A Familiar Ring

Every drummer from the 1960s will giggle when they hear “Wipe Out” played by the six bell ringers in Campanile, which blends music, showmanship, comedy and choreography to present a new way of interpreting old tunes.

While most English bell ringers mark their territory in churches during the Christmas season, Campanile breaks away from such tradition. A chance to see the group in action comes Saturday at Cal State Northridge.

“What we do is completely different,’ said Rima Greer, a ringer who composes and choreographs for the group. “It’s as different as seeing a classical group playing Vivaldi and watching KISS perform.”

Steve Reid, owner of Sonic Jungle Studio in North Hollywood, who is helping to produce the group’s new CD, said Campanile is admired for its originality.

“They like to take the instrument to the edge,” Reid said. “They do some New Age stuff. Sometimes the music is spooky, like suspense music in a film score.”

Members of the 12-year-old group fondly call themselves “Dead Ringers,” and their logo is a skeleton ringing a bell. Besides the six ringers that play the 61 Malmark concert bells, the group works with a keyboardist and a drummer.

“We like the big, fat sounds,” Greer said. “We like the melodic structure.”

They take much of their inspiration from theater acts, such as Stomp and Cirque du Soleil.

“They handle a big stage and a big crowd,” said Karen Hanan, executive director of Arts Northwest, a Washington state organization advocating support of the arts.

“They are the only group playing bells with a rock and roll attitude,” she said.

BE THERE

Campanile performs Saturday at 8 p.m. at Cal State Northridge Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Admission $15, students and seniors $12. Call (818) 677-2488.