Howling Bells formed in 2005 with Juanita Stein on vocals and guitar, her brother Joel Stein on guitar, Gary Daines on bass, and Glen Skinner on drums. Their self-titled debut album came out the following year, drawing comparisons to Mazzy Star and Siouxsie and the Banshees for its ethereal sound and Juanita's haunting delivery.
They followed that with Radio Wars in 2009, The Loudest Engine in 2013, and Heartstrings in 2016. Songs like Let's Be Kids and The Bell Hit show their mix of atmospheric rock and melodic hooks. The band collaborated with Chris Robinson of The Black Crowes and Mark Lanegan at various points.
In 2012, Joel Stein faced a serious health issue that threatened the band's future. They managed to continue, but the experience inevitably shaped their work. Their music stayed grounded in that moody, guitar-driven sound, never quite breaking into mainstream popularity but maintaining a dedicated following.
Keep it compact: a lyric you come back to, a live memory, or the part of the catalog you would point someone toward first.
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