Words with: Bell X1

September 24, 2003 by Darren Sykes

Words with:
Bell X1

Gigwise has words with Dublin quartet Bell X1, questions are answered by Paul (lead vocalist, guitar), Dave (guitar & keyboards) and Tim (drums) who have made music together in many guises since the early 90s.

Gigwise: How long have the band been together with the current line up?

Paul & Dave: We have been together for 3 months now; Tim was the last member to join. We used to be a five piece and I (Paul) played drums and we had a different vocalist.

Gigwise: Where did the name of the band come from?

Dave: The other band broke up so we needed a new name. We initially came up with Belgium Jury and Carruso. Bell X1 came from a reference as we flicked through the Guinness Book Of Records.

Gigwise: Are you all friends as well as band members?

Paul, Dave & Tim: You really all need to be friends; most of us have known one another since we were 12/13 years old. It's one big collective that you need to maintain the function of the band.

Gigwise: How long did your new album take to put together?

Paul: It took about a year to put together and about ten months to record it. We recorded in a beautiful place in Surrey called Ridge Farm. The finalisation of it took about three weeks.

Gigwise: Would you consider doing a live album?

Dave: Yes possibly or a live EP. It would be nice to use brass at one of the shows and record it.

Gigwise: What's the best show you have played to date?

Paul, Dave & Tim: We have just driven down from Edinburgh - what a fantastic place, we had a party after the show. The Veils had a night off and we supported Tom McRae. We had quite a few drinks but the shows were wildly different. Bristol, also, was a good night we got looked after with home made Italian food.

Gigwise: How have the shows been so far?

Paul, Dave & Tim: The crowds have built up slowly, so that's been encouraging. We also added an extra night at the London Barfly.

Gigwise: What will be the next single release?

Paul & Dave: The next single will be off the album called Snakes and Snakes, which we will be releasing in September.

Gigwise: If you could choose any producer in the world who would it be?

Paul & Dave: Probably some big LA producer or Dr Drey. You obviously need someone who is going to work with you and not take control.

Gigwise: How many songs do you currently have that are at the finished stage?

Paul, Dave & Tim: We have just completed the album and been on the road for three weeks. We are doing seven shows in Ireland so we haven't had much time to put new songs together. We have a lot of new material that we will put together after the tour.

Gigwise: What music are you currently listening to?

Paul, Dave & Tim: We have just bought The Rock Anthems to play on the tour bus - real music to drive to. (At this point they admit to having the Bod video on the bus). More names put forward are Justin Timberlake, Four Tet, Nina Nastasia and Gillian Welch.

Gigwise: Would you say you are influenced by any music past or present?

Paul, Dave & Tim: We listen to a lot of music, and you are obviously influenced subconsciously but there is nothing specific. We listened to a lot of Talking Heads whilst recording the album.

Gigwise: What was the last album you bought?

Paul & Tim: Apart from the Rock Anthems CD! The new Interpol album and The Dandy Warhols album.

Gigwise: What was the last gig you went to?

Paul, Dave & Tim: Radiohead, Beck - who did an amazing acoustic set and The Dandy Warhols.

Gigwise: How important is it to have your own travelling sound engineer?

Paul: It is very important but we are in between engineers at the moment. We borrowed the engineer who is the sound engineer for The Thrills - he is tied up with them permanently now. On this tour we have had three sound engineers so far.

Gigwise: Do friends, family or girlfriends travel when you are touring?

Paul & Tim: We have had a few people visit us but when we go home on Friday for the seven Irish shows we will have friends and family with us.

Gigwise: Are you planning any European dates or dates in the states?

Paul: We are hoping to put the album out in France and Belgium so we will have some dates to follow.

Gigwise: What would you consider to be success in your musical career?

Paul, Dave & Tim: That's a very difficult question; we had no preconceived ideas when we formed the band. We want to have fun, do lots of shows and keep recording new material.

Gigwise: If you had to choose a career outside music what would it be?

Paul, Dave & Tim: Paul suggests to Tim that he could be a model in a family clothes catalogue. Paul says he was once an extra in The Aristocrats - wigs, tights and all - so possibly acting. Dave suggests becoming a crash test dummy but I point out that career would be quite short lived and he agrees. Paul adds finally I could be a lighthouse keeper looking out at the sea every day.

Gigwise: What do you like to do in your 'free time'?

Paul, Dave & Tim: We have all made a lifestyle choice which obviously has demands, so free time at the moment is a precious commodity. However it would be nice if possible to spend some time in the South of France.

Gigwise: How do you like to chill out after a show?

Paul, Dave & Tim: It changes depending on how the shows are. If it is a good show we get the Dr Drey cd playing full blast on the tour bus, complete with green ghetto lighting on the dash board, that's why we partied in Edinburgh because the show was so fantastic.

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