Ireland has produced many musical acts that have had success in the US, including U2 and Sinead O'Connor (See map at far right). Now Bell X1, one of the most popular bands on the Emerald Isle, is trying to make it big over here. The group, whose members met in Celbridge, Ireland, just north of Dublin, has been around since 1999 and is a multi-platinum seller in Ireland. The band's new CD Flock due out Feb. 19th and already a hit in its homeland, is its first album to be released in the U.S. The group waited until "we had some momentum" to enter the US market, says lead singer and songwriter Paul Noonan, Bell X1 (which was named after an aircraft) will be playing several US cities in March. Mr. Noonan, 33 years old, spoke about several songs from Flock.

"Eve, the Apple of my Eye"

This gentle, melodious song was used on an episode of "The OC," which gained Bell X1 some notice. It wasn't on the Irish release of the current record, but the one before 2003's Music in Mouth, "We added it to Flock, since it had profile here," Mr. Noonan says. "It's one of the oldest songs, one of the first songs I ever wrote. In its naivete it has a certain appeal that I don't think I can muster these days."

"Rocky Took a Lover"

This song is the first single from Flock in the US. Mr. Noonan says its based on a homeless man whop lived on his street. "He was a nightmare when he was drunk and an absolute gentleman when he was not drunk. I awoke one morning to where he always slept and he was lying there with a lady friend." The arrangement f the song was influenced by the group The Flaming Lips. Mr. Noonan says, "with their kind of big born-bastic drums and crazy and crazy orchestral flourishes."

"Bad Skin Day"

Over the years, the band has become more collaborative in its approach to songwriting. Mr. Noonan says, in the past, he would bring in songs for Bell X1 to play. With certain songs, such as the midtempo rocker, Mr. Noonan says, "How they come together makes you realize that the band is greater that its component parts. An unspoken communication can kick in, and lead songs in areas that you don't talk about, you just end up there."


- Robert J. Hughes, Wall Street Journal