DEATH BELLS AT THE BUNKHOUSE SALOON DEATH BELLS
There’s something unmistakably grand about Death Bells. Many
contemporary bands have incorporated sonic elements of the ‘80s into
their sound, but few have managed to capture the sheer scope and
allure of that era like Death Bells with their brand of searing
post-punk and shimmering dream pop. Their songs are a study in
contrast, effortlessly combining dark intrigue with unabashedly
massive hooks — an aspect they partially attribute to the backdrop
of their stunning Australian homeland. Now with the release of their
upcoming single Echoes b/w Move Through Me, the band of ambitious
punks will be moving from Sydney to Los Angeles, California, with
their sights set across the sea, aiming to bring their music to a
world as expansive as their sound.
Death Bells are no strangers to diving headfirst into their musical
vision. The band started in 2014 with Will Canning (vocals) and
Maurice Santiago (bass), both frequenters of the Sydney punk and
hardcore scene, who shared a common goal and drive for a more refined
project. Rounding out their lineup with Aron Postolovic (guitar), Remy
Veselis (guitar), David Gauci (keyboards), and Sam Shepherd (drums),
Death Bells quickly began to make a name for themselves and along the
way Canning and Santiago’s determination led to the creation of
their own label, Burning Rose. When it came time for Death Bells’
first EP, Burning Rose teamed with U.S. tastemaker, Funeral Party
Records, and soon the band would tour the States for the first time
and start expanding the label. As Canning puts it, “It started as an
avenue to legitimize the band, but after we went to the U.S. we
realized what we could really do, and it snowballed into a platform
for artists and musicians within the community.”
In 2017, Burning Rose and Funeral Party released Death Bells’ debut
full length, Standing At The Edge of The World. The album is a kinetic
collection of reverb-drenched leads and cavernous drums that provide
the perfect setting for Canning’s distinctive baritone and brooding
romanticism. The band continued to build on that sound, and now with
their latest single, they’ve crafted perfect example of their sonic
dichotomy: “Echoes,” with its stadium-ready guitars and
Canning’s most infectious melodies to date; and the pulsating
“Move Through Me,” a bass-driven post-punk stomp. Canning’s
self-described “love songs gone wrong” search for silver linings
in life’s upheavals—an unusually positive approach to melancholy
music that Canning chalks up to living in Australia as well as the
camaraderie within the band. “It’s such a beautiful place, it’s
hard to make music that doesn’t have an element of
lightheartedness,” he explains. “The darker parts of the music and
lyrics are present and true, but that’s just one part of our lives.
We’re generally happy people because we have this music and this
band.” Thankfully for the band and listeners alike, with their move
to America, an impending sophomore full length, and a nearly unending
tour schedule, Death Bells show no signs of slowing their fearless
musical pursuit.
indie
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17/06/2019 Last update