Another Great Irish Band: Bell X1
 Bell X1 started out as Juniper, with Damien Rice, who left them on the eve of recording their first album to go find himself herding sheep in Tuscany.Their new name came from the name of the first airplane to break the sound barrier (hmm, remind you of any other Irish band names?), and they are just starting to be seen by US audiences.   Their performance on Letterman can be seen here.   The first video below is for their most famous song, “Eve, The Apple of My Eye,” which gained fame as the background music for a lesbian kiss shared by two characters on The OC.  The second video is for their song “Toungue.” Let me know what you think.Â
April 13, 2008 in Band Spotlight, Music |
I love Bell x1! My favorite songs are probably “West of Her Spine,” and “In Every Sunflower.”
I just missed them playing in LA recently and was super bummed about it. I’ve been wanting to see them for a really long time. Still kicking myself for not going, but I just couldn’t.
I’ve got some Juniper songs if anyone’s interested. Some of Damien’s solo stuff were originally Juniper songs. “Volcano,” “I Remember December,” “Spaceship (Amie),” “Me My Yoke and I.” Bell x1 has recorded at least one Juniper song, “Face.”
Comment by Susan M — April 13, 2008 @ 8:27 am
Yea, Susan, my impression is that there was something of a disagreement about who got custody of what songs after the divorce. They must have worked it out though, because they have toured together.
Their first album was released only in Ireland. Did you get a copy somehow?
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 11:30 am
Are you talking about Juniper’s first album or Bell x1’s? I only have misc mp3s by Juniper.
Comment by Susan M — April 13, 2008 @ 2:11 pm
My understanding is that Juniper never made a full album, just some random demos and EPs. When Damien left, the band renamed itself Bell X1 and eventually recorded some of the material written for Juniper’s first album, only now it was Bell X1. That album was called Neither Am I, and it was never released outside Ireland, and I haven’t heard it. I would love to hear it if you have it, and I would love to hear any Juniper stuff that you have. Can you put any of it on the Radio Blog?
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 3:22 pm
MCQ, never heard of them, but I liked what I’ve heard so far. You know so much about the Irish music industry, you must be half Irish or a Leprechaun.
Comment by Abby — April 13, 2008 @ 3:25 pm
Yeah, In Every Sunflower is a great song. Good thoughts MCQ.
Comment by Supergenius — April 13, 2008 @ 3:39 pm
Half Irish??? Bite your tongue. I’m a son of the sod. I bleed Guinness. I have a four leaf clover tattoo on my backside and an Irish flag over my heart. When they bury me, they’ll sing “Danny Boy.” Half Irish, indeed! Please, take that back!
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 7:29 pm
You assumed my comment was derogatory in nature.
Comment by Abby — April 13, 2008 @ 9:02 pm
I’ve posted to the radio.blog three versions of “Volcano,” the original Juniper version, plus both Bell x1 and Damien Rice’s versions. Also another Bell x1 song I absolutely love called “Beautiful Madness” from their first album. And Juniper’s version of “Eskimo” (later recorded by Damien solo).
Comment by Susan M — April 13, 2008 @ 9:09 pm
I was kidding, Abby, but my point was that “half-Irish” is always derogatory. To an Irishman.
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 9:43 pm
So are you Irish, or just a defender of the four leaf clover?
Comment by Abby — April 13, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
Thanks Susan!!!
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 9:47 pm
I’m Irish by lineage, which means I’m all Irish, all the time.
Comment by MCQ — April 13, 2008 @ 10:09 pm
Only if you can speak with the accent!
Comment by Abby — April 13, 2008 @ 11:01 pm
“I bleed Guinness.”
They’re always after your Lucky Charms?
~
Comment by Thomas Parkin — April 14, 2008 @ 1:46 am
It’s true, I am magically delicious.
Comment by MCQ — April 14, 2008 @ 2:23 am
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