The Fountainhead was an Irish rock band founded by Steve Belton and Pat O'Donnell in 1982. In 1984, the duo won a music contest with a prize of 20 hours of recording time at

Windmill Lane Studios Windmill Lane Recording Studios (earlier Windmill Lane Studios) is a recording studio in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland. It was originally opened in 1978 by Brian Masterson and James Morris on Windmill Lane, and it subsequently relocated in ...

. They used this time to record their first single, "Rhythm Method", which they released independently in 1984. After the song became popular on Irish radio, they were offered a contract with

China Records China Records was a record label founded 1 October 1984 by Derek Green. Its top-selling artists were Art of Noise, Morcheeba and the Levellers. In 1986 and 1987, China Records releases were manufactured and marketed worldwide by Chrysalis R ...

. The band's name comes from the novel of the same name by the Objectivist author and philosopher,

Ayn Rand Alice O'Connor (born Alisa Zinovyevna Rosenbaum; , 1905March 6, 1982), better known by her pen name Ayn Rand (), was a Russian-born American writer and philosopher. She is known for her fiction and for developing a philosophical system which s ...

. China Records released the band's first studio album, ''The Burning Touch'', in 1986. For touring, Belton and O'Donnell brought in drummer Peter McKinney, bass player Willie Demange, and keyboardist Phil Rennick. The expanded lineup debuted on 17 May 1986 at the

Self Aid Self Aid was an unemployment benefit concert held in Dublin, Republic of Ireland, Ireland on 17 May 1986. The concert performances were primarily by Irish musicians, although Elvis Costello and Chris Rea, both Englishmen of Irish descent, were de ...

benefit concert A benefit concert or charity concert is a type of musical benefit performance (e.g., concert, show, or gala) featuring musicians, comedians, or other performers that is held for a charitable purpose, often directed at a specific and immediate h ...

. Their performance of the song "Feel It Now" appeared on the follow-up '' Live for Ireland'' charity album. The Fountainhead began a North American tour in November 1986. Songs from their final American show, at

Whisky a Go Go The Whisky a Go Go (informally nicknamed The Whisky) is a historic nightclub in West Hollywood, California, United States. It is located at 8901 Sunset Boulevard on the Sunset Strip, corner North Clark Street, opposite North San Vicente Boulev ...

on 9 December 1986, were recorded and released as an EP in 1987. Their second and final studio album, ''Voice of Reason'', was released in 1988. The group disbanded in 1990.

Discography

Albums

* ''The Burning Touch'' (1986) * ''Live'' (EP, 1987) * ''Voice of Reason'' (1988)

Singles

* "Rhythm Method" (1984) * "Feel It Now" (1986) IRE #30 * "Seeing Is Believing" (1986) * "So Good Now" & Heart & Soul (1987) China Records WOK 13 * "Someone Like You" (1988) * "Angel" (1988)

References

{{DEFAULTSORT:Fountainhead (band) 1982 establishments in Ireland Irish rock music groups Irish pop rock music groups Irish power pop groups Irish new wave musical groups Musical groups established in 1982 Musical groups disestablished in 1990 Musical groups from Dublin (city) China Records artists Chrysalis Records artists 1980s in Irish music 1990s in Irish music