Belasco

Tim Brownlow – Vocals, Guitars: Duff Battye – Bass: Bill Cartledge – Drums

The Belasco story is one of twists and turns and is set to finally delver what the band deserve with the imminent release of new album “61”.

The band formed in 2000 and after only their second gig they signed to hugely well respected indie label Splendid/City Slang (Lambchop, Wheat). The debut album “Simplicity” was produced by Charlie Francis (REM, Turin Breaks) and released to critical acclaim in the UK in 2001. Uncut magazine declaring Belasco “have bigger songs and bigger ambitions than the majority of new guitar acts. Watch out Coldplay!”.

While Coldplay can still rest easy, Belasco have achieved a huge amount over the past five years. They have sold over 30,000 records across the world. Played gigs across the globe (150 in 2003 alone) including European festivals such as Isle Of Wight (UK), Haldern and Bochum Total (Germany), Alive (Belgium) and Music In My Head (Holland) with the likes of PJ Harvey, Cardigans, Paul Weller, Iggy Pop, Bright Eyes and Patti Smith.

The band have released three more records through various independent labels – “Technique” in 2002, “Knowing Everyone’s Okay” in 2003 and 2006’s best of “Something Between Us” – and recorded with the likes of Fulton Dingley (Kula Shaker, Gomez, Placebo) and the legendary Hugh Jones (Bluetones, Echo & the Bunnymen and Hope Of the States). The band received critical and commercial acclaim across UK and Europe , releasing in Germany, Belgium, Holland, France, Australia, Norway and Finland. The band also showed their commercial appeal – being playlisted across huge Australian networks Triple J and Triple X. The hugely influential Nic Harcourt from Morning becomes Eclectic, KCRW also picked up on the band and played several songs in the US.

In early 2005 this success culminated in the band signing a singles deal with Vertigo/Mercury (Razorlight, Thirteen Senses) and recorded two singles – “Something Between Us” and “Chloroform”. On its release, “Something Between Us” again receiving plaudits (the Guardian making it Single Of the Week) and the bands darker than dark video – produced by Nick Walters was playlisted on MTV2 UK. The video is also one of the first music videos added to the I-tunes new video purchase store in the US.

Unfortunately the band had a bad experience with Mercury (one of many small bands shown the darker side of the major labels) and the deal ended acrimoniously in early 2006.

Ironically 2006 has seen the band stepping up to the next level. The band had tracks added to the Hollywood film “Incubus” (starring Tara Reid) and EA Games Fifa Soccer 2007 video game. The bands music also featured several times on huge US show One Tree Hill. The Virgin/EMI compilation album “Alternative Ballads II” (released in Germany in early 2006) features Belasco’s “Breathe” alongside songs by Blur, Athlete, Radiohead and Nick Cave.

Throughout 2006 the band has also been working on new album “61”. By far and away their most accomplished album to date, the album is the perfect showcase for the belasco sound – from gentle introspective acoustics (“Finest Things” and “Lawman”) through to driving epic rock (“The Earth” and “Swallow”). From inventive structures and melodies (“Butterflies”) to classic hard edge rock songs (“Joseph Conin” and “On A Wire”). The album was produced by up and coming young talent Richie Kayvan (who has worked with the likes of Owen Morris (Oasis) and John Cornfield (Supergrass)) and mastered by the legendary Tom Baker (Beastie Boys, Marilyn Manson, Nine Inch Nails).

As front man Tim Brownlow says – “This record is us finally capturing what we are all about – our sound. We have previously been talked into over complicating our music. “61” is just us – voice, guitars, bass and drums. It rocks…”

Rock indeed it does. A British rock band at their very best – powerful, emotive and unique…..

“61” is released through Maybe Records on the August 2007.