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Bio:
Pat O'Donnell & Steve Belton began working together as a duo in the early
1980s. Steve Belton had earlier been in Square Meal.
They were associated with the Projects Arts Theatre and their work was
in the experimental electronic vein. They recorded soundtracks for the works of
performance artist Nigel Rolfe among many other
activities, including working as
an engineering & production duo (e.g. the B-side of the Virgin Prunes "New
Form Of Beauty" 12inch). But they also developed a more 'rock' side to their
activities, performing live as a new wave/techno-rock duo, gigging extensively during
1982-84. Bill Graham described them in 1983 as sounding like a cross between
Kraftwerk and The Shadows.
In 1984 they changed their name from Belton &
O'Donnell to The Fountainhead and self-released their debut EP.
They were signed by China Records and developed a poppier, dance music style
which invited comparisons to other duos such as OMD, China Crisis and so on.
This poppy side of their sound dominates pretty much all of their records on
China released during 1986-88. This is especially true of the much slicker
second album,
which sounds like an attempt at a commercial breakthrough.
Jim Corr (of The Corrs) played with the Fountainhead during this later period.
It was not to be however
and the bands relationship with China ended shortly after.
There are many unreleased recordings pre-dating the Fountainhead material
(and some early Fountainhead demos too) which show their original new wave
synth rock approach which was comparable to Ultravox, Bill Nelson's Red Noise,
or Bill Graham's Kraftwerk meets Shadows" cross. These include at least one
Dave Fanning session which included a guitar-heavy track "Defender" which
reminded me strongly of Bill Nelson.
there are also many promos and dance mix EPs, too many to list
Belton & O'Donnell currently work as a production duo.
Notes:
Sometimes known as the Live EP. Two tracks appeared as bonus tracks on the CD
edition of Voice Of Reason. From the sleeve notes: "These songs were recorded
live by The Fountainhead at the Whisky in Hollywood on Tuesday 9th December 1986
at the final show of the band's debut US tour."
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