Today marks 26 years since the release of alt-rock band Belly's surprise hit debut album Star. The record was released on Sire and Reprise Records and went on to sell more than 800,000 copies domestically. Definitely one of the most interesting bands of the 90s.
Star - Belly
While from Rhode Island, the group were largely associated with the Boston music scene of the early 90s. They were formed by Tanya Donelly of The Breeders and Throwing Muses, the latter of whom worked with producer Gil Norton (Echo & the Bunnymen, Pixies) who would go on to produce Star.
Recorded at Sound Emporium Studios in Nashville and Amazon Studios in Liverpool, UK, the album peaked at number one on the US Heatseekers Albums chart and was nominated for two Grammys for Best New Artist and Best Alternative Music Performance.
No-one expected Star to see this much success. It immediately followed their EP Slow Dust, which had reached number 2 in the UK indie chart the previous year thanks to the success of the single Feed the Tree which also featured on Star. The song went on to be a number one hit on the Billboard Modern Rock Tracks chart, with the video being nominated for Best Alternative Video and Best New Artist at the MTV Video Music Awards.
After the album's release, Belly had a joint headline tour with Radiohead, and yet another tour later with support from the Cranberries. They didn't manage to match the success of Star with 1995's King; original bassist Fred Abong left the band soon after the release of Star which ultimately altered the group's sound.
Last year, though, Belly released a third album entitled Dove as part of their reunion. It was a crowdfunded project that came after a successful comeback tour with original members Thomas Gorman and Chris Gorman, as well as Gail Greenwood who replaced Fred Abong.