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{{Short description|American alternative rock band}}
'''Belly''' were an [[alternative rock]] band formed in [[1991]] by former [[Throwing Muses]] members [[Tanya Donelly]] and Fred Abong. Donelly had also played in [[The Breeders]]. Hailing from [[Newport, Rhode Island]], and based in [[Boston, Massachusetts]], the band was comprised of Donelly on vocals, Abong on bass (replaced after their first album by Gail Greenwood), Tom Gorman on guitar, and his brother Chris Gorman on drums.
{{about|the rock band||Belly (disambiguation)}}
{{Infobox musical artist
| name = Belly
| image = Belly the band 2018.jpg
| caption = Belly in 2017. Clockwise from upper left: Chris Gorman (drums), Thomas Gorman (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tanya Donelly (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gail Greenwood (bass, backing vocals).
| image_size = 250
| alias =
| origin = [[Newport, Rhode Island]], United States
| instrument =
| genre = [[Alternative rock]], [[dream pop]], [[jangle pop]]
| occupation =
| years_active = 1991–1996, 2016–present
| label = [[Sire Records|Sire]], [[Reprise Records|Reprise]], [[Warner Records|Warner Bros.]], [[4AD]], Belly Touring
| spinoff_of = {{hlist|[[The Breeders]]|[[Throwing Muses]]}}
| website = {{URL|http://bellyofficial.com/}}
| current_members = [[Tanya Donelly]]<br/>Chris Gorman<br/>Thomas Gorman<br/>[[Gail Greenwood]]
| past_members = Fred Abong
}}


'''Belly''' is an [[alternative rock]] band formed in Rhode Island in 1991 by [[Tanya Donelly]]. The original lineup consisted of Donelly on vocals and guitar, Fred Abong on [[Bass guitar|bass]], and brothers Tom and Chris Gorman on guitar and drums respectively.<ref name="NME">{{cite magazine|url=http://www.nme.com/news/belly/91351|title=Belly announce reunion 20 years after '90s split|last=Britton|first=Luke Morgan|date=February 9, 2016|magazine=[[NME]]|access-date=February 9, 2016}}</ref> The band released two albums during the early 1990s [[alternative rock]] boom before breaking up in 1995. They reunited in 2016 and mounted limited tours in the United States and United Kingdom that year.
Signed to the British label [[4AD]], the band's debut EP, "Slow Dust" (recorded with [[Pixies]] producer Gil Norton) topped the British [[indie rock|indie]] charts. Their crossover breakthrough came with their third single, "Feed the Tree," which made the [[Top 40]] in the [[Great Britain|British]] charts. The album that followed, ''Star'', was a hit in both the UK and the USA, where it went gold, receiving three [[Grammy Awards|Grammy award]] nominations.


In 1993, their debut album ''[[Star (Belly album)|Star]]'' was released, and its lead single "[[Feed the Tree]]" would be Belly's biggest hit song, peaking at number one on ''[[Billboard magazine|Billboard]]'s'' [[Alternative Songs|Modern Rock Tracks]] chart and number 95 on the [[Billboard Hot 100|Hot 100]]. Several additional singles from the album also appeared on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.
In keeping with the name of the group ("It's both pretty and ugly," according to Donelly), Belly's sound matched enchanting pop melodies, Donelly's ethereal vocals, and Gorman's melodic guitar work to lyrics mixing fairy-tale innocence with dark images. The lyrics to "Full Moon, Empty Heart," for example, came from a story about a mother who threw herself and her child from a window after losing a custody battle. "Slow Dog" was inspired by a disturbing story about an "adulteress in ancient China, who, for penance, had to have a dead dog strapped to her back until it decomposed," according to Donelly in ''Billboard''. The band's flanged guitar sound progressed in varying the pace and tempo of the songs to build tension, as heard in ''King''. Despite good reviews, the album did not achieve the sales levels expected after ''Star'', and the group disbanded in [[1996]], with Greenwood joining [[L7 (band)|L7]].


Shortly after the release of ''Star'', Abong left the group and was replaced by [[Gail Greenwood]]. The band released their second album, ''[[King (Belly album)|King]]'', in early 1995. Commercial and critical success did not match ''Star'' and the band broke up at the end of that year. Donelly embarked on a long solo career. She reformed Belly in 2016 with the same lineup that had recorded ''King'', and their third album, ''[[Dove (Belly album)|Dove]]'', was released in 2018.
Tanya Donelly has since recorded several solo albums for 4AD.

==History==
===1992–93: Formation and ''Star''===
All four original members of Belly knew each other from high school on [[Aquidneck Island|Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island]]. The Gormans and Abong came out of the [[Newport, Rhode Island|Newport]] hardcore punk scene (the Gormans having played in Verbal Assault, Abong in Vicious Circle). Donelly had previously co-founded two Boston-based [[indie rock]] bands, [[Throwing Muses]] and [[The Breeders]], the former with her step-sister [[Kristin Hersh]] and the latter with [[Kim Deal]] of the [[Pixies (band)|Pixies]].

Donelly named the band "Belly" because she thought the word was "both pretty and ugly."<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.4ad.com/belly/profile/|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20060209050308/http://www.4ad.com/belly/profile/|archive-date=2006-02-09|title=Belly|website=4AD|access-date=October 14, 2014}}</ref> The band played their first concert on March 14, 1992 at the 3's bar in their hometown of [[Newport, Rhode Island]].<ref>{{cite web|title=Belly official Facebook Page|url=https://www.facebook.com/bellytheband/photos/a.1278365948857149.1073741828.1245091442184600/1836314323062306/?type=3 |archive-url=https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/facebook/1245091442184600/1836314323062306 |archive-date=2022-02-26 |url-access=limited|website=Facebook|access-date=8 August 2017}}{{cbignore}}</ref>

The band's debut [[Extended play|EP]], ''Slow Dust'' (1992), made it to number one on the United Kingdom [[UK Indie Chart|indie chart]]. Soon after, their single "[[Feed the Tree]]" made the [[Top 40]] in the [[UK Singles Chart]] and their first album, ''[[Star (Belly album)|Star]]'' (1993), hit number two on the [[UK Albums Chart]].<ref name="The Great Rock Discography">{{cite book
| first= Martin C.
| last= Strong
| year= 2000
| title= The Great Rock Discography
| edition= 5th
| publisher= Mojo Books
| location= Edinburgh
| pages= 73–74
| isbn= 1-84195-017-3}}</ref>

In the United States, the album was [[RIAA]] certified [[music recording sales certification|gold]], largely based on the success of "Feed the Tree" on Modern Rock radio stations and [[MTV]], where the video was featured as part of MTV's [[Buzz Bin]] videos and [[Alternative Nation]] video show for much of 1993. Two follow-up singles were released, "Gepetto" and "Slow Dog," but neither matched the initial success of "Feed the Tree." Belly was nominated for two [[Grammy Award|Grammys]] in [[36th Annual Grammy Awards|1994]]: [[Grammy Award for Best New Artist|Best New Artist]] and [[Grammy Award for Best Alternative Music Album|Best Alternative Music Performance]] for ''Star''. The album went on to sell over 800,000 copies in the US alone. On several early '93 tour dates in the US and the UK, former [[Throwing Muses]] member Leslie Langston lent a hand on bass.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belly Biography|url=http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Belly-Biography/7D19527DA83B7ABB48256A7F0027A863|access-date=Oct 26, 2012|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20111003170241/http://www.sing365.com/music/lyric.nsf/Belly%2DBiography/7D19527DA83B7ABB48256A7F0027A863|archive-date=October 3, 2011|url-status=dead}}</ref>
In early 1993, they embarked on a 'joint headliner' tour with [[Radiohead]]. Following a short warm up tour of smaller venues in the UK also in early 1993, they embarked upon a larger tour where they were supported by [[the Cranberries]].{{citation needed|date=October 2014}}

===1994–96: ''King'' and break-up===
Just after the release of ''Star'', bassist Fred Abong left and was replaced by [[Gail Greenwood]]. Greenwood was originally a guitar player in a Boston-area metal band before being recruited to play bass in Belly. The live sound of the band evolved to accommodate her style, with its shows featuring more [[electric guitar]] than before and less of the dreamy quality of its first album.

As a result, the group's next album, ''[[King (Belly album)|King]]'' (1995), was more [[rock and roll]] oriented. The album's sales did not meet label expectations, and its numerous singles failed to sustain any significant airplay on Modern Rock radio. Belly appeared on the April 20, 1995, cover of ''[[Rolling Stone]]'' magazine. The band also performed "Superconnected" on the ''[[Late Show with David Letterman]]'' in June that year. It was one of the band's last major U.S television appearances.<ref name = "RStone">{{cite magazine
| title = Belly – RS 706 (April 20, 1995)
| magazine = Rolling Stone
| url = https://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belly/photos/collection/photo/1/large
| access-date = 2007-03-04
| archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20071002111704/http://www.rollingstone.com/artists/belly/photos/collection/photo/1/large
| archive-date = October 2, 2007
| url-status = dead
}}</ref> In the summer of 1995, Belly was one of the support bands in Europe for [[R.E.M.]] on their world tour, then finished out the year extensively touring the US with [[Catherine Wheel (band)|Catherine Wheel]] and [[Jewel (singer)|Jewel]] as support acts.

In 1996, Donelly broke up the band. Speaking to ''[[Q (magazine)|Q]]'', she explained the reasons behind her decision: "The first couple of years of Belly were a blast. ''Star'' was a big hit and we partied hard. But by the time we went to make ''King'', there was a lot of negative stuff going on. ''King'' was a reaction to the bright shininess of ''Star'' and we weren't surprised when it didn't sell. I regret not making another Belly album, but at the time I thought, Screw it, I'm outta here."<ref name="q">{{cite journal|last=Stubbs|first=Dan|journal=[[Q (magazine)|Q Magazine]]|date=December 2007|title=Where Are They Now? – Belly|page=35}}</ref>

After the break-up Tanya Donelly started a successful solo career and has since released several solo albums.<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/> Greenwood went on to stints playing bass for [[L7 (band)|L7]] and for [[Bif Naked]], while playing guitar in her own Rhode Island–based band Benny Sizzler. Tom Gorman played briefly with [[Buffalo Tom]], then on tour in 1999 with [[Kristin Hersh]] before joining up with his brother Chris in a commercial photography business based in New York City. Fred Abong first worked post-Belly as a carpenter "working in a high-end woodworking shop making fancy cabinets for rich people",<ref name="q"/> then went on to earn a PhD in philosophy.
[[File:Belly performing at the Glasgow Garage on 16 June 2018 - 01.jpg|alt=Belly performing at the Glasgow Garage on 16 June 2018. The gig had to be moved at short notice due to the fire at the Glasgow School of Art the previous night.|thumb|318x318px|Belly performing Dove at the Glasgow Garage on June 16, 2018. The gig had to be moved at short notice due to the fire at the [[Glasgow School of Art]] destroying the O2 ABC the previous night.]]

===2016–2020: Reunion and ''Dove''===
On February 8, 2016, the band launched an official web site announcing a limited summer reunion tour with dates in the UK, Ireland and the US.

In advance of the tour, the band performed two warm-up shows in their hometown of [[Newport, Rhode Island]], on July 8 and 9,<ref>{{cite web|last1=Marotta|first1=Michael|title=Super Connected: Belly to play first shows in 20 years this weekend in Newport|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2016/07/06/super-connected-belly-play-first-shows-20-years-weekend-newport/|website=Vanyaland|access-date=6 July 2016|date=6 July 2016}}</ref> the band's first live appearances since 1995.<ref>{{cite web|last1=Sheley|first1=Matt|title=Together again: Rock band Belly set to tour 20 years after breakup|url=http://www.newportri.com/newportdailynews/news/page_one/together-again/article_abc2f553-d095-542c-85e4-c02234f756fa.html|website=[[The Newport Daily News]]|access-date=9 July 2016|archive-date=10 July 2016|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20160710001945/http://www.newportri.com/newportdailynews/news/page_one/together-again/article_abc2f553-d095-542c-85e4-c02234f756fa.html|url-status=dead}}</ref> Two new songs, "Human Child" and "Army of Clay" were debuted on the tour that followed, hinting that the band was evolving, while at the same time maintaining familiar elements of the Belly "sound" of the past.

Belly announced in July 2017 that they had begun recording a third album, to be titled ''[[Dove (Belly album)|Dove]]''.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belly Are Making Their First New Album in 22 Years|url=https://www.spin.com/2017/07/belly-band-new-album/|website=Spin|access-date=19 September 2017|date=11 July 2017}}</ref><ref name="pledgemusic.com">{{cite web|url=http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/belly/updates/91815 |title=New Album: DOVE: ALBUM TITLE AT LAST!!|website=PledgeMusic.com|access-date=1 December 2017}}</ref> On October 5, 2017, the band started a [[PledgeMusic]] campaign for the album, and the album was released on May 4, 2018.<ref>{{cite web |title= Belly Announce Crowdfunding Campaign For First New Album in 23 Years |url= https://www.stereogum.com/1965965/belly-announce-crowdfunding-campaign-for-first-new-album-in-23-years/news/ |website=Stereogum |access-date= 5 October 2017 |date=5 October 2017}}</ref> On October 26, 2017, the band released their cover of "[http://www.pledgemusic.com/projects/belly/updates/90241 Hushabye Mountain]" as an exclusive download on Pledgemusic- their first new recording in over 20 years.

"Shiny One", the first single from ''Dove'', was released on February 23, 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Belly shimmer and glow on new single 'Shiny One': New Sounds|url=http://www.vanyaland.com/2018/02/23/belly-shimmer-and-glow-on-new-single-shiny-one-new-sounds/|website=Vanyaland|access-date=23 February 2018|date=23 February 2018}}</ref> Preceding the release of ''Dove'', the band released the ''Feel'' EP for [[Record Store Day]] in April 2018.<ref>{{cite web|title=Record Store Day Exclusive Release! - BELLY|url=http://bellyofficial.com/2018/03/28/record-store-day-exclusive-release/|website=BELLY|access-date=23 April 2018|date=28 March 2018}}</ref>

In the summer and fall of 2018, the band went on a tour of the United States and Europe to promote the album.<ref>{{cite web |title=2 More East Coast Belly Shows in 2018 |url=https://bellyofficial.com/2018/08/29/2-more-east-coast-belly-shows-in-2018/ |website=BELLY |access-date=28 December 2018 |date=29 August 2018}}</ref><ref>{{cite web |title=BELLY UK TOUR MERCHANDISE in BELLY UK Store NOW! |url=https://bellyofficial.com/2018/06/22/belly-uk-tour-merchandise-in-belly-uk-store-now/ |website=BELLY |access-date=28 December 2018 |date=22 June 2018}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web|url=http://beintheloopchicago.com/belly-return-to-form-with-new-album-cult-following-and-mini-tour-that-ends-at-the-vic/|title=Belly Return To Form With New Album, Cult Following And Mini Tour That Ends At The Vic|last=Currie|first=James|date=2018-10-09|website=In The Loop Magazine|access-date=2018-12-05}}</ref>

For their 30th anniversary and for Record Store Day 2021, the band released a compilation of B-Sides and cover songs called ''Bees''. <ref>{{cite web|title=Belly: 'Bees' To Be Released For Record Story Day 2021|url=https://4ad.com/news/7/4/2021/beestobereleasedforrecordstoryday2021|website=4AD|access-date=2021-12-26|date=2021-03-07}}</ref>

==Style==
Belly vocalist Tanya Donelly's voice has been described as having a "fiery spark" with a "sweet rasp in her throat",<ref name=twsJunGkll>{{cite news
|author= Jude Rogers
|title= Tanya Donelly, This Hungry Life
|newspaper= The Guardian
|quote= ... her fiery spark and the sweet rasp in her throat haven't aged. Her allegorical songwriting, most famously showcased on Belly's 1993 hit Feed the Tree, ...
|date= 17 November 2006
|url= https://www.theguardian.com/music/2006/nov/17/popandrock8
|access-date= October 14, 2014
}}</ref> with a style described as "down to earth."<ref name=twsJunGxx>{{cite news
|author= Brooks Whitney
|title= That Cute-as-a-button Band Belly Is An Innie
|newspaper= Chicago Tribune
|quote= Tanya's a regular girl, ... Tanya walked up to a microphone and burped into it. ... down to earth this 'in' band is. ... cute pop-rock band
|date= June 6, 1995
|url= https://www.chicagotribune.com/1995/06/06/that-cute-as-a-button-band-belly-is-an-innie/
|access-date= October 14, 2014
}}</ref> Her lyrics are rich with celestial, mythological and fairytale-like imagery.{{editorializing|date=February 2022}} Musically the band finds its foundations in [[Guitar Rock (Time-Life Music)|guitar rock]], with sometimes quirky, but tightly composed arrangements that put a premium on melody.{{cn|date=February 2022}}

==Band members==
*[[Tanya Donelly]] – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1991–1996, 2016-present)
*Chris Gorman – drums (1991–1996, 2016-present)
*Thomas Gorman – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1991–1996, 2016-present)
*[[Gail Greenwood]] – bass, backing vocals (1993–1996, 2016-present)

'''Former members'''
*Fred Abong – bass (1991–1993)

===Timeline===
<div>
{{#tag:timeline|
ImageSize = width:900 height:auto barincrement:20
PlotArea = left:100 bottom:60 top:10 right:0
Alignbars = justify
DateFormat = dd/mm/yyyy
Period = from:01/01/1991 till:{{#time:d/m/Y}}
TimeAxis = orientation:horizontal format:yyyy
Legend = orientation:horizontal position:bottom
ScaleMajor = increment:4 start:1991
ScaleMinor = increment:1 start:1991

Colors =
id:vocals value:red legend:Vocals,_rhythm_guitar
id:guitar value:green legend:Lead_guitar,_keyboards
id:bass value:blue legend:Bass
id:drums value:orange legend:Drums
id:Lines value:black legend:Studio_album/EP
id:bars value:gray(0.95)

BackgroundColors = bars:bars

BarData =
bar:Tanya text:Tanya Donelly
bar:Thomas text:Thomas Gorman
bar:Fred text:Fred Abong
bar:Gail text:Gail Greenwood
bar:Chris text:Chris Gorman

PlotData=
width:10 textcolor:black align:left anchor:from shift:(10,-4)
bar:Tanya from:01/01/1991 till:31/12/1995 color:vocals
bar:Tanya from:08/02/2016 till:end color:vocals
bar:Thomas from:01/01/1991 till:31/12/1995 color:guitar
bar:Thomas from:08/02/2016 till:end color:guitar
bar:Fred from:01/01/1991 till:01/04/1993 color:bass
bar:Gail from:01/04/1993 till:31/12/1995 color:bass
bar:Gail from:08/02/2016 till:end color:bass
bar:Chris from:01/01/1991 till:31/12/1995 color:drums
bar:Chris from:08/02/2016 till:end color:drums

LineData =
at:02/02/1993 color:black layer:back
at:14/02/1995 color:black layer:back
at:04/05/2018 color:black layer:back
}}
</div>


==Discography==
==Discography==
===Studio albums===
{| class="wikitable"
! Year
! Album details
|-
| 1993
| ''[[Star (Belly album)|Star]]''
* Release date: February 2, 1993
* Label: [[Sire Records]], [[Reprise Records]]
|-
| 1995
| ''[[King (Belly album)|King]]''
* Release date: February 14, 1995
* Label: Sire Records, Reprise Records
|-
| 2018
| ''[[Dove (Belly album)|Dove]]''
* Release date: May 4, 2018
* Label: Belly Touring LLC
|}


===Albums===
===Extended plays===
*''Slow Dust'' (1992)<ref name="The Great Rock Discography"/>
*''[[Star (album)|Star]]'' (4AD, 1993)
*''Gepetto'' (1992)
*''Baby Silvertooth'' (Japanese import, 1993)
*''[[King (album)|King]]'' (4AD, 1995)
*''Feed the Tree'' (1993)
*''Moon'' (1993)
*''Sweet Ride: the Best of Belly'' (Rhino, 2002)
*''Seal My Fate'' (1995)
*''Now They'll Sleep'' (1995)
*''Super-Connected'' (1995)
*''Sun'' (1995)
*''Feel'' (2018)


===Singles/EPs===
===Singles===
{|class="wikitable plainrowheaders" style="text-align:center;" border="1"
*''Gepetto'' (4AD/Warner Brothers, 1992)
|+Belly singles and chart placements
*''Slowdust'' (4AD, 1992)
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Year
*''Feed the Tree'' (4AD/Warner Brothers, 1993)
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Song
*''Are You Experienced'' (Warner Brothers, 1994)
!scope="col" colspan="3"|Peak chart positions
*''Moon'' (Reprise, 1994)
!scope="col" rowspan="2"|Album
*''Super-Connected'' (4AD, 1994)
|-
*''Now They'll Sleep'' (4AD, 1995)
!scope="col" | [[Billboard Hot 100|US]]<br /><ref name="billboard">{{cite web|url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/belly-mn0000789340/awards|title=((( Belly > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles ))) |website=allmusic |access-date=2016-07-10}}</ref>
*''Seal My Fate'' (4AD, 1995)
!scope="col" | [[Alternative Songs|US Alt.]]<br /><ref name="billboard"/>
*''Sun'' (Sire/Reprise, 1995)
!scope="col" | [[UK Singles Chart|UK]]<br /><ref name="uksingles">{{cite web|url=http://www.officialcharts.com/artist/28491/belly/|title=Belly Official Chart History |publisher=[[Official Charts Company]] |access-date=2016-07-10}}</ref>
|-
| 1992
|scope="row" align=left| "Gepetto"
| 113
| 8
| 49
|align=left rowspan="4"| ''Star''
|-
|rowspan="3"| 1993
|scope="row" align=left| "[[Feed the Tree]]"
| 95
| 1
| 32
|-
|scope="row" align=left| "Moon"
| —
| —
| —
|-
|scope="row" align=left| "Slow Dog"
| —
| 17
| —
|-
|rowspan="1"| 1994
|scope="row" align=left| "[[Are You Experienced? (song)|Are You Experienced?]]"
| —
| —
| —
|scope="row" align=left| ''Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix''
|-
|rowspan="4"| 1995
|scope="row" align=left| "Super-Connected"
| —
| 35
| —
|align=left rowspan="4"| ''King''
|-
|scope="row" align=left| "Now They'll Sleep"
| 103
| 17
| 28
|-
|scope="row" align=left| "Red"
| —
| —
| —
|-
|scope="row" align=left| "Seal My Fate"
| —
| —
| 35
|-
|2017
|scope="row" align=left| "[[Hushabye Mountain]]"
| —
| —
| —
|{{n/a|Non-album single}}
|-
|rowspan="2"|2018
|scope="row" align=left| "Shiny One"
| —
| —
| —
|align=left rowspan="2"|''Dove''
|-
|scope="row" align="left"| "Stars Align"
| —
| —
| —
|-
| align="center" colspan="18" style="font-size: 85%"| "—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.
|}


===Compilation albums===
==References==
*''Baby Silvertooth'' (1993) – Japanese release
* Bardin, Brantley. [http://www.4ad.com/artists/catalogue/belly/biography.htm 4AD band biography]. Retrieved Dec. 11, 2004.
*''Sweet Ride: The Best of Belly'' (2002)
* [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47818DC4FAB7320C0803A45C4B772E007D755FB823E394B5DD3BA7F4B82006AF554E7868AE0A829F87DB0FD29BB580FD3CFA257FED6623D378EE6B61145&uid=MIW020504270040&sql=11:nnkku3l5an4k~T2 "Belly Discography."] ''All Music Guide''. Retrieved Dec. 11, 2004.
*''Bees'' (2021)
* Erlewine, Stephen Thomas. [http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&token=ADFEAEE47818DC4FAB7320C0803A45C4B772E007D755FB823E394B5DD3BA7F4B82006AF554E7868AE0A829F878ADE02FA5450DD3CAEA1AF8D66434378CEEB60045&sql=11:fq5e8qxtbtz4~T1 All Music Group biography] Retrieved Dec. 11, 2004.
* Koradi, Reto ([[February 27]], [[1995]]). [http://www.westnet.com/consumable/1995/Feb27.1995/revbelly.html "Review: Belly, King"]. ''Consumable''. Retrieved Apr. 13, 2005.
* Le, Vinh (1996&ndash;2005). [http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1625/belly_discography.html "Belly Discography"]. ''Vinh Le's Belly/Tanya Donelly Pages''. Retrieved Apr. 26, 2005.
* Obrecht, Jas (March 1995). "Belly Up! The Rise of Tanya Donelly & Tom Gorman". ''Guitar Player''. Retrieved Apr. 13, 2005.
* [http://www.fortapache.net/tanyadonelly/disc/disc.html "Tanya Donelly Discography."] ''Fort Apache website''. Retrieved Apr. 26, 2005.
* [http://www.fortapache.net/tanyadonelly/history/history.html "Tanya Donelly History."] ''Fort Apache website''. Retrieved Apr. 26, 2005.
* White, Timothy ([[January 16]], [[1993]]). [http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1625/belly_billboard011693.html "Discovering Belly's Personal Politics"]. ''Billboard''. Retrieved Apr. 17, 2005.


==Song samples==
===Songs contributed===
*''[[Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix]]'' (1993) – "[[Are You Experienced? (song)|Are You Experienced?]]"
* [http://www.4ad.com/artists/catalogue/belly/discography.htm Audio samples at 4AD site]
*''Generation X: Alternative Point of View'' (1994) – "Feed The Tree"
* [http://www.rhino.com/retrovid/VideoKeeper.lasso?Artist=Belly Belly videos at Rhino Records Retrovid pages]
*''Just Say Roe (Just Say Yes Vol. 7)'' (1994) – "It's Not Unusual"
*''With Honors'' [Soundtrack] (1994) – "It's Not Unusual"
*''UMPF'' (1995) – "Now They'll Sleep"
*''[[Mallrats (soundtrack)|Mallrats]]'' [Soundtrack] (1995) – "Broken"
*''Sharks Patrol These Waters'' (1995) – "White Belly"
*''[[This Is Fort Apache]]'' (1995) – "Star"
*''[[Tank Girl (film)#Soundtrack|Tank Girl]]'' [Soundtrack] (1995) – "Thief"
*''Safe and Sound: A Benefit In Response To The Brookline Clinic Violence '' (1996) – "Think About Your Troubles"
*''A Bunch O' Hits: The Best Rock of the 90's, Vol. 1'' (1996) – "Feed The Tree"
*''In Defense of Animals, Volume 2'' (1996) – "Spaceman"
*''Twister'' [Soundtrack] (1996) – "Broken"
*''The Rolling Stone Women in Rock Collection'' (1998) – "Feed The Tree"
*''Intimate Portrait: Women in Rock'' (1999) – "Feed The Tree"
*''Out of Bounds: Journey Through Modern Rock'' (1999) – "Gepetto"
*''Double Shot: Pop Alternative'' (2000) – "Feed The Tree"
*''Rick and Morty'' [S1:Ep8] (2014) - "Seal My Fate"

==See also==
{{Portal bar|1990s}}

==References==
{{Reflist}}


{{Belly}}
==External links==
*[http://www.4ad.com/artists/catalogue/belly/discography.htm 4AD official Belly pages]
*[http://www.geocities.com/Hollywood/1625/belly.html Vinh Le's Belly/Tanya Donelly pages]
*[http://www.tanyadonelly.com/ Tanya Donelly artist site]
* [http://www.fortapache.net/tanyadonelly/index.html Tanya Donelly site at Fort Apache]
*[http://sealmyfate.wiw.org/ Seal My Fate fan site with lyrics]


{{Authority control}}
[[Category: Alternative musical groups]]
[[Category: American musical groups]]


[[Category:1991 establishments in Rhode Island]]
[[nl:belly]]
[[Category:4AD artists]]
[[Category:Alternative rock groups from Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Musical groups disestablished in 1996]]
[[Category:Musical groups established in 1991]]
[[Category:Musical groups from Rhode Island]]
[[Category:Musical groups reestablished in 2016]]
[[Category:American musical quartets]]
[[Category:Reprise Records artists]]
[[Category:Sire Records artists]]
[[Category:Warner Records artists]]
[[Category:Sibling musical groups]]
[[Category:American dream pop musical groups]]
[[Category:Jangle pop groups]]

Latest revision as of 10:56, 2 October 2024

This article is about the rock band. For other uses, see Belly (disambiguation).
Belly
Belly in 2017. Clockwise from upper left: Chris Gorman (drums), Thomas Gorman (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tanya Donelly (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gail Greenwood (bass, backing vocals).
Belly in 2017. Clockwise from upper left: Chris Gorman (drums), Thomas Gorman (lead guitar, backing vocals), Tanya Donelly (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Gail Greenwood (bass, backing vocals).
Background information
OriginNewport, Rhode Island, United States
GenresAlternative rock, dream pop, jangle pop
Years active1991–1996, 2016–present
LabelsSire, Reprise, Warner Bros., 4AD, Belly Touring
Spinoff of
MembersTanya Donelly
Chris Gorman
Thomas Gorman
Gail Greenwood
Past membersFred Abong
Websitebellyofficial.com

Belly is an alternative rock band formed in Rhode Island in 1991 by Tanya Donelly. The original lineup consisted of Donelly on vocals and guitar, Fred Abong on bass, and brothers Tom and Chris Gorman on guitar and drums respectively.[1] The band released two albums during the early 1990s alternative rock boom before breaking up in 1995. They reunited in 2016 and mounted limited tours in the United States and United Kingdom that year.

In 1993, their debut album Star was released, and its lead single "Feed the Tree" would be Belly's biggest hit song, peaking at number one on Billboard's Modern Rock Tracks chart and number 95 on the Hot 100. Several additional singles from the album also appeared on the Modern Rock Tracks chart.

Shortly after the release of Star, Abong left the group and was replaced by Gail Greenwood. The band released their second album, King, in early 1995. Commercial and critical success did not match Star and the band broke up at the end of that year. Donelly embarked on a long solo career. She reformed Belly in 2016 with the same lineup that had recorded King, and their third album, Dove, was released in 2018.

History

[edit]

1992–93: Formation and Star

[edit]

All four original members of Belly knew each other from high school on Aquidneck Island, Rhode Island. The Gormans and Abong came out of the Newport hardcore punk scene (the Gormans having played in Verbal Assault, Abong in Vicious Circle). Donelly had previously co-founded two Boston-based indie rock bands, Throwing Muses and The Breeders, the former with her step-sister Kristin Hersh and the latter with Kim Deal of the Pixies.

Donelly named the band "Belly" because she thought the word was "both pretty and ugly."[2] The band played their first concert on March 14, 1992 at the 3's bar in their hometown of Newport, Rhode Island.[3]

The band's debut EP, Slow Dust (1992), made it to number one on the United Kingdom indie chart. Soon after, their single "Feed the Tree" made the Top 40 in the UK Singles Chart and their first album, Star (1993), hit number two on the UK Albums Chart.[4]

In the United States, the album was RIAA certified gold, largely based on the success of "Feed the Tree" on Modern Rock radio stations and MTV, where the video was featured as part of MTV's Buzz Bin videos and Alternative Nation video show for much of 1993. Two follow-up singles were released, "Gepetto" and "Slow Dog," but neither matched the initial success of "Feed the Tree." Belly was nominated for two Grammys in 1994: Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Performance for Star. The album went on to sell over 800,000 copies in the US alone. On several early '93 tour dates in the US and the UK, former Throwing Muses member Leslie Langston lent a hand on bass.[5] In early 1993, they embarked on a 'joint headliner' tour with Radiohead. Following a short warm up tour of smaller venues in the UK also in early 1993, they embarked upon a larger tour where they were supported by the Cranberries.[citation needed]

1994–96: King and break-up

[edit]

Just after the release of Star, bassist Fred Abong left and was replaced by Gail Greenwood. Greenwood was originally a guitar player in a Boston-area metal band before being recruited to play bass in Belly. The live sound of the band evolved to accommodate her style, with its shows featuring more electric guitar than before and less of the dreamy quality of its first album.

As a result, the group's next album, King (1995), was more rock and roll oriented. The album's sales did not meet label expectations, and its numerous singles failed to sustain any significant airplay on Modern Rock radio. Belly appeared on the April 20, 1995, cover of Rolling Stone magazine. The band also performed "Superconnected" on the Late Show with David Letterman in June that year. It was one of the band's last major U.S television appearances.[6] In the summer of 1995, Belly was one of the support bands in Europe for R.E.M. on their world tour, then finished out the year extensively touring the US with Catherine Wheel and Jewel as support acts.

In 1996, Donelly broke up the band. Speaking to Q, she explained the reasons behind her decision: "The first couple of years of Belly were a blast. Star was a big hit and we partied hard. But by the time we went to make King, there was a lot of negative stuff going on. King was a reaction to the bright shininess of Star and we weren't surprised when it didn't sell. I regret not making another Belly album, but at the time I thought, Screw it, I'm outta here."[7]

After the break-up Tanya Donelly started a successful solo career and has since released several solo albums.[4] Greenwood went on to stints playing bass for L7 and for Bif Naked, while playing guitar in her own Rhode Island–based band Benny Sizzler. Tom Gorman played briefly with Buffalo Tom, then on tour in 1999 with Kristin Hersh before joining up with his brother Chris in a commercial photography business based in New York City. Fred Abong first worked post-Belly as a carpenter "working in a high-end woodworking shop making fancy cabinets for rich people",[7] then went on to earn a PhD in philosophy.

Belly performing at the Glasgow Garage on 16 June 2018. The gig had to be moved at short notice due to the fire at the Glasgow School of Art the previous night.
Belly performing Dove at the Glasgow Garage on June 16, 2018. The gig had to be moved at short notice due to the fire at the Glasgow School of Art destroying the O2 ABC the previous night.

2016–2020: Reunion and Dove

[edit]

On February 8, 2016, the band launched an official web site announcing a limited summer reunion tour with dates in the UK, Ireland and the US.

In advance of the tour, the band performed two warm-up shows in their hometown of Newport, Rhode Island, on July 8 and 9,[8] the band's first live appearances since 1995.[9] Two new songs, "Human Child" and "Army of Clay" were debuted on the tour that followed, hinting that the band was evolving, while at the same time maintaining familiar elements of the Belly "sound" of the past.

Belly announced in July 2017 that they had begun recording a third album, to be titled Dove.[10][11] On October 5, 2017, the band started a PledgeMusic campaign for the album, and the album was released on May 4, 2018.[12] On October 26, 2017, the band released their cover of "Hushabye Mountain" as an exclusive download on Pledgemusic- their first new recording in over 20 years.

"Shiny One", the first single from Dove, was released on February 23, 2018.[13] Preceding the release of Dove, the band released the Feel EP for Record Store Day in April 2018.[14]

In the summer and fall of 2018, the band went on a tour of the United States and Europe to promote the album.[15][16][17]

For their 30th anniversary and for Record Store Day 2021, the band released a compilation of B-Sides and cover songs called Bees. [18]

Style

[edit]

Belly vocalist Tanya Donelly's voice has been described as having a "fiery spark" with a "sweet rasp in her throat",[19] with a style described as "down to earth."[20] Her lyrics are rich with celestial, mythological and fairytale-like imagery.[editorializing] Musically the band finds its foundations in guitar rock, with sometimes quirky, but tightly composed arrangements that put a premium on melody.[citation needed]

Band members

[edit]
  • Tanya Donelly – lead vocals, rhythm guitar (1991–1996, 2016-present)
  • Chris Gorman – drums (1991–1996, 2016-present)
  • Thomas Gorman – lead guitar, backing vocals, keyboards (1991–1996, 2016-present)
  • Gail Greenwood – bass, backing vocals (1993–1996, 2016-present)

Former members

  • Fred Abong – bass (1991–1993)

Timeline

[edit]

Discography

[edit]

Studio albums

[edit]
Year Album details
1993 Star
1995 King
  • Release date: February 14, 1995
  • Label: Sire Records, Reprise Records
2018 Dove
  • Release date: May 4, 2018
  • Label: Belly Touring LLC

Extended plays

[edit]
  • Slow Dust (1992)[4]
  • Gepetto (1992)
  • Feed the Tree (1993)
  • Moon (1993)
  • Seal My Fate (1995)
  • Now They'll Sleep (1995)
  • Super-Connected (1995)
  • Sun (1995)
  • Feel (2018)

Singles

[edit]
Belly singles and chart placements
Year Song Peak chart positions Album
US
[21] 		US Alt.
[21] 		UK
[22]
1992 "Gepetto" 113 8 49 Star
1993 "Feed the Tree" 95 1 32
"Moon" — — —
"Slow Dog" — 17 —
1994 "Are You Experienced?" — — — Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix
1995 "Super-Connected" — 35 — King
"Now They'll Sleep" 103 17 28
"Red" — — —
"Seal My Fate" — — 35
2017 "Hushabye Mountain" — — — Non-album single
2018 "Shiny One" — — — Dove
"Stars Align" — — —
"—" denotes releases that did not chart or were not released in that region.

Compilation albums

[edit]
  • Baby Silvertooth (1993) – Japanese release
  • Sweet Ride: The Best of Belly (2002)
  • Bees (2021)

Songs contributed

[edit]
  • Stone Free: A Tribute to Jimi Hendrix (1993) – "Are You Experienced?"
  • Generation X: Alternative Point of View (1994) – "Feed The Tree"
  • Just Say Roe (Just Say Yes Vol. 7) (1994) – "It's Not Unusual"
  • With Honors [Soundtrack] (1994) – "It's Not Unusual"
  • UMPF (1995) – "Now They'll Sleep"
  • Mallrats [Soundtrack] (1995) – "Broken"
  • Sharks Patrol These Waters (1995) – "White Belly"
  • This Is Fort Apache (1995) – "Star"
  • Tank Girl [Soundtrack] (1995) – "Thief"
  • Safe and Sound: A Benefit In Response To The Brookline Clinic Violence (1996) – "Think About Your Troubles"
  • A Bunch O' Hits: The Best Rock of the 90's, Vol. 1 (1996) – "Feed The Tree"
  • In Defense of Animals, Volume 2 (1996) – "Spaceman"
  • Twister [Soundtrack] (1996) – "Broken"
  • The Rolling Stone Women in Rock Collection (1998) – "Feed The Tree"
  • Intimate Portrait: Women in Rock (1999) – "Feed The Tree"
  • Out of Bounds: Journey Through Modern Rock (1999) – "Gepetto"
  • Double Shot: Pop Alternative (2000) – "Feed The Tree"
  • Rick and Morty [S1:Ep8] (2014) - "Seal My Fate"

See also

[edit]

References

[edit]
  1. ^ Britton, Luke Morgan (February 9, 2016). "Belly announce reunion 20 years after '90s split". NME. Retrieved February 9, 2016.
  2. ^ "Belly". 4AD. Archived from the original on 2006-02-09. Retrieved October 14, 2014.
  3. ^ "Belly official Facebook Page". Facebook. Archived from the original on 2022-02-26. Retrieved 8 August 2017.
  4. ^ a b c Strong, Martin C. (2000). The Great Rock Discography (5th ed.). Edinburgh: Mojo Books. pp. 73–74. ISBN 1-84195-017-3.
  5. ^ "Belly Biography". Archived from the original on October 3, 2011. Retrieved Oct 26, 2012.
  6. ^ "Belly – RS 706 (April 20, 1995)". Rolling Stone. Archived from the original on October 2, 2007. Retrieved 2007-03-04.
  7. ^ a b Stubbs, Dan (December 2007). "Where Are They Now? – Belly". Q Magazine: 35.
  8. ^ Marotta, Michael (6 July 2016). "Super Connected: Belly to play first shows in 20 years this weekend in Newport". Vanyaland. Retrieved 6 July 2016.
  9. ^ Sheley, Matt. "Together again: Rock band Belly set to tour 20 years after breakup". The Newport Daily News. Archived from the original on 10 July 2016. Retrieved 9 July 2016.
  10. ^ "Belly Are Making Their First New Album in 22 Years". Spin. 11 July 2017. Retrieved 19 September 2017.
  11. ^ "New Album: DOVE: ALBUM TITLE AT LAST!!". PledgeMusic.com. Retrieved 1 December 2017.
  12. ^ "Belly Announce Crowdfunding Campaign For First New Album in 23 Years". Stereogum. 5 October 2017. Retrieved 5 October 2017.
  13. ^ "Belly shimmer and glow on new single 'Shiny One': New Sounds". Vanyaland. 23 February 2018. Retrieved 23 February 2018.
  14. ^ "Record Store Day Exclusive Release! - BELLY". BELLY. 28 March 2018. Retrieved 23 April 2018.
  15. ^ "2 More East Coast Belly Shows in 2018". BELLY. 29 August 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  16. ^ "BELLY UK TOUR MERCHANDISE in BELLY UK Store NOW!". BELLY. 22 June 2018. Retrieved 28 December 2018.
  17. ^ Currie, James (2018-10-09). "Belly Return To Form With New Album, Cult Following And Mini Tour That Ends At The Vic". In The Loop Magazine. Retrieved 2018-12-05.
  18. ^ "Belly: 'Bees' To Be Released For Record Story Day 2021". 4AD. 2021-03-07. Retrieved 2021-12-26.
  19. ^ Jude Rogers (17 November 2006). "Tanya Donelly, This Hungry Life". The Guardian. Retrieved October 14, 2014. ... her fiery spark and the sweet rasp in her throat haven't aged. Her allegorical songwriting, most famously showcased on Belly's 1993 hit Feed the Tree, ...
  20. ^ Brooks Whitney (June 6, 1995). "That Cute-as-a-button Band Belly Is An Innie". Chicago Tribune. Retrieved October 14, 2014. Tanya's a regular girl, ... Tanya walked up to a microphone and burped into it. ... down to earth this 'in' band is. ... cute pop-rock band
  21. ^ a b "( Belly > Charts & Awards > Billboard Singles )". allmusic. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
  22. ^ "Belly Official Chart History". Official Charts Company. Retrieved 2016-07-10.
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