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Snakes & Snakes

Quite probably the next of the ‘should have made it big’ brigade to make it big.

Phil Udell, 08 Oct 2003

Quite probably the next of the ‘should have made it big’ brigade to make it big, ‘Snakes & Snakes’ is certainly brimming with confidence. The production throws in all sorts of sparkly effects, enhancing a subtle tune that grows in stature with each listen. Maybe not immediate enough to grab the floating audience, this is still a record of wonderous depth and vision.

Phil Udell

Artist Related Content

Photo Galleries For This Artist

BELL X1 LIVE IN YOUR LIVING ROOM
Bell X1's Hot Press cover shoot
Bell X1's secret Hot Press session

Latest Related Articles For This Artist

Bell X1 release Chop Chop limited-edition

The new album will come in handy in the kitchen...


News: 2013-05-01

Listen: Bell X1 release new track

'Careful What You Wish For' is taken from their Chop Chop album due out this summer...


News: 2013-03-20

Bell X1 release new video for 'Starlings Over Brighton Pier'

The band also have dates in Cork and Dublin this summer in support of their new album out this June...


News: 2013-03-04

New Bell X1 album ready

The band have released details of Chop Chop.


News: 2013-02-18

Listen: Bell X1 – Starlings Over Brighton Pier

The Irish rockers this morning uploaded a new song to their Soundcloud page...


News: 2013-02-14

Latest Related Videos For This Artist

Bell X1 Busy Recording New Album

The lads are currently Stateside recording their sixth studio album...


2013-01-08 - News

Bell X1 and The Saw Doctors for Spiegeltent

Wexford festival set to take off...


2012-09-12 - News

Field Recordings

New recordings live up to expectations


2012-07-02 - REVIEW


Listen: Hot Chip remix Bell X1

Listen to it below.


2012-06-14 - News

Bell X1 to release Field Recordings this July

Sights and sounds from the road...


2012-05-08 - News

Paul Noonan to release album of collaborations

Ahead of Bell X1's Music Show slot, their singer talks side projects.


2012-02-20 - News


Bell X1 hit the UK

Four dates across the water to close out the year...


2011-11-21 - News

Free Music Friday

Easing you into the weekend with The National, Bell X1, Pet Shop Boys, Weezer, Ellie Goulding, Tinchy Stryder and many more...


2011-11-04 - News

Bell X1 confirm Dublin show

It will be a one-off Olympia performance.


2011-11-03 - News


Bell X1 and Jape this December

The two acts will be playing six dates around the country.


2011-10-12 - News

Arthur's Day, blind gigging

A report back from various Dublin venues!


2011-09-23 - News

Bell X1 impressed by fan-made video

Watch now the fan-made video for '4 Minute Mile' that pleasantly surprised Bell X1.


2011-09-12 - News


Rockin' the gaff

Bell X1 paid a house call to superfan Sinéad Loughman in order to find out what the hell that cryptic cabbage business was all about. Read on...


2011-05-16 - Interview

Check out the day-to-day lineup breakdown at Sea Sessions festival

Villagers, Bell X1 and Ziggy Marley headline each respective night!


2011-05-13 - News

Bell X1 to play rooftop set at the Dublin Facebook building

Gig will be broadcast around the world on the band's official Facebook page


2011-05-10 - News


Bell X1 serenade Hot Press comp winner in her living room!

Sinead Loughman from Maynooth was the lucky lady in question...


2011-04-27 - News

The Highway To Bell

What do Q-Tip, UNKLE, U2, PJ Harvey and Depeche Mode have in common? They’ve all at some point been an influence on Paul Noonan and Dave Geraghty who sit down with Peter Murphy to talk about musical heroes, the evolution of their own chart-conquering career and how they learned to embrace the Gary Numan within on their new album, Bloodless Coup. Plus, find out courtesy of our exclusive Hot Press competition how you can lure the Bellies to your living-room for a private gig.


2011-04-19 - Interview

Bell X1's Bloodless Coup available to stream

You can listen to the entire album ahead of its April 1 release


2011-03-30 - News


Bloodless Coup

Paul Noonan & Co. go for chart conquering broke


2011-03-29 - REVIEW

Bell X1 Live and Album Signing details

Check out the boys at HMV on Bloodless Coup release day


2011-03-28 - News

Fancy having BellX1 play live in your sitting room??

Tell us which of the band's songs is your favourite, and they could be serenading you in your own home!


2011-03-24 - News


Bell X1 win support from 185 NPR stations

Ireland's Bell X1 have scored an international first with the most influential radio network in the US


2011-03-18 - News

New Bell X1 Video for 'Velcro'

Bell X1 has released a new video for their single 'Velcro' and you're bound to get stuck on it. 'Velcro' will be on Bell X1's new album Bloodless Coup soon to be released on April 1.


2011-03-16 - News

Bell X1 reveal album track-listing

Bloodless Coup could be the first record to include a paen to Cypriot cheese!


2011-02-04 - News


New Bell X1 video

It's made up of studio footage from the Grouse Lodge recording of 'Hey Anna Lena'


2011-01-26 - News

Bell X1 debut Bloodless Coup song

Listen to 'Hey Anna Lena' here!


2011-01-18 - News

Bell X1 reveal cover artwork

We're liking the look of Bloodless Coup!


2011-01-07 - News


Bell X1 announce Dublin shows + album release date

Bloodless Coup will be with us on April 1.


2010-12-09 - News

Bell X1 at Vicar Street

Stripped back to their bare bones for this acoustic show at Vicar St., Bell X1’s songs wear their raw emotional quality with pride.


2010-11-22 - REVIEW

Bell X1 at The White House

The Kildare band got the full tour, though Obama was away


2010-10-19 - News


Bell X1 announce acoustic tour

They're going nationwide in November.


2010-07-14 - News

Paul Noonan plays solo Thomastown show

He's also been rubbing shoulders with heavy metal royalty in LA!


2010-03-04 - News

Bell X1 to headline Irish In Film Oscars party

They're jetting out to L.A. in March


2010-01-21 - News


Bell X1 join Meteors line-up

You can also find some new Electric Picnic '09 footage on their YouTube channel.


2010-01-19 - News

2010 Meteor nominees

Here's a full list of all nominees and categories for the 2010 Meteor Ireland Music Awards


2010-01-07 - News

Music In Mouth


2009-12-19 - REVIEW


Bell X1, The Blizzards, Republic of Loose to join Jenny Huston at signing

The bands, who are featured in the 2fm DJ's new book In Bloom - Irish Bands Now, will be joining her to celebrate the book's launch at Tower Records.


2009-11-26 - News

Bell X1 Live at the Marquee

Possibly referring to a certain Hot Press cover, Noonan assures us that he’s a strong confident woman before singing the slow-release ‘A Better Band’


2009-07-06 - REVIEW

Bell X1 make Electric Picnic announcement

Paul Noonan & Co. tell Vicar Street of their festival plans.


2009-04-14 - News


Hot Cockpit Action

It was inflight double entendres all round as Bell X1 donned cabin crew attire for a special Hot Press photoshoot. When not showing an unhealthy interest in women’s clothes and fancy Raybans, they talked about their chart-topping new album Blue Lights On The Runway, their imminent breakthrough in the US and freezing their arses off on The Late Show with Dave Letterman


2009-03-24 - Interview

Guess What!

Things are really hotting up for Bell X1. The Great Defector went to number 1 in the airplay charts last week, while their number 1 album Blue Lights On The Runway is still flying high.


2009-03-11 - News

Blue Lights on the runway

And then there were three. Slimmed down Bell X-ers stretch on fourth album


2009-02-26 - REVIEW


UPDATED: Bell X1 come up trumps at secret HP show

Thirty lucky fans were treated to a special acoustic Bell X1 show in the intimate surroundings of Bewley's Cafe Theatre in Dublin on Sunday. **NOW UPDATED with photos!


2009-02-24 - News

Bell X1 play extra Dublin shows

Their Vicar St. run has been extended to three nights.


2009-02-20 - News

Last chance to be at Bell X1's secret gig!

Hot Press are offering fans a chance to be at a top secret acoustic show ahead of the band's upcoming tour. But get moving, the closing date's tomorrow!


2009-02-19 - News


Be at Bell X1's secret show!

Get your hands on tickets to an exclusive Bell X1 gig, plus, your chance to tell the boys which song you'd like to hear!


2009-02-12 - News

Bell X1 artwork preview + special edition info

Hotpress.com is delighted to bring you this pre-release goo at the artwork for Bell X1’s Blue Lights On The Runway album, which makes it into the shops here on February 20.


2009-01-29 - News

BellX1: Tour announced plus album track by track

BellX1 have announced a run round Ireland in support of their Blue Lights On The Runway album, which is due on February 20 and is preceded by the lead single, ‘The Great Defector’.


2009-01-14 - News


Bell X1 reveal new album details

The Bell X1 lads plan to release their 4th record in late February, with a new track available now on their MySpace.


2009-01-07 - News

Brian Crosby leaves Bell X1

Bell X1 have announced that Brian Crosby will be leaving the band following their October 19 Flock tour finale at the Panorama Festival in the Lebanon.


2008-10-02 - News

UPDATED: Bell X1 to make Irish return

Following an extensive US tour, Bell X1 have announced their Irish live return at Vicar St. this November, with a new date just added.


2008-09-02 - News


Into the Bell X1 off the beast

Hot Press joins the lads of Bell X1 on the road in America - land of David Letterman and flaming tour buses.


2008-04-15 - Interview

Bell X1 start work on new album

Bell X1, fresh from their US success, have revealed that they’ve already written a dozen tracks for their much-anticipated fourth album.


2008-04-08 - News

Bell X1 & The Village in fire dramas!

Bell X1 had a narrow escape on Saturday March 15 when their tour bus caught fire outside the Medford, Massachusetts hotel they were staying in.


2008-03-17 - News


Bell X1 's Flock receives US release

Today marks the Stateside release of Bell X1's Flock album, which has received a rake of positive reviews.


2008-02-19 - News

Bell X1 announce UK date

Bell X1 are about to embark on a North American tour, but first they plan on stopping by London's King's College for their first UK date of the year.


2008-02-05 - News

Bell X1 head stateside

Bell X1 have announced a tour of North America.


2008-01-31 - News


Paul Noonan to present Pet Sounds

Bell X1's Paul Noonan is to present tomorrow night's Pet Sounds on Today FM.


2007-08-21 - News

Bell X1 live at Malahide Castle

From their opening song, Bell X1 are all gloriously triumphant. Their demeanour is relaxed, entertaining, and above all, slick.


2007-07-13 - REVIEW

The Mixed Grill: Bell X1

On the eve of the release of Tour De Flock, BellX1’s live album and DVD from Dublin’s Point Theatre, Paul Noonan, Brian Crosby and Dominic Phillips answer the weird and wonderful questions of hotpress readers, from the swimming habits of monkeys to ripping the gusset of your pants on stage.


2007-06-26 - Interview


Tour De Flock

What’s most striking about Tour De Flock is how unpopulist Bell X1 are. This is not a live album filled with huge, chest-beating anthems, but it works instead on a more intimate scale.


2007-06-22 - REVIEW

Burning questions to ask Bell X1? You've come to the right place

Here's your chance to quiz Dublin's finest, Bell X1, and win a fine prize while you're at it.


2007-05-29 - News

Bell X1 return with new album + own label

The HP Newsdesk is delighted to bring you this exclusive first peek at the Bell X1 2-disc live album and DVD package.


2007-05-02 - News


Bell X1 discuss future plans

There’s been more reaction from BellX1 to their departure from Island Records and its parent company, Universal Music.


2007-02-12 - News

BellX1 part company with Island Records

After much industry speculation, it’s been confirmed that BellX1 have parted company with Island and its parent company, Universal Records.


2007-02-11 - News

Bell X1 live at The Point, Dublin

Their transition from traditional ‘indie’ beginnings to a more lavish, gothic sound suggests a development that, for my money, has never been backed up by a commensurate break-through in terms of songwriting. Or maybe I’ve been missing something...


2007-01-12 - REVIEW


Bell X1 confirm summer concerts

While the majority recover over the excesses of the festive period, Dublin foursome are already planning their summer exploits.


2007-01-02 - News

BellX1 lead Belfast Festival line up

All roads lead to Belfast this month as the city hosts belFEST 2006, a veritable orgy of live music that runs from November 16 to December 3.


2006-11-07 - News

BellX1 take on 'Another Girl Another Planet'

BellX1’s cross-channel profile is set to receive a major boost with their version of The Only Ones’ ‘Another Girl Another Planet’ soundtracking Vodafone’s Christmas TV advertising campaign.


2006-11-03 - News


Liberty bell X-press

In order to further understand the African AIDS crisis, Bell X1, ardent supporters of Oxfam’s Make Trade Fair campaign, travelled to Tanzania for eight days this month.


2006-08-24 - Interview

Rocky Took A Lover

A radio favourite since January, the delay in releasing ‘Rocky’ can be attributed to a desire to similarly see it take off across the pond. A story of lush melodies, chiming instrumentation and Paul Noonan’s bittersweet lyrics, ‘Rocky’ will probably be most of interest to Irish fans for its b-sides. Amongst them lies a sparse acoustic reworking of Depeche Mode’s ‘Enjoy The Silence’ that should prove a live favourite on their forthcoming November tour.


2006-08-02 - REVIEW

Bell X1 and others for Live Revolution 06

The line-up has been confirmed for Live Revolution ’06, a week-long musical blowout that takes place next month in Lisburn’s Island Arts Centre.


2006-07-19 - News


BellX1 announce biggest tour yet

Timed perfectly for their newly acquired fans from Oxegen, BellX1 have announced a winter tour.


2006-07-10 - News

BellX1 confirm single release

The Dubliners have announced a new single from their number one album Flock.


2006-06-26 - News

Bell X1 donate track to Oxfam

BellX1 have given one of the tracks from their Flock album to Oxfam as a free download to publicise the charity’s ‘Generation Why’ arms control initiative.


2006-04-26 - News


Bell X1 provide soundtrack to new Irish play

You wouldn't have thought that Paul Noonan and Brian Crosby would have time for extra-cirricular activities, but they've been dabbling in theatre.


2006-03-10 - News

'Flame'

This is one of the finer moments from Bell X1’s patchy and somewhat overrated Flock LP. Anyone with even half an ear cocked to radio will be well aware of this infectious sing-a-long from the X1 boys. A proven favourite on the airwaves, the group’s collective ears will be firmly tuned to see if UK disc jocks show a similar penchant for ‘Flame’s shouty chorus and chiming guitar lines. Irish fans however will be more interested in a live version of the track, due to be made available on the group’s website in the coming weeks.


2006-03-03 - REVIEW

Bell X1 live at the RDS Arena, Dublin

Bell X1 at the RDS? It would have seemed unthinkable a few years back, but 2005 was a good year for the group – one in which they took steps to ensure that they will be remembered as more than just Damien Rice’s old playmates.


2006-02-09 - REVIEW


The X1 factor

With the release of their acclaimed third album Flock, which went straight to No.1 in Ireland, Bell X1 have staked their claim not just to greatness, but also to potential world domination – a possibility which is reinforced considerably by their powerful showing in the Hot Press Readers’ Poll. Here, in an emotional and revealing interview, the band’s photogenic frontman Paul Noonan discusses life, art, love, death... and music.


2006-02-06 - Interview

Choice Music Prize nominees announced

The Choice Music Prize - Irish Album of the Year 2005 shortlist was announced today, with BellX1, Turn and The Chalets all in the running.


2006-01-11 - News

BellX1 live at the Olympia, Dublin

The audience know they mean business. ‘Reacharound’, a born opener, kicks off the set and after that there’s no fag breaks for an hour and a half.


2005-11-03 - REVIEW


BellX1 announce biggest headline show

BellX1 fans unable to lay their hands on tickets for their current dates will be mighty pleased to learn that they'll soon be returning to the live scene for a one-off date at the RDS Arena in Dublin.


2005-10-18 - News

Flock

Its real beauty comes when the effort is made to tunnel further down. The songs you were tempted to skip first become familiar, then recognisable, then at a point only hindsight will reveal, become shining examples of subtle magnificence, however much you’re loath to admit a change of heart.


2005-10-17 - REVIEW

Bigger Than Me/ Still Selling Shoes

Those of us who always suspected Bell X1 of the denatured blandness that typified the genre they skirt will find in ‘Bigger Than Me’ a large, layered soft pop track that is cheerfully mordant, with more than a hint of Liam O’Maonlai. In ‘Still Selling Shoes’ we get neatly itemised observations of the mundane roles enjoyed by now legendary or indeed notorious Irish performers. Not many would shoehorn (ahem) Rory Gallagher and Ronan Keating into a song, and fewer still could make it work.


2005-10-04 - REVIEW


BellX1 track-by-track of Flock

Resourceful as ever, the Hot Press Covert Operations Team has managed to, er, obtain a pre-release copy of the new BellX1 album, Flock.


2005-09-20 - News

BellX1 album art revealed

The long-awaited follow-up to the phenomenal Music In Mouth is nearly upon us, and just to build up the tension a little more, you can get a sneaky peek at the cover right here...


2005-09-14 - News

BellX1: The return!

The hotly-anticipated return of OC faves BellX1 draws nearer as they announce an extensive tour of Ireland and and shelf date for their new album.


2005-08-23 - News


BellX1 conquer LA radio waves

Currently on tour in the US, BellX1 have made a considerable impression on LA radio listeners


2005-06-23 - News

Live At The Savoy Theatre, Cork

Expectations for new material are, understandably, quite high, both from long term fans of the band and the ever-broadening circle of new admirers, Indeed, the days of Bell X1 filling medium size stages could well be numbered – as it is, tonight’s stage can barely hold the band’s enthusiasm and confidence.


2005-05-05 - REVIEW

Paul Noonan to perform with The Section Quartet

Paul Noonan takes a night off Bell X1 duties with a special guest appearance at Dublin's Sugar Club next month


2005-03-24 - News


BellX1 reveal details of their new album

What's in a name? Bell X1 have revealed the title of their work-in-progress...


2005-03-01 - News

Great Expectations

Hot Press visited BellX1 in their city-centre studio, where the group are working on the follow-up to Music In Mouth. “There’s been a lot less fuck-acting this time around,” they tell John Walshe. Photo: Liam Sweeney


2005-02-22 - Interview

BellX1 announce national tour dates

With their new album set for summer release, BellX1 have scheduled in an April tour of Ireland


2005-02-09 - News


BellX 1 tour dates confirmed for Ireland

With a successful debut album- Music in Mouth- behind them, Bell X 1 are embarking on an Irish tour for September & October.


2004-09-09 - News

BellX1 for Vicar St.

Noonan and co. have penned in a hometown show at Vicar St. this October


2004-08-26 - News

Bell X1 @ Oxegen [video interview]


2004-07-20 - Interview


Eve- The Apple of my Eye

Bell X1’s transformation into one of the big bands is already in process, with only an all-conquering run of festival appearances left to complete the picture..


2004-06-01 - REVIEW

BellX1 team up with Keane

BellX1 have scored something of a coup by landing the "special guest" slot on Keane's upcoming UK tour.


2004-03-18 - News

At home with Paul Noonan..

It’s all back to the BellX1 frontman’s place for a root through his back pages.


2004-02-10 - Interview


BellX1 and The Frames to represent Ireland at EuroSonic

BellX1 and The Frames will do what they do best at January's Eurosonic Festival in Holland


2003-11-21 - News

BellX1 hit the road in December

It's non-stop gigging for the BellX1 crew, who have announced eight dates around the country


2003-10-23 - News

BellX1 to play Dublin in-store

HMV announce August in-store appearances


2003-07-29 - News


Music In Mouth

Music In Mouth is a more unified, distinctive and cohesive record that showcases the band’s multiple directions, adding further conviction to the depths of epic balladeering on ‘Eve, The Apple Of My Eye’, the quirky pop of ‘Next To You’ or the manic rock of ‘White Water Song


2003-07-17 - REVIEW

Suck it and see

Here's the lowdown on new Bell X-1 album Music In Mouth - and the cover art as well. Taste for yourself


2003-06-30 - News

WHITE WATER SONG

Shambolic rock with a manic riff


2003-05-23 - REVIEW


It's all bells

Studio recluses BellX1 emerge for Irish tour


2002-12-04 - News

Neither Am I

Bell X1’s debut album displays a touching uncertainty. Apart from the robust vanguard of ‘Pinball Machine’ and the confident swish of ‘Man On Mir,’ Neither Am I has a preponderance of translucent ballads. Most of these, while genuinely lovely, are not as striking as they might be, due to the distant, dreamy production style.


2000-10-26 - REVIEW

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