Helix (band)

Infobox musical artist
Name = Helix


Img_capt = Helix in concert at the Friendship Festival in Fort Erie, ON July 2008
Img_size = 250
Landscape = yes
Background = group_or_band
Origin = Kitchener, Ontario, Canada
Genre = Hard rock, heavy metal
Years_active = 1974 - present
Label = H&S Records, Aquarius Records, Dirty Dog Records, Capitol Records, EMI/Sanctuary Records, Vollmer Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.planethelix.com/ Helix's Official Website]
Current_members = Brian Vollmer
Jim Lawson
Paul Fonseca
Brent Niemi
Rick VanDyk
Past_members = See Former members section

Helix are a Canadian heavy metal band that formed in 1974 and are best known for their 1984 single "Rock You". The original lineup consisted of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Brent "Doctor" Doerner and Paul Hackman, bassist Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg, and drummer Brian Doerner. This lineup has changed significantly since the band's inception, with Vollmer being the sole constant member.

History

Early years

Helix were formed in 1974 for a Battle of the Bands contest in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, originally consisting of lead vocalist Brian Vollmer, guitarists Brent "Doctor" Doerner and Paul Hackman, bassist Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg, and drummer Brian Doerner. Helix released two independent albums, entitled "Breaking Loose" ("Breakin' Loose") and "White Lace & Black Leather", in 1979 and 1981 respectively.

Commercial success

They then signed to Capitol Records, and in 1983 released " No Rest for the Wicked". This album was virtually a Canadian hit. Then came the 1984 release of "Walkin' the Razor's Edge", with the addition of Greg Fritz Hinz and Daryl Gray to the classic 80's lineup, which sold over 100,000 copies in Canada, and over 400,000 internationally. The band's video for the song "Gimme Gimme Good Lovin'" caused a bit of a stir several years after it's initial release in 1984, when it was learned that among the cast of porn stars who appear nude in the uncensored version, was (then) 16-year-old Traci Lords.This album was also a major success. Then came the 1985 release of "Long Way to Heaven". In 1986 their song "It's Too Late" was on the movie Iron Eagle, and it's soundtrack album. This was followed by " Wild in the Streets" in 1987. Plus a compilation album "Over 60 minutes with... in 1989.

Later years

In 1992, Hackman, still a member of the band, died when the group's van rolled down a 40-foot embankment after a concert in Vancouver. The band recorded the song "That Day Is Gonna Come", as a tribute to Hackman, and the video for the song featured unique Super 8 and video footage shot by Vollmer on the road over the years. With the departures of Doerner, Hinz and Gray, the lead vocalist and sole member to remain in the band throughout their career is Brian Vollmer. Brian currently manages every aspect of the Helix organisation, from booking tours, to distributing Helix merchandise. He also teaches the classical vocal technique, Bel canto, in London, as well as singing classical music at weddings and funerals throughout southern Ontario.

Current

Helix have toured with KISS, Aerosmith, Rush, Mötley Crüe, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Heart, Quiet Riot, W.A.S.P., and Motörhead. They are currently working on another album, their most recent one, "The Power of Rock and Roll", dating from 2007. In October 2006, the song "Heavy Metal Love" was to be featured on the soundtrack for the Trailer Park Boys movie, however, at the last minute, the track was pulled by Dean Cameron, president of EMI Canada, as distribution of the CD was being handled by Universal, and not EMI. [http://www.bravewords.com/news/50384]

Band members

Current members

*Brian Vollmer - lead vocals (1974-present)
*Jim Lawson
*Paul Fonseca
*Brent Niemi
*Rick VanDyk

Former members

*Ron Watson
*Brent "Doctor" Doerner - guitars, backing vocals (1974-????)
*Paul Hackman - guitars, backing vocals (1974-1992)
*Denny Balicki-Blake
*Keith "Bert" Zurbrigg - bass, backing vocals (1974-????)
*Mike Uzelac
*Mark Rector
*Greg Fraser
*Don Simmons
*Rick Mead
*Gary Borden
*Mark Chichkan
*Daryl Gray - bass, keyboards, backing vocals (1984-2002)
*Bruce Arnold
*Brian Doerner - drums, percussion (1974-????)
*Leo Niebudek
*Greg "Fritz" Hinz - drums, percussion (????-????)
*Gerry Finn
*Shaun Sanders
*Glen "Archie" Gamble
*Cindy Wiechmann
*Dan Fawcett
*Rainer Wiechmann
*Jeff Fountain

Discography

*"Breaking Loose" ("Breakin' Loose") (1979)
*"White Lace & Black Leather" (1981)
*"No Rest for the Wicked" (1983)
*"Walkin' the Razor's Edge" (1984)
*"Long Way to Heaven" (1985)
*"Wild in the Streets" (1987)
*"Over 60 minutes with..." (1989) (best of)
*"Back for Another Taste" (1990)
*"The Early Years" (1991)
*"It's a Business Doing Pleasure" (1993)
*"Half Alive in 1996" (1998)
*"Deep Cuts the Best Of" (1999)
*"B-Sides" (1999)
*"Live! in Buffalo" (2002)
*"Rockin' in My Outer Space" (2004)
*"Never Trust Anyone Over 30" (2004)
*"Rockin' You for 30 Years" (2004)
*"Get Up!" (2006)
*"The Power of Rock and Roll" (2007)

Helix in popular culture

* Helix was a topic of discussion by the Trailer Park Boys. You can find the discussion [http://en.wikiquote.org/wiki/Trailer_Park_Boys#Closer_to_the_Heart here on Wikiquote] .

External links

* [http://planethelix.com Official Website]
* [http://www.fullinbloommusic.com/helixinterview.html History of Helix with Brian Vollmer]
* [http://www.canadianbands.com/Helix.html Bio at CanadianBands.com] CanConRox entry