Belasco Biography
Belasco formed in early 2000. After three gigs the band was picked up for an album deal by the fledgling Splendid Records, part of the City Slang family (Lambchop, Wheat, Nada Surf). The band holed up in Ridge Farm studios with producer Charlie Francis (REM, The Crocketts, Turin Breaks) and worked on their debut release.
The resultant 8 track mini album Simplicity was released in the UK in early 2001 to much critical acclaim an early incarnation of the bands beautiful melodies mixed with epic rock.
Another 7 track mini album "Technique was released through Europe in late 2002 an amalgam of Simplicity and three new tracks including 15 Seconds and And As You Are, previously recorded with Fulton Dingley (Kula Shaker, Gomez, Placebo). As this release happened Belasco were holed up in Germany co-producing their debut album for new label Supermusic.
The resultant album Knowing Everyones Okay was released in early 2003 across Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Finland, Australia and The Philippines.
2003 was a huge success for the band selling around 30,000 albums across various countries. The band had success across Australian and European press and radio knocking Red Hot Chili Peppers of the No 1 spot on German student radio. The band were also playlisted on Australian radio networks Triple J and Triple X. Belasco started touring heavily playing over 150 dates in 2003. The dates included gigs in Germany, Austria, Switzerland, France, Belgium, Holland and the UK. The band played huge European festivals such as Isle Of Wight (UK), Haldern and Lott (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.
In early 2004 the band were approached by the legendary producer Hugh Jones (Echo & The Bunnymen, Bluetones, Hope Of The States) and started working with him. The band signed a singles deal with Vertigo/Mercury (Razorlight, Thirteen Senses) and recorded two singles Something Between Us and Chloroform.
On its release, Something Between Us was again critically acclaimed and the bands darker than dark video produced by Nick Walters was playlisted on MTV2. The video is also one of the first music videos added to the I-tunes new video purchase store in the US.
Belasco continue to have success in Europe; the Virgin/EMI compilation album Alternative Ballads II is set for release in Germany in October 2005 and features Belascos Breathe alongside songs by Blur, Athlete, Radiohead and Nick Cave. The band are currently playing select dates and working on material for a new album due out mid 2006. A UK album "Something Between Us" is released on the 13th March through Supermusic/Lockjaw and is a collection of bands best material to date.