Brian Bell (musician)
Encyclopedia
Brian Bell is an American
guitarist
and songwriter
. Active since 1989, he is best known as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist
for the American alternative rock
band Weezer
. Bell joined Weezer in 1993 following the departure of founding member Jason Cropper
. In addition to his duties in Weezer, Bell has his own band, Space Twins
, as well as a new project called The Relationship
.
to parents Tom Bell, a geography professor at Western Kentucky University
, and Linda Menasco, an elementary school
assistant principal. He was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee
. He first gravitated to music at the age of four when his parents took him to an Elvis Presley
concert at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Soon after Bell became obsessed with his father's record
collection, playing it constantly. At a young age, Bell was forced by his mother to take piano lessons, refusing to let him take guitar lessons until high school because she "wouldn't believe that he would practice." Eventually, during his Freshman year in high school
, his parents allowed him to take guitar lessons from Knoxville musician Ben Bolt. Also, during his first year in high school Bell was forced to switch high schools, "I was zoned to go to County School and my mom taught in the city, which meant I could go to a more privileged school. In doing that I was surrounded by snobs. I was kind of finding myself at the time, so I decided to go to the school I was zoned for." He started playing in a band with school friends Trey Counce and Tim and Glenn Maloof called Blooshroom which Bell described as "Pink Floyd
-meets-The Stooges
."
After completing high school at Bearden High School
in 1987, Bell decided not to pursue higher education
feeling it would be a "waste of money." At the age of 18, Bell moved to Los Angeles
, California
, and enrolled at G.I.T. In 1991, he became a founding member of Carnival Art, which released three official album
s and an EP
with Bell playing bass guitar
. Unfortunately, the band had extremely small record sales and were eventually dropped by record label
Beggars Banquet
. it was around the time Carnival Art was disintegrating Bell became acquainted with the members of Weezer
, "They started playing on the scene, and I instantly saw something unique in them. I didn't necessarily want to be in their band. They were for some reason, were in with the wrong crowd and playing at the wrong venues. I wanted to help them out any way I could and I wanted to play a show with them." One night in the late summer of 1993, while driving home Bell decided once-and-for-all to quit Carnival Art. When he got home he found on his answering machine a message from Weezer bassist Matt Sharp
. Sharp called again the next day, and Rivers Cuomo
took the phone and asked him to join the band.
in 1993 during the recording of The Blue Album
, replacing Jason Cropper
. Since then he has remained a member of Weezer. Besides doing back-up vocals and playing lead guitar
and rhythm guitar
, Bell takes on many of the multi-instrumental duties during Weezer's live shows. When songs call for the use of a keyboard
or harmonica
, Bell often plays them.
Although all songwriting
credits on Weezer's 2005 album Make Believe are credited to Rivers Cuomo
, Bell wrote the intro
to "We Are All on Drugs
" and the dueling guitars in the solo of "This is Such a Pity." Bell also contributed the song "Thought I Knew" to the band's 2008 self-titled album as well as "It's Easy," an iTunes
exclusive demo that serves as a bonus track to that album. This marks the first time Weezer has officially released a song written and sung by Brian Bell although the band demoed and played Brian's "Yellow Camaro" live in 2002. The song eventually made it onto the Space Twins
debut LP The End of Imagining
.
In 2005, during live appearances with the band Brian sang lead vocals on "Why Bother?", "Smile", "Getchoo" and "Keep Fishin'
". In 2008 during the band's Hootenanny Tour he began taking lead vocals on "El Scorcho
". He continued singing "El Scorcho" and sang "Suzanne" as well on the band's Troublemaker Tour in 2008.
Beyond his musicianship Weezer fans often note Bell's strong sense of fashion
, dubbing it "sassy". Fans lovingly call him the "Sass Master".
Bell currently plays several Gibson guitars live including an SG and an Explorer. His main amplifier is a Matchless Independence, a three channel, hand-wired tube amplifier, providing the thick distortion that Weezer is known for.
, who have had various incarnations since 1993. They have released three EPs and an LP, The End of Imagining, in 2003. Yet in 2006, Bell stated that he was "not presently pursuing" projects with The Space Twins.
. The recording is taking place at Henson Recording Studios
and Padre Terrace in Los Angeles
and is being produced by Weezer engineer Eric J
. Sean Lennon
mentioned in a recent interview that he will appear with Bell on The Relationship's debut record. Rivers Cuomo
and Bell co-wrote a song together for the project titled "Hand to Hold," but Bell does not think it will be on their debut album. In May 2007 he uploaded "Hand to Hold" on the band's Myspace page. It is a reworking of the Weezer
song "Private Message," which was originally in the running for inclusion on Make Believe.
, collaborated on a cover of the Velvet Underground song "Heroin
", for the 2006 film
Factory Girl
.
In November 2006, Lyon Guitars (by Washburn) introduced a limited edition guitar series called "Limited Edition 2006," each of which had been hand-signed by Bell, and were in the same "strat" body style that Brian prefers to play.
Bell has also expressed an interest in the works of William Shakespeare
. During the band's downtime in 2003 and 2004, Bell and his ex-girlfriend Peggy Nunez studied Shakespeare and poetry
theory at collegiate level. They also appeared in a production of Twelfth Night, in which Bell wrote four songs, all using Shakespeare's words.
Recently, Bell has appeared in one-off performances on guitar with other bands. Playing on March 17, 2006 at The Troubador in L.A.
with Weezer tour-mates Ringside
, and performing "Our Lips Are Sealed
", with the Go-Go's
member, Jane Wiedlin
, on June 1, 2006 at the Viper Room
. He sat in on guitars and back up vocals for Ringside's winter '06 tour in Russia
.
It was recently announced that Bell will make his producing debut on the Ultra Sonic Edukators next album .
In December 2010, Bell made an unintended cameo appearance in the video "CALIFORNIA ON JEWS" on YouTube.
in the Edie Sedgwick
biopic, Factory Girl
. Fellow bandmate Patrick Wilson also appeared as John Cale
, another member of the Velvet Underground.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
guitarist
Guitarist
A guitarist is a musician who plays the guitar. Guitarists may play a variety of instruments such as classical guitars, acoustic guitars, electric guitars, and bass guitars. Some guitarists accompany themselves on the guitar while singing.- Versatility :The guitarist controls an extremely...
and songwriter
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
. Active since 1989, he is best known as the rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist
Backing vocalist
A backing vocalist or backing singer is a singer who provides vocal harmony with the lead vocalist or other backing vocalists...
for the American alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
. Bell joined Weezer in 1993 following the departure of founding member Jason Cropper
Jason Cropper
Jason Cropper is a musician best known as an original member of the band Weezer.-Early years:Cropper claimed to have picked up the guitar at age 16. His mother reports that he first "rocked" to a small 45 rpm record in his bedroom where he played "Let's Go To The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors. He...
. In addition to his duties in Weezer, Bell has his own band, Space Twins
Space Twins
Space Twins was an American rock band fronted by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell.-Early years:Space Twins was founded in 1993 by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and, his then girlfriend, Susan Fox. Initially, the band was a small project in which the two would dress up in Star Trek style outfits with...
, as well as a new project called The Relationship
The Relationship
The Relationship is an American rock band formed in 2006 by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and Nate Shaw of Die Hunns. The band also includes keyboardist Eric J, bassist Jason Hiller and drummer Blair Sinta....
.
Early life
Bell was born in Iowa City, IowaIowa City, Iowa
Iowa City is a city in Johnson County, State of Iowa. As of the 2010 Census, the city had a total population of about 67,862, making it the sixth-largest city in the state. Iowa City is the county seat of Johnson County and home to the University of Iowa...
to parents Tom Bell, a geography professor at Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University
Western Kentucky University is a public university in Bowling Green, Kentucky, USA. It was formally founded by the Commonwealth of Kentucky in 1906, though its roots reach back a quarter-century earlier....
, and Linda Menasco, an elementary school
Elementary school
An elementary school or primary school is an institution where children receive the first stage of compulsory education known as elementary or primary education. Elementary school is the preferred term in some countries, particularly those in North America, where the terms grade school and grammar...
assistant principal. He was raised in Knoxville, Tennessee
Knoxville, Tennessee
Founded in 1786, Knoxville is the third-largest city in the U.S. state of Tennessee, U.S.A., behind Memphis and Nashville, and is the county seat of Knox County. It is the largest city in East Tennessee, and the second-largest city in the Appalachia region...
. He first gravitated to music at the age of four when his parents took him to an Elvis Presley
Elvis Presley
Elvis Aaron Presley was one of the most popular American singers of the 20th century. A cultural icon, he is widely known by the single name Elvis. He is often referred to as the "King of Rock and Roll" or simply "the King"....
concert at the Knoxville Civic Auditorium. Soon after Bell became obsessed with his father's record
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
collection, playing it constantly. At a young age, Bell was forced by his mother to take piano lessons, refusing to let him take guitar lessons until high school because she "wouldn't believe that he would practice." Eventually, during his Freshman year in high school
High school
High school is a term used in parts of the English speaking world to describe institutions which provide all or part of secondary education. The term is often incorporated into the name of such institutions....
, his parents allowed him to take guitar lessons from Knoxville musician Ben Bolt. Also, during his first year in high school Bell was forced to switch high schools, "I was zoned to go to County School and my mom taught in the city, which meant I could go to a more privileged school. In doing that I was surrounded by snobs. I was kind of finding myself at the time, so I decided to go to the school I was zoned for." He started playing in a band with school friends Trey Counce and Tim and Glenn Maloof called Blooshroom which Bell described as "Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd
Pink Floyd were an English rock band that achieved worldwide success with their progressive and psychedelic rock music. Their work is marked by the use of philosophical lyrics, sonic experimentation, innovative album art, and elaborate live shows. Pink Floyd are one of the most commercially...
-meets-The Stooges
The Stooges
The Stooges are an American rock band from Ann Arbor, Michigan first active from 1967 to 1974, and later reformed in 2003...
."
After completing high school at Bearden High School
Bearden High School
Bearden High School is a Knox County, Tennessee, high school located in the Bearden area in the city of Knoxville.The school was founded in 1939. It was named for the family of Marcus De LaFayette Bearden, a farmer who served as a captain in the Union Army during the Civil War.The current building...
in 1987, Bell decided not to pursue higher education
Higher education
Higher, post-secondary, tertiary, or third level education refers to the stage of learning that occurs at universities, academies, colleges, seminaries, and institutes of technology...
feeling it would be a "waste of money." At the age of 18, Bell moved to Los Angeles
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
, and enrolled at G.I.T. In 1991, he became a founding member of Carnival Art, which released three official album
Album
An album is a collection of recordings, released as a single package on gramophone record, cassette, compact disc, or via digital distribution. The word derives from the Latin word for list .Vinyl LP records have two sides, each comprising one half of the album...
s and an EP
Gramophone record
A gramophone record, commonly known as a phonograph record , vinyl record , or colloquially, a record, is an analog sound storage medium consisting of a flat disc with an inscribed, modulated spiral groove...
with Bell playing bass guitar
Bass guitar
The bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
. Unfortunately, the band had extremely small record sales and were eventually dropped by record label
Record label
In the music industry, a record label is a brand and a trademark associated with the marketing of music recordings and music videos. Most commonly, a record label is the company that manages such brands and trademarks, coordinates the production, manufacture, distribution, marketing and promotion,...
Beggars Banquet
Beggars Banquet Records
Beggars Banquet is an English independent record label that began as a chain of record shops owned by Martin Mills and Nick Austin, and is part of the Beggars Group of labels...
. it was around the time Carnival Art was disintegrating Bell became acquainted with the members of Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
, "They started playing on the scene, and I instantly saw something unique in them. I didn't necessarily want to be in their band. They were for some reason, were in with the wrong crowd and playing at the wrong venues. I wanted to help them out any way I could and I wanted to play a show with them." One night in the late summer of 1993, while driving home Bell decided once-and-for-all to quit Carnival Art. When he got home he found on his answering machine a message from Weezer bassist Matt Sharp
Matt Sharp
Matthew Kelly Sharp is a founding member and former bassist for the band Weezer. In 1994, he started a band called The Rentals and released their debut album shortly after Weezer's first release, their second album in 1999, and an EP in 2007...
. Sharp called again the next day, and Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Weezer. Raised in an Ashram in Connecticut, Cuomo moved to Los Angeles at age 19, where he participated in a number of rock bands before founding Weezer in 1992...
took the phone and asked him to join the band.
Weezer
Bell then joined WeezerWeezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
in 1993 during the recording of The Blue Album
Weezer (The Blue Album)
Weezer, also known as The Blue Album, is the debut album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released in May 1994 through DGC Records. The album was produced by former Cars frontman Ric Ocasek and recorded in Electric Lady Studios in New York City...
, replacing Jason Cropper
Jason Cropper
Jason Cropper is a musician best known as an original member of the band Weezer.-Early years:Cropper claimed to have picked up the guitar at age 16. His mother reports that he first "rocked" to a small 45 rpm record in his bedroom where he played "Let's Go To The Hop" by Danny and the Juniors. He...
. Since then he has remained a member of Weezer. Besides doing back-up vocals and playing lead guitar
Lead guitar
Lead guitar is a guitar part which plays melody lines, instrumental fill passages, guitar solos, and occasionally, some riffs within a song structure...
and rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar
Rhythm guitar is a technique and rôle that performs a combination of two functions: to provide all or part of the rhythmic pulse in conjunction with singers or other instruments; and to provide all or part of the harmony, ie. the chords, where a chord is a group of notes played together...
, Bell takes on many of the multi-instrumental duties during Weezer's live shows. When songs call for the use of a keyboard
Keyboard instrument
A keyboard instrument is a musical instrument which is played using a musical keyboard. The most common of these is the piano. Other widely used keyboard instruments include organs of various types as well as other mechanical, electromechanical and electronic instruments...
or harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
, Bell often plays them.
Although all songwriting
Songwriter
A songwriter is an individual who writes both the lyrics and music to a song. Someone who solely writes lyrics may be called a lyricist, and someone who only writes music may be called a composer...
credits on Weezer's 2005 album Make Believe are credited to Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Weezer. Raised in an Ashram in Connecticut, Cuomo moved to Los Angeles at age 19, where he participated in a number of rock bands before founding Weezer in 1992...
, Bell wrote the intro
Introduction (music)
In music, the introduction is a passage or section which opens a movement or a separate piece. In popular music this is often abbreviated as intro...
to "We Are All on Drugs
We Are All on Drugs
"We Are All on Drugs" is a song by American alternative rock band Weezer. It was released as the second single from the band's 2005 album, Make Believe. Contrary to popular belief, the song is not specifically about drugs...
" and the dueling guitars in the solo of "This is Such a Pity." Bell also contributed the song "Thought I Knew" to the band's 2008 self-titled album as well as "It's Easy," an iTunes
ITunes
iTunes is a media player computer program, used for playing, downloading, and organizing digital music and video files on desktop computers. It can also manage contents on iPod, iPhone, iPod Touch and iPad....
exclusive demo that serves as a bonus track to that album. This marks the first time Weezer has officially released a song written and sung by Brian Bell although the band demoed and played Brian's "Yellow Camaro" live in 2002. The song eventually made it onto the Space Twins
Space Twins
Space Twins was an American rock band fronted by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell.-Early years:Space Twins was founded in 1993 by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and, his then girlfriend, Susan Fox. Initially, the band was a small project in which the two would dress up in Star Trek style outfits with...
debut LP The End of Imagining
The End of Imagining
The End of Imagining is the debut LP by Space Twins, released on November 4, 2003 on the bands own label Raga Drop Records. Rolling Stone critic John D...
.
In 2005, during live appearances with the band Brian sang lead vocals on "Why Bother?", "Smile", "Getchoo" and "Keep Fishin'
Keep Fishin'
"Keep Fishin" is a song by the American alternative rock band Weezer. It is the second single off the band's fourth album, Maladroit. It peaked at #15 on the US alternative charts.-Music video:...
". In 2008 during the band's Hootenanny Tour he began taking lead vocals on "El Scorcho
El Scorcho
"El Scorcho" is a song by the American alternative rock band Weezer. It is the first single from the band's second album Pinkerton, released in 1996. The music video features the band playing in an old ballroom in Los Angeles , surrounded by light fixtures of diverse origin, flashing in time to the...
". He continued singing "El Scorcho" and sang "Suzanne" as well on the band's Troublemaker Tour in 2008.
Beyond his musicianship Weezer fans often note Bell's strong sense of fashion
Fashion
Fashion, a general term for a currently popular style or practice, especially in clothing, foot wear, or accessories. Fashion references to anything that is the current trend in look and dress up of a person...
, dubbing it "sassy". Fans lovingly call him the "Sass Master".
Bell currently plays several Gibson guitars live including an SG and an Explorer. His main amplifier is a Matchless Independence, a three channel, hand-wired tube amplifier, providing the thick distortion that Weezer is known for.
Space Twins
Throughout the years Bell fronted his own band, Space TwinsSpace Twins
Space Twins was an American rock band fronted by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell.-Early years:Space Twins was founded in 1993 by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and, his then girlfriend, Susan Fox. Initially, the band was a small project in which the two would dress up in Star Trek style outfits with...
, who have had various incarnations since 1993. They have released three EPs and an LP, The End of Imagining, in 2003. Yet in 2006, Bell stated that he was "not presently pursuing" projects with The Space Twins.
The Relationship
Bell is currently recording for a side project he is calling The RelationshipThe Relationship
The Relationship is an American rock band formed in 2006 by Weezer guitarist Brian Bell and Nate Shaw of Die Hunns. The band also includes keyboardist Eric J, bassist Jason Hiller and drummer Blair Sinta....
. The recording is taking place at Henson Recording Studios
Henson Recording Studios
Henson Recording Studios was established in 2000 at the former A&M Studios. The remake of We Are the World was recorded at Henson Recording Studios in February 2010 to benefit the Haiti earthquake victims....
and Padre Terrace in Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
and is being produced by Weezer engineer Eric J
Eric J
Eric J Dubowsky also known as Eric J, is a musician, songwriter and record producer. He got his start at Greene St. Studios in New York City, the legendary home of early hip-hop artists Run-DMC, and Public Enemy. It was here Eric assisted engineer/producer Rod Hui...
. Sean Lennon
Sean Lennon
is an American singer, songwriter, musician, guitarist and actor. He is the only child of John Lennon and Yoko Ono. His godfather is Sir Elton John.-Early life and education:...
mentioned in a recent interview that he will appear with Bell on The Relationship's debut record. Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo
Rivers Cuomo is an American musician, best known as the lead singer, lead guitarist, and principal songwriter of the alternative rock band Weezer. Raised in an Ashram in Connecticut, Cuomo moved to Los Angeles at age 19, where he participated in a number of rock bands before founding Weezer in 1992...
and Bell co-wrote a song together for the project titled "Hand to Hold," but Bell does not think it will be on their debut album. In May 2007 he uploaded "Hand to Hold" on the band's Myspace page. It is a reworking of the Weezer
Weezer
Weezer is an American alternative rock band. The band currently consists of Rivers Cuomo , Patrick Wilson , Brian Bell , and Scott Shriner . The band has changed lineups three times since its formation in 1992...
song "Private Message," which was originally in the running for inclusion on Make Believe.
Other projects
Bell and Weezer drummer Patrick WilsonPatrick Wilson (musician)
Patrick "Pat" George Wilson is an American musician, best known as the drummer for the alternative rock band Weezer. He joined the band in 1992. In addition to his work in Weezer, he also fronts his own band, The Special Goodness....
, collaborated on a cover of the Velvet Underground song "Heroin
Heroin (song)
"Heroin" is a song by The Velvet Underground, released on their 1967 debut album, The Velvet Underground & Nico. Written by Lou Reed in 1964, the song is one of the band's most celebrated compositions, overtly depicting heroin use and abuse...
", for the 2006 film
Film
A film, also called a movie or motion picture, is a series of still or moving images. It is produced by recording photographic images with cameras, or by creating images using animation techniques or visual effects...
Factory Girl
Factory Girl
Factory Girl is a 2006 American biographical film based on the life of 1960s underground film star, socialite, and Warhol Superstar Edie Sedgwick. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 29, 2006.-Plot:...
.
In November 2006, Lyon Guitars (by Washburn) introduced a limited edition guitar series called "Limited Edition 2006," each of which had been hand-signed by Bell, and were in the same "strat" body style that Brian prefers to play.
Bell has also expressed an interest in the works of William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare
William Shakespeare was an English poet and playwright, widely regarded as the greatest writer in the English language and the world's pre-eminent dramatist. He is often called England's national poet and the "Bard of Avon"...
. During the band's downtime in 2003 and 2004, Bell and his ex-girlfriend Peggy Nunez studied Shakespeare and poetry
Poetry
Poetry is a form of literary art in which language is used for its aesthetic and evocative qualities in addition to, or in lieu of, its apparent meaning...
theory at collegiate level. They also appeared in a production of Twelfth Night, in which Bell wrote four songs, all using Shakespeare's words.
Recently, Bell has appeared in one-off performances on guitar with other bands. Playing on March 17, 2006 at The Troubador in L.A.
Los Angeles, California
Los Angeles , with a population at the 2010 United States Census of 3,792,621, is the most populous city in California, USA and the second most populous in the United States, after New York City. It has an area of , and is located in Southern California...
with Weezer tour-mates Ringside
Ringside
Ringside is an indie rock band from Hollywood, California, originally formed in Los Angeles. They specializing in fusing indie rock with electronic beats. The band consists of Scott Thomas, who does the vocals, guitar, and keyboard, Kirk Hellie , Sandy Chila , Max Allyn , and actor Balthazar Getty...
, and performing "Our Lips Are Sealed
Our Lips Are Sealed
"Our Lips are Sealed" is a song written by Go-Go's guitarist Jane Wiedlin and Specials and Fun Boy Three singer Terry Hall. It was first recorded by The Go-Go's as the opening track on their 1981 album Beauty and the Beat and served as their debut American single...
", with the Go-Go's
The Go-Go's
The Go-Go’s are an all-female American rock band formed in 1978. They made history as the first all-female band that both wrote their own songs and played their own instruments to top the Billboard album charts....
member, Jane Wiedlin
Jane Wiedlin
Jane Marie Genevieve Wiedlin is an American musician, singer-songwriter, and actress. She is best known as the rhythm guitarist of the all-female New Wave band The Go-Go's.-Early life:...
, on June 1, 2006 at the Viper Room
Viper Room
The Viper Room is a nightclub located on the Sunset Strip in West Hollywood, California. It was opened in 1993 and was partly owned by actor Johnny Depp until 2004. The club became known for being a hangout of Hollywood elite, and was the site where actor River Phoenix died of a drug overdose on...
. He sat in on guitars and back up vocals for Ringside's winter '06 tour in Russia
Russia
Russia or , officially known as both Russia and the Russian Federation , is a country in northern Eurasia. It is a federal semi-presidential republic, comprising 83 federal subjects...
.
It was recently announced that Bell will make his producing debut on the Ultra Sonic Edukators next album .
In December 2010, Bell made an unintended cameo appearance in the video "CALIFORNIA ON JEWS" on YouTube.
Movie career
In 2006, Bell made his on-screen debut, playing Lou ReedLou Reed
Lewis Allan "Lou" Reed is an American rock musician, songwriter, and photographer. He is best known as guitarist, vocalist, and principal songwriter of The Velvet Underground, and for his successful solo career, which has spanned several decades...
in the Edie Sedgwick
Edie Sedgwick
Edith Minturn "Edie" Sedgwick was an American actress, socialite, model and heiress. She is best known for being one of Andy Warhol's superstars. Sedgwick became known as "The Girl of the Year" in 1965 after starring in several of Warhol's short films in the 1960s...
biopic, Factory Girl
Factory Girl
Factory Girl is a 2006 American biographical film based on the life of 1960s underground film star, socialite, and Warhol Superstar Edie Sedgwick. The film premiered in Los Angeles on December 29, 2006.-Plot:...
. Fellow bandmate Patrick Wilson also appeared as John Cale
John Cale
John Davies Cale, OBE is a Welsh musician, composer, singer-songwriter and record producer who was a founding member of the experimental rock band The Velvet Underground....
, another member of the Velvet Underground.
With Weezer
- Weezer (1994)
- PinkertonPinkerton (album)Pinkerton is the second studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on September 24, 1996. After finishing tours in promotion of their 1994 album Weezer, the band originally planned to record a space-themed rock opera entitled Songs from the Black Hole...
(1996) - Weezer (2001)
- MaladroitMaladroitMaladroit is the fourth studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on May 14, 2002 on Geffen Records. The album is the band's first to feature bassist Scott Shriner, following the departure of former bassist Mikey Welsh in 2001...
(2002) - Make Believe (2005)
- WeezerWeezer (2008 album)Weezer, also known as "The Red Album", is the sixth studio album by the American alternative rock band Weezer, released on June 3, 2008. Rick Rubin and Jacknife Lee both helped to produce the album...
(2008) - RaditudeRaditudeRaditude is the seventh studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on November 3, 2009 and is their final album on DGC Records, Geffen Records and Interscope Records...
(2009) - HurleyHurley (album)Hurley is the eighth studio album by American alternative rock band Weezer, released on September 10, 2010 on Epitaph Records. The album was produced by Rivers Cuomo and Shawn Everett, and, similar to the band's previous studio album, Raditude, features songs co-written with songwriters outside of...
(2010) - Death to False MetalDeath to False MetalDeath to False Metal is the ninth studio album by alternative rock band Weezer, released on November 2, 2010 by Geffen. The album comprises several previously unreleased tracks from throughout Weezer's career, with vocalist and guitarist Rivers Cuomo stating "Together, [these songs] are the album...
(2010)
With Space Twins
- No Show EP (1994)
- Osaka Aquabus EP (1997)
- TV, Music & Candy EP (1998)
- The End of ImaginingThe End of ImaginingThe End of Imagining is the debut LP by Space Twins, released on November 4, 2003 on the bands own label Raga Drop Records. Rolling Stone critic John D...
(2003)
With Carnival Art
- Like Nobody's Business (1989)
- Thrumdrone (1991)
- Welcome to Vas Llegas (1992)
- Blue Food & Black Sparks EP (1992)