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Artist Website: www.bellx1.com
View Bell X1 Profile on All Music Guide
Bell X1 are an Irish band, hailing from North County Kildare, Ireland. Originally known as Juniper, they became a quartet with the departure of lead vocalist Damien Rice and rechristened themselves Bell X1. Drummer Paul Noonan became the band's new frontman. This 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, performs drums for the band when they are on tour.
Bell X1 have released three albums to date; Neither Am I in 2001, 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 caused more of a splash, 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 the UK and Ireland 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.