Howling Bells are an indie rock band that formed in Sydney in 2004. The band obtained moderate popularity in the United Kingdom following the release of its 2006 self-titled debut album. The lineup consists of Glenn Moule (drums), Joel Stein (lead guitar), and Joel's sister Juanita Stein (vocals, rhythm guitar).
Originally called Waikiki, the band changed its name and musical style preceding its move from Australia to England. Howling Bells' debut album, Howling Bells, was produced by Ken Nelson. The album charted in the Top 100 in the UK and just outside the Top 50 in Australia, and it was included on Album of the Year lists for a number of publications. The band's next release, Radio Wars (2009), received mixed reviews, although it charted higher than its predecessor in both the UK and Australia. The band supported Coldplay on the third leg of the North American Viva la Vida Tour. In 2009, Gigwise named Juanita Stein "the sexiest woman in rock."
Howling Bells are notable for a doom-and-gloom, country-and-rock music style, and they have been labelled as melodic blues and country-goth. They are influenced by The Beatles and Jimi Hendrix, and they are often compared to Mazzy Star and The Velvet Underground. Their third album, The Loudest Engine, was released in September 2011.
Read more about Howling Bells: Influences and Musical Style, Discography
Famous quotes containing the words howling and/or bells:
“O Rose, thou art sick!
The invisible worm
That flies in the night,
In the howling storm,
Has found out thy bed
Of crimson joy:
And his dark secret love
Does thy life destroy.”
—William Blake (1757–1827)
“Now Lady Maisry is gone home,
Made him a winding sheet,
And at the back of merry Lincoln
The dead corpse did her meet.
And all the bells of merry Lincoln,
Without men’s hands were rung,”
—Unknown. Hugh of Lincoln (l. 61–66)