Beanbag (band)

{{Short description|Australian Christian metal band}} {{Other uses|Bean bag (disambiguation)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=July 2014}} {{Use Australian English|date=July 2014}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Beanbag | image = | image_size = | landscape =  | alt = | caption = | alias = | origin = [[Brisbane]], Queensland, Australia | genre = [[Christian rock]], [[alternative metal]], [[nu metal]] | years_active = {{start date|1995}}–{{end date|2002}} | label = {{flatlist| * Toupee * [[Inpop Records|Inpop]] }} | associated_acts = | website =  | past_members = * Philip "Hirvy" Hirvela * Michael Mullins * [[Hunz|Hans Van Vliet]] * Phil Usher * Colin Hockey * Steven Lewis-Driver * Jesse Palmer }}

'''Beanbag''' was an Australian [[Christian metal|Christian]] [[alternative metal]] band that formed in 1995 in [[Brisbane]] and broke up in late 2002. The group consisted of Phillip "Hirvy" Hirvela on bass guitar, Michael Mullins on lead guitar, [[Hunz|Hans "Hunz" Van Vliet]] on lead vocals, and Phil Usher on drums. In 1999 the group relocated to [[Nashville, Tennessee|Nashville]], Tennessee. Steven Lewis-Driver assumed the bass position when Hirvy left the band in early 2002. Jesse Palmer also filled in on guitar after Mullins returned to Australia a couple months before the band's demise. They released two albums on United States label, [[Inpop Records]], ''Free Signal'' (2000) and ''Welladjusted'' (2001).

== History ==

Beanbag formed in Brisbane in 1995 as a "hardcore Christian rock group" by Phil "Hirvy" Hirvela on bass guitar, Michael Mullins on lead guitar and [[Hunz|Hans "Hunz" Van Vliet]] on lead vocals.<ref name="Daams">{{cite web | title = A Feature Article: Best Bean Bags | last = | first = | work = Techno Vigor| publisher = Himani }}</ref><ref name="Dillon">{{cite web | url=http://www.allmusic.com/artist/beanbag-mn0000789286 | title = Beanbag | Biography & History | last = Dillon | first = Charlotte | publisher = [[AllMusic]] | accessdate = 2 November 2016 }}</ref> A year later Phil Usher joined on drums.<ref name="Daams"/>

''Guttersnipe'', a seven-track extended play, was released on independent Australian label Toupee Records in June 1998. It was recorded at Groundswell studio with co-production by the group and Mark McElligott, it was engineered at Sunshine Studios by McElligott.<ref name="Guttersnipe">{{cite AV media | people = Beanbag | date = June 1998 | title = Guttersnipe | medium = liner notes | publisher = Toupee Records | id = T30113 }}</ref>

In mid-1999 they were the first act signed to United States label, [[Inpop Records]], which was established in Nashville by [[Peter Furler]] (of [[Newsboys]]), his manager Wes Campbell and Brisbane-based businessman, Dale Bray.<ref name="Evans Price">{{cite magazine | title = A Newsboy Joins Inpop Venture | last = Evans Price | first = Deborah | magazine = [[Billboard (magazine)|Billboard]] | pages = 8, 85 | date = 24 July 1999 | issn = 0006-2510 }}</ref> Their debut album, ''Free Signal'' (2000) included five tracks from ''Guttersnipe'' and new material recorded at Sunshine Studios with McElligott co-producing.<ref name="Daams"/> Hirvy described how "Some of the newer songs are a bit more melodic but still intense. We've also got a bit of electronica, some Indian [[Tabla|tablas]] (drums) and upright bass. We've always written music with groove in mind, so the new stuff is still old Beanbag, but with some new sounds and more melodic intensity."<ref name="Daams"/>

John Dibase of ''Jesus Freak Hideout'' rated ''Free Signal'' at three-and-a-half stars, and explained that it is "a solid album with intricate, and down-right intriguing songs that may seem unorganized and spontaneous at first, but further listens reveal the method behind the madness."<ref name="Dibase">{{cite web | url = http://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/cdreviews/FreeSignal.asp | title = Beanbag, ''Free Signal'' Review | last = Dibase | first = John | work = Jesus Freak Hideout | date = 8 January 2000 | accessdate = 2 November 2016 }}</ref>

During their time in the United States, Beanbag toured extensively (including touring with [[Newsboys]] and [[Sonicflood]] during the LoveLibertyDisco AirDome Tour), were nominated for two [[GMA Dove Awards]], and had songs featured on several television soundtracks. Their second album for Inpop, ''Welladjusted'' (2001), was also produced by McElligott.

The band broke up after a van accident occurred while driving back to Nashville. The driver swerved to avoid a deer on the interstate, and the van and trailer filled with their gear ended up in a ditch. Van Vliet was hospitalised for three days with lung damage. With no vehicle, no gear, and no vocalist, they had decided to disband.<ref name="HM Bio">{{cite web | archiveurl = https://web.archive.org/web/20030603211759/http://www.hmmagazine.com/oe/archives/000151.php | archivedate = 3 June 2003 | title = Beanbag Is Dead | publisher = HM Magazine, LLC | date = 23 April 2003 | work = HM Magazine | url = http://www.hmmagazine.com/oe/archives/000151.php | accessdate = 2 November 2016 | url-status = dead | df = dmy-all }}</ref>

== Discography == Source:<ref>{{Cite web |title=Beanbag Discography |url=https://www.jesusfreakhideout.com/artists/Beanbag.asp |access-date=2022-09-14 |website=Jesus Freak Hideout}}</ref>

* ''Welladjusted'' (2001, InPop)

* ''Free Signal'' (1999, InPop)

* ''Guttersnipe'', EP (1998, Toupee)

* ''Chubb'', EP (independent)

* ''The Dodgey Demo Tape'' (independent)

==References==

{{DEFAULTSORT:Beanbag (Band)}} [[Category:Australian Christian rock groups]] [[Category:Musical groups established in 1995]] [[Category:Inpop Records artists]]