What's Bellsize?

Bellsize was a music group based collaboration between the artists Chris Hess on guitar/lead vocals, John Mott on guitar/lead vocals, Nate Lerohl on upright bass, Grant Niebergall on auxilliary percussion, Chris Radostits on the drum kit, Dana Abbot on guitar and cello, Eric Chase / vocal, and Josh Soloman on guitar. They are all talented and experienced singer /songwriters who have taken their name from Nick Drake's tube stop during his very short residence in London's Belsize Park.

The many years of songwriting experiences both John and Chris have is exemplified in their songs. They have created a sound that is uniquely their own. Their music resonates a feeling that, if given a chance, will stir the emotions of a large amount of persons as much as any major label artist ever has.

As of now Bellsize calls Chicago and its southside their home. They began writing in January of 2001 for their most recent recordings. Individually, these musicians have played in and around the city of Chicago for many years. They have been a part of many bands and projects, but none as freely defined as Bellsize.
What's Going On...

Well all it's been a fun ride! In last year in a half we accomplished more than we ever set out to. We completed a pretty decent record and had some great shows. The groop at one time had been as small as three and has numbered as many as nine! John and Chris both agree that the October 17th show at The Elbo to raise relief money for 911 was by far their best show ever. But time has run out for some memebers to make a go at this. We wrote some great songs and had some great times but the time has come to close this chapter. John will continue to work on solo material and his family. Shortchange is sailing the Atlantic right now with a turkish sea captain and Dana is working on solo material. Hess has the Northern DJ project, Soul Explosion and a solo record coming. Nate as we all know has just about everything going on but namely Time Bomb Taxe and RSO. Rads has Time Bomb and a couple other top secret projects up his sleeve. Last but not least Eric has sold himself into white slavery! Good luck Eric!

Remember to stay tuned to the site for updates on everyone!
A BIG THANKS to everyone and... Cheers!

 

• Well damn it's been a while. We'd like to unleash our SPEAK page. Filled with oppinions and such. So read at your own discretion and remember these are just opinions, and we do not all express the same ones, but support the right to say what ever we want. So read on...

• 3-5-2002 Bellsize "Pools of Blue" Lo-Fi Demonstrational CD officially released. Grab a copy here.

• We received a GREAT comment from a person that found us on garageband.com. This is what he had to say: "I CANNOT PUT INTO WORDS HOW UTTERLY GREAT GOLDEN CENTER IS. I LOVE BOSSA NOVA & WITH THE BRILLIANT FLUID WES MONTGOMERY LICKS, YOU'VE CREATED A CLASSIC. I PLAY IT OFF YOUR SITE AT LEAST 2 OR 3 TIMES A DAY. LIKE I SAID BEFORE, I LOVE IT TO DEATH!" ......Anthony Ryan

• Happy Belated Birthday to G-Rant! Percussionizing away at the big 'ol 35. Keep it up Gramps.....

• Next show is at Goose Island on Thursday, March 7, 2002.
Come help us celebrate Mr. Christopher Hess's Birthday!!! The show starts at around 8:00 PM so get there a little early to enjoy a nice tasty beverage with us. Maybe we'll have a naked chours line jump out of a cake or something...

• The show at the Lyon's Den Jammed! We missed our lead singer to illness, but he'll be rearin' to go for the next one. However, the gig went off without a hitch and it was great to see you all there!
Saturday - January 26, 2002 - at The Lyon's Den - Show starts at 9PM - Only $5 at the door - Performing: Bellsize, Time Bomb Taxi, and Stunt Cats. This will prove to be a great evening of music and friends.

.....And yes it was a GREAT night. And we got some great pictures to prove it.....

• The latest on the EP recorded with Gary Khan is... yes, still on hold. Gary showed up at the Elbo to jam with us! He is still filling some commitments right now but we'll have them done in time to shop the E.P. and get out to you early this year.

• The Pools of Blue Demos are now complete!!! Oui, it took way too long but it is finished! John and Chris have reviewed the album and picked the song order. The working title - "Pools of Blue: The Lo-Fi Demonstrational". Being an indie release we will let you know where you can buy it.
That CD release party is on it's way! We'll let you know when the exact date and time will be. Tea Time Tribe are still remixing and reworking the demo into dub and house plates at the moment. The remix CD will be limited only to our friends and fans on the mailing list! The title is "3T vs Bellsize - Pools of Dub"! The remixes are already sounding sweet! Northern has also joined 3T in the production of a track stay tuned!

• Hess' Second Solo record is finished! Working title is "Sound". It's a heavily hip-hop influenced record full of two-step speed garage, house and funk. Available soon on Sweet Revenge Recordings.

• We'll have more shows coming up soon! (for show updates see our perform page)

• Yes there have been some line up changes with the group. The group welcomes Chris Radostits on drum kit / percussion, also Josh Soloman on guitar and Eric Chase has been doing some vocal work for us - which sounds fantastic darling. Eric as always, thank you so very much for letting us practice at your space. The magnificent seven will continue to serve you the people!
 
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