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{{short description|American alternative rock band}}
{{Other uses|Bell tower (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
{{Infobox musical artist <!-- See Wikipedia:WikiProject_Musicians -->
| name = The {{Proper name|Belltower}}
| name = The {{Proper name|Belltower}}
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| website =
| website =
| current_members =
| current_members =
| past_members = [[Jody Porter]]<br />[[Britta Phillips]]<br />Nino Dmytryszyn<br />[[Mark Browning (musician)|Mark Browning]]<br />[[Adam Schlesinger]]
| past_members = [[Jody Porter]]<br />[[Britta Phillips]]<br />Nino Dmytryszyn<br />Mark Browning<br />[[Adam Schlesinger]]
| notable_instruments =
}}
}}
'''The {{Proper name|Belltower}}''' was an [[United States|American]] [[alternative rock]] band from [[New York City]] often associated with the [[shoegazing]] scene, with members who later joined [[Luna (1990s American band)|Luna]] and [[Fountains of Wayne]].
'''The {{Proper name|Belltower}}''' was an American [[alternative rock]] band from [[New York City]] often associated with the [[shoegazing]] scene, with members who later joined [[Luna (1990s American band)|Luna]] and [[Fountains of Wayne]].


==History==
==History==
The band was formed by singers/guitarists [[Britta Phillips]] and [[Jody Porter]] in the early 1990s.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) "{{Proper name|Belltower}}", in ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|1-84195-335-0}}</ref> They added Mark Browning, before relocating to [[London]] in 1990, where they recorded their debut [[Extended play|EP]] ''Exploration Day'', with [[Terry Bickers]] acting as producer.<ref name="Strong" /> Though considered part of the "shoegazing" genre, in reality they were more [[Pop music|pop]]-oriented, gaining comparisons with artists including [[The Cure]], [[The Sundays]], and [[Swervedriver]].<ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy "[{{Allmusic|class=artist|id=p23163/biography|pure_url=yes}} The {{Proper name|Belltower}} Biography]", ''[[Allmusic]]'', Macrovision Corporation</ref><ref name="Raggett">Raggett, Ned "[{{Allmusic|class=album|id=r56456/review|pure_url=yes}} ''Popdropper'' Review]", ''[[Allmusic]]'', Macrovision Corporation</ref> The song "Exploration Day" was named by the [[NME]] as "single of the week".<ref name="Strong" /> Two more singles followed before the band's only album, ''Popdropper'', was released in 1992. Phillips and Porter returned to the [[United States]] and recruited [[Adam Schlesinger]] on bass, although there would only be one further release, the "Underwatertown" single in 1995, before the band split up in 1996.<ref name="Strong" />
The band was formed by singers/guitarists [[Britta Phillips]] and [[Jody Porter]] in 1990.<ref name="Strong">Strong, Martin C. (2003) "{{Proper name|Belltower}}", in ''The Great Indie Discography'', Canongate, {{ISBN|1-84195-335-0}}</ref> They added Mark Browning, before relocating to [[London]] in 1990, where they recorded their debut [[Extended play|EP]] ''Exploration Day'', with [[Terry Bickers]] acting as producer.<ref name="Strong" /> Though considered part of the "shoegazing" genre, in reality they were more [[Pop music|pop]]-oriented, gaining comparisons with artists including [[The Cure]], [[The Sundays]], and [[Swervedriver]].<ref name="Kellman">Kellman, Andy "[{{AllMusic|class=artist|id=p23163/biography|pure_url=yes}} The {{Proper name|Belltower}} Biography]", ''[[Allmusic]]'', Macrovision Corporation</ref><ref name="Raggett">Raggett, Ned "[{{AllMusic|class=album|id=r56456/review|pure_url=yes}} ''Popdropper'' Review]", ''[[Allmusic]]'', Macrovision Corporation</ref> The song "Exploration Day" was named by the [[NME]] as "single of the week".<ref name="Strong" /> Two more singles followed before the band's only album, ''Popdropper'', was released in 1992. None of the singles or albums charted, and Phillips and Porter returned to the [[United States]]. The band reappeared in 1995 as a trio of Porter, Phillips and new drummer Tommy Hamer, although there would only be one further release, the "Underwatertown" single in 1995, before the band split up in 1996.<ref name="Strong" /> Before the split, [[Adam Schlesinger]] played bass with the band on some live dates, bringing the band back up to a quartet.


Porter later performed with Fountains of Wayne, for whom Schlesinger played bass, and later formed [[Astrojet]].<ref name="Strong" /> Schlesinger also played with [[Ivy (band)|Ivy]]. Phillips joined [[Ultrababyfat]], and later [[Ben Lee]] and Luna, after which she continued a partnership with [[Dean Wareham]].
Porter later performed with Fountains of Wayne, for whom Schlesinger played bass, and later formed [[Astrojet]].<ref name="Strong" /> Schlesinger also played with [[Ivy (band)|Ivy]]. Phillips joined [[Ultrababyfat]], and later [[Ben Lee]] and Luna, after which she continued a partnership with [[Dean Wareham]].
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*Nino Dmytryszyn - [[Drum kit|drums]]
*Nino Dmytryszyn - [[Drum kit|drums]]
*Mark Browning - [[Bass guitar|bass]]/vocals
*Mark Browning - [[Bass guitar|bass]]/vocals
*Adam Schlesinger - bass


==Discography==
==Discography==
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{{Authority control}}
{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Belltower, The}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Belltower, The}}
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1990]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Shoegazing musical groups]]
[[Category:American shoegaze musical groups]]
[[Category:Dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:American dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from New York]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from New York (state)]]

Latest revision as of 16:27, 17 May 2024

For other uses, see Bell tower (disambiguation).
The Belltower
The Belltower, 1992. L-R: Nino Dmytryszyn, Britta Phillips and Jody Porter.
The Belltower, 1992. L-R: Nino Dmytryszyn, Britta Phillips and Jody Porter.
Background information
OriginNew York City, New York, USA
GenresAlternative rock, shoegazing, dream pop
Years activec.1990–1996
LabelsUltimate, East West
Past membersJody Porter
Britta Phillips
Nino Dmytryszyn
Mark Browning
Adam Schlesinger

The Belltower was an American alternative rock band from New York City often associated with the shoegazing scene, with members who later joined Luna and Fountains of Wayne.

History[edit]

The band was formed by singers/guitarists Britta Phillips and Jody Porter in 1990.[1] They added Mark Browning, before relocating to London in 1990, where they recorded their debut EP Exploration Day, with Terry Bickers acting as producer.[1] Though considered part of the "shoegazing" genre, in reality they were more pop-oriented, gaining comparisons with artists including The Cure, The Sundays, and Swervedriver.[2][3] The song "Exploration Day" was named by the NME as "single of the week".[1] Two more singles followed before the band's only album, Popdropper, was released in 1992. None of the singles or albums charted, and Phillips and Porter returned to the United States. The band reappeared in 1995 as a trio of Porter, Phillips and new drummer Tommy Hamer, although there would only be one further release, the "Underwatertown" single in 1995, before the band split up in 1996.[1] Before the split, Adam Schlesinger played bass with the band on some live dates, bringing the band back up to a quartet.

Porter later performed with Fountains of Wayne, for whom Schlesinger played bass, and later formed Astrojet.[1] Schlesinger also played with Ivy. Phillips joined Ultrababyfat, and later Ben Lee and Luna, after which she continued a partnership with Dean Wareham.

Members[edit]

  • Jody Porter - vocals/guitar
  • Britta Phillips - vocals/guitar
  • Nino Dmytryszyn - drums
  • Mark Browning - bass/vocals

Discography[edit]

Singles, EPs[edit]

  • Exploration Day EP (1991) Ultimate
  • Tour 7" (1991)
  • "(Lost) In Hollow" (1991) Ultimate (also released as a promo in the US on east West)
  • "Flight" (1992) Ultimate
  • "Underwatertown" (1995) Scratchie

Albums[edit]

References[edit]

  1. ^ a b c d e Strong, Martin C. (2003) "Belltower", in The Great Indie Discography, Canongate, ISBN 1-84195-335-0
  2. ^ Kellman, Andy "The Belltower Biography", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation
  3. ^ Raggett, Ned "Popdropper Review", Allmusic, Macrovision Corporation

External links[edit]

Retrieved from "https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=The_Belltower&oldid=1224313339"