Helden (band)
Encyclopedia
Helden was an electronic
New Wave
project formed in the summer of 1980 by future successful film-musician Hans Zimmer
and then Ultravox
drummer Warren Cann
. The project also featured guest participations of singers Zaine Griff
and Linda Hardim.
singer Zaine Griff
, and were also doing TV presentations as part of the guest lien-up of musicians with The Buggles
. With Griff, the duo were touring in 1979, and played for his debut album Ashes and Diamonds, released in 1980.
In the summer of 1980, Zimmer and Cann established a 'changing project' (not a band) while discussing the possibility of writing and recording an 'adventure' album.
In the next autumn, the project began to work, recording material. In March 1983, the forthcoming album was destined to be called Spies, but the project ended shortly afterwards and the album was unofficially released as bootleg. Another parts of their repertoire and some live interviews that are compiled into a compilation album called Radio One Saturday Live. The band's two singles, Holding On and Stranded, were officially released,.
Helden material featured Zaine Griff
, Linda Hardim, Eddie Maelov (of Gloria Mundi
and Eddie And Sunshine
), Ronny, Thin Lizzy
guitarist Brian Robertson
, among others.
By the time Cann and Zimmer ended the project, both went to collaborate with Spanish New Wave
band Mecano
in their 1984-85 tour. Part of the tour were featured on the live album Mecano: En Concierto
, released in 1985.
Ultravox official fan page announced the Spies album will be released on CD for first time, with bonus material. The date isn't exact but it's in plans since 1993.
Electronic music
Electronic music is music that employs electronic musical instruments and electronic music technology in its production. In general a distinction can be made between sound produced using electromechanical means and that produced using electronic technology. Examples of electromechanical sound...
New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
project formed in the summer of 1980 by future successful film-musician Hans Zimmer
Hans Zimmer
Hans Florian Zimmer is a German film composer and music producer. He has composed music for over 100 films, including critically acclaimed film scores for The Lion King , Crimson Tide , The Thin Red Line , Gladiator , The Dark Knight and Inception .Zimmer spent the early part of his career in the...
and then Ultravox
Ultravox
Ultravox is a British New Wave rock band. They were one of the primary exponents of the British electronic pop music movement of the late 1970s/early 1980s. The band was particularly associated with the New Romantic and New Wave movements....
drummer Warren Cann
Warren Cann
Warren Reginald Cann is a drummer and drum machine programmer, best known as a member of the British New Wave band Ultravox.-Early life:...
. The project also featured guest participations of singers Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff is a singer-songwriter who formed part of the English new wave scene of the 1980s. Although being educated and beginning as musician in New Zealand, he moved to England in the 1970s, where he continued with his artistic and musical career, becoming a solo artist...
and Linda Hardim.
Biography
During 1979 and 1980, Zimmer and Cann were constantly working along as part of the backing band of New ZealandNew Zealand
New Zealand is an island country in the south-western Pacific Ocean comprising two main landmasses and numerous smaller islands. The country is situated some east of Australia across the Tasman Sea, and roughly south of the Pacific island nations of New Caledonia, Fiji, and Tonga...
singer Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff is a singer-songwriter who formed part of the English new wave scene of the 1980s. Although being educated and beginning as musician in New Zealand, he moved to England in the 1970s, where he continued with his artistic and musical career, becoming a solo artist...
, and were also doing TV presentations as part of the guest lien-up of musicians with The Buggles
The Buggles
The Buggles were an English New Wave band consisting of Trevor Horn and Geoff Downes . They are remembered chiefly for their 1979 debut single "Video Killed the Radio Star" that was #1 on the singles chart in 16 countries. Its music video was the first to be shown on MTV in the U.S...
. With Griff, the duo were touring in 1979, and played for his debut album Ashes and Diamonds, released in 1980.
In the summer of 1980, Zimmer and Cann established a 'changing project' (not a band) while discussing the possibility of writing and recording an 'adventure' album.
In the next autumn, the project began to work, recording material. In March 1983, the forthcoming album was destined to be called Spies, but the project ended shortly afterwards and the album was unofficially released as bootleg. Another parts of their repertoire and some live interviews that are compiled into a compilation album called Radio One Saturday Live. The band's two singles, Holding On and Stranded, were officially released,.
Helden material featured Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff
Zaine Griff is a singer-songwriter who formed part of the English new wave scene of the 1980s. Although being educated and beginning as musician in New Zealand, he moved to England in the 1970s, where he continued with his artistic and musical career, becoming a solo artist...
, Linda Hardim, Eddie Maelov (of Gloria Mundi
Gloria Mundi
Gloria Mundi was an early punk rock/gothic rock band. The name comes from the Latin for the glory of the world. This could be a reference to the phrase "Sic transit gloria mundi" meaning "this is how the glory of the world passes"....
and Eddie And Sunshine
Eddie and Sunshine
Eddie and Sunshine were an electronic, cabaret duo of the early eighties, comprising Eddie Maelov and Sunshine Patteson , both previously founder members of the punk rock band Gloria Mundi....
), Ronny, Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy
Thin Lizzy are an Irish hard rock band formed in Dublin in 1969. Two of the founding members, drummer Brian Downey and bass guitarist/vocalist Phil Lynott met while still in school. Lynott assumed the role of frontman and led them throughout their recording career of thirteen studio albums...
guitarist Brian Robertson
Brian Robertson
Brian "Robbo" David Robertson is a Scottish rock guitarist, best known for his work with Thin Lizzy and Motörhead.-Early life:...
, among others.
By the time Cann and Zimmer ended the project, both went to collaborate with Spanish New Wave
New Wave music
New Wave is a subgenre of :rock music that emerged in the mid to late 1970s alongside punk rock. The term at first generally was synonymous with punk rock before being considered a genre in its own right that incorporated aspects of electronic and experimental music, mod subculture, disco and 1960s...
band Mecano
Mecano
Mecano was a Spanish pop band whose debut coincided with La Movida Madrileña , a sociocultural movement that occurred in Madrid, Spain during the 1980s...
in their 1984-85 tour. Part of the tour were featured on the live album Mecano: En Concierto
Mecano: En Concierto
"Mecano:En Concierto", is the Fourth album recorded by Spanish synthpop band Mecano, in 1985. The album is the only live album that the band recorded, and it only included the earlier work of the band. It was recorded in-concert during the band's 1984-85 tour. This would be the last album under CBS...
, released in 1985.
Ultravox official fan page announced the Spies album will be released on CD for first time, with bonus material. The date isn't exact but it's in plans since 1993.
Discography
- Holding On 7" & 12" singles (ZiCa, 1983)
- Stranded 7" single (198?, re-released 2009)
- Spies album (bootleg)
External links
- Ultravox official page For more information about the forthcoming Helden album on CD
- Hans-Zimmer.com Discography - Helden