Hello Brian from Bell X1!
Hello Slashmusic!

Are you still drunk after St. Patrick's Day?
Dublin is not a pleasant place on St. Patrick's. All my friends outside of Ireland think that we are so lucky to spend the day in Dublin, but it can be an ugly sight. It's like a Simpson's caricature of people fighting and puking. It's a day better spent hiding under the bed.

No 'hilarious' Irish hats?
Ha ha ha… No.

Are you the most famous band in Ireland?
Oh Jeezus, no. U2 are.

How about second most famous?
At the moment, it looks pretty good for us. I mean Snow Patrol are in the frame and we're on the same level as them here.

Are Snow Patrol not a bit Scottish though?
No, they're from Belfast, but they describe themselves more as being Scottish which is strange.

Are all Irish bands cursed forever to live in the shadow of the '2?
It's not possible to be bigger than U2 anymore. The days of the stadium rock bands conquering the world are finished.

You've been reminding people on your website to download your single. Are you not worried lunatic fans will download too many copies and you will be branded great big cheats? (Hello, The Modern!)
That is worrying, actually. It really wasn't an idea to try and take the charts over, just an idea to help us along with the English charts.

Now, have you ever been scared by a horse?
I am constantly scared by horses. I can't walk behind them. My gran was once kicked in the mouth by a horse and she lost all her teeth. But they grew back. Well, that's what I thought. She probably bought new ones.

What's the most revolting thing you've ever put in your mouth?
Sheep's brains. I didn't realize what it was until afterwards. It tasted like pepperoni.

Look, your band's name sounds a bit like Bell End 1 – which is still hilarious. Are you fed up of being told that?
No I think it's still very funny! We had the name for about two seconds and one of the road crew had re-christened us Bell End 1. It's OK, I embrace the bell end.

We've had a funny old time with pop types recently. What would we have to ask you to make you slam the phone down?
Just ask me about Damien Rice. It's way over written. We are so over that, yet every paragraph of every interview opens up with that.

But do you not think you were better when Damien was in the band?
Click! Brrrr!

Brian! I was only joking!
Ghostly voice Up yours, Slashmusic!

Watch Bell X1 videos