Helen Love (band)

Infobox Musical artist
Name = Helen Love


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Background = group_or_band
Genre = Punk rock, Bubblegum pop
Years_active = 1993–present
Label = Elefant Records
URL = [http://www.helenlove.com www.helenlove.com ]
Current_members = Helen, Sheena, Beth
Past_members = Roxy, Mark, Corrine

Helen Love are an indie band from Wales whose music is a combination of punk rock, bubblegum pop and disco dance music. The main thematic elements in their oeuvre are Joey Ramone, summer days and bubblegum music.

History

The band was formed in the early 1990s by the eponymous Helen Love, who claims only to listen to the music of The Ramones. Current members are Helen, Sheena, and Beth.

While none of their singles have yet troubled the UK Top 40, they have developed a devoted cult following in indie circles, particularly at indie discos, with songs including "Long Live The UK Music Scene", "Shifty Disco Girl", "Does Your Heart Go Boom?", "We Love You", "Girl About Town", "Punk Boy" and "Debbie Loves Joey".

Helen Love have released recordings on many labels, including Damaged Goods, Che Trading, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Wurlizter Jukebox, and Invicta Hi-Fi. They are currently signed to Elefant Records.

They recorded a session for John Peel in October 1997, and had three songs in his Festive Fifty.

Their songs have also been covered by Ash, The Queers, Katz and Tullycraft.

The band contributed a specially written song for the DVD release of "Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure". Gorman, a fan of the band, had previously played Helen Love songs to his audiences before he went on stage. Another big fan is Phill Jupitus, for whom the band composed the theme song for his Breakfast Show on BBC 6 Music.

Helen Love have recently completed a new album, "It's My Club and I'll Play What I Want To", released in the first week of November 2007 on Elefant Records in Spain and February 2008 in the UK.

Joey Ramone

Helen Love's second single was titled "Joey Ramoney", a tribute to the band's favourite singer. A play on The Ramones' song "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", the single was brought to Joey's attention by the UK branch of the Ramones fan club. Joey subsequently invited the band to New York to play a gig at the Continental Hotel.

Joey introduced the band's "Evening Session" on Radio 1, and duetted with Helen on the album version of "Punk Boy".

Helen provided backing vocals on the Joey Ramone album Don't Worry About Me, singing on the track "Mr. Punchy".

Albums

*"Radio Hits" Damaged Goods (1994)
*"Radio Hits 2" Damaged Goods (1997)
*"Love & Glitter Hot Days and Music" Che Trading (2000)
*"Love & Glitter Hot Days and Music" (Reissue) Damaged Goods (2001)
*"Radio Hits 3" Damaged Goods(2002)
*"It's My Club And I'll Play What I Want To" Elefant Records (2007 Spain) (2008 UK)
** track listing: 1."It's My Club"; 2."Debbie loves Joey"; 3."Dance on (Solid Gold)"; 4."You Better Learn Karate"; 5."The 1910 Fruitgum Company"; 6."Transistor Radio (Radio)"; 7."Jet"; 8."First Boyfriend"; 9."Rodneys English Disco"; 10."Honolulu Superstar"; 11."Garageband"; 12."Queen Of The Discobeat"; 13."Staying IN"; 14."A New Squad Attacking Formation"; 15."Junkshop Discotheque".; 16."Saturday...NITE!!!" [http://www.helenlove.com/forums.php?forum_id=1&topic_id=122]

External links

* [http://www.helenlove.com Official Helen Love site]
* [http://www.myspace.com/helenlove Official Helen Love MySpace page]