Bell X1

Mixing "fine, aged" whiskey with Coca Cola is one way to piss off Bell X1 front man Paul Noonan. Another is to refer to his group as 'Damien Rice's former band mates.' "It's fucking annoying" he admits. Fortunately for Noonan, they have shaken off this lazy description to become one of Ireland's biggest bands in recent days.

Their first two albums, 'Neither Am I' and 'Music In Mouth' gained them a fiercely loyal fanbase in Ireland. The release of their latest record 'Flock', however, has seen them thrust into the mainstream spotlight in their motherland. "We're very grateful for how it's been received in Ireland, but we're itching to get going elsewhere."

It now seems that their success will be by no means confined to the Emerald Isle. Following the infamous 'lesbian kiss' scene in The O.C., during which their single Eve, The Apple Of My Eye was played, US shows were selling out with cast members of the teeny soap opera attending a Viper Room gig in LA. Noonan, having never seen the show, describes how he felt like Homer Simpson meeting Billy Corgan of The Smashing Pumpkins, when introduced to "Mischa Barton and the other one who she got off with. - all I could do was smile politely."

UK tours are beginning to prove equally successful. Bell X1 are not the type of Irish act that sell out shows in Britain exclusively to misty-eyed, homesick leprechauns - They've also been attracting a savvy British audience. "It alienates the natives" he explains, "when people feel it's a gathering of ex-pats and they're all in on this big joke that you don't really get. We've never really gone for that side of things." Dismayed at SkinnyFest's suggestion that perhaps you have to be Irish to fully appreciate some of their lyrics, Paul states "Really? Aw shite! We do write about what's closest at hand a lot, but I would hope that is has a certain amount of universal appeal."

August the 14th will see the band's second appearance at T on the Fringe, having played two years ago in support of Tom McCray. Live, they are a force to contend with, amplifying the "campfire-disco" energy, but also the tenderness of their records ten-fold. Noonan himself is prone to using gimmicks, for example, fisher price toys, on stage for entertainment value and, one would assume, his own amusement.

Enthusiastic about the future but having no "masterplan" to emulate the dizzy heights of their Irish success, Noonan considers, "if we sling enough stuff about, some if it is bound to stick." The forthcoming gig at the Liquid Room is not to be missed and there may even be some free marshmallows in it for you.