Matt Bell
"Do you want a slap?"

Born - Hillingdon, Middlesex, 5th December 1972

Marital Status - Married to Suzanne.

Instrument Played - bass

HISTORY

1988-89
Emotional Rescue
Jazz funk band influenced by Level 42.
This band comprised of the following members: Matt Bell: Bass guitar/Vocals/guitar/percussion, Joseph Lai-tan: Saxophone/Keyboards/percussion, Oliver Johnson: Drums/percussion.
We rehearsed with the misconception that we would be playing at Wembley Arena within 6 months. When you never achieve the high expectations you set yourself it's always disappointing when you fail.
Internal arguments over what material we would play caused the band to spilt within a year without playing a single gig.

1989-90
The Uninvited Guests
Prog rock band influenced by Marillion, Genesis and Yes.
The band were: Rick Walsh: Vocals, Greg King: Guitar/Vocals, Matt Bell: Bass guitar, Lee Morrisey: Drums
The name of the band came from the idea that we would just turn up at venues and star playing! We rehearsed in Greg's living room and everyone in the band fancied his mum.
Unfortunately, Greg thought he was the re-incarnation of Pete Townsend, and his delusions of grandeur caused the split. No gigs.

1990-2
The Ethernet.
Experimental indie band from the ashes of The Uninvited Guests, influenced by Talk Talk, Happy Mondays, Stone Roses.
The band were: Rick Walsh: Vocals, Neil Smith: Lead guitar/Backing Vox, Matt Bell: Rhythm guitar/Backing vox, Myles Murphy: Bass guitar/backing vox, Lee Morrisey: Drums.
This had the makings of a really good band, however, Rick, Neil and Myles' drink and drugs influenced ramblings escaped me and, I decided to leave.
Greg King from 'the Guests' days was recruited to replace me, before he was replaced with a keyboard player called Jim.
The band rambled on to play 1 or 2 gigs before finally imploding towards the summer of '92'.

1992
Experimental band with Neil Reynolds: Guitar, Terry Arnett: Drums, Matt Bell: Bass guitar.
Plus, 1 or 2 rehearsals with Grant Thatcher on Keyboards.
Shame we didn't get anywhere with this, it had something special about it.

1992-3
Pride.
Soul/pop: Influenced by Jamiroquai, Brand New Heavies.
The band were: Dave Nash/Darryl Malkinson: Vocals, Paul Varney: Keyboards, Danny Gray: Guitar/Vocals, Matt Bell: Bass guitar, Lee Morrisey: Drums
Danny had written a number of tunes that D: Zone Records were interested in, Terry Arnett sat in for the first two rehearsals until Lee became involved. Unfortunately Dave Nash left over the details of the recording contract, Danny recruited a white soul singer called Darryl Malkinson who brought along some of his own material.
Darryl was very keen on the band getting out and playing some gigs, but Danny wanted to perfect the material and not do any covers to fill the gap. Further to this Danny had a bit of a phobia to playing live after an attack that left him a bit shaken, this happened a few years previously.
Danny also has a problem with sharing the limelight with people who have the ability to produce good material. Danny left taking his material with him, we rehearsed without Danny or Paul Varney, using some old cohorts of Darryl, but it was obvious there was no direction.
My leaving cased a bit of rift between Lee and myself, he blamed me to the eventual split of the band. I believe this sowed the seeds to the silent wall that there is now between us.

1993-4
The Wilsons.
60s/70s. covers band. Influences, take your pick!
The band were: Paul Sommerton: Vocals, Danny Gray: Guitar/Vocals, Servo: Guitar, Terry Arnett: Drums, Matt Bell: Bass guitar.
Rehearsed with a view to do functions. I did rejoin for one gig in November 1994 (with david Gray [Akercocke] on drums, where I had two rehearsals to learn 20 songs. I am still having nightmares about that gig!!!

1995-8
My journey to Planet Sunday begins! Got "inlisted" by work of Terry Arnett.
However, it wasn't to last. Rachel made me change arrangemants mid recording, and did not like the fact that I was competant! Terry gave me the news that I was dropped after only one gig at the Camden Monarch.
(Terry's addition) - I was unhappy that this happened, as I had wanted Matt to join knowing we work well as a rhythm section. Why I got the task of firing Matt is still beyond me...

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