The Belles
Upcoming shows:
- None scheduled
Genres: Alt / Indie rock, Pop
Sound description: Simple, acoustic based songs with minimal production and ass-shaking drumming.
RIYL: Neil Young, Creature Comforts
Web site: http://www.thebelles.com
Custom radio station:
Free MP3 downloads:
- Disarmed (unmastered)
- Idle Acres
- Misery Loves Industry (unmastered)
- Never Said Anything
- The Late Hours (unmastered)
- What We Are
- You Can't Have It All
Appearances on The Turnpike:
Video clips:
The Belles, "Never Said Anything"
Related links:
- Tolle of the Belles crafts a mellower mood (Dec. 13, 2002)
- Review :: "Idle Acres" (July 16, 2004)
- We've got big Belles :: From MTV Europe to ‘One Tree Hill’ to an expanded band, The Belles are ringing out (July 11, 2005)
History:
(Photo above by Tomas Schelp) The Belles began atop bar stools between cigarettes when Tolle told Cardwell (Reflector, Tijuana Crime Scene, Safety in Numbers) that he had some songs that never clicked within the fuller rock framework of the Creature Comforts. In the months to come, Tolle and Cardwell would get together on Tuesdays if they felt like it to work up a song or two. Once they had four songs worked up, the duo burned several dozen demo CDs for people, one of whom was a friend of Cardwell's in Los Angeles. That particular CD got passed around and, while Creature Comforts were on tour in September, Tolle got word that Lakeshore Records in Hollywood was interested in recording The Belles.
The Belles debut full-length "Omerta" was produced in Lawrence by Peter Buxton and mixed by Ed Rose. Everard and Ashby joined the band for a showcase at the CMJ Music Festival in October 2002.
The Belles filmed a music video for "Never Said Anything" in Lawrence. The Belles will begin touring in spring 2003.
Musicians:
- Christopher Tolle: Guitar (acoustic), Vocals
- Jake Cardwell: Drums
- Ehren Starks: Keyboard
- Andrew Ashby: Guitar, Vocals
- Brian Everard: Bass guitar
Formed:
2002 in Lawrence, KS
Influences:
Neil Young, Lemonheads
Current status:
Living in Lawrence, active, touring.
Audio interviews:
- How'd The Belles begin?
- How has Lawrence's music scene changed since you've been here?
- How long did it take you to pull this album together?
Discography:
| Name | Year | Label | |
|---|---|---|---|
 | Omerta | 2002 | Lakeshore |
 | Idle Acres | 2004 | Second Nature recordings |
 | Hear to Here EP | 2004 | Eat Sleep Records UK |
| Misery Loves Industry | 2005 |
These Are Powers / Coat Party / Boo and Boo Too :: Dissonant, arty, hard-edged punk reminiscent of early-era Sonic Youth. Or, as the Brooklyn trio puts it: "music like cashmere lightning" ... More info
- Spencer Goertz-Giffen / Alex Fetterman / Bombstad / Katlyn Conroy
- "Bears, Beasts, Bodies and Boats," works by Annie Helmericks-Louder
- The Spanktones Open Jam
