crosby regrouped and rechristened themselves Bell X1, borrowing the name of
the first plane to break the sound barrier.

Bell X1 debuted with 2000’s 'Neither Am I', produced by Crowded House member Nick Seymour. That disc became a modest cult hit in Ireland, where the band’s tireless touring efforts won it a reputation as a powerful live act. The sophomore effort 'Music in Mouth' followed in 2003, and established Bell X1 as both a major attraction and a critical favourite in its homeland, while winning the group increasing popularity in Europe.

Upon its release in late 2005, 'Flock', produced by studio vet Roger Bechirian, of Elvis Costello/ Squeeze/ Undertones fame, became a smash, establishing Bell X1 as one of Ireland’s best-selling recording acts
and most popular live bands. This momentum lead to a North American release in 2008 and won Bell X1 a substantial audience in America, where the band toured, and managed to survive unscathed after their
tour bus caught fire in Medford, Massachusetts. Undeterred, the band would tour America 3 more times that year and the group’s stateside profile was further enhanced by performances on The Late Show with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O’Brien and The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson.

The success of 'Flock' led to Bell X1 setting up its own label, BellyUp Records, giving the band complete control over its musical output. The new imprint’s initial release was the hugely successful live CD/DVD package Tour De Flock, which debuted at Number Four on the Irish charts, the highest-ever debut for a self-released title.

Hailed by the likes of Vanity Fair who heralded their US arrival as an international phenomenon and the New York Daily News who said, “Paul Noonan has sweated out enough smart work to make him one of pop’s most
promising writers,” the band showed no signs of stopping. Their last album 'Blue Lights on the Runway' debuted at Number One in Ireland, and was certified multi-Platinum while going on to become the biggest selling independent title that year and spawning the number one single 'The Great Defector'  -- a track that also went top 10 in America and spread across Europe.

Their new album, 'Bloodless Coup', proves Bell X1 is a diverse band that continues building on their solid fan base.

Bell X1 will be coming to London and Glasgow this May:

Mon 16 May - Glasgow King Tut's
Tue 17-May - London Scala

Bell X1 Tickets are on sale now. Click Here to Compare & Buy Bell X1 Tickets
NOTE FROM THE EDITOR

We don't run any advertising! Our editorial content is solely funded by lovely people like yourself using Stereoboard's listings when buying tickets for live events. To keep supporting us, next time you're looking for concert, festival, sport or theatre tickets, please search for "Stereoboard". It costs you nothing, you may find a better price than the usual outlets, and save yourself from waiting in an endless queue on Friday mornings as we list ALL available sellers!


Let Us Know Your Thoughts




Related News

No related news to show
 
< Prev   Next >