Greetings all… just a few things to mention…
The Damage Manual album and a new “Seaside Companion” are due out on September 5.
Also up is a great radio interview transcript from March 25 at GWU Radio in DC.
Finally, this from Chris:
Good Afternoon everyone,thought I would drop a line and let you know what has been going on since I got back from the UK.
We are trying to put together a tour to promote the Damage Manual album (which is simply called “Damage Manual” and NOT “Music to be murdered by” which I did not like) well-it is out September 5th,and I am pretty happy with it,it was a hard record to make,and many compromises had to be made,however-6 tracks were mixed by BILL LASWELL,who if you are not familiar with his work,you should really listen to him (check out “Panthalassa” Miles Davis Remixed)-apart from all that,I recorded the spoken word companion to “Confessions of the Highest Bidder” which I am hoping to release with 3 or 4 new songs that I recently wrote,just me and a guitar,I want to put it out for the price of an E.P.-a sort of stopgap until we resolve the “Blonde Exodus” problems.”Seaside Companion” is out on September 5th ,under the name Chris Connelly and the Bells,complete with two studio outtakes,and two live tracks,I would have put more live cuts on,but as it stands,the CD clocks in at about 70 minutes,I didn’t want to bore the pants off everyone.It also has a new cover,another photo of my dear friend Stephanie,from the same sessions,different pose-all the lyrics are included too!
For the past week I have been in Seattle with Bill Rieflin recording an album that has almost been 10 years in the writing! some of the songs we wrote together have manifested themselves elsewhere-but we have been saving the best until last,or at least-the wierdest til last! I am actually just taking a break having recorded guitars all morning, much of the music is Piano and guitar based,a few instrumentals,some just vocal and piano-plus a brand new re-written and rearranged version of “The last of joy” (from “Whiplash”) the album should be out in November,if not,early next year on Bills’ Firstworld label.Expect the spoken word out on Invisible at some point.
You are all patient and I loooove you…….(baby)
Sorry about the lack of news being posted here… thanks to the Converse with Chris message boards, I suppose there hasn’t been much need to post news here! But to give a brief update…
“Confessions of the Highest Bidder” is available now! Order information is available. Get your copy!
Some news from Chris: “I will be going into the studio this month to begin work on an album with Jah Wobble, Geordie Walker, Martin Atkins: the band does not have a name yet, and it will be out early next year, with a tour.”
Still waiting on the Bells’ new album at present.
William Tucker, an incredible musician and a long-time friend of Chris’s, took his own life on this date. Chris was deeply affected by William’s passing, later dedicating the album “Blonde Exodus” to his memory. Details regarding William’s death can be found elsewhere on the Internet; we will not post the details here. Chris does not have any aversion to talking about William, so feel free to express your thoughts and memories of him on the message board.
Dear Everyone,
I am going to try and keep you updated on my goings on on a weekly basis.
First of all the “Confessions” reading is going to be APRIL 11TH 1999! not march as advertised, I sincerely apologise. It will still be at the MYOPIC BOOKSTORE, 1726 west Division that evening.
Other News, The bells will be playing at the EMPTY BOTTLE in Chicago on FRIDAY APRIL 23rd.
I have also been playing guitar for a performance artist friend of mine KATHERINE KRONOS, a sort of ambient soundtrack composed spontaneouly to her actions and words, along with sculptor ALLAN BOLLA.
CHRIS BRUCE (my long time collaborator) will be on the season Finale of MELROSE PLACE, YEAH, YOU HEARD!!
Does anyone out there have a lead on any European Labels that might want to put out the new album??
love, Chris
Order forms for “Confessions of the Highest Bidder” have gone out in the mail. Anyone who joined the mailing list should receive an order form. If you didn’t sign up or haven’t received yours, visit the book page and download an Adobe PDF order form. Pre-order a copy by March 20th and be entered in a drawing for a Bells t-shirt!
Dear Everyone…
I will be doing a reading from “Confessions..” the evening of March 11th 1999 at Myopic Bookstore,1726 West Division (773 862 4882)… I will have more specifics soon.
Hope all is well, THE BELLS played a triumphant return show as a 3 piece last Thursday, 18th at the LOUNGE AX in Chicago.The short set featured all new titles
- Closing Titles
- London Fields
- Blue Hooray
- Diamonds eat Diamonds
- Blonde Exodus
- Julie Delpy
- Twilight Shiner
Mr.Connelly, Miss Ambriz & Mr.Polk all wore black and got sauced after the show, as is customary.
love and kisses
The Comeback Kid
I wanted to write a quick note to all,to let everyone know that… I FINALLY GOT BREAST IMPLANTS!! no, just kidding, ha ha! that’s not til Y2K.
The New Bells album is complete,it is called “BLONDE EXODUS”, and features the band along with a pianist,a string quartet, two girl backing singers, two girl “narraters”. I do the Usual, plus a fair bit of Synthesiser! as well as guitar, The whole thing is a little more like “SHIPWRECK”, but with a more Organic feel, I am working on a cover, part of which was Photographed by Philip Pinsky from my old band FINI TRIBE in Edinburgh, which by the way the latest Fini Tribe record is OUTSTANDING, the best yet, but let’s get back to talking ABOUT MEMEMEMEMEMEMEME!! and MY record, and MY book, AND MY ACTING CAREER,AND MY PAINTING IN THE GUGGENHEIM AND MY CHAT SHOW INSTEAD OF CONANS!!!
Ahem! anyway,the record should be out in May, and if the plastic surgery scars heal by then, I should hit the road.
love you
Chris
A new Bells album is in the works… Chris and the band (those who toured earlier this year) will begin recording in September. Also of note, Chris will play an acoustic show on August 12 in the Chicago area (see tour dates for more information).
Happy New Year! Well, here’s some news to start us off…
Chris has very little of a voice left after last night’s party at WaxTrax! He joined Bill Rieflin, Paul Barker, and a few others in a covers band at the party.
Chris has already recorded 3 new songs for his next album, which he’d like to have finished by spring. Sales on the Bells’ album are supposedly very good, despite AP’s recent review.
Chris and his band have been playing shows in the Chicago area… there are dates upcoming (hopefully!) for Austin, TX (in March) and the east coast (in late February). The band also had some photos taken, which I’ll put on the web site as soon as I get them!
As for some of the questions we had, the Gary Numan band was a one-off thing at a charity show. Chris performed with the band the Cupcakes, which is Solomon’s band (Solomon was on the Shipwreck tour). I forgot to ask about Catherine, however, so I’ll get that next time!
“
More information on The Bells’ new album, The Ultimate Seaside Companion is available in the discography.
The album was recorded in Seattle and Chicago, from 1995 to 1997, with Bill Rieflin, Jim O’Rourke, and Chris Bruce. Touring will take place in the fall!