Helium (band)
| Helium | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Boston, Massachusetts |
| Genres | Noise pop, post-punk |
| Years active | 1992–1998 |
| Labels | Matador Records |
| Associated acts | Dumptruck, Autoclave, Team Sleep |
| Past members |
Mary Lou Lord Brian Dunton Mary Timony Ash Bowie Shawn Devlin |
Helium was an American alternative rock band formed during the summer of 1992. Under the original moniker of "Chupa," the band's founding members were Mary Lou Lord; Jason Hatfield, Juliana Hatfield's brother; Shawn King Devlin; and Brian Dunton. Devlin and Dunton were both also in the band Dumptruck before founding Helium.[1]
History
Mary Timony, formerly of the band Autoclave, replaced Mary Lou Lord on vocals and guitar shortly after formation, as Lord was reluctant to use electric instrumentation. Following Lord's departure, the remaining members changed the band's name to Helium.
Timony was known for her husky, vibrato-less and monotone singing style. The band's record label, Matador Records, likened Timony's vocals to Kim Wilde and Debbie Harry.[2]
Releases
Their first release was a 7" single entitled "The American Jean" (1993), which was followed by the 7" "Hole in the Ground". They released their first EP, Pirate Prude, in 1994. Shortly after the release of Pirate Prude, Dunton left the band and Polvo guitarist Ash Bowie, boyfriend of Timony at the time, joined on bass. In 1995, they released their first full-length release, The Dirt of Luck, and played the second stage of Lollapalooza. Adam Lasus produced and engineered The Dirt of Luck, Pirate Prude, and all of Helium's singles up to 1995.
In 1997, the group released the EP No Guitars before releasing their second album, The Magic City. They toured the United States in early 1998 but disbanded shortly thereafter.
Film and television
The band makes an appearance in a 1994 road movie, entitled Half-cocked. On television, two of the band's music videos, "Pat's Trick" and "XXX", were critiqued by Beavis and Butt-head.
Post-Helium
Timony began a solo career in 2000 and Bowie released an album of old four-track recordings under the name Libraness. Timony was later a member of the bands Wild Flag and Ex Hex.
Discography
Albums
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Dirt of Luck | 1995 | Matador Records |
| The Magic City | 1997 | Matador Records |
EP's
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Prude | 1994 | Matador Records |
| Superball+ | 1995 | Matador Records |
| No Guitars | 1997 | Matador Records |
Singles
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| "The American Jean" | 1992 | Warped Records |
| "Hole in the Ground" (b/w "Lucy") | 1993 | Pop Narcotic (on orange vinyl) |
| "Pat's Trick" (b/w "Ghost Car") | 1995 | Matador Records |
| "Superball" (b/w "What Institution Are You From" & "Lucky Charm") | 1995 | Matador Records |
Compilations
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Stars Kill | 1994 | Kill Rock Stars |
| Half-Cocked - The Motion Picture Soundtrack | 1995 | Matador Records |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "XXX" | David Kleiler | Pirate Prude |
| 1995 | "Pat's Trick" | David Kleiler | The Dirt of Luck |
| 1995 | "Superball" | Tryan George | The Dirt of Luck |
| 1995 | "Honeycomb" | Brett Vapnek | The Dirt of Luck |
| 1997 | "Leon's Space Song" | The Magic City |
References
- ↑ Brett Milano (4–11 September 1997). "Wonder woman Mary Timony uncovers a Magic City". The Boston Phoenix. The Phoenix Media/Communications Group. Retrieved 31 May 2012.
- ↑ Staff (9 September 1997). "Helium". Matador Records. Matador Records. Retrieved 31 May 2012.