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Happy New Year!

We would like to thank Unherd Music http://unherdmusic.blogspot.com/ for inclusion on their Best Records of 2023.  Cheers !

 

Before I Go  is now available on all streaming platforms.

Introducing the opening track, “Where the North Winds Blow" by Belleville, an eagerly anticipated release that adds another chapter to the band's rich musical history. With their roots dating back to the 1980s, Belleville has been captivating audiences with their exceptional songwriting and remarkable performances. Led by guitarist/vocalist Mark Caputo, the band has shared the stage with renowned acts such as Roxy Music, Billy Idol, The English Beat, and Oingo Boingo.

"Where the North Winds Blow", is a new milestone for Belleville, showcasing their evolution as musicians. The song; meticulously crafted with the band's signature attention to detail, seamlessly blends indie folk and alternative rock influences. Mark's emotive vocals & production, Marc Burnstein’s songwriting and other-worldly cigar-box guitar and a great band featuring Jim Bogios/drums, Danny Eisenberg/piano & organ and David McCullough on bass guitar help create the band's dynamic instrumentation: a sonic landscape that is both introspective and exhilarating. Belleville's dedication to their craft and their ability to create timeless music is evident here, as the band embark on this new chapter. ~ Natasha Tigre

 

1  Where the North Winds Blow 4:54 
2  Before I Go 5:09 
3  I Won’t Be Sleeping Tonight 2:55 
4  Moonlight on the Waterline 3:38 
5  Hangin' Around 2:38
6  Let it Go 2:07 
7  One & Only (My Misha) 3:22 
8  Mary in the Window 2:03 
9  Something Good 3:24 
10  Beyond the Pale Blue 3:48

Produced by Mark Caputo 
Recorded, Mixed & Mastered by Marc Burnstein at Battery Park Studios (August, 2021 ~ April, 2023) 

Mark Caputo - vocals, acoustic & electric guitars, keyboards, e-bow, additional vocals
Marc Burnstein - electric, 12-string, slide, nylon-string & cigar-box guitars, vocals, percussion 
David McCullough - bass guitar 
Danny Eisenberg - piano, organ 
Jim Bogios - drums, bongos, tabla 

David Zirbel - pedal steel guitar on Moonlight on the Waterline 

 

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        discography & biograph

The story of Belleville begins with 19 year old guitarist/vocalist; Mark Caputo. In 1980 he joins Robert Seidler & Mr. Clean playing a variety of renowned local venues including the once ubiquitous Keystone circuit of Berkeley, Palo Alto and The Stone (SF). Other notable shows were The Old Waldorf, San Jose Civic and a one-time appearance on The Jerry Lewis Telethon in 1981. The band opened for such notables as Billy Idol, A Flock of Seagulls, The Undertones, The English Beat, The Plimsouls, Oingo Boingo & John Hiatt.

After departing Mr. Clean in October, 1982, Mark along with Steve Raschke & a little later; Nick Gardner form the group; A Private View (1983-1987). Within a couple months, Andy Scott (KUSF PD) begins managing the group and after another short period, hands the reins off to Queenie Taylor of Bill Graham Presents. Since the band’s inception only seven months earlier, the group receives their big break opening arena shows for Roxy Music in support of their seminal 1982 record; Avalon. 

During the late summer/autumn of 1983, the group starts selling out local venues and supporting other notables such as Brian Setzer, Bill Nelson, Nona Hendrix, Wire Train, Translator & Lena Lovich. The band was also given an opportunity to perform a set of original instrumental pieces (light show included) at a sold-out Morrison Planetarium in Golden Gate Park; Summer of 1984. During this time the band receives a significant amount of radio airplay, including station ID's on the modern rock station (KQAK/The Quake) later becoming KITS/Live 105. In April, 1986 they write & record with engineer extraordinaire, George Massenberg & producer Tony Berg and yield the track "Freedom" for the Terry Carr directed, "Welcome to Eighteen". They continue to record with Tony Berg and release a two-song single, Memory Lane/Our Town in late 1987,  but by January, 1988 the group decided to call it a day. (In 2011 Del-Tona Records released the retrospective The Golden Age 1983-1987)

In 1993 Mark joins the Anthony Bonet led group, that over the course of three years became Portashrine. The band  released two singles and in 1996 they recorded & released their only proper LP; Portashrine. They also performed at the CMJ Festival in NYC with the song In The Worst Way being a finalist for college radio song of the year.

In 1998, Mark along with George Railton (Portashrine), Robert Zapata (RIP) & Bruce Drake form Belleville and by mid-1999 begin recording the eponymous debut, and the follow-up; My Friends Are My Estate in 2002. During this period they receive a lot of favorable press as well as performing at Great American Music Hall, Cafe DuNord & Bottom of The Hill.

In 2011, Grammy award winning producer/engineer; John Cuniberti, teams up with Mark & Al Chan of The Rubinoos and a great cast of players and under the name Yep, records the excellent; Once. Well-known music writer; John Borack who’s written books on The Beatles and the acclaimed 'Shake Some Action', gave the record an enthusiastic review (A-) in late 2011. 

In late 2016, and nearly 20 years after they first formed in Oakland, CA, Belleville's well-honed musical craftsmanship yields their fourth and most fully-realized record, yet; Turn The Medicine Down.

October, 2020 see Bay Area stalwarts, Belleville quietly release a 6-song Single EP, Beyond The Pale Blue. Produced by the duo of Mark Caputo & Marc Burnstein, the band has frankly; hit one out of the park. Cowbell included!

The sixth LP from Belleville Before I Go is released on Del-tona Records in May, 2023.

                      Reviews