Name: Shelter From The Smoke
Brand: Bill Fox

Bonus disc

Bonus disc: No

Catalogue number

SCAT 77 CD

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Colour

Colour details

Discogs ID

Format multiplier

Download code

Download code: No

Rough Trade Exclusive

Rough Trade Exclusive: No

Extended format

Extended format: No

Format detail

Format Music US

Limited edition

Release date

2020-11-27

Signed copies

Signed copies: No

Supplier US

Revol­ver

Tax rate US

Sales:8.875

UPC / Barcode

753417007727

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Total Cap

1 / CD / Extended format: No / Rough Trade Exclusive: No / Signed copies: No

Artist

Bill Fox

Genre US

Rock-Pop

Label US

Scat Records

Bill Fox is a Cleveland musician who fronted the garage pop band The Mice and released 2 solo albums before abruptly leaving the music industry in 1998. He semi-reluctantly returned to music in 2007 and released a third solo album in 2012.
With his unique blend of garage pop, folk rock, and lo-fi aesthetics, *Bill Fox* has carved out a distinctive place in the indie music scene. As the frontman of The Mice, he gained recognition for his catchy melodies and raw energy. After venturing into a solo career, Fox showcased his songwriting prowess through introspective lyrics and heartfelt performances.
Inspired by artists like Tobin Sprout, Franklin Bruno, and Robert Pollard, *Bill Fox* has influenced numerous musicians with his distinct sound. His music captures both vulnerability and resilience, resonating with listeners on an emotional level. Whether it's the infectious hooks or poignant storytelling, Fox's songs have an enduring quality that keeps fans coming back for more.

Scat Records offers up a definitive edition of Bill Fox's debut solo disc, Shelter from the Smoke, back in print after more than half a decade. Originally self-released in 1997 and reissued the following year by SpinArt, both previous versions featured different tracklists. This edition includes all songs from both versions, as well as the two tracks from a scarce 1996 Scat 7-inch.

Fox began his musical journey in early 1980s Cleveland with The Mice, who fused punk energy with British-Invasion-style songwriting and harmonies. He infamously dissolved the group on the eve of a European tour, then dropped out of the scene altogether, with an unfinished Mice LP in the can. In the early '90s, he began a series of home recordings which revealed a growing preference for acoustically based music, and formed the basis for Shelter from the Smoke as well as the follow-up Transit Byzantium. Shelter also includes four electric tracks recorded with Fox's short-lived band The Radio Flyers. After a 1998 tour, Fox once again dropped out of music. Now he is performing again. For how long, nobody knows. Fox is one of those rare musicians who really does not enjoy the limelight, even declining an interview with Joe Hagan of The Believer, who went so far as to fly to Cleveland in hopes of meeting him. That and his refusal to "be on the internet" has probably only helped the growing cadre of music fans who sees his solo albums as mysterious, lost classics. Or perhaps they just delight in the ringing sound of Fox's perfectly pitched voice or his deft lyricism. Either way, Fox's two solo albums are jewels not to be missed by anyone who enjoys traditional songcraft or iconic vocalists.

Shelter From The Smoke

Music US

Buy Bill Fox - Shelter From The Smoke (Vinyl, CD) now from Rough Trade - independent purveyors of great music, since 1976.