William Tell (musician)
Encyclopedia
William Tell is the former rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist
for the Piano rock band Something Corporate
. After leaving the band in 2004 for a solo career, William Tell was signed as a New Door Records solo artist. His first solo record, You Can Hold Me Down
was released on March 13, 2007.
family in Orange County, California
. He learned to play guitar from his father (also named William Tell) at a young age and began writing his own songs as well. Tell met some of the members Something Corporate
through mutual friends and one night when he was playing at a club they were also playing, he was asked to temporarily fill in, as their rhythm guitarist Reuben Hernandez left to study abroad. So on March 27, 2001, Tell permanently joined the Drive-Thru Records
piano rock band Something Corporate.
Tell witnessed the success of Something Corporate over the three years he played with them — through their EP Audioboxer
, released on October 2, 2001, to their full-length albums Leaving Through the Window
(2002) and North
(2003), as well as tours with bands like New Found Glory
.
During a break between touring for the band, Tell decided that he wanted to leave to pursue his own solo career. On February 4, 2004 it was announced by the band that Tell had left. He returned home to California and began writing songs. His first song, titled "Radio Sound" (which later appeared on his debut album as "Sounds"), was about his mixed emotions dealing with leaving his friends and former band. Through the course of the next two years, Tell would continue writing and rewriting material, as well as recording. Brian Ireland
, drummer for Something Corporate, would come in to help him during the recording process and also play shows as part of Tell's band. One of Tell's many performances was the Bamboozle Left
festival in Pomona, California
on October 14, 2006.
In 2006, Tell was signed to Universal Records
' subsidiary
New Door Records as a solo artist and began putting the final touches to his debut album. He collaborated with another Something Corporate member, Andrew McMahon
, for the track "Fairfax" on the record. During January 2007, Tell recorded a practice session for the website Rehearsals.com and on March 13, 2007, Tell released his 10-track solo debut album titled You Can Hold Me Down
(named after one of the songs).
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 Piano rock band Something Corporate
Something Corporate
Something Corporate is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their current line-up includes pianist and vocalist Andrew McMahon, guitarist Josh Partington, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland....
. After leaving the band in 2004 for a solo career, William Tell was signed as a New Door Records solo artist. His first solo record, You Can Hold Me Down
You Can Hold Me Down
You Can Hold Me Down is the debut album by William Tell, first released March 13, 2007 through Universal Records and New Door Records.-Track listing:# "Jeannie" 3:01...
was released on March 13, 2007.
Biography
William Tell was born into a gospel musicGospel music
Gospel music is music that is written to express either personal, spiritual or a communal belief regarding Christian life, as well as to give a Christian alternative to mainstream secular music....
family in Orange County, California
Orange County, California
Orange County is a county in the U.S. state of California. Its county seat is Santa Ana. As of the 2010 census, its population was 3,010,232, up from 2,846,293 at the 2000 census, making it the third most populous county in California, behind Los Angeles County and San Diego County...
. He learned to play guitar from his father (also named William Tell) at a young age and began writing his own songs as well. Tell met some of the members Something Corporate
Something Corporate
Something Corporate is an American rock band from Orange County, California, formed in 1998. Their current line-up includes pianist and vocalist Andrew McMahon, guitarist Josh Partington, bassist Kevin Page and drummer Brian Ireland....
through mutual friends and one night when he was playing at a club they were also playing, he was asked to temporarily fill in, as their rhythm guitarist Reuben Hernandez left to study abroad. So on March 27, 2001, Tell permanently joined the Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records
Drive-Thru Records, established in 1996, was a California-based record label owned by siblings Richard and Stefanie Reines. It has produced various pop punk bands, many with a distinct SoCal sound....
piano rock band Something Corporate.
Tell witnessed the success of Something Corporate over the three years he played with them — through their EP Audioboxer
Audioboxer
-Band:* Andrew McMahon - piano, B3, vocals* William Tell - guitar* Josh Partington - guitar* Kevin "Clutch" Page - bass* Brian Ireland - drums-Additional Musicians:* Christopher Brady - String Arrangements* Charlie Bisharat - violin* Peter Kent - violin...
, released on October 2, 2001, to their full-length albums Leaving Through the Window
Leaving Through the Window
Leaving Through the Window is the major label debut album by rock band Something Corporate, released on May 7, 2002 by Drive-Thru Records and MCA. The album includes three songs from the band's 2001 EP Audioboxer , as well as re-recordings of three songs from their 2000 self-released album Ready.....
(2002) and North
North (Something Corporate album)
-Bonus tracks:The Japanese version contained two bonus tracks, "This Broken Heart" and the Björk cover "Unravel," while the British version featured "Unravel" as well as "Watch the Sky."-Personnel:* Andrew McMahon - piano, vocals...
(2003), as well as tours with bands like New Found Glory
New Found Glory
New Found Glory is an American rock band from Coral Springs, Florida. Formed in the summer of 1997, founding members were lead vocalist Jordan Pundik, guitarists Chad Gilbert and Steve Klein, bassist Ian Grushka and drummer Joe Marino...
.
During a break between touring for the band, Tell decided that he wanted to leave to pursue his own solo career. On February 4, 2004 it was announced by the band that Tell had left. He returned home to California and began writing songs. His first song, titled "Radio Sound" (which later appeared on his debut album as "Sounds"), was about his mixed emotions dealing with leaving his friends and former band. Through the course of the next two years, Tell would continue writing and rewriting material, as well as recording. Brian Ireland
Brian Ireland
Brian Ireland is the drummer for the Geffen Records/Drive-Thru Records band Something Corporate. His bandmates are Andrew McMahon, Kevin "Clutch" Page and Josh Partington. Ireland also worked on a project with former Something Corporate member William Tell, who signed a deal with Universal Records...
, drummer for Something Corporate, would come in to help him during the recording process and also play shows as part of Tell's band. One of Tell's many performances was the Bamboozle Left
The Bamboozle
The Bamboozle is an annual rain-or-shine, three-day music festival held in New Jersey. Every year, new bands compete for spots during the two days. The event evolved out of the Skate and Surf Festival.- The Characters:...
festival in Pomona, California
Pomona, California
-2010:The 2010 United States Census reported that Pomona had a population of 149,058, a slight decline from the 2000 census population. The population density was 6,491.2 people per square mile...
on October 14, 2006.
In 2006, Tell was signed to Universal Records
Universal Records
Universal Records was a record label owned by Universal Music Group, and it is now owned by Manny Patino and Michael Jackson, and operated as part of the Universal Motown Republic Group.-History:...
' subsidiary
Subsidiary
A subsidiary company, subsidiary, or daughter company is a company that is completely or partly owned and wholly controlled by another company that owns more than half of the subsidiary's stock. The subsidiary can be a company, corporation, or limited liability company. In some cases it is a...
New Door Records as a solo artist and began putting the final touches to his debut album. He collaborated with another Something Corporate member, Andrew McMahon
Andrew McMahon
Andrew Ross McMahon is a singer/songwriter. He is the vocalist, pianist and primary songwriter for the bands Something Corporate and Jack's Mannequin; he also performs solo.-Early life:...
, for the track "Fairfax" on the record. During January 2007, Tell recorded a practice session for the website Rehearsals.com and on March 13, 2007, Tell released his 10-track solo debut album titled You Can Hold Me Down
You Can Hold Me Down
You Can Hold Me Down is the debut album by William Tell, first released March 13, 2007 through Universal Records and New Door Records.-Track listing:# "Jeannie" 3:01...
(named after one of the songs).
Discography
- For Tell's releases with Something Corporate, see Something Corporate's discography
Non-album tracks
- "After All", "Katie (Where'd You Go?)", "This Mess", "Yesterday is Calling" & "Young At Heart" (Acoustic)- released as bonus tracks to certain releases of You Can Hold Me DownYou Can Hold Me DownYou Can Hold Me Down is the debut album by William Tell, first released March 13, 2007 through Universal Records and New Door Records.-Track listing:# "Jeannie" 3:01...
(2007)