Howling Bells

Juanita Stein – lead vocals, guitar
Joel Stein – lead guitar
Brendan Picchio – bass
Glenn Moule – drums

It takes a certain amount of courage to bring one successful band to a halt and create another with virtually the same line-up and a radically different sound, but that’s exactly how Howling Bells came into existence. As Waikiki they had a stint in the Australian pop charts, a well-received album (‘I’m Already Home’, 2002), and plenty of fans – including more than a few in the media and in charge of radio playlists. It wasn’t enough. Mid-gig in 2004, Juanita Stein decided that she just wasn’t into Waikiki any more. When she broached the subject with the rest of the band she found that she wasn’t the only one and they soon started the changes that brought us Howling Bells.

Waikiki’s guitarist departed and bass player Brendan Picchio was brought in. Juanita moved from bass to second guitar and took over the singing duties she had previously shared with her brother Joel, leaving him to concentrate on lead guitar and sing backing vocals. Glenn Moule stayed on as Howling Bells’ drummer but adjusted his style to suit the darker, heavier sound of the new group. And though they would eventually have to wait for eight months while Ken Nelson completed his duties on the third Coldplay album, Howling Bells left Sydney and moved to the UK so they would be able to work on their debut album with the acclaimed producer. At one point they were reduced to sharing a single room between the four of them, and did so for three months, but against the odds the band survived.

‘Low Happening’, Howling Bell’s debut single, was released in the UK in December 2005; their self-titled album followed in May 2006. Both won immediate critical acclaim, including a four-star write up here at Gigwise. Reviewer Janne Oinonen noted that the album offers “an alluring mix of goth’s murkiness, the daydream doziness of shoegazing, the sizzle and stomp of high-octane garage rock, the sugar-sweet thrills of candyfloss girl-group pop and the twang-fuelled heartbreak of classic country balladry”.

A heavy touring schedule has seen Howling Bells play extensively in both Australia and the UK, with excursions to Europe and the States. Support slots for The Editors, Richard Hawley, Forward Russia and Placebo have been interspersed with festival appearances and headline gigs of their own. The band started a major UK tour in October 2006.

Photo by: Josh Logue