Editing Brian Bell

{{short description|American musician}}
{{other people|Brian Bell}}
{{Use mdy dates|date=May 2015}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name             = Brian Bell
| image            = Weezer - 2022154163649 2022-06-03 Rock am Ring - Sven - 1D X MK II - 0633 - AK8I0866 (cropped).jpg
| caption          = Bell performing with Weezer in 2022
| birth_name       = Brian Lane Bell
| birth_date       = {{Birth date and age|1968|12|9}}
| birth_place      = [[Iowa City, Iowa]], U.S.
| origin           = [[Knoxville, Tennessee]], U.S.
| genre            = {{flatlist|
* [[Alternative rock]]
* [[power pop]]
* {{nowrap|[[pop rock]]}}
* [[pop punk]]
* {{nowrap|[[geek rock]]}}
* [[emo]]
* [[indie rock]]
}}
| occupation       = {{flatlist|
* Musician
* singer
* songwriter
}}
| instrument       = {{flatlist|
* Guitar
* vocals
* keyboards
* synthesizer 
* bass <!--- If you think an instrument should be listed, a discussion to reach consensus is needed first per: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Template:Infobox_musical_artist#instrument--->
}}
| years_active     = 1982–present
| label            = [[Geffen Records|Geffen]]
| current_member_of = [[Weezer]]
| past_member_of   = {{flatlist|
* [[The Relationship]]
* [[Space Twins]]
* [[Carnival Art]]
}}
| website          = 
}}

'''Brian Lane Bell''' (born December 9, 1968) is an American musician, singer, and songwriter. He is best known as the rhythm guitarist, keyboardist, backing vocalist, and occasional lead vocalist of the [[Rock music|rock]] band [[Weezer]], with whom he has recorded fifteen studio albums. Bell also fronted the rock band [[The Relationship]] and was the lead vocalist and guitarist of the [[indie rock]] band [[Space Twins]].

Moving to Los Angeles at the age of eighteen, Bell played [[bass guitar]] in the band [[Carnival Art]], releasing three studio albums with the band before departing in 1993. Bell subsequently joined Weezer as its rhythm guitarist and backing vocalist, at the request of band member [[Matt Sharp]]. Replacing founding member [[Jason Cropper]], Bell joined the band during the recording of its debut album, ''[[Weezer (Blue Album)|Weezer]]'' (1994). Backed by the singles "[[Buddy Holly (song)|Buddy Holly]]", "[[Undone – The Sweater Song]]" and "[[Say It Ain't So]]", the album was a critical and commercial success.

==Early life==
Bell was born in [[Iowa City, Iowa]] to parents Tom Bell, a geography professor<ref>{{Cite web |date=2013-02-01 |title=Dr. Thomas L. Bell {{!}} Department of Geography & Sustainability |url=https://geography.utk.edu/about-us/faculty/dr-thomas-l-bell/ |access-date=2022-09-01 |language=en-US}}</ref> at [[University of Tennessee]], and Linda Menasco, an elementary school assistant principal,<ref name="page 91">Luerssen D., John. ''Rivers' Edge: The Weezer Story''. ECW Press, 2004, {{ISBN|1-55022-619-3}} p. 91</ref> and raised in [[Knoxville, Tennessee]]. He first took an interest in music at age four, when his parents took him to an [[Elvis Presley]] concert at the Stokely Athletic Centre in Knoxville.<ref name="page 92">Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 92</ref> Soon after, Bell became obsessed with his father's [[Gramophone record|record]] collection, and played it constantly.<ref name="page 92"/> Bell was forced by his mother to take piano lessons, and refused to let him take guitar lessons until high school, because she "wouldn't believe that he would practice."<ref name="page 92"/> Eventually, during his [[First year|freshman]] year in high school, Bell's parents allowed him to take guitar lessons from Knoxville musician Ben Bolt.<ref name="page 93">Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 93</ref> 

During his first year in high school, Bell had to switch schools; "I was zoned to go to county school and my mom taught in the city, which meant I could go to a more privileged school. In doing that, I was surrounded by snobs'.<ref name="page 93" />  'I was kind of finding myself at the time, so I decided to go to the school I was zoned for."<ref name="page 93" />  During this time, Bell had a job delivering pizzas in the Knoxville area at Stefano's Pizza.  He worked with Jason Bales and Blair and Todd Mitchell (who he introduced to Queensryche's music). He worked and started playing in a band with school friends, Tim and Glenn Maloof, named Blooshroom, which Bell described as "[[Pink Floyd]]-meets-[[The Stooges]]."<ref name="page 94">Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 94</ref>

After completing high school at [[Bearden High School (Tennessee)|Bearden High School]] in 1987, Bell decided against college, feeling it would be a "waste of money."<ref name="page 96">Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 96</ref> At the age of 18, Bell moved to Los Angeles, California, and enrolled at G.I.T.<ref name="page 96" /> In 1991, he became a member of a band named Carnival Art, which released 3 official albums and an EP, with Bell playing bass guitar.<ref name="page 96" /><ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/carnival_art/bio.jhtml | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20070206042203/http://www.cmt.com/artists/az/carnival_art/bio.jhtml | url-status = dead | archive-date = February 6, 2007 | title = Carnival Art : Biography | publisher =[[Country Music TV|CMT]] | access-date = 2007-10-10}}</ref> The band had low record sales, and were dropped by  their record label, [[Beggars Banquet Records|Beggars Banquet]].<ref name="page 97">Luerssen D., John, 2004 p. 97</ref> 

As Carnival Art was disintegrating, Bell became acquainted with the members of [[Weezer]]. He said: "They started playing on the scene, and I instantly saw something unique in them. I didn't necessarily want to be in their band. They were for some reason, in with the wrong crowd and playing at the wrong venues. I wanted to help them out any way I could and I wanted to play a show with them."<ref name="page 97" /> In mid-1993, Bell quit Carnival Art. At home, he found on his answering machine a message from Weezer bassist [[Matt Sharp]]. Sharp called again the next day, and [[Rivers Cuomo]] took the phone and asked him to join the band.{{Citation needed|date=May 2019}}

==Weezer==
[[File:Brian Bell.jpg|thumb|Bell photographed in Thailand, 1997]]
Despite being credited for guitar and vocals in the liner notes, Bell's last-minute arrival at the ''Blue Album'' sessions meant that he only had time to re-record Cropper's backing vocals, while Cuomo re-did all of Cropper's guitar parts.<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.altpress.com/features/entry/20_facts_you_may_not_know_about_weezers_blue_album|title=20 Facts You May Not Know About Weezer's Blue Album|last=Heisel|first=Scott|website=Alternative Press|date=2014-05-09|access-date=2017-10-31}}</ref> Besides doing [[backing singer|back-up vocals]] and playing rhythm guitar, during Weezer's live performances, Bell takes on many of the multi-instrumental duties, including keyboards or harmonica.

Although all songwriting credits on Weezer's 2005 album ''[[Make Believe (Weezer album)|Make Believe]]'' are credited to [[Rivers Cuomo]], Bell wrote the [[introduction (music)|intro]] to "[[We Are All on Drugs]]" and the dueling guitars in the solo of "This is Such a Pity."<ref name="disco">{{cite web| url = http://www.weezer.com/discography/makebelieve.asp| title = Weezer discography: Make Believe: Track By Track| publisher = Weezer.com| access-date = 2007-10-10| url-status = dead| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071011153000/http://weezer.com/discography/makebelieve.asp| archive-date = October 11, 2007| df = mdy-all}}</ref> Bell also contributed the song "Thought I Knew" to the band's 2008 self-titled album as well as "It's Easy," an [[iTunes]] exclusive demo that serves as a bonus track to that album. This marks the first time Weezer has officially released a song written and sung by Bell, although the band demoed and played his song "Yellow Camaro" live in 2002. The song eventually made it onto the [[Space Twins]] debut LP ''[[The End of Imagining]]''.

In 2005, during live appearances, Bell sang lead vocals on "Why Bother?", "Smile", "Getchoo" and "[[Keep Fishin']]". In 2008 during the band's Hootenanny Tour he began taking lead vocals on "[[El Scorcho]]". He continued singing "El Scorcho" and sang "Suzanne" as well on the band's Troublemaker Tour in 2008.

==Space Twins==
Throughout the years Bell fronted his own band, [[Space Twins]], who have had various incarnations since 1993. They have released three EPs and an LP, ''The End of Imagining'', in 2003. Yet in 2006, Bell stated that he was "not presently pursuing" projects with The Space Twins.

==The Relationship==
In 2007 Bell recorded for a side project called [[The Relationship]].<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.myspace.com/therelationship | title =  The Relationship | publisher =Myspace | access-date = 2007-10-10}}</ref> The recording took place at [[Henson Recording Studios]] and Padre Terrace in Los Angeles and is produced by Weezer engineer [[Eric J]]. [[Sean Lennon]] mentioned in an interview that he will appear with Bell on The Relationship's debut record.<ref name="Sean">{{cite web|url=http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1498175&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type= |title=09/24/06 I want people to be afraid of how much they love me |publisher=Weezer.com |access-date=2007-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20061129172837/http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1498175&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type= |archive-date=November 29, 2006 |df=mdy }}</ref> [[Rivers Cuomo]] and Bell co-wrote a song together for the project titled "Hand to Hold," but Bell does not think it will be on their debut album.<ref name="interview">{{cite web|url=http://www.weezer.com/discography/BBINT2006/2006BBFI.html |title=Brian Bell Fan Interview 2006 |publisher=Weezer.com |access-date=2007-10-10 |url-status=dead |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215538/http://www.weezer.com/discography/BBINT2006/2006BBFI.html |archive-date=September 27, 2007 |df=mdy }}</ref> In May 2007 he uploaded "Hand to Hold" on the band's Myspace page. It is a reworking of the [[Weezer]] song "Private Message," which was originally in the running for inclusion on ''[[Make Believe (Weezer album)|Make Believe]]''. In March 2017, Bell announced that the band's newest album, ''Clara Obscura'' (meaning "Clear" and "Obscure")'','' would be released on April 18.<ref>{{Cite news|url=http://www.cigarcitymanagement.com/podcast/2017/3/20/episode-24-brian-bell|title=Episode 24 - Brian Bell (Weezer/The Relationship)|work=Cigar City Management|access-date=2017-03-29|language=en-US}}</ref>

==Other projects==
Bell and Weezer drummer [[Patrick Wilson (drummer)|Patrick Wilson]] collaborated on a cover of the [[Velvet Underground]] song "[[Heroin (The Velvet Underground song)|Heroin]]", for the 2006 film ''[[Factory Girl (2006 film)|Factory Girl]]''.

In November 2006, [[Washburn Guitars#Guitars|Lyon Guitars]] (by Washburn) introduced a limited edition guitar series called "Limited Edition 2006," each of which had been hand-signed by Bell, and were in the same "strat" body style that he prefers to play.<ref>{{cite web | url = http://www.lyonguitars.com/weezer/brian.html | title = Brian Bell Autographed Guitar | publisher = Lyon Guitars | access-date = 2007-10-10 | archive-date = October 13, 2007 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071013013610/http://www.lyonguitars.com/weezer/brian.html | url-status = dead }}</ref>

Bell has also expressed an interest in the works of [[William Shakespeare]]. During the band's downtime in 2003 and 2004, Bell and his ex-girlfriend Peggy Nunez studied Shakespeare and poetry theory at the collegiate level. They also appeared in a production of ''[[Twelfth Night]]'', in which Bell wrote four songs, all using Shakespeare's words.<ref name="factor">{{cite web| url =http://www.weezer.com/extras/stokefactor/index.html| title =Stoke Factor 4: January 12, 2005| publisher =Weezer.com| access-date =2007-10-10| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215223/http://www.weezer.com/extras/stokefactor/index.html| archive-date =September 27, 2007| df =mdy-all}}</ref>

Bell has appeared in one-off performances on guitar with other bands. Playing on March 17, 2006 at The Troubador in [[Los Angeles|LA]] with Weezer tour-mates [[Ringside (band)|Ringside]],<ref name="Zero">{{cite web| url =http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1401569&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=| title =03/09/06 Zero Tolerance| publisher =Weezer.com| access-date =2007-10-24| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20061129185051/http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1401569&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=| archive-date =November 29, 2006| df =mdy-all}}</ref> and performing "[[Our Lips Are Sealed]]", with [[the Go-Go's]] member, [[Jane Wiedlin]], on June 1, 2006 at the [[Viper Room]]. He sat in on guitars and back up vocals for Ringside's winter '06 tour in Russia.<ref name="fritters">{{cite web| url =http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1527914&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=| title =12/20/06 Fritters, Homefries, Bunions, Yamlets| publisher =Weezer.com| access-date =2007-10-10| url-status =dead| archive-url =https://web.archive.org/web/20070927215131/http://www.weezer.com/community/news_comment.asp?ParentAssetID=1527914&ArtistID=479&Start=&FullStory=Y&type=| archive-date =September 27, 2007| df =mdy-all}}</ref>

It was announced that Bell will make his producing debut on the Ultra Sonic Edukators next album.<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/poprock/746111 |title=Our Sound: Edukators keep learning on the go |website=Chicago Sun-Times  |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20080125162103/http://www.suntimes.com/entertainment/music/poprock/746111%2CWKP-News-sound18.article |archive-date=January 25, 2008 |access-date=March 29, 2021}}</ref>

==Equipment==
As of 2014, Bell solely uses [[Gibson Guitars]], his current main instrument being a 2001 [[Gibson Explorer]] in limited edition diamond sparkle finish, which he found in Rivers Cuomo's basement, with a chrome mirror pickguard. His main amplifier is a [[Matchless Amplifiers|Matchless Independence]], a three channel, hand-wired tube amplifier, providing the thick distortion that Weezer is known for.

==Movie career==

In 2006, Bell made his on-screen debut, playing [[Lou Reed]] in the [[Edie Sedgwick]] biographical film, ''[[Factory Girl (2006 film)|Factory Girl]].'' Bandmate Patrick Wilson also appeared as [[John Cale]], another member of the [[Velvet Underground]].

Bell voiced a band member on a 'booze-cruise" and was animated as himself in the ''[[The Simpsons|Simpsons]]'' episode "[[The Hateful Eight-Year-Olds]]", along with the rest of Weezer.<ref>{{cite web |title=Episode Title: (SI-3114) "The Hateful Eight-Year-Olds" |url=http://www.thefutoncritic.com/listings/20200416fox16/ |access-date=April 17, 2020}}</ref>

==Discography==
[[File:Weezer Brian Bell Bethlehem 2019.jpg|250px|thumb|right|Brian Bell performing with Weezer at [[Musikfest]] in [[Bethlehem, Pennsylvania]], on August 5, 2019]]
===With Weezer===

{{main|Weezer discography}}

* ''[[Weezer (Blue Album)|Weezer]]'' (1994)
* ''[[Pinkerton (album)|Pinkerton]]'' (1996)
* ''[[Weezer (Green Album)|Weezer]]'' (2001)
* ''[[Maladroit]]'' (2002)
* ''[[Make Believe (Weezer album)|Make Believe]]'' (2005)
* ''[[Weezer (Red Album)|Weezer]]'' (2008)
* ''[[Raditude]]'' (2009)
* ''[[Hurley (album)|Hurley]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Death to False Metal]]'' (2010)
* ''[[Everything Will Be Alright in the End]]'' (2014)
* ''[[Weezer (White Album)|Weezer]]'' (2016)
* ''[[Pacific Daydream]]'' (2017)
* ''[[Weezer (Teal Album)|Weezer]]'' (2019)
* ''[[Weezer (Black Album)|Weezer]]'' (2019)
* ''[[OK Human]]'' (2021)
* ''[[Van Weezer]]'' (2021)
* ''[[SZNZ: Spring]]'' (2022)
* ''[[SZNZ: Summer]]'' (2022)
* ''[[SZNZ: Autumn]]'' (2022)
* ''[[SZNZ: Winter]]'' (2022)

===With Space Twins===

* ''No Show'' EP (1994)
* ''Osaka Aquabus'' EP (1997)
* ''TV, Music & Candy'' EP (1998)
* ''[[The End of Imagining]]'' (2003)

===With The Relationship===
* ''[[The Relationship (album)|The Relationship]]'' (2010)
* ''Clara Obscura'' (2017)

===With Carnival Art===

* ''Dig'' EP (1990)
* ''Thrumdrone'' (1991)
* ''Welcome to Vas Llegas'' (1992)
* ''Blue Food & Black Sparks'' EP (1992)

===With Homie===
* ''[[Meet the Deedles]]'' soundtrack (1998) – backing vocals on "American Girls"

==References==
{{Reflist|30em}}

==External links==
*{{IMDb name|1914631|Brian Bell}}
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20090210232200/http://leftanchor.com/bell.htm The 2006 Brian Bell fan interview]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20091219160111/http://stereokill.net/2009/02/19/interview-brian-bell-weezerthe-relationship/ Stereokill interview: February 19, 2009]
*[https://web.archive.org/web/20050826230712/http://spacetwins.com/ Space Twins web page]
*[http://www.myspace.com/therelationship MySpace page for "The Relationship"]

{{Weezer}}

{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Bell, Brian}}
[[Category:1968 births]]
[[Category:Living people]]
[[Category:Weezer members]]
[[Category:American rock guitarists]]
[[Category:American male guitarists]]
[[Category:American alternative rock guitarists]]
[[Category:Writers from Iowa City, Iowa]]
[[Category:Musicians from Iowa City, Iowa]]
[[Category:Musicians from Knoxville, Tennessee]]
[[Category:Power pop musicians]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Iowa]]
[[Category:Guitarists from Tennessee]]
[[Category:20th-century American guitarists]]