Though they only released their first effort in 1999, the roots of Bell X1 date much further back. Originally formed in 1991 by ex-schoolmates Damien Rice, Paul Noonan, Brian Crosby and Dominic Philips, Juniper started off as a wedding band, playing classic rock covers and similar festive fare.
With the introduction of guitarist Dave Gerathy, the band u-turned and began to produce original music, inspired by British and Irish indie rock acts like the Frames and Radiohead. The band developed a reputation for their riotous stage show and released two very well received singles in 1998: 'The Weatherman' and 'The World is Dead,' as well as the 'Manna EP'- all are sought-after rarities today.
Signed to PolyGram, the group was on the eve of recording their first album when Damien unexpectedly left the band, upset at the level of label pressure the other members were willing to bow to. Damien went to live in solitude in rural Tuscany, while his former band-mates persevered with the recording process under the new moniker Bell X1, named after the first aircraft...more
