Helium (band)
Encyclopedia
Helium was an American
alternative rock
band formed in the summer of 1992. Originally calling themselves "Chupa", its founding members were Mary Lou Lord
, Jason Hatfield (Juliana
's brother), Shawn King Devlin (drums) and Brian Dunton (electric bass guitar). Devlin and Dunton were both also in the band Dumptruck at the time.
Mary Timony
(formerly of the band Autoclave
) soon replaced Mary Lou Lord
on vocals and guitar as Lord was reluctant to go electric. After Jason Hatfield left the band, they changed the name to "Helium". Timony became known for her Lolita-esque image (e.g. short schoolgirl skirts and hairstyle) and naughty lyrics, much like Helium's then-labelmate Liz Phair
. She was also known for her fairly husky, vibrato-less, monotone singing style.
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. The band makes an appearance in the 1994 cult
roadmovie Half-cocked. In 1995, they released their first full-length release, The Dirt of Luck
, and played the second stage of Lollapalooza
. Two of the band's music videos ("Pat's Trick" and "XXX") were critiqued by MTV's animated teen pundits Beavis and Butt-head
. Adam Lasus
produced and engineered The Dirt of Luck
, Pirate Prude, and all the 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 and disbanded shortly thereafter in 1998. Timony began a solo career and Bowie released an album of old four-track recordings under the name Libraness.
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
alternative rock
Alternative rock
Alternative rock is a genre of rock music and a term used to describe a diverse musical movement that emerged from the independent music underground of the 1980s and became widely popular by the 1990s...
band formed in the summer of 1992. Originally calling themselves "Chupa", its founding members were Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord is an indie folk musician, busker and recording artist.-Biography:Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston's subway stations Lord became friends with...
, Jason Hatfield (Juliana
Juliana Hatfield
Juliana Hatfield , is an American guitarist/singer-songwriter and author from the Boston area, formerly of the indie rock bands Blake Babies and Some Girls. She currently lives in Cambridge, Massachusetts....
's brother), Shawn King Devlin (drums) and Brian Dunton (electric bass guitar). Devlin and Dunton were both also in the band Dumptruck at the time.
Mary Timony
Mary Timony
Mary B. Timony is an American independent singer-songwriter, guitarist, keyboardist, and violist. She was a member of the bands Helium and Autoclave, and currently plays in Wild Flag.-Biography:...
(formerly of the band Autoclave
Autoclave (band)
Autoclave was a post-punk band, based in Washington, D.C.. They were on local label Dischord Records. Formed in the summer of 1990, the group consisted of vocalist and bassist Christina Billotte, lead guitarist Mary Timony, guitarist Nikki Chapman, and drummer Melissa Berkoff.The group broke up in...
) soon replaced Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord
Mary Lou Lord is an indie folk musician, busker and recording artist.-Biography:Mary Lou Lord first gained notice playing acoustic guitar and singing in and around Boston's subway stations Lord became friends with...
on vocals and guitar as Lord was reluctant to go electric. After Jason Hatfield left the band, they changed the name to "Helium". Timony became known for her Lolita-esque image (e.g. short schoolgirl skirts and hairstyle) and naughty lyrics, much like Helium's then-labelmate Liz Phair
Liz Phair
Phair's entry into the music industry began when she met guitarist Chris Brokaw, a member of the band Come. Brokaw and Phair moved to San Francisco together, and Phair tried to become an artist there...
. She was also known for her fairly husky, vibrato-less, monotone singing style.
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
Pirate Prude
Pirate Prude was the debut EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 5, 1994 on Matador Records. Its subject matter concerns prostitution.-Track listing:# "Baby Vampire Made Me" - 5:50# "Wanna Be a Vampire Too, Baby" - 2:23...
, in 1994. Shortly after the release of Pirate Prude
Pirate Prude
Pirate Prude was the debut EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 5, 1994 on Matador Records. Its subject matter concerns prostitution.-Track listing:# "Baby Vampire Made Me" - 5:50# "Wanna Be a Vampire Too, Baby" - 2:23...
, Dunton left the band and Polvo
Polvo
Polvo is an American indie noise rock band from Chapel Hill, North Carolina. The band, formed in 1990, is fronted by guitarists/vocalists Ash Bowie and Dave Brylawski. Brian Quast plays drums, and Steve Popson plays bass guitar...
guitarist Ash Bowie
Ash Bowie
Ash Bowie is an American musician.In 1990, he formed the band Polvo along with Dave Brylawski, Steve Popson, and Eddie Watkins. Polvo was influential in the then-thriving indie rock scene in the United States. In 1995, he became the bassist for Helium, after their previous bass player left the...
(boyfriend of Timony at the time) joined on bass. The band makes an appearance in the 1994 cult
Cult
The word cult in current popular usage usually refers to a group whose beliefs or practices are considered abnormal or bizarre. The word originally denoted a system of ritual practices...
roadmovie Half-cocked. In 1995, they released their first full-length release, The Dirt of Luck
The Dirt of Luck
The Dirt of Luck was the first full length album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released in April 1995 on Matador Records and was produced by Adam Lasus -Track listing:...
, and played the second stage of Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza
Lollapalooza is an annual music festival featuring popular alternative rock, heavy metal, punk rock and hip hop bands, dance and comedy performances, and craft booths. It has also provided a platform for non-profit and political groups. The music festival hosts more than 160,000 people over a...
. Two of the band's music videos ("Pat's Trick" and "XXX") were critiqued by MTV's animated teen pundits Beavis and Butt-head
Beavis and Butt-Head
Beavis and Butt-head is an American animated television series created by Mike Judge. The series originated from Frog Baseball, a 1992 short film by Judge. After seeing the short, MTV signed Judge to develop the concept. Beavis and Butt-head originally aired from March 8, 1993 to November 28, 1997...
. Adam Lasus
Adam Lasus
Adam Lasus is an American musician and record producer.Adam Lasus credits include albums by Yo La Tengo, Clap Your Hands Say Yeah, Lilys, Helium, Juliana Hatfield, Mark Mulcahy, , Clem Snide, Amy Ray, Madder Rose, Michael Cerveris, , Chris Harford, Versus, Dumptruck, Varnaline, Saturnine and...
produced and engineered The Dirt of Luck
The Dirt of Luck
The Dirt of Luck was the first full length album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released in April 1995 on Matador Records and was produced by Adam Lasus -Track listing:...
, Pirate Prude, and all the singles up to 1995.
In 1997, the group released the EP No Guitars
No Guitars
No Guitars was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 8, 1997 on Matador Records. The title is ironic, as the EP features plenty of guitar-playing.-Track listing:# "Silver Strings"# "Dragon #2"...
before releasing their second album, The Magic City
The Magic City (Helium album)
The Magic City was the final album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 9th, 1997 on Matador Records.-Track listing:#"Vibrations" - 2:46#"Leon's Space Song" - 2:59#"Ocean of Wine" - 4:04#"Aging Astronauts" - 3:08...
. They toured the United States in early 1998 and disbanded shortly thereafter in 1998. Timony began a solo career and Bowie released an album of old four-track recordings under the name Libraness.
Albums
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| The Dirt of Luck The Dirt of Luck The Dirt of Luck was the first full length album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released in April 1995 on Matador Records and was produced by Adam Lasus -Track listing:... |
1995 | Matador Records |
| The Magic City The Magic City (Helium album) The Magic City was the final album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 9th, 1997 on Matador Records.-Track listing:#"Vibrations" - 2:46#"Leon's Space Song" - 2:59#"Ocean of Wine" - 4:04#"Aging Astronauts" - 3:08... |
1997 | Matador Records |
EP's
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Pirate Prude Pirate Prude Pirate Prude was the debut EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 5, 1994 on Matador Records. Its subject matter concerns prostitution.-Track listing:# "Baby Vampire Made Me" - 5:50# "Wanna Be a Vampire Too, Baby" - 2:23... |
1994 | Matador Records |
| Superball+ Superball E.P. Superball+ was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 12, 1995 on Matador Records-Track listing:# "Superball"# "What Institution Are You From?"# "Lucky Charm"# "#12 l'Enfant"# "I Am a Witch"-Personnel:... |
1995 | Matador Records |
| No Guitars No Guitars No Guitars was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 8, 1997 on Matador Records. The title is ironic, as the EP features plenty of guitar-playing.-Track listing:# "Silver Strings"# "Dragon #2"... |
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 Matador Records Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have... |
| "Superball" (b/w "What Institution Are You From" & "Lucky Charm") | 1995 | Matador Records Matador Records Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have... |
Compilations
| Title | Year | Label |
|---|---|---|
| Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars Kill is a compilation of various artists released by Kill Rock Stars on August 1, 1994. The compilation was released simultaneously as a vinyl LP with accompanying 7″ single, and as a CD.-LP:Side one#Tourettes – "Horse Girl"... |
1994 | Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars Kill Rock Stars is an independent record label founded in 1991 by Slim Moon and based in both Olympia, Washington and Portland, Oregon. The label has released a variety of work in different genres, making it difficult to pigeonhole as having any one artistic mission... |
| Half-Cocked - The Motion Picture Soundtrack | 1995 | Matador Records Matador Records Matador Records is an independent record label, with a roster of indie rock artists and bands.-History:Matador was started by Chris Lombardi in 1989 in his New York City apartment. The following year, Lombardi was joined by former Homestead Records manager Gerard Cosloy, and the two of them have... |
Music videos
| Year | Title | Director | Album |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1994 | "XXX" | David Kleiler | Pirate Prude Pirate Prude Pirate Prude was the debut EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released April 5, 1994 on Matador Records. Its subject matter concerns prostitution.-Track listing:# "Baby Vampire Made Me" - 5:50# "Wanna Be a Vampire Too, Baby" - 2:23... |
| 1995 | "Pat's Trick" | David Kleiler | The Dirt of Luck The Dirt of Luck The Dirt of Luck was the first full length album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released in April 1995 on Matador Records and was produced by Adam Lasus -Track listing:... |
| 1995 | "Superball Superball E.P. Superball+ was an EP from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 12, 1995 on Matador Records-Track listing:# "Superball"# "What Institution Are You From?"# "Lucky Charm"# "#12 l'Enfant"# "I Am a Witch"-Personnel:... " |
Tryan George | The Dirt of Luck |
| 1995 | "Honeycomb" | Brett Vapnek | The Dirt of Luck |
| 1997 | "Leon's Space Song" | The Magic City The Magic City (Helium album) The Magic City was the final album from American indie rock band Helium. It was released September 9th, 1997 on Matador Records.-Track listing:#"Vibrations" - 2:46#"Leon's Space Song" - 2:59#"Ocean of Wine" - 4:04#"Aging Astronauts" - 3:08... |