tag:helmsalee.net,2005:/blogs/helms-alee-news-and-archive?p=10Helms Alee News and Archive2023-03-29T10:47:11-07:00Helms Aleefalsetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/71806202023-03-29T10:47:11-07:002024-03-22T08:49:23-07:00HELMS ALEE ANNOUNCE SHOW WITH BOTCH<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/159390/52440f201bf34dc2664c0862a1949f2dbc02ae80/original/botch-koln-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>Helms Alee have added another date to their Summer European Tour. They will be supporting Botch in Köln on June 14th. Tickets on sale March 30th at 10:00am (CEST): <a class="no-pjax" href="/home" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Home">www.helmsalee.net</a></p><p>Full list:</p><p>June 8 - Mystic festival – Gdansk (PL)<br>June 9 - Blechschloss – Dresden (DE)<br>June 10 - Meet Factory – Prague (CZ)<br>June 11 - PMK – Innsbruck (AT)<br>June 12 – Ligera – Milan (IT)<br>June 13 – Sunset Bar Club – Martigny (CH)<br>June 14 - Essigfabrik - Köln (DE) (supporting Botch)<br>June 15 – Supersonic – Paris (FR)<br>June 16 – Hellfest – Clisson (FR)<br>June 17 – La Zone – Liege (BE)<br>June 18 – Patronaat - Haarlem (NL)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/71599882023-02-24T02:45:00-08:002023-12-07T00:51:18-08:00HELMS ALEE ANNOUNCE EU TOUR IN 2023<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/s:bzglfiles/u/159790/c9f44ef0cebfd3aaa374839ddb68d1c7794c0231/original/ha-eu-2023-feed.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p><p>Helms Alee will be back to Europe in June 2023. Tickets on sale now: <a class="no-pjax" href="/home" data-link-type="page" data-link-label="Home">www.helmsalee.net</a></p><p>Full list:</p><p>June 8 - Mystic festival – Gdansk (PL)<br>June 9 - Blechschloss – Dresden (DE)<br>June 10 - Meet Factory – Prague (CZ)<br>June 11 - PMK – Innsbruck (AT)<br>June 12 – Ligera – Milan (IT)<br>June 13 – Sunset Bar Club – Martigny (CH)<br>June 15 – Supersonic – Paris (FR)<br>June 16 – Hellfest – Clisson (FR)<br>June 17 – La Zone – Liege (BE)<br>June 18 – Patronaat - Haarlem (NL)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/71385752023-01-16T05:43:39-08:002023-12-07T00:52:33-08:00HELMS ALEE WILL PLAY HELLFEST AND MYSTIC FESTIVAL IN FRANCE AND POLAND<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/4296a3f8c3d944955cd3a3367072546e4890e1ae/original/ha-hellfest-1.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee will be back to Europe this year for Hellfest Open Air Festival and Mystic Festival. We're working on more European shows. Stay tuned! </p>
<p>Info: <a contents="www.helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.helmsalee.net">www.helmsalee.net</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/8cb0f0a0b65bb03ce1921a367f2fad65d2c30f84/original/mf-2023-helms-alee.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/71236892022-12-15T12:23:28-08:002023-12-07T00:54:26-08:00HELMS ALEE WILL PLAY HELLFEST 2023<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/7eb76f5c9f269e7997b1563cb88af0b7fe5d7e27/original/hf-ha.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Helms Alee will be playing Hellfest Open Air on June 16th, 2023</p>
<p>Tickets: <a contents="https://www.hellfest.fr" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hellfest.fr">https://www.hellfest.fr</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/8791a0e623d53245fb171b30604512fc4e9825b7/original/img-6030.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69735392022-05-17T13:13:27-07:002023-12-10T09:18:17-08:00HELMS ALEE TALK SELF-PRESERVATION, LONGEVITY, AND REDEFINING HEAVINESS<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/29c1dc8fc4723bdd8e74d1154413353006f4c55b/original/tvtve9gq.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" />Last month, Astral Noize packed its bags and boarded a comically short flight to the Netherlands to attend Roadburn Festival 2022. As the first in-person edition of the celebrated event since 2019 many were simply thrilled to be attending at all, but never one to play it safe the festival has continued to diversify and expand its own definition of heaviness; consider this year’s introduction of a bona fide jazz stage, or the incredible performances of UK Grime MCs Flowdan and Logan playing alongside The Bug. </p>
<p>We spoke to a number of the artists playing across the four day event, and in the coming days and weeks will be sharing these discussions under the banner Roadburn Recall. </p>
<p>Below you’ll find our first interview, with <strong>Ben Verellen of Helms Alee</strong>. </p>
<p>So, on Roadburn and the fact that this is your first rest date since the festival. My first question really is, how is the ‘romance’ of being on the road in ‘22? How does it feel to be back at it? </p>
<p>Ben Verellen: That’s been the big question. And, you know, we hadn’t done any kind of travelling to do music, obviously, for the last three years. So on paper it sounds dreamy, tagging along with our good buddies in Russian Circles. And in Europe, where touring is so well accommodated compared to the States. We’re very much in the comfort of a best case tour scenario for guys like us. So it all sounded like it was going to be dreamy, but then there was the fear of, well, how’s it gonna feel? To be really out there and really away from home and just sitting in a van all day, how’s that gonna feel? All my memories are the best parts of it, but then getting back down to it and then inserting additional stress and anxiety around COVID stuff, it’s kind of a question mark, sort of looming. But, you know, we’re three weeks into about a six week tour. And the conversations have all been about how amazing it’s been. </p>
<p>And also, we’re a few years older than last time we did this kind of thing. So there’s that as well. It’s another factor. So we’re figuring out how some of that has played into different ways to do things, how hard to hit it, trying a little more self care. Self preservation is kind of part of the calculation these days, but we all seem to be keeping our head’s on, and still having a good time. So it’s awesome, it kind of forces you to solve some problems that probably could have been dealt with a few years earlier. Like maybe we shouldn’t go out all night, or at all, maybe you should just kind of keep it together. Because tours are exhausting enough as it is, but it’s always tempting to be like, oh I can see all these old friends and catch up! We’re finding a balance. </p>
<p><strong><a contents="Full interview via astralnoizeuk.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://astralnoizeuk.com/2022/05/17/roadburn-recall-helms-alee-talk-self-preservation-longevity-and-redefining-heaviness/?fbclid=IwAR2Ppxaf5JxCI7P8eIaQ3XFbalAg-rZ1gOQA8UCMCf10DByt28vX_Ixb16I">Full interview via astralnoizeuk.com</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69600432022-04-29T08:06:23-07:002023-12-10T09:03:53-08:00'KEEP THIS BE THE WAY' THE NEW ALBUM BY HELMS ALEE IS OUT TODAY<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/cc959bf7ef3b662d12b34919feb6797c28aa67fd/original/a0265083442-16.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Seattle three-piece Helms Alee has released a new album Keep This Be The Way available via Sargent House. Across the span of their first five studio albums, the trio zeroed in on different aspects of their sound - a blend of lilting siren songs, crushing Northwest thunder and sludge, angular econo-rock, and heady guitar pop while retaining their no-frills, meat-and-potatoes approach in the studio. But with this Helms Alee have expanded their palette by delving into the production possibilities afforded by recording the album themselves, creating their most dynamic and technicolored work to date. </p>
<p>When the pandemic hit, guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen, bassist/vocalist Dana James, and drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis found refuge in their music and bunkered down in a makeshift studio in Verellen’s amplifier shop. Through the remainder of 2020 and into early 2021, the band wrote an album as a distraction from the surrounding turbulence, recording songs with the assistance of Ron Harrell as they were writing them, composing the material with the added benefit of hearing them come together from the engineer’s chair. Keep This Be the Way still very much sounds like a Helms Alee record, but it’s their first album that diverts from the faithful recreation of their live sound and delves into a vibrant tapestry of surreal sounds and invented spaces. </p>
<p>This new approach is immediately evident on album opener “See Sights Smell Smells,” where reverse cymbal crashes, fragmented piano, layered drums, woozy drones, saxophone freak-outs, and trippy vocal treatments transport the listener to an altered state of exhilarated anticipation. The song basks in studio manipulations before depositing the listeners on the shores of the title track. “Keep This Be the Way” adheres closer to standard Helms Alee operating procedures with sparkling guitar arpeggios, syncopated drum patterns, and beguiling vocal melodies in the verses juxtaposed against blown-out bottom-heavy riffs and roaring harmonies in the choruses, until the song descends into a smoky mélange of groaning bass and air-raid siren whines in the final measures. Much like the self-recorded swan song of Unwound Leaves Turn Inside You, Keep This Be the Way showcases an ability to walk the line between studio experimentation and faithful representations of the organic core of the material.</p>
<p><a contents="Streaming here:&nbsp;https://found.ee/HelmsAlee_KeepThis" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://found.ee/HelmsAlee_KeepThis"><strong>Streaming here: found.ee/HelmsAlee_KeepThis</strong></a></p>
<p> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69584382022-04-27T12:49:56-07:002023-12-10T09:01:59-08:00UNDER THE INFLUENCE WITH BEN VERELLEN FROM HELMS ALEE<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/281d33707e334a83a1d24d443f78a4e134213d20/original/10th-birthday-full-logo.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/3e0d55f07566bb99e09e940191f3dffb123fd7df/original/screenshot-2022-04-27-at-21-46-56.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" />On April 29th Seattle based three-piece<strong> Helms Alee</strong> will release their new album <strong>Keep This Be The Way</strong> on Sargent House. Across the span of their first five studio albums, the trio zeroed in on different aspects of their sound – a blend of lilting siren songs, crushing Northwest thunder and sludge, angular econo-rock, and heady guitar pop while retaining their no-frills, meat-and-potatoes approach in the studio. But with this Helms Alee have expanded their palette by delving into the production possibilities afforded by recording the album themselves, creating their most dynamic and technicolored work to date.</p>
<p><strong><a contents="Full interview available via&nbsp;echoesanddust.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://echoesanddust.com/2022/04/under-the-influence-with-ben-verellen-from-helms-alee/">Full interview available via echoesanddust.com</a></strong></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69475922022-04-13T10:36:58-07:002023-12-10T08:59:40-08:00HELMS ALEE FEATURED IN THE NEW ISSUE OF THE WIRE<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/dde7fa43d166a9c1f0a96481055051508aec6f60/original/screenshot-2022-04-13-at-17-28-31.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee are featured in the new issue of The Wire: Adventures In Modern Music </p>
<p>Get your copy: <a contents="https://www.thewire.co.uk/issues/459" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thewire.co.uk/issues/459">thewire.co.uk/issues/459</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69475932022-04-13T10:34:38-07:002023-12-10T11:50:37-08:00HELMS ALEE ON TOUR WITH THE MELVINS AND HARSH MELLOW IN JUNE<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/96032b20bca54992c0967544ac33585035bb45bd/original/roach-poster-layers.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>The Electric Roach Tour: The Melvins, Helms Alee and Harsh Mellow </p>
<p>Tickets: <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net">helmsalee.net</a></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Jun 15 Long Beach, CA - Alex's Bar </p>
<p>Jun 16 Pioneertown, CA - Pappy and Harriet's </p>
<p>Jun 18 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress </p>
<p>Jun 21 New Orleans, LA - One Eyed Jack's </p>
<p>Jun 22 Birmingham, AL - Saturn </p>
<p>Jun 23 Knoxville, TN - Bijou Theatre </p>
<p>Jun 24 Carrboro, NC - Cat's Cradle </p>
<p>Jun 25 Richmond, VA - The Broadberry </p>
<p>Jun 27 Hamden, CT - Space Ballroom </p>
<p>Jun 28 Providence, RI - Fete Music Hall </p>
<p>Jun 29 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater </p>
<p>Jul 1 Bethlehem, PA - MusikFest Cafe at ArtsQuest Center </p>
<p>Jul 2 Huntington, WV - The Loud </p>
<p>Jul 3 Detroit, MI - El Club </p>
<p>Jul 5 Madison, WI - High Noon Saloon </p>
<p>Jul 6 Davenport, IA - The Raccoon Motel </p>
<p>Jul 7 Des Moines, IA - Wooly's </p>
<p>Jul 9 Fargo, ND - The Hall at Fargo Brewing </p>
<p>Jul 10 Sioux Falls, SD - Icon Lounge </p>
<p>Jul 12 Salt Lake City, UT - Metro Music Hall </p>
<p>Jul 14 Bozeman, MT - The ELM </p>
<p>Jul 15 Spokane, WA - Knitting Factory Concert House </p>
<p>Jul 16 Portland, OR - Hawthorne Theatre </p>
<p>Jul 17 Eugene, OR - Sessions Music Hall </p>
<p>Jul 19 Roseville, CA - Goldfield Trading Post </p>
<p>Jul 20 Berkeley, CA - Cornerstone</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69427472022-04-07T07:18:06-07:002023-12-07T22:14:59-08:00Helms Alee take hardcore to the future on “Tripping Up the Stairs”<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/e59dab10c5c6cc446039d8d63dd0a1d134d93ace/original/fader-logo-2.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.jpg" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/8ffdce88c5a2dafffe3ea3fb436cb8c906580aee/original/ez0hzdjw.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><strong>Helms Alee</strong> have serially mastered several hardcore crafts, expertly attacking a new style on each record they've put out. Last month, with the release of "See Sights Smell Smells," the Washington three-piece announced their sixth studio LP, Keep This Be the Way, arriving April 29 via Sargent House. Today, they've shared the album's second and final single, "Tripping Up the Stairs." </p>
<p>Like the previous track, the new song is a hybrid beast, this time mixing elements of post-punk, stoner rock, and sludge into a sonic stew in which each element manages to retain its potency. Keep This is their first self-recorded project, and this autonomy brought new possibilities for the band, allowing them to expand their already slippery identity. </p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-6zkunINoVQ" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>In Ron Harrell's distinctly gothic visual treatment, bodies rise from murky swamps, waves crash on rocky shores, and mud seeps into every nook and cranny of the screen. "The idea that I wanted to convey when we set out filming the video was an uncomplicated yet visually compelling version of finding... control," Harrell notes. "To me it became as simple as floating at sea and finding sure footing on land. Helms Alee has a pretty hydrous identity as it is, so incorporating that part came naturally. I had an initial cut of the video that was a little cleaner and [more] realistic, visually speaking. The band saw it, and what I heard them say was 'that’s great, now fuck it up.' So I fucked it up and this is the result."</p>
<p><strong><a contents="Full interview via&nbsp;thefader.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.thefader.com/2022/04/07/helms-alee-tripping-up-the-stairs-premiere">Full interview via thefader.com</a></strong></p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>
<p> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69373392022-03-31T13:17:54-07:002023-12-07T22:16:07-08:00HELMS ALEE INCLUDED IN THE LIST OF THE 10 ROADBURN 2022 SETS THAT WILL BLOW YOUR MIND<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1108f94e353e09cfcd4f21489b28cbb230d98494/original/screenshot-2022-03-31-at-22-02-26.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_none" alt="" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/e21b91e44dadd385733b16b839200fae6e6307b1/original/screenshot-2022-03-31-at-22-02-33.png/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p><strong><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1dfa83cbabba7eb2e7bb92cfc411fe2fd8966a76/original/7l7i-vbm.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></strong></p>
<p>Although you could cite Mastodon as a distant musical relative, in terms of mammoth riffs and an ability to turn albums into vastly scenic journeys (there are gaze-beyond-the-horizon shades of Subrosa too), Helms Alee’s wildly exploratory, sprawling nature has evaded the critical spotlight, but it makes them perfect for Roadburn too. </p>
<p>Just like their five previous albums, this year’s Keep This Be The Way sounds like being dropped into a world where you don’t fully know the landscape but where every moment feels either like a discovery or a fist-raising, body-lurching point of rock-out orientation, before you get sent off on another intrepid tangent. The Seattle-ites are rarely less than accessible, but good luck finding the exit doors afterwards.</p>
<p><strong><a contents="Full list via loudersound.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.loudersound.com/features/10-roadburn-sets-that-will-blow-your-mind">Full list via loudersound.com</a></strong></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69186822022-03-10T04:40:06-08:002023-12-07T22:16:41-08:00HELMS ALEE ANNOUNCE NEW ALBUM KEEP THIS BE THE WAY<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/29c1dc8fc4723bdd8e74d1154413353006f4c55b/original/tvtve9gq.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Seattle three-piece Helms Alee has announced a new album Keep This Be The Way available April 29th via Sargent House. Across the span of their first five studio albums, the trio zeroed in on different aspects of their sound - a blend of lilting siren songs, crushing Northwest thunder and sludge, angular econo-rock, and heady guitar pop </p>
<p>while retaining their no-frills, meat-and-potatoes approach in the studio. But with this Helms Alee have expanded their palette by delving into the production possibilities afforded by recording the album themselves, creating their most dynamic and technicolored work to date. This new approach is immediately evident on first single and album opener “See Sights Smell Smells,” where reverse cymbal crashes, fragmented piano, layered drums, woozy drones, saxophone freak-outs, and trippy vocal treatments transport the listener to an altered state of exhilarated anticipation. The song is accompanied by a video created by Allen Watke whose video art consists primarily of analog equipment with an emphasis on VHS dubbing, glitching & manipulation. </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/u8PUAgI7VoU" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p>When the pandemic hit, guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen, bassist/vocalist Dana James, and drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis found refuge in their music and bunkered down in a makeshift studio in Verellen’s amplifier shop. Through the remainder of 2020 and into early 2021, the band wrote an album as a distraction from the surrounding turbulence, recording songs with the assistance of Ron Harrell as they were writing them, composing the material with the added benefit of hearing them come together from the engineer’s chair. Keep This Be the Way still very much sounds like a Helms Alee record, but it’s their first album that diverts from the faithful recreation of their live sound and delves into a vibrant tapestry of surreal sounds and invented spaces.</p>
<p> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/69108232022-03-01T12:17:45-08:002023-12-14T23:33:51-08:00HELMS ALEE HOMETOWN SHOWS 2022 ADDED<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/b259c7423e9c9ee727acb297bc53259ccdfd40a3/original/helms-alee-wa-admats.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee will play some hometown shows before heading to Europe: </p>
<p>MAR 25 TACOMA, WA - THE PLAID PIG LIVE MUSIC LOUNGE </p>
<p>MAR 26 SEATTLE, WA - SUNSET TAVERN </p>
<p>APR 1 BELLINGHAM, WA - THE SHAKEDOWN </p>
<p>Info/Tickets: <a contents="helmsalee.net&nbsp;" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net">helmsalee.net </a><br> </p>
<p>EU TOUR 2022 with Russian Circles: </p>
<p>APRIL 14 PRAGUE, CZ – LUCERNA MUSIC BAR </p>
<p>APRIL 16 MONTHEY, CH – PONT ROUGE </p>
<p>APRIL 17 ZURICH, CH – ROTE FABRIK </p>
<p>APRIL 18 MUNICH, DE – AMPERE </p>
<p>APRIL 20 ESCH SUR ALZETTE, LUX – KULTURFABRIK </p>
<p>APRIL 21 TILBURG, NL - ROADBURN FESTIVAL </p>
<p>APRIL 22 PARIS, FR – BATACLAN </p>
<p>APRIL 23 ORLEANS, FR – ASTROLABE </p>
<p>APRIL 24NANTES, FR – WAREHOUSE </p>
<p>APRIL 26 TOULOUSE, FR – METRONUM </p>
<p>APRIL 27 BIARRITZ, FR – ATABAL </p>
<p>APRIL 28 MADRID, ES – SALA MON </p>
<p>APRIL 29 PORTO, PT – HARD CLUB </p>
<p>APRIL 30 LISBON, PT – LISBOA AO VIVO </p>
<p>MAY 01 SEVILLA, ES – SALA CUSTOM </p>
<p>MAY 03 BARCELONA, ES – LA2 </p>
<p>MAY 05 MILAN, IT – CIRCOLO MAGNOLIA </p>
<p>MAY 06 ROME, IT – ORION CLUB </p>
<p>MAY 07 BOLOGNA, IT – TPO </p>
<p>MAY 09 RIJEKA, HR – POGON KULTURE </p>
<p>MAY 10 BUDAPEST, HUN – AKVARIUM </p>
<p>MAY 11 VIENNA, AT – FLEX </p>
<p>MAY 12 LEIPZIG, DE – CONNE ISLAND </p>
<p>MAY 14 LOHR AM MAIN, DE – SOUTH OF SILENCE FEST </p>
<p>MAY 15 BERLIN, DE – ASTRA </p>
<p>MAY 17 GOTHENBURG, SE – MUSIKENSHUS </p>
<p>MAY 18 STOCKHOLM, SE – SLAKTKYRKAN </p>
<p>MAY 20 OSLO, NO – PARKTEATRET </p>
<p>MAY 21 COPENHAGEN, DK – A COLOSSAL WEEKEND </p>
<p>MAY 22 HAMBURG, DE – GRUENSPAN </p>
<p>MAY 23 KOLN, DE – DIE KANTINE </p>
<p>MAY 24 ANTWERP, BE – TRIX</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/68821902022-01-28T09:44:20-08:002023-12-14T23:35:38-08:00HELMS ALEE FULL DIGITAL DISCOGRAPHY + “8/16” VIDEO NOW AVAILABLE<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/5b83925cccca8ebca8a0d6767d824eda6be9b8a4/original/fkimbusuyaeaaiy.jpeg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee complete discography is now available on every streaming site and their classic tribute to the 90’s video “8/16” is back on Youtube.</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allow="accelerometer; autoplay; clipboard-write; encrypted-media; gyroscope; picture-in-picture" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/5cltDqc-SzI" title="YouTube video player" width="560"></iframe></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872422021-10-26T07:51:03-07:002023-12-14T23:39:22-08:00HELMS ALEE EUROPEAN TOUR 2022 WITH RUSSIAN CIRCLES<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/c917d9f0778cbf6fdaf46a8fafba3a5b7c8035f4/original/helms-alee-ig-def.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee will join Russian Circles on their 2022 European tour and both bands will play <a contents="Roadburn in April 2022" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://roadburn.com">Roadburn in April 2022</a>. </p>
<p>Info/tickes: <a contents="helmsalee.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.com">helmsalee.com</a></p>
<p><strong>RUSSIAN CIRCLES / HELMS ALEE EUROPE 2022 </strong></p>
<p>04/14 Prague, CZE – Lucerna Music Bar </p>
<p>04/16 Monthey, SWI – Pont Rouge </p>
<p>04/17 Zurich, SWI – Rote Fabrik </p>
<p>04/18 Munich, GER – Technikum </p>
<p>04/20 Esch Sur Alzette, LUX – Kulturfabrik </p>
<p>04/21 Roadburn Festival - Tilburg </p>
<p>04/22 Paris, FRA – Bataclan </p>
<p>04/23 Orleans, FRA – Astrolabe </p>
<p>04/24 Nantes, FRA – Warehouse </p>
<p>04/26 Toulouse, FRA – Metronum </p>
<p>04/27 Biarritz, FRA – Atabal </p>
<p>04/28 Madrid, SPA – Sala Mon </p>
<p>04/29 Porto, POR – Hard Club </p>
<p>04/30 Lisbon, POR – Lisboa Ao Vivo </p>
<p>05/01 Sevilla, SPA – Sala Custom </p>
<p>05/03 Barcelona, SPA – La2 </p>
<p>05/05 Milan, ITA – Circolo Magnolia </p>
<p>05/06 Rome, ITA – Orion Club </p>
<p>05/07 Bologna, ITA – Tpo </p>
<p>05/09 Rijeka, CRO – Pogon Kulture </p>
<p>05/10 Budapest, HUN – Durer Kert </p>
<p>05/11 Vienna, AUT – Flex </p>
<p>05/12 Leipzig, GER – Conne Island </p>
<p>05/14 Lohr Am Main, GER – South Of Silence </p>
<p>05/15 Berlin, GER – Astra </p>
<p>05/17 Gothenburg, SWE – Musikenshus </p>
<p>05/18 Stockholm, SWE – Slaktkyrkan </p>
<p>05/20 Oslo, NOR – Parkteatret </p>
<p>05/21 Copenhagen, DEN – A Colossal Weekend </p>
<p>05/22 Hamburg, GER – Gruenspan </p>
<p>05/23 Koln, GER – Die Kantine </p>
<p>05/24 Antwerp, EL – Trix </p>
<p>05/26 Athens, GRE – Gagarin 205 *no Helms Alee</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1139cae3415c0b428dfcf2007ee943221cc9117a/original/russian-circles-2022-euro-tour-admat-ig-def.jpg/!!/meta:eyJzcmNCdWNrZXQiOiJiemdsZmlsZXMifQ==/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872452020-09-04T13:14:28-07:002023-12-14T23:30:57-08:00Helms Alee Share Animated Music Video for "Lay Waste Child"<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe class="justify_inline" data-video-type="youtube" data-video-id="DyHqzh7B8lE" data-video-thumb-url="https://img.youtube.com/vi/DyHqzh7B8lE/mqdefault.jpg" type="text/html" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/DyHqzh7B8lE?rel=0&wmode=transparent&enablejsapi=1" frameborder="0" height="360" width="600" allowfullscreen="true"></iframe></p>
<p>Helms Alee are back to share the video of “Lay Waste Child”, directed by Aaron Guadamuz. The song is from the band's latest record 'Noctiluca' that you can buy for only $4. All of their full length Sargent House releases are also available today (Sep 4th) only for $4 as part of our digital album Bandcamp Friday deal.</p>
<p>Buy the record: <a contents="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com" style="" target="_blank">HERE</a><br>Watch the video: <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://youtu.be/DyHqzh7B8lE" style="" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872462020-06-10T12:20:09-07:002023-12-14T23:41:12-08:00Helms Alee Noise Maker Box Black Lives Matter Raffle<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/sargent-house-raffle/products/helms-alee-noise-marker-box"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/aa7bc60b93bf89b1f9e4b00cbb0edde783dd8342/original/helms.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Sargent House will be holding a raffle to help contribute to various Black Lives Matter organizations and will be selling many exclusive items from various members of the Sargent House family.</p>
<p>Helms Alee has contributed a "Electromagnetic Bringer of Sonic Stormy Weather" noise maker box. Enter the raffle <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/sargent-house-raffle/products/helms-alee-noise-marker-box">HERE</a>. Entries are unlimited and are all going to a great cause.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872472020-03-19T14:35:13-07:002023-12-14T23:42:31-08:00POSTPONED: Helms Alee JP/UK/EU 2020 Tour<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/7c4ab3f49459115ed1701f34bf9d42f19e07581e/original/helms-alee-4x5-3-final.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /><strong>We're sorry to announce that due to the current situation, <a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> JP/EU/UK tour has been postponed. </strong></p>
<p>"We are extremely bummed to accept that we have to postpone our scheduled Spring 2020 Japan/EU/UK tour dates on account of the Covid-19 outbreak. We are gonna do everything in our power to get those dates back on the books ASAP! We wanna thank everyone who was working to help get us over there. It means the world to us! In the meantime, we will be keeping our idle hands busy at the practice space bashing out new jams!" – HA</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872482020-02-28T15:31:30-08:002023-12-14T23:44:19-08:00Helms Alee at Roskilde Festival 2020<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.roskilde-festival.dk/en/" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/77d404bcacdd22ade9137c7a517b7d6b03adc8eb/original/helms-alee-1.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="Helms Alee" data-link-type="page" href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> has been added to <a contents="Roskilde Festival" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.roskilde-festival.dk/en/" target="_blank">Roskilde Festival</a> DK lineup in July. Headlining tours starting in Japan, followed by Europe & UK. Tickets: <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net%E2" target="_blank">helmsalee.net</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872492020-01-27T16:58:36-08:002023-12-14T23:46:07-08:00Helms Alee Japan Tour 2020<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/9561c3570204476ddb22d70256413355b87f8ec2/original/helmsalee-flyer.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Helms Alee will be touring Japan in support of their latest release "Noctiluca" ahead of their EU/UK tour. Info: <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">helmsalee.net </a></p>
<p><strong>JAPAN </strong><br>APR 02 Osaka, JP @ Conpass <br>APR 03 Nagoya, JP @ Huck Finn <br>APR 04 Tokyo, JP @ Bush Bash <br>APR 05 Tokyo, JP @ Fever</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872502019-12-16T10:53:27-08:002023-12-19T01:22:15-08:00Helms Alee European Tour 2020<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/c2eb9e879d7251a97f029afa5a0f1844865b8f35/original/helms-alee-euro-admat-full-size-version-1.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p>Helms Alee announce their 2020 headlining EU/UK tour in support of "Noctiluca". Tickers available at <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">helmsalee.net</a></p>
<p>APR 16 Tilburg, NL @ Roadburn Festival <br>APR 17 Milton Keynes, UK @ The Craufurd Arms <br>APR 18 Glasgow, UK @ Broadcast <br>APR 19 Bristol, UK @ The Exchange <br>APR 20 London, UK @ Oslo Club <br>APR 21 Paris, FR @ Espace B <br>APR 22 Colmar, FR @ Grillen <br>APR 23 St Gallen, CH @ Grabenhalle <br>APR 24 Milan, IT @ Ligera <br>APR 25 Bologna, IT @ Freakout Club <br>APR 26 Vienna, AT @ Arena Dreiraum <br>APR 27 Prague, CZ @ Klub 007 <br>APR 28 Dresden, DE @ Scheune <br>APR 29 Poznan, PL @ Pod Minoga <br>APR 30 Berlin, DE @ Cassiopeia <br>MAY 01 Bochum, DE @ Die Trompete <br>MAY 02 Brussels, BE @ M4</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872512019-11-28T13:28:45-08:002023-12-10T10:05:59-08:00Helms Alee at Roadburn Festival 2020<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://roadburn.com/band/helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/d725ce5ed98f91830543e75fd751b1a6837b3035/original/helmsalee-square.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> has been announced to join the 2020 Roadburn Festival lineup, curated by <a contents="Emma Ruth Rundle" data-link-label="Emma Ruth Rundle" data-link-type="page" href="https://sargenthouse.com/emma-ruth-rundle" target="_blank">Emma Ruth Rundle</a>. Performance date April 16th at The Gilded Cage. </p>
<p><a contents="https://roadburn.com/band/helms-alee/" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://roadburn.com/band/helms-alee/" target="_blank">https://roadburn.com/band/helms-alee/</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872522019-08-06T12:20:22-07:002022-05-24T22:37:59-07:00Interview with Ben Verellen // There's Something Hard in There<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Entering the 'adventuresome' world of Helms Alee / Interview</span></h3>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/92dda82652fc85ac08ffe34c58000b0aa312bfdb/original/dsc-8560crop.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="(via There's Something Hard in There)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank">(via There's Something Hard in There)</a></p>
<p>Stay fucking alert. Keep your eyes and ears fastened on the trio that stands before you, pummeling their instruments to the hilt while launching forth their brain-piercing sound. </p>
<p>You have entered Helms Alee's realm and you're better off for it. </p>
<p>The Seattle band features guitarist Ben Verellen, bassist Dana James and drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis. All share roaring/melodic vocals and are equal architects of their sound, which grasps onto heaps of noise and yanks the listener into myriad directions. Rage, pull back with a softer part, rage again. Emotions being torn into on the entire journey. </p><!-- more -->
<p>"That's awesome," Verellen notes about my take on the band during a recent phone interview. </p>
<p>"An adventuresome traversing of three friends' brains," is how James described the band's sound in a Facebook message a few days later. </p>
<p>Verellen noted that Matheson-Margullis' former band TNA possessed some similarities to Helms Alee's sound: "I guess kind of... delaying, kind of meandering riffs and stuff like that." </p>
<p>The axeman and owner of Verellen Amplifiers in Fremont discussed how the band -- which formed in 2007 and has released five albums -- interacts while it pieces together its tunes. </p>
<p>"You love bands that everybody speaks the same language and so that they can kind of talk about what their ideas are and what they're doing. We don't really have that luxury because the three of us don't understand one another the way we talk about music at all -- it's completely weird. It comes together musically more than it does conversationally," said Verellen, who formerly played guitar in Harkonen and Roy and drums in These Arms Are Snakes. </p>
<p>*** It looks fucking tough to play, and there's a multitude of things going on there. What makes it all click and link together for your sound? </p>
<p>That's a good question. You know, it doesn't feel like that to me. That's just because we play these songs over and over again and we don't do a lot of dissecting and understanding, like I was saying, in a conversational way, parsing it and understanding it and being able to explain it to one another. It's really just whatever weird thing happens, we just do it until we like it and just do it over and over again and then it becomes second nature at some point. Not as complex as maybe it comes across to somebody just hearing it. </p>
<p>*** How does it feel when you play your music? Just watching you guys, everybody's kind of got their own thing going on but it's so perfect together. </p>
<p>"It kind of goes sort of dark, kind of television-y. It's kind of weird. There's parts that are kind of like real feisty and then there's parts that are real focus hard on. I know I enjoy it. </p>
<p>Verellen and James sowed the seeds for Helms Alee, first with a few different drummers and then a drum machine. At Matheson-Margullis' first practice, they immediately nixed the machine. </p>
<p>"You're fired," Verellen joked about the machine. </p>
<p>The man with a horde of pedals at his feet and plethora of sounds pouring out of his amps during gigs nailed down what his bandmates bring to the table: </p>
<p>"I was tripping on Hozoji's drumming (in TNA), she definitely had a different approach to writing music for drums than any other drummer I played with. Or singing, for that matter," Verellen said. </p>
<p>On James -- who used to play in Your Enemies Friends -- he added: "We got to playing together, and she's sneaky weird, so she kind of like comes across at first like really simplistic and kind of the anchor. But then she starts sliding these little things in that she can't really break down what they are. They're these really complicated, sort of off-time signature weird patterns. They kind of synch up eventually. She's awesome." </p>
<p><a contents="Here's Cat's photos of the band opening for Jawbox at Neumo's in Seattle on July 9" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank">Here's Cat's photos of the band opening for Jawbox at Neumo's in Seattle on July 9</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/58493732019-08-06T12:17:07-07:002023-12-10T10:58:06-08:00Entering the 'adventuresome' world of Helms Alee / Interview<h3 style="text-align: center;"><span class="font_large">Entering the 'adventuresome' world of Helms Alee / Interview</span></h3>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/92dda82652fc85ac08ffe34c58000b0aa312bfdb/original/dsc-8560crop.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="(via There's Something Hard in There)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank">(via There's Something Hard in There)</a></p>
<p>Stay fucking alert. Keep your eyes and ears fastened on the trio that stands before you, pummeling their instruments to the hilt while launching forth their brain-piercing sound. </p>
<p>You have entered Helms Alee's realm and you're better off for it. </p>
<p>The Seattle band features guitarist Ben Verellen, bassist Dana James and drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis. All share roaring/melodic vocals and are equal architects of their sound, which grasps onto heaps of noise and yanks the listener into myriad directions. Rage, pull back with a softer part, rage again. Emotions being torn into on the entire journey. </p><!-- more -->
<p>"That's awesome," Verellen notes about my take on the band during a recent phone interview. </p>
<p>"An adventuresome traversing of three friends' brains," is how James described the band's sound in a Facebook message a few days later. </p>
<p>Verellen noted that Matheson-Margullis' former band TNA possessed some similarities to Helms Alee's sound: "I guess kind of... delaying, kind of meandering riffs and stuff like that." </p>
<p>The axeman and owner of Verellen Amplifiers in Fremont discussed how the band -- which formed in 2007 and has released five albums -- interacts while it pieces together its tunes. </p>
<p>"You love bands that everybody speaks the same language and so that they can kind of talk about what their ideas are and what they're doing. We don't really have that luxury because the three of us don't understand one another the way we talk about music at all -- it's completely weird. It comes together musically more than it does conversationally," said Verellen, who formerly played guitar in Harkonen and Roy and drums in These Arms Are Snakes. </p>
<p>*** It looks fucking tough to play, and there's a multitude of things going on there. What makes it all click and link together for your sound? </p>
<p>That's a good question. You know, it doesn't feel like that to me. That's just because we play these songs over and over again and we don't do a lot of dissecting and understanding, like I was saying, in a conversational way, parsing it and understanding it and being able to explain it to one another. It's really just whatever weird thing happens, we just do it until we like it and just do it over and over again and then it becomes second nature at some point. Not as complex as maybe it comes across to somebody just hearing it. </p>
<p>*** How does it feel when you play your music? Just watching you guys, everybody's kind of got their own thing going on but it's so perfect together. </p>
<p>"It kind of goes sort of dark, kind of television-y. It's kind of weird. There's parts that are kind of like real feisty and then there's parts that are real focus hard on. I know I enjoy it. </p>
<p>Verellen and James sowed the seeds for Helms Alee, first with a few different drummers and then a drum machine. At Matheson-Margullis' first practice, they immediately nixed the machine. </p>
<p>"You're fired," Verellen joked about the machine. </p>
<p>The man with a horde of pedals at his feet and plethora of sounds pouring out of his amps during gigs nailed down what his bandmates bring to the table: </p>
<p>"I was tripping on Hozoji's drumming (in TNA), she definitely had a different approach to writing music for drums than any other drummer I played with. Or singing, for that matter," Verellen said. </p>
<p>On James -- who used to play in Your Enemies Friends -- he added: "We got to playing together, and she's sneaky weird, so she kind of like comes across at first like really simplistic and kind of the anchor. But then she starts sliding these little things in that she can't really break down what they are. They're these really complicated, sort of off-time signature weird patterns. They kind of synch up eventually. She's awesome." </p>
<p><a contents="Here's Cat's photos of the band opening for Jawbox at Neumo's in Seattle on July 9" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://theressomethinghardinthere.blogspot.com/2019/08/entering-adventuresome-world-of-helms.html?fbclid=IwAR0KHqLn9PTyE7lXKu4ffXK-o1nYAZghvgGKp_W1RR5CZPaSKZa5tyL4ZzA" target="_blank">Here's Cat's photos of the band opening for Jawbox at Neumo's in Seattle on July 9</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872532019-07-15T11:27:38-07:002023-12-10T09:28:52-08:00Helms Alee Joining Cave In on Fall 2019 Tour<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/9ad29ca19909fc2d14ee4ae5286803197da5cb7a/original/helms-alee-4x5-3-final.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/00b73f26b64561507bea6ce127ec2fc938662100/original/cave-in-poster-final-layers-square-dates-sm.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be joining <a contents="Cave In" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/CaveIn.Official" target="_blank">Cave In</a> and <a contents="The Primals" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/ThePrimalsLA" target="_blank">The Primals</a> on a few dates this coming Fall. Tickets: <a contents="helmsalee.net/shows" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">helmsalee.net/shows</a></p>
<p>NOV 08 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall <br>NOV 09 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>NOV 10 Austin, TX @ The Parish <br>NOV 12 Mesa, AZ @ The Nile <br>NOV 13 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar <br>NOV 14 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction <br>NOV 15 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex <br>NOV 16 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s <br>NOV 18 Portland, OR @ Star Theater <br>NOV 19 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon </p>
<p>Photo by James Rexroad<br>Art by Thomas Hooper </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/58252522019-07-15T11:23:01-07:002023-12-10T08:44:36-08:00Fall 2019 Tour with Cave In Announced<p><a contents="" data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/00b73f26b64561507bea6ce127ec2fc938662100/original/cave-in-poster-final-layers-square-dates-sm.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a><a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be joining <a contents="Cave In" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/CaveIn.Official" target="_blank">Cave In</a> and <a contents="The Primals" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/ThePrimalsLA" target="_blank">The Primals</a> on a few dates this coming Fall. Tickets: <a contents="helmsalee.net/shows" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">helmsalee.net/shows</a></p>
<p>NOV 08 Houston, TX @ White Oak Music Hall <br>NOV 09 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>NOV 10 Austin, TX @ The Parish <br>NOV 12 Mesa, AZ @ The Nile <br>NOV 13 San Diego, CA @ Soda Bar <br>NOV 14 Anaheim, CA @ Chain Reaction <br>NOV 15 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echoplex <br>NOV 16 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s <br>NOV 18 Portland, OR @ Star Theater <br>NOV 19 Seattle, WA @ El Corazon </p>
<p>Art by Thomas Hooper </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57921352019-06-14T14:41:08-07:002022-05-26T04:06:53-07:00Ben Verellen Vinyl Collection interview // My Vinyl Offering<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="737" data-orig-width="804"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.myvinyloffering.com/my-vinyl-offering/ben-verellen-helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/082b4f685f04a673981be09e77c46e06/tumblr_inline_pt3xzy6MS81qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_center border_none" alt="http://www.myvinyloffering.com/my-vinyl-offering/ben-verellen-helms-alee/" /></a><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/bcdba1dda6a912d95690078c659b4038/tumblr_inline_pt3y00J00d1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872542019-06-14T14:23:10-07:002023-10-27T11:21:28-07:00Ben Verellen Vinyl Collection interview // My Vinyl Offering<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="737" data-orig-width="804"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.myvinyloffering.com/my-vinyl-offering/ben-verellen-helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/753abeb572f35dacf415e1a046149f994cf430cb/original/ben-verellen-helms-alee.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="(via My Vinyl Offering)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.myvinyloffering.com/my-vinyl-offering/ben-verellen-helms-alee/" target="_blank">(via My Vinyl Offering)</a><br><br>In My Vinyl Offering, we get up close and personal with your favorite musicians and friends to find out the most cherished parts of the record, CD or tape collection. This time around we feature the vinyl collection of Ben Verellen, guitarist in the Seattle based band <a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="Helms Alee" data-link-type="page" href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>.</p>
<p> </p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.myvinyloffering.com/my-vinyl-offering/ben-verellen-helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/bcdba1dda6a912d95690078c659b4038/tumblr_inline_pt3y00J00d1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57827502019-06-06T16:08:36-07:002023-12-10T11:14:40-08:00Live Review: Helms Alee in San Francisco<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/bcd8daa1a36df4e0819b076af8e3c01f216d69ce/original/unknown-2-3.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>Watching <a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis do her thing is hypnotizing. Sitting behind a late-‘60s black Rogers kit—the same one her dad bought her when she was 15 years old—Matheson-Margullis covered lead and backing locals while playing over rapidly shifting arrangements. Positioned center-stage at Great American Music Hall, an awestruck crowd stared as she ruthlessly beat the hell out of her drums.</p>
<p> </p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/e32424551c45126f86dfdc240540d0dcab0802c2/original/unknown-11.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/c33f9158f597eb303a1ebbfce7c326fd337a8ef1/original/unknown-7-1.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p> </p>
<p>It looked and felt so natural. Her hands led the way; everything else just followed suit. Matheson-Margullis’ thundering tom-tom work (a tom-tom drum is a cylindrical drum with no snares) is inspired by Melvins’ drummer Dale Crover. But when you watch her play, it’s obvious that she’s also deeply inspired by her Native American heritage. Matheson-Margullis is Puyallup (a tribe from Washington) and grew up going to powwows and learning native drumming styles.</p>
<p>It’s also no surprise that her favorite record is Melvins’ Gluey Porch Treatments (1987). Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled album and Botch’s Faction (1995) also made her Top 3. Her unique style blends perfectly with the guitarwork of vocalist Ben Verellen (brother of Dave Verellen, member of Botch, Roy, and Narrows). With the uber-talented Dana James on bass, they create some drool-worthy sludge-metal, post-hardcore, melodic rock. Whatever you call it, it’s demanding, forceful, and mesmerizing.</p>
<p>The Seattle band has released five studio albums—Night Terror (2008), Weatherhead (2011), Sleepwalking Sailors (2014), Stillicide (2016), and, most recently, Noctiluca (2019). All three members contribute to the writing process, which allows different dynamics to influence their heaviness.</p>
<p>The trio opened the night with some new material—Noctiluca tracks “Interachnid” and “Beat Up.” Then it was time for one of their most notable songs, “Pleasure Center” off Sleepwalking Sailors. Verellen’s soothing voice quickly shifted into a resounding roar. It’s what the crowd was waiting for.</p>
<p>Helms Alee touched upon most records in their catalog. Playing Tumescence (Sleeping Sailors), Matheson-Margullis backed up Verellen’s deep, Maynard-like screams. Next, the slow atmospheric guitar intro of “Pretty as Pie” (Weatherhead) gently teased the crowd before tossing them down a rabbit hole of doom. Helms Alee navigates unprecedented waters — sometimes calm, sometimes chaotic. It’s the reason they close each gig with more fans that they started with.</p>
<p>After playing “Andromenous” (Stillicide), they dipped back into new stuff, like “Play Dead,” “Lay Waste, Child,” and “Spider Jar.” The crowd hung their heads or stared wide-eyed as the night went on. James flipped her curly hair and slid her fingers down the neck of her bass. Verellen’s long curls covered his face as his screamed into his mic. A sweaty Matheson-Margullis smiled at the crowd as she gripped her drumsticks, ready to end the night on a high note. They closed with Galloping Mind Fuk (Stillicide), which showcased Verellen’s relentless riffs, James weird bass lines, and Matheson-Margullis drumming annihaltion.</p>
<p><em>full article <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://nbaptistacom.wordpress.com/2019/06/05/helms-alee-march-to-the-beat-of-their-own-drum/" target="_blank">here</a></em></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872552019-06-06T16:07:29-07:002022-04-29T14:15:46-07:00Helms Alee Live Review // SF Sonic<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/bcd8daa1a36df4e0819b076af8e3c01f216d69ce/original/unknown-2-3.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><a contents="(via SF Sonic)" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sfsonic.com/concerts/helms-alee-march-to-the-beat-of-their-own-drum-at-gamh/?fbclid=IwAR2IRyHV0FjpRBh3dfCzOlc0oTfcPhFOyaVtXomcKORWmBi3IxOcLK9bgZ0" target="_blank">(via SF Sonic)</a></p>
<p>Watching <a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis do her thing is hypnotizing. Sitting behind a late-‘60s black Rogers kit—the same one her dad bought her when she was 15 years old—Matheson-Margullis covered lead and backing locals while playing over rapidly shifting arrangements. Positioned center-stage at Great American Music Hall, an awestruck crowd stared as she ruthlessly beat the hell out of her drums.</p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/e32424551c45126f86dfdc240540d0dcab0802c2/original/unknown-11.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/c33f9158f597eb303a1ebbfce7c326fd337a8ef1/original/unknown-7-1.jpeg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>It looked and felt so natural. Her hands led the way; everything else just followed suit. Matheson-Margullis’ thundering tom-tom work (a tom-tom drum is a cylindrical drum with no snares) is inspired by Melvins’ drummer Dale Crover. But when you watch her play, it’s obvious that she’s also deeply inspired by her Native American heritage. Matheson-Margullis is Puyallup (a tribe from Washington) and grew up going to powwows and learning native drumming styles.</p><!-- more -->
<p>It’s also no surprise that her favorite record is Melvins’ Gluey Porch Treatments (1987). Black Sabbath’s 1970 self-titled album and Botch’s Faction (1995) also made her Top 3. Her unique style blends perfectly with the guitarwork of vocalist Ben Verellen (brother of Dave Verellen, member of Botch, Roy, and Narrows). With the uber-talented Dana James on bass, they create some drool-worthy sludge-metal, post-hardcore, melodic rock. Whatever you call it, it’s demanding, forceful, and mesmerizing.</p>
<p>The Seattle band has released five studio albums—Night Terror (2008), Weatherhead (2011), Sleepwalking Sailors (2014), Stillicide (2016), and, most recently, Noctiluca (2019). All three members contribute to the writing process, which allows different dynamics to influence their heaviness.</p>
<p>The trio opened the night with some new material—Noctiluca tracks “Interachnid” and “Beat Up.” Then it was time for one of their most notable songs, “Pleasure Center” off Sleepwalking Sailors. Verellen’s soothing voice quickly shifted into a resounding roar. It’s what the crowd was waiting for.</p>
<p>Helms Alee touched upon most records in their catalog. Playing Tumescence (Sleeping Sailors), Matheson-Margullis backed up Verellen’s deep, Maynard-like screams. Next, the slow atmospheric guitar intro of “Pretty as Pie” (Weatherhead) gently teased the crowd before tossing them down a rabbit hole of doom. Helms Alee navigates unprecedented waters — sometimes calm, sometimes chaotic. It’s the reason they close each gig with more fans that they started with.</p>
<p>After playing “Andromenous” (Stillicide), they dipped back into new stuff, like “Play Dead,” “Lay Waste, Child,” and “Spider Jar.” The crowd hung their heads or stared wide-eyed as the night went on. James flipped her curly hair and slid her fingers down the neck of her bass. Verellen’s long curls covered his face as his screamed into his mic. A sweaty Matheson-Margullis smiled at the crowd as she gripped her drumsticks, ready to end the night on a high note. They closed with Galloping Mind Fuk (Stillicide), which showcased Verellen’s relentless riffs, James weird bass lines, and Matheson-Margullis drumming annihaltion.</p>
<p><em>full article <a contents="here" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sfsonic.com/concerts/helms-alee-march-to-the-beat-of-their-own-drum-at-gamh/?fbclid=IwAR2IRyHV0FjpRBh3dfCzOlc0oTfcPhFOyaVtXomcKORWmBi3IxOcLK9bgZ0" target="_blank">here</a></em></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872562019-05-28T11:57:13-07:002021-10-26T08:09:20-07:00Helms Alee Shows with Jawbox<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/08c0c17b0c65c22dc8d348e3694a2e576975c816/original/jbx2019-nw-1200-1200.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee will be joining Jawbox for a couple shows after touring with Earth. <br>Full tour itinerary <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57711342019-05-28T11:55:48-07:002022-06-01T18:16:07-07:00Helms Alee Shows with Jawbox<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/08c0c17b0c65c22dc8d348e3694a2e576975c816/original/jbx2019-nw-1200-1200.png/!!/b:W10=.png" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>Helms Alee will be joining Jawbox for a couple shows after touring with Earth. <br>Full tour itinerary <a contents="HERE" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57336202019-04-26T10:45:51-07:002022-11-07T23:54:46-08:00Noctiluca Out Now!<p>Noctiluca is out today! Available for streaming or purchase here <a contents="smarturl.it/Noctiluca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">smarturl.it/Noctiluca</a></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/4b207e00d68b599b28b1dca5d0904a5908cf06c8/original/noctiluca3000x.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>tickets available at <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">helmsalee.net </a>for upcoming tour with EARTH</p>
<p>Helms Alee w/ Melvins <br>MAY 02 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue <br>MAY 03 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom <br>at the Elks Temple </p>
<p>Helms Alee w/ Earth <br>MAY 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos <br>MAY 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (SOLD OUT) <br>MAY 26 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge <br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American <br>MAY 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo <br>MAY 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah * <br>MAY 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>JUN 01 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge <br>JUN 02 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister <br>JUN 04 Austin, TX @ Barracuda <br>JUN 05 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>JUN 06 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger * <br>JUN 07 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group <br>JUN 08 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon <br>JUN 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub <br>JUN 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade <br>JUN 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle <br>JUN 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5 <br>JUN 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar <br>JUN 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s <br>JUN 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom <br>JUN 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge <br>JUN 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall <br>JUN 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club <br>JUN 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle <br>JUN 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry <br>JUN 25 Omaha, NE @ O'Leaver's * <br>JUN 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre <br>JUN 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge <br>JUN 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux </p>
<p>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872572019-04-26T10:44:12-07:002021-10-26T08:09:20-07:00Noctiluca Out Now!<p>Noctiluca is out today! Available for streaming or purchase here <a contents="smarturl.it/Noctiluca" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">smarturl.it/Noctiluca</a></p>
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/4b207e00d68b599b28b1dca5d0904a5908cf06c8/original/noctiluca3000x.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p>
<p>tickets available at <a contents="helmsalee.net" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">helmsalee.net </a>for upcoming tour with EARTH</p>
<p>Helms Alee w/ Melvins <br>MAY 02 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue <br>MAY 03 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom <br>at the Elks Temple </p>
<p>Helms Alee w/ Earth <br>MAY 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos <br>MAY 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (SOLD OUT) <br>MAY 26 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge <br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American <br>MAY 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo <br>MAY 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah * <br>MAY 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>JUN 01 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge <br>JUN 02 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister <br>JUN 04 Austin, TX @ Barracuda <br>JUN 05 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada <br>JUN 06 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger * <br>JUN 07 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group <br>JUN 08 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon <br>JUN 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub <br>JUN 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade <br>JUN 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle <br>JUN 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5 <br>JUN 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar <br>JUN 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s <br>JUN 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom <br>JUN 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge <br>JUN 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall <br>JUN 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club <br>JUN 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle <br>JUN 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry <br>JUN 25 Omaha, NE @ O'Leaver's * <br>JUN 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre <br>JUN 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge <br>JUN 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux </p>
<p>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872582019-04-25T13:51:02-07:002021-10-26T08:09:20-07:00Five Heavy Albums that Changed My Life with Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and Ben Verellen of Helms Alee // Decibel<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/04/25/five-heavy-albums-that-changed-my-life-with-hozoji-matheson-margullis-and-ben-verellen-of-helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/eaca3ba2531ac0a631a589c235ca545bc40a5b25/original/dbnews-2019-04-22-fiveheavyalbumshelmsalee-820x521.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="Feature via Decibel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/04/25/five-heavy-albums-that-changed-my-life-with-hozoji-matheson-margullis-and-ben-verellen-of-helms-alee/" target="_blank">Feature via Decibel</a><br><br><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/blogs/helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> are nothing if not mysterious, the Seattle-based trio laying down a sound somewhere between atmospheric sludge, post-hardcore and post-metal throughout their catalog, which now includes fifth album <i>Noctiluca</i>, out tomorrow on <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/blogs/sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>.</p>
<p>To celebrate the release of the album, and to try to understand the minds that create the band’s unique sound a bit more, we caught up with drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen to find out what five heavy albums changed their lives.</p><!-- more -->
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="552"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/cdbf9ac84708a9367cb344b5d317776f/tumblr_inline_pqjb21YRwc1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Melvins – Gluey Porch Treatments (1987)</b></p>
<p><b>HOZOJI MATHESON-MARGULLIS:</b> This is the first truly weird rock record I got into on my own as a kid. I got it at age 13. At the time I was mostly listening to radio rock and hip hop. My dad had played records like Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma around me when I was growing up so I was not entirely unfamiliar with how weird rock music could get. But this was the first contemporary music that I was exposed to that was being this bold in putting their true personalities into their songs. The first track on the album, “Eyes Flies,” creeps in super slow with a kinda scary bass riff and several minutes of straight-up guitar feedback and random-feeling drum smashing. I was so intrigued that when I went to that week’s guitar lesson I brought the record in and asked the dude to teach me how to play like that. Needless to say he was at a loss. After Gluey Porch Treatments I started digging into lesser-known bands and was exposed to wealth of unique, honest music that I had previously not known existed. So that record was the catalyst that sent me into this world that I have been hopelessly attached to ever since!</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/abc108f2a0bd6c33a56fc00140dfc777/tumblr_inline_pqjb2nHffC1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)</b></p>
<p><b>MATHESON-MARGULLIS:</b> One of my childhood besties had an 8-track player in her bedroom with a small collection of her dad’s 8-track cassettes. It was the only source of playing music in her bedroom so we would play those cassettes over and over while we hung out. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath was one of those cassettes. I was very intrigued by how scary and weird the music was. With the exception of the song “The Wizard” (which drove me fuckin’ nuts at the time for some reason) I felt like I could listen to that album all day every day. I had been getting into contemporary local weird rock music, and hearing this album made me realize that those sounds weren’t necessarily new. I began to understand and appreciate the relationship of how generations of music inspire new generations of music. All those thick, nasty-sounding riffs on that record could most definitely be heard reverberating in the bands I was getting into. Those bands were elaborating on the theme and passing on new ideas that my generation would later use as inspiration to create our new sounds.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/b67dccb9477eb7878bfd90b5831cb057/tumblr_inline_pqjb374fTL1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Botch – Faction (1995)</b></p>
<p><b>BEN VERELLEN: </b>When I was 13 years old, my older (by 2.5 years) brother Dave came home saying he’d “made the band!” He’d convinced Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Sumac, These Arms Are Snakes, etc.), Dave Knudson (Minus the Bear) and amazing drummer Tim Latona that he was going to be the singer/frontman for their high-school band, Botch. The combination ended up being a super-inspired group of kids that pushed each other through adolescence to make better and more challenging music and to use their music to adventure around the world. They quickly grew a moshy teenage following around Tacoma, and pretty soon an older kid (maybe 21 years old), Wally Young, saw them and offered to put out Botch’s first official record, a four-song 7” called Faction. To me, it was the legitimizer of what was undeniably the way forward, and I’ve tagged along and followed their lead into adulthood. By far my most formative record/live show/band experience was witnessing what those guys put together firsthand. At the time I thought everybody’s older sibling did something cool like Botch; now I know how unique they were and how fortunate I was to be around for that.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="580" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/32a6f4aca33f1ed40dc34e98440434c4/tumblr_inline_pqjb3qcn5y1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy (1973)</b></p>
<p><b>VERELLEN:</b> You know, most people who identify as fans of heavy music really like Black Sabbath, and I get it… their music is low, it’s plodding, overdriven, darkly worded and they undeniably cut a fork in the road that spawned much heavy music. But to me, music can only be so heavy if it doesn’t have something lighter to see it up against, and that’s always been my dilemma with really getting Sabbath the way so many unwavering devotees of the church of heavy music do (Cough! Hoz! Cough! JK!). Zeppelin, however, there’s so much heaviness, but it comes intertwined with moments of somber melody, playful noodling, and frenzied shredding. To me, it’s that differential between moods that make the heavy-hitting moments land so hard. I don’t get what they tapped into, but I like trying to get it. Houses of the Holy has a wide reach of feels and so those heavy moments land most heavily. Also, me and Hoz have for many years passed the time on long drives debating which is the better band. Clearly, Zep all the way!</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="570" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/7e4d64220964c298955ee75a335761d9/tumblr_inline_pqjb46TkBe1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Karp – Suplex (1995)</b></p>
<p><b>MATHESON-MARGULLIS: </b>This album was one of the very first binding ties that we found in our friendship! I remember very clearly the moment that we discovered through shooting the shit that we both held this album near and dear. There was a moment of eye contact that informed me that the album meant as much to him as it meant to me. And I knew then that we were destined to be true friends. That is especially interesting to me because of what Karp had already done for my musical awakening. They were so heavy and simultaneously so silly and fun that you had to lighten up when you listened to them. They had a feeling of friendship and camaraderie to their music that was missing from many of their equals.</p>
<p><b>VERELLEN:</b> Agreed! It’s strange how many good friends I still know well into adulthood that I related to based on a mutual appreciation of Karp. There’s not a bazillion of us, but Karp is seriously one of those bands that was a sort of “tell” that you also liked it heavy, but with a little less costume and more genuine silly. So much heavy music is cartoonishly dark, and not many of those dark, brooding, frowning bands are all that convincing. Karp’s doses of humor peppered between odd time signatures, fuzzed-out riffing and shrieking vocals make their intense moments feel more sincerely fiery than many donning face make-up, smoke machines and spiked gauntlets. Also… “Lorch-Miller” is the heaviest song.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57324942019-04-25T13:50:19-07:002023-12-10T09:51:04-08:00Five Heavy Albums that Changed My Life with Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and Ben Verellen of Helms Alee // Decibel<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/04/25/five-heavy-albums-that-changed-my-life-with-hozoji-matheson-margullis-and-ben-verellen-of-helms-alee/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/eaca3ba2531ac0a631a589c235ca545bc40a5b25/original/dbnews-2019-04-22-fiveheavyalbumshelmsalee-820x521.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p>
<p><a contents="Feature via Decibel" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.decibelmagazine.com/2019/04/25/five-heavy-albums-that-changed-my-life-with-hozoji-matheson-margullis-and-ben-verellen-of-helms-alee/" target="_blank">Feature via Decibel</a><br><br><a href="helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> are nothing if not mysterious, the Seattle-based trio laying down a sound somewhere between atmospheric sludge, post-hardcore and post-metal throughout their catalog, which now includes fifth album <i>Noctiluca</i>, out tomorrow on <a href="sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>.</p>
<p>To celebrate the release of the album, and to try to understand the minds that create the band’s unique sound a bit more, we caught up with drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen to find out what five heavy albums changed their lives.</p><!-- more -->
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="552"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/cdbf9ac84708a9367cb344b5d317776f/tumblr_inline_pqjb21YRwc1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Melvins – Gluey Porch Treatments (1987)</b></p>
<p><b>HOZOJI MATHESON-MARGULLIS:</b> This is the first truly weird rock record I got into on my own as a kid. I got it at age 13. At the time I was mostly listening to radio rock and hip hop. My dad had played records like Pink Floyd’s Ummagumma around me when I was growing up so I was not entirely unfamiliar with how weird rock music could get. But this was the first contemporary music that I was exposed to that was being this bold in putting their true personalities into their songs. The first track on the album, “Eyes Flies,” creeps in super slow with a kinda scary bass riff and several minutes of straight-up guitar feedback and random-feeling drum smashing. I was so intrigued that when I went to that week’s guitar lesson I brought the record in and asked the dude to teach me how to play like that. Needless to say he was at a loss. After Gluey Porch Treatments I started digging into lesser-known bands and was exposed to wealth of unique, honest music that I had previously not known existed. So that record was the catalyst that sent me into this world that I have been hopelessly attached to ever since!</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/abc108f2a0bd6c33a56fc00140dfc777/tumblr_inline_pqjb2nHffC1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Black Sabbath – Black Sabbath (1970)</b></p>
<p><b>MATHESON-MARGULLIS:</b> One of my childhood besties had an 8-track player in her bedroom with a small collection of her dad’s 8-track cassettes. It was the only source of playing music in her bedroom so we would play those cassettes over and over while we hung out. Black Sabbath Black Sabbath was one of those cassettes. I was very intrigued by how scary and weird the music was. With the exception of the song “The Wizard” (which drove me fuckin’ nuts at the time for some reason) I felt like I could listen to that album all day every day. I had been getting into contemporary local weird rock music, and hearing this album made me realize that those sounds weren’t necessarily new. I began to understand and appreciate the relationship of how generations of music inspire new generations of music. All those thick, nasty-sounding riffs on that record could most definitely be heard reverberating in the bands I was getting into. Those bands were elaborating on the theme and passing on new ideas that my generation would later use as inspiration to create our new sounds.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="585" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/b67dccb9477eb7878bfd90b5831cb057/tumblr_inline_pqjb374fTL1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Botch – Faction (1995)</b></p>
<p><b>BEN VERELLEN: </b>When I was 13 years old, my older (by 2.5 years) brother Dave came home saying he’d “made the band!” He’d convinced Brian Cook (Russian Circles, Sumac, These Arms Are Snakes, etc.), Dave Knudson (Minus the Bear) and amazing drummer Tim Latona that he was going to be the singer/frontman for their high-school band, Botch. The combination ended up being a super-inspired group of kids that pushed each other through adolescence to make better and more challenging music and to use their music to adventure around the world. They quickly grew a moshy teenage following around Tacoma, and pretty soon an older kid (maybe 21 years old), Wally Young, saw them and offered to put out Botch’s first official record, a four-song 7” called Faction. To me, it was the legitimizer of what was undeniably the way forward, and I’ve tagged along and followed their lead into adulthood. By far my most formative record/live show/band experience was witnessing what those guys put together firsthand. At the time I thought everybody’s older sibling did something cool like Botch; now I know how unique they were and how fortunate I was to be around for that.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="580" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/32a6f4aca33f1ed40dc34e98440434c4/tumblr_inline_pqjb3qcn5y1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Led Zeppelin – Houses of the Holy (1973)</b></p>
<p><b>VERELLEN:</b> You know, most people who identify as fans of heavy music really like Black Sabbath, and I get it… their music is low, it’s plodding, overdriven, darkly worded and they undeniably cut a fork in the road that spawned much heavy music. But to me, music can only be so heavy if it doesn’t have something lighter to see it up against, and that’s always been my dilemma with really getting Sabbath the way so many unwavering devotees of the church of heavy music do (Cough! Hoz! Cough! JK!). Zeppelin, however, there’s so much heaviness, but it comes intertwined with moments of somber melody, playful noodling, and frenzied shredding. To me, it’s that differential between moods that make the heavy-hitting moments land so hard. I don’t get what they tapped into, but I like trying to get it. Houses of the Holy has a wide reach of feels and so those heavy moments land most heavily. Also, me and Hoz have for many years passed the time on long drives debating which is the better band. Clearly, Zep all the way!</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="570" data-orig-width="585"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/7e4d64220964c298955ee75a335761d9/tumblr_inline_pqjb46TkBe1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><b>Karp – Suplex (1995)</b></p>
<p><b>MATHESON-MARGULLIS: </b>This album was one of the very first binding ties that we found in our friendship! I remember very clearly the moment that we discovered through shooting the shit that we both held this album near and dear. There was a moment of eye contact that informed me that the album meant as much to him as it meant to me. And I knew then that we were destined to be true friends. That is especially interesting to me because of what Karp had already done for my musical awakening. They were so heavy and simultaneously so silly and fun that you had to lighten up when you listened to them. They had a feeling of friendship and camaraderie to their music that was missing from many of their equals.</p>
<p><b>VERELLEN:</b> Agreed! It’s strange how many good friends I still know well into adulthood that I related to based on a mutual appreciation of Karp. There’s not a bazillion of us, but Karp is seriously one of those bands that was a sort of “tell” that you also liked it heavy, but with a little less costume and more genuine silly. So much heavy music is cartoonishly dark, and not many of those dark, brooding, frowning bands are all that convincing. Karp’s doses of humor peppered between odd time signatures, fuzzed-out riffing and shrieking vocals make their intense moments feel more sincerely fiery than many donning face make-up, smoke machines and spiked gauntlets. Also… “Lorch-Miller” is the heaviest song.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872592019-04-22T11:49:25-07:002022-01-13T04:00:30-08:00REVIEW: Helms Alee – Noctiluca // Echoes & Dust<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="62" data-orig-width="581"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.echoesanddust.com/2019/04/helms-alee-noctiluca/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/bec27523937e3824ee088ec8300fb821/tumblr_inline_pqdlfzVYj61s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a><br><strong><span class="font_xl">(((O))) REVIEW: HELMS ALEE – NOCTILUCA</span></strong></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="700" data-orig-width="700"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.echoesanddust.com/2019/04/helms-alee-noctiluca/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/ae6f7c4838a2de793642e28e056a48a5/tumblr_inline_pqdlko6i3i1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.echoesanddust.com/2019/04/helms-alee-noctiluca/" target="_blank">Full review via Echoes & Dust</a><br><br>Continuing the tradition of exceptional bands from Seattle, Helms Alee are back with their fifth album in a twelve year existence. Entitled Noctiluca, the 10 tracks contained therein joyously bring you more of their trademark blend of sludgy riffs, off kilter melodies and noisy experimentation that sets Helms Alee on a parapet of unique greatness. The trio of Dana James (bass, vocals), Hozoji Margullis (drums, vocals) and Ben Verellen (guitar, vocals) combine effortlessly to create an astonishing eruption of noise underpinned with sublime melody.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872602019-04-17T10:41:58-07:002021-10-26T08:09:21-07:00HELMS ALEE "Beat Up" Track Premiere // Metal Injection<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="4912" data-orig-width="7360"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/helms-alee-premieres-the-appropriately-titled-track-beat-up" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1329c3cad1b476ccf8805e9563236fde7bfe7476/original/metal-injection-logo.png/!!/undefined/b:W1sic2l6ZSIsIm1lZGl1bSJdXQ==.png" class="size_m justify_center border_" /></a><span class="font_large"><strong>HELMS ALEE Premieres The Appropriately Titled Track “Beat Up”</strong></span><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/helms-alee-premieres-the-appropriately-titled-track-beat-up" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/baf1a9e1c9efcef680c3410a6ecb55f9679044c6/original/helms-alee-2019-press-0175761.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p><i><a href="https://metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/helms-alee-premieres-the-appropriately-titled-track-beat-up" target="_blank">Premiere via Metal Injection</a></i></p>
<p>Sludge metal trio, <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>, are back at it with a brand new album titled <i>Noctiluca</i>, and if you’re looking something heartwarmingly crude and groovy, then you owe it to yourself to check this out!</p>
<p>Today we’re excited to bring you the track “Beat Up” off the album, a quick number that is disgustingly raw and catchy at the same time, leaving you to smash that repeat button more than you’d like to admit.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="364" data-orig-width="600" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F-DqLf7-F1aY"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="364" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DqLf7-F1aY?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="600"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">Pre-order the new album</a>, <i>Noctiluca</i> , to be released on April 26th via Sargent House.</p><!-- more -->
<p>Catch Helms Alee live on tour on the following dates!<br><br>Helms Alee w/ Melvins<br>May 2 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue<br>May 3 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple<br>Helms Alee w/ Earth<br>May 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>May 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (SOLD OUT)<br>May 26 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>May 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>May 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>June 1 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>June 2 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>June 4 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>June 5 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>June 6 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>June 7 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>June 8 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>June 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>June 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>June 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>June 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>June 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>June 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>June 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>June 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>June 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>June 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>June 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>June 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>June 25 Omaha, NE @ O’Leaver’s *<br>June 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>June 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>June 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux<br><br>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/57229802019-04-17T10:41:58-07:002022-02-15T08:52:42-08:00HELMS ALEE "Beat Up" Track Premiere // Metal Injection<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="4912" data-orig-width="7360"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/helms-alee-premieres-the-appropriately-titled-track-beat-up" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/baf1a9e1c9efcef680c3410a6ecb55f9679044c6/original/helms-alee-2019-press-0175761.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p><i><a href="https://metalinjection.net/av/song-premiere/helms-alee-premieres-the-appropriately-titled-track-beat-up" target="_blank">Premiere via Metal Injection</a></i></p>
<p><strong><span class="font_large">HELMS ALEE Premieres The Appropriately Titled Track “Beat Up”</span></strong></p>
<p>Sludge metal trio, <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>, are back at it with a brand new album titled <i>Noctiluca</i>, and if you’re looking something heartwarmingly crude and groovy, then you owe it to yourself to check this out!</p>
<p>Today we’re excited to bring you the track “Beat Up” off the album, a quick number that is disgustingly raw and catchy at the same time, leaving you to smash that repeat button more than you’d like to admit.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="364" data-orig-width="600" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2F-DqLf7-F1aY"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="364" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/-DqLf7-F1aY?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="600"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">Pre-order the new album</a>, <i>Noctiluca</i> , to be released on April 26th via Sargent House.</p><!-- more -->
<p>Catch Helms Alee live on tour on the following dates!<br><br>Helms Alee w/ Melvins<br>May 2 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue<br>May 3 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple<br>Helms Alee w/ Earth<br>May 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>May 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge (SOLD OUT)<br>May 26 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>May 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>May 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>June 1 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>June 2 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>June 4 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>June 5 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>June 6 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>June 7 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>June 8 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>June 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>June 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>June 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>June 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>June 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>June 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>June 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>June 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>June 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>June 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>June 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>June 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>June 25 Omaha, NE @ O’Leaver’s *<br>June 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>June 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>June 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux<br><br>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872612019-03-27T10:19:06-07:002023-12-10T11:34:23-08:00Helms Alee Debut New Track, “Spider Jar” // Revolver<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="66" data-orig-width="524"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/0aaeb3c22ef0427d3e50252ec6f238bf/tumblr_inline_pp1bxjJGNF1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="170" data-orig-width="885"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/16ac3af8a429fa61f6803eb3a6ac3327/tumblr_inline_pp1by8ONPR1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FTz9JXRmtsJA"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="364" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tz9JXRmtsJA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="600"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><i><a href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank">Feature via Revolver</a></i></p>
<p>Where would we be without <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>?</p>
<p>The melodic trio from the Pacific Northwest boast some killer songwriting skills and understand the value of both melody and the riff, which makes for a lethal combination of might and mind. In advance of their new album, Noctiluca, which is out April 26th on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>, the band has shared the fly-on-the-wall practice-space video for their new melodic banger “Spider Jar.”</p>
<p>The intimacy of their performance highlights the track’s heavy melodic sensibilities and hints at the band’s live firepower. Make no mistake — when they unleash “Spider Jar” onstage it will hit like a 10,000-watt stereo blasting out Pet Sounds.</p>
<p>Check out the video for the beautifully brutal “Spider Jar” above, pre-order your copy of Noctiluca <a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">here</a> and catch them on tour this summer alongside legendary duo Earth — a full itinerary can be found below. Oh, and one more thing: bring earplugs. </p><!-- more -->
<p>Helms Alee w/ Melvins<br>May 2 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue<br>May 3 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple<br>Helms Alee w/ Earth<br>May 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>May 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>May 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>May 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>June 1 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>June 2 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>June 4 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>June 5 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>June 6 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>June 7 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>June 8 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>June 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>June 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>June 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>June 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>June 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>June 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>June 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>June 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>June 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>June 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>June 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>June 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>June 25 Omaha, NE @ O'Leaver’s *<br>June 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>June 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>June 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux<br>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/56966492019-03-27T10:19:06-07:002022-01-05T03:11:27-08:00Helms Alee Debut New Track, “Spider Jar” // Revolver<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="66" data-orig-width="524"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/0aaeb3c22ef0427d3e50252ec6f238bf/tumblr_inline_pp1bxjJGNF1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="170" data-orig-width="885"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/16ac3af8a429fa61f6803eb3a6ac3327/tumblr_inline_pp1by8ONPR1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fyoutu.be%2FTz9JXRmtsJA"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="364" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/Tz9JXRmtsJA?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="600"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><i><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.revolvermag.com/music/watch-helms-alees-intimate-performance-catchy-lush-new-song-spider-jar" target="_blank">Feature via Revolver</a></i></p>
<p>Where would we be without <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>?</p>
<p>The melodic trio from the Pacific Northwest boast some killer songwriting skills and understand the value of both melody and the riff, which makes for a lethal combination of might and mind. In advance of their new album, Noctiluca, which is out April 26th on <a contents="Sargent House" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>, the band has shared the fly-on-the-wall practice-space video for their new melodic banger “Spider Jar.”</p>
<p>The intimacy of their performance highlights the track’s heavy melodic sensibilities and hints at the band’s live firepower. Make no mistake — when they unleash “Spider Jar” onstage it will hit like a 10,000-watt stereo blasting out Pet Sounds.</p>
<p>Check out the video for the beautifully brutal “Spider Jar” above, pre-order your copy of Noctiluca <a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">here</a> and catch them on tour this summer alongside legendary duo Earth — a full itinerary can be found below. Oh, and one more thing: bring earplugs. </p><!-- more -->
<p>Helms Alee w/ Melvins<br>May 2 Vancouver, BC @ The Venue<br>May 3 Tacoma, WA @ The Spanish Ballroom at the Elks Temple<br>Helms Alee w/ Earth<br>May 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>May 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>May 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>May 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>May 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>June 1 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>June 2 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>June 4 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>June 5 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>June 6 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>June 7 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>June 8 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>June 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>June 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>June 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>June 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>June 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>June 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>June 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>June 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>June 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>June 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>June 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>June 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>June 25 Omaha, NE @ O'Leaver’s *<br>June 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>June 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>June 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux<br>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872622019-03-06T11:51:31-08:002021-10-26T08:09:21-07:00Helms Alee Announce US Tour with EARTH<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="5100" data-orig-width="3300" style=""><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/e64f0c84fe0f95b23bedf1a1245884169ec7f213/original/helms-admat-dates.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> we’ll be joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thronesanddominions/?__tn__=K-R-R-R&eid=ARD2uwjY-QBUnlERaGsQF9Ru8B9uQ82KCmuFJPXVVGKLM0LQRsV2qeXSQEcALepAhgtUaA2M7n1gPgD7&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA_iwhXUmtKaLHB6DvpIlKS2vGigneaZK3OjHhkhf0u63SlMQqQEs0-YrMmZwyCUgGXSD9DyOlrpjrnZ4oXEyy96Q8bfaDvNcmiJpRvLZZ-_JuDa6jbkcn8LWaTsgihfQssWi4CFQ9rkhNy3WwKvybMCWzgthtKAHGSJy-Fbbi0HYL-vQxqNlFlxTDC6U69dlgRiCaBujjDqbrFSp5DnhcrRNwCDPOq_vL7OrPTNcpuj91yCUGJF55E396SxiENrWuJz_QLXxatJOXrWmCmrSUhEu9IjfbHYV0VAnlUKOiecvaYr01VEHWGQrOM3nCtftzf" target="_blank">Earth</a> on a full US tour in support of their upcoming album “Noctiluca”. Tickets at <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">helmsalee.net</a> // PRESALE (password: burninglips)</p><!-- more -->
<p>MAY 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>MAY 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>MAY 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>MAY 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>MAY 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>JUN 01 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>JUN 02 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>JUN 04 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>JUN 05 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>JUN 06 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>JUN 07 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>JUN 08 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>JUN 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>JUN 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>JUN 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>JUN 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>JUN 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>JUN 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>JUN 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>JUN 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>JUN 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>JUN 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>JUN 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>JUN 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>JUN 25 Omaha, NE @ O’Leaver’s *<br>JUN 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>JUN 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>JUN 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux</p>
<p>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/56710752019-03-06T11:51:31-08:002022-05-26T23:30:34-07:00Helms Alee Announce US Tour with EARTH<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="5100" data-orig-width="3300" style=""><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/aa7c502198fd3c083975ddec30f9b1121a96122f/original/helms-admat-dates.jpg/!!/b:W10=.jpg" class="size_l justify_center border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> we’ll be joining <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thronesanddominions/?__tn__=K-R-R-R&eid=ARD2uwjY-QBUnlERaGsQF9Ru8B9uQ82KCmuFJPXVVGKLM0LQRsV2qeXSQEcALepAhgtUaA2M7n1gPgD7&fref=mentions&__xts__%5B0%5D=68.ARA_iwhXUmtKaLHB6DvpIlKS2vGigneaZK3OjHhkhf0u63SlMQqQEs0-YrMmZwyCUgGXSD9DyOlrpjrnZ4oXEyy96Q8bfaDvNcmiJpRvLZZ-_JuDa6jbkcn8LWaTsgihfQssWi4CFQ9rkhNy3WwKvybMCWzgthtKAHGSJy-Fbbi0HYL-vQxqNlFlxTDC6U69dlgRiCaBujjDqbrFSp5DnhcrRNwCDPOq_vL7OrPTNcpuj91yCUGJF55E396SxiENrWuJz_QLXxatJOXrWmCmrSUhEu9IjfbHYV0VAnlUKOiecvaYr01VEHWGQrOM3nCtftzf" target="_blank">Earth</a> on a full US tour in support of their upcoming album “Noctiluca”.<br>Tickets at <a href="https://l.facebook.com/l.php?u=http%3A%2F%2Fhelmsalee.net%2F%3Ffbclid%3DIwAR2bVocxbea7DnAVwtLxt9uXy2P9AYNIurE6aJ2IkRBxAXNFsu21m-d8hiM&h=AT1zwRquLFsUkCq8joRSWDuMOyxbbd_KyByrbVRBRxnYWwrewPN_sf4Bmd2svj8STm7WfrWvLDMFJ6zfOcDNcfW-3Cc3sZZTE1Sp-d5-5JYHRtW_e5lCXgPFDGjJnt2U6oe372vFyZvfekwlU0IW4nMEmRIWDo1B-iaPCUvCgVeOglVQYIybfGLZeFfn5gU7UtZl0Bgrd76IfHudUEA-r662fiRiNPgD68Qixp-_IxpNdtigGZVJnruuFfTZcqWbdwIo2kr4ehLT-ZVsEcqWN8CoKQW140I1Y8vD3QNjjj7MbjT8NxRHbBxyYWA8ZzW_dP0WmLMmsRTyC65zCFv3PWGnMUvfG1joxZRD9Cnw8lyJI_sPxthSyxtuO-JGc2ZX2IGe5kvsHENNVVKt6bfNG6mqTyY5Q9dZXABLIkENPWaw5M-WuC3FG7Cit3NCPCheDBwdo31FFEbhQz2ecrvBiGTas4sUvIWnNkkw055Zv5yYYcGeO-6is_PrX2szM88DGSWyAdKDN-NNQvgtaORwX8FihQHGy0Fnei6eMeguiJZuxzMSHpzlfdQSxcMXRZOZBnOv2GvMo4KT24a_sNI9ECAxfaeByKOBwHtDc-81r0fFGujnkoQYSQJPGS1MLOQ" target="_blank">helmsalee.net</a> // PRESALE (password: burninglips)</p><!-- more -->
<p>MAY 24 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>MAY 25 Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge<br>May 28 San Francisco, CA @ Great American<br>MAY 29 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>MAY 30 San Diego, CA @ Casbah *<br>MAY 31 Los Angeles, CA @ The Echo<br>JUN 01 Poenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>JUN 02 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister<br>JUN 04 Austin, TX @ Barracuda<br>JUN 05 Dallas, TX @ Club Dada<br>JUN 06 San Antonio, TX @ Paper Tiger *<br>JUN 07 Houston, TX @ The Secret Group<br>JUN 08 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon<br>JUN 10 Orlando, FL @ Wills Pub<br>JUN 11 Atlanta, GA @ The Masquerade<br>JUN 12 Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle<br>JUN 14 Richmond, VA @ Gallery 5<br>JUN 15 Baltimore, MD @ Ottobar<br>JUN 16 Philadelphia, PA @ Johnny Brenda’s<br>JUN 18 Somerville, MA @ ONCE Ballroom<br>JUN 19 New York, NY @ Le Poisson Rouge<br>JUN 21 Pittsburgh, PA @ Spirit Hall<br>JUN 22 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>JUN 23 Chicago, IL @ The Empty Bottle<br>JUN 24 Minneapolis, MN @ 7th St. Entry<br>JUN 25 Omaha, NE @ O’Leaver’s *<br>JUN 27 Denver, CO @ Marquis Theatre<br>JUN 28 SLC, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>JUN 29 Boise, ID @ Neurolux</p>
<p>Helms Alee only *</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872632019-02-20T12:30:19-08:002021-10-26T08:09:21-07:00Helms Alee Announces New Album "Noctiluca", Video For "Interachnid" // METALSUCKS<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="311" data-orig-width="1082"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/eb1b0c69ca2423d87b6bfa29d7a35687/tumblr_inline_pn8rnx82f61s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="515" data-orig-width="1000"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/c86b7d456b8cf858ef7bc4caaf010fa0/tumblr_inline_pn8rnzQ2Ps1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/4af12ee9581a83115e3f56d826384ee1/tumblr_inline_pn8rs05ANs1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>full article via <a href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/02/20/helms-alee-interact-with-interachnid/">MetalSucks</a></p>
<p>Until some band (probably Metallica) actually records an album underwater, Dethklok-style, it’s a safe bet that Helms Alee’s forthcoming Noctiluca will be rock’s heaviest marine-life-themed offering. The record takes its title from a bioluminescent algae sometimes known as the “sea sparkle” because… well… it does this:</p><!-- more -->
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3DeTDxjOjzm9w"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTDxjOjzm9w?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>
<p>“Interachnid,” the first single off of Noctiluca, certainly suggests the album is going to capture that mix of brilliance and murkiness. In fact, the whole song is a study in contradictions: it’s smooth yet jerky, melodious yet discordant, confident yet anxious, inviting yet militaristic. It’s pretty fuckin’ great, and as a bonus, it arrives with a cool, trippy-as-fuqq video created by drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis.</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and check out “Interachnid” below. Noctiluca comes out April 16 on Sargent House; pre-order it <a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca">here</a>.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6mWcDlO4_lI"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6mWcDlO4_lI?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/56521252019-02-20T12:30:19-08:002020-12-29T06:20:13-08:00Helms Alee Announces New Album "Noctiluca", Video For "Interachnid" // METALSUCKS<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="311" data-orig-width="1082"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/02/20/helms-alee-interact-with-interachnid/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/eb1b0c69ca2423d87b6bfa29d7a35687/tumblr_inline_pn8rnx82f61s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/02/20/helms-alee-interact-with-interachnid/" target="_blank"><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/c86b7d456b8cf858ef7bc4caaf010fa0/tumblr_inline_pn8rnzQ2Ps1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://66.media.tumblr.com/4af12ee9581a83115e3f56d826384ee1/tumblr_inline_pn8rs05ANs1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p>full article via <a href="http://www.metalsucks.net/2019/02/20/helms-alee-interact-with-interachnid/" target="_blank">MetalSucks</a></p>
<p>Until some band (probably Metallica) actually records an album underwater, Dethklok-style, it’s a safe bet that Helms Alee’s forthcoming Noctiluca will be rock’s heaviest marine-life-themed offering. The record takes its title from a bioluminescent algae sometimes known as the “sea sparkle” because… well… it does this:</p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/eTDxjOjzm9w?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p>
<p><br>“Interachnid,” the first single off of Noctiluca, certainly suggests the album is going to capture that mix of brilliance and murkiness. In fact, the whole song is a study in contradictions: it’s smooth yet jerky, melodious yet discordant, confident yet anxious, inviting yet militaristic. It’s pretty fuckin’ great, and as a bonus, it arrives with a cool, trippy-as-fuqq video created by drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis.</p>
<p>Do yourself a favor and check out “Interachnid” below. Noctiluca comes out April 16 on Sargent House; pre-order it <a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="540" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6mWcDlO4_lI"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6mWcDlO4_lI?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="540"></iframe></p></figure>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872642019-02-20T11:54:46-08:002021-10-26T08:09:21-07:00Helms Alee Announce New Album // Premiere Video for “Interachnid”<figure class="tmblr-embed tmblr-full" data-orig-height="304" data-orig-width="600" data-provider="youtube" data-url="https%3A%2F%2Fwww.youtube.com%2Fwatch%3Fv%3D6mWcDlO4_lI%26feature%3Dyoutu.be%26fbclid%3DIwAR3RTzPVY_VAQTH43U8O3U4ca3kkA9pcXxEeiGgNcMaKI37GE1WYJyWWO40"><p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="304" id="youtube_iframe" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/6mWcDlO4_lI?feature=oembed&enablejsapi=1&origin=https://safe.txmblr.com&wmode=opaque" width="600"></iframe></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/blogs/sargenthouse.com/helms-alee">Helms Alee</a> make a strong return with their premiere track “Interachnid” off their upcoming record, “Noctiluca” – out April 26th on <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://facebook.com/sargenthouse" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>. Music video directed by Hozoji Matheson-Margullis.</p>
<p>Pre-Order “Noctiluca” <a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/helms-alee">HERE</a> // Stream wherever you listen to music <a href="http://smarturl.it/Noctiluca">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872652018-04-19T13:22:57-07:002021-10-26T08:09:22-07:00The Geoduck Diver - Hozoji of Helms Alee // Motherboard<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="104" data-orig-width="564"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3kj87n/hozoji-matheson-margullis-native-american-indigenous-science-movement" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/05565c35f6a6c007c99db17231e2d247/tumblr_inline_p7g805JWhT1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1144" data-orig-width="2238"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3kj87n/hozoji-matheson-margullis-native-american-indigenous-science-movement" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4f3261b7434075b3fe3ebe5eb89516c1/tumblr_inline_p7g80ecGdk1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/87a1d0f1a8f1d3d411dbc80b1a75b3b7/tumblr_inline_p7g80iylyU1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<p>Excellent piece on Hozoji Matherson-Margullis of <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> by <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3kj87n/hozoji-matheson-margullis-native-american-indigenous-science-movement" target="_blank">MOTHERBOARD</a>.</p>
<p>Full article below.</p><!-- more -->
<p>The <i>Monitor</i>, an unassuming vessel crewed by the Shellfish Department of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, was on a sample-gathering run through a tract of the Puget Sound off Tacoma, Washington, and faced little wind. But even on a serene Thursday morning in early March, partly sunny and otherwise clear, it may as well have been night 55 feet below, where Hozoji Matheson-Margullis sauntered through the disorienting thick of a silt cloud.</p>
<p>Geoduck in hand, Hozoji scoured the seafloor. The tract has been open for tribal harvest for three years, according to <i>Monitor</i> captain and Puyallup shellfish biologist Dave Winfrey. It was flagged recently when a 1,300-pound shipment of geoduck (“gooey duck”), a type of large, edible saltwater clam, sourced from a Puyallup fishery and headed to China, was recalled due to<a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/ParalyticShellfishPoison" target="_blank"><b> paralytic shellfish poison</b></a>, a toxic algal bloom phenomenon commonly known as red tide. The <i>Monitor</i>’s assignment that day was to catch at least three geoducks for biotoxin analysis, to make sure that any animals harvested at the site were in fact safe for human consumption.</p>
<p>Native to the coastal waters of the northwestern United States, geoducks are bivalves with retractable, fleshy siphons for sucking in water and filtering nutrients before shooting the spent water back out. A mature geoduck is typically the length of the average adult forearm, weighing a pound or two, though the animals, fixing themselves to the same spot in the seabed, away from predators, for life, have been known to reach 6 feet and up to 14 pounds.</p>
<p>Geoducks look like disembodied infant elephant trunks, but one could be forgiven for thinking the animal resembles another sort of trunk entirely. The etymology of the common name traces to the Lushootseed word <i>g</i>ʷ<i>íd</i>ə<i>q</i> (“gweduc”), which translates to the phrase <i>dig deep</i>, although the suffix “-əq” may also mean “genitalia.” Any confusion on that point, I’m told, is due to mere dialectical differences.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1326" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6f5a3523ff43dfe7693b5137721b7957/tumblr_inline_p7g822HNDQ1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji bagged a dozen geoduck on a biotoxin sample-gathering sweep of a tribal shellfish tract in the Puget Sound near Tacoma, Washington. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Regardless, there is no known burrowing clam on Earth larger than <i>Panopea generosa</i>. And with lifespans that push a century-and-a-half, geoducks are one of the planet’s longest-lived critters.</p>
<p>The proper way to harvest a geoduck, Hozoji explained, is not by yanking the siphon, or “neck,” which risks tearing it from its base. Rather, one must bore under and around the clam’s shell. Dig deep.</p>
<p>Hozoji, now 37 and known internationally as a powerhouse drummer, remembers getting squirted by geoducks at low tide, while exploring the shores of her native Tacoma as a kid. Back then, she hung on a question that has shaped her existence ever since: <i>What’s down there?</i></p>
<p>Today, the geoduck has become a harbinger of climate change. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586717/" target="_blank"><b>growing</b></a> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/increase-in-harmful-algal-blooms-possible/" target="_blank"><b>body</b></a> of <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/11713422/Mussels-to-become-poisonous-through-climate-change.html" target="_blank"><b>research</b></a> suggests that global warming and ocean acidification will exacerbate blooms of certain toxic algae like red tide, to the point shellfish like geoduck could become too poisonous for animals and humans to consume. That cuts especially close to home for Indigenous communities like the Puyallup, who despite being protectors of natural resources and stewards of sustainability, have historically been marginalized by non-native political and industrial forces.</p>
<p>The US government, all the while, has deferred to Western scientists, not <a href="http://theconversation.com/its-taken-thousands-of-years-but-western-science-is-finally-catching-up-to-traditional-knowledge-90291" target="_blank"><b>deep-seated native knowledge and technologies</b></a>, still a lingering, systemic bias in 2018. Data is hard to come by on the current number of Indigenous scientists in the US. As of 2011, the <a href="https://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acs-24.pdf" target="_blank"><b>US Census estimated self-identified Native American and Alaskan Natives</b></a> made up 0.6 percent of STEM jobs compared to 66.9 percent white (non Hispanic or Latino). Hozoji is uniquely poised to help close this gap: She came up through the tribal system and is now actively working to integrate herself into the scientific establishment. Last year, she landed a non-student position at a University of Washington-Tacoma (UWT) laboratory that is focused on tracking baby shellfish.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1326" data-orig-width="2162"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/02fa5d0e97aefbecfbc68b9e9e4f6a69/tumblr_inline_p7g82u3uYU1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji with a geoduck. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji is doing the work of an ambassador of Native American conservation to the traditional research-industrial complex, putting her in an insurgent, if precarious, position as a young woman on the frontlines of Indigenous science.</p>
<p>Which, when you’re 50-plus murky feet below the surface of the Puget Sound, means it can be hard to see what’s coming at you.</p>
<p>THE WAY DOWN</p>
<p>Wearing two-thirds of her body weight in scuba gear that calm March morning, Hozoji groped the underwater haze. The sediment had been stirred by a high-pressure water hose that Hozoji used to dislodge the geoduck. That’s when Hozoji noticed the silhouette, a looming presence, as it materialized no more than an arm’s length in front of her.</p>
<p>It was George Stearns, Hozoji’s dive partner.</p>
<p>“I couldn’t see him at all! And I’m waving this geoduck around,” Hozoji laughed, assuming she’d given Stearns, there to gather the specimen in a mesh bag, an accidental mollusk facial.</p>
<p>It was the kind of jumpy close call that comes with a gig in the gloom and, besides, Hozoji had experienced more serious brushes with danger earlier in her diving career. It’s something Hozoji and Stearns would joke about as they clambered back onto the boat’s cramped deck, replaying the near-miss. It was just one of a dozen geoduck Hozoji collected in a little under a half-hour during a sweep of this pocket of a larger shellfish grounds, which, like other tribal tracts, encompassed roughly 100 acres.</p>
<p>Puyallup strategy is to harvest 65 percent of the biomass in a given hundred-acre tribal tract, such as this one, and then to move on, “a rotational thing” assuming an average tract recovery time of 50 years, according to Winfrey. But while this specific bed hadn’t been harvested all the way to that 65 percent limit, Winfrey did describe it as “beat down pretty hard,” enough so that he’d given the divers the go-ahead to descend to 70 feet, the legal limit for shellfish harvesting, if it meant they’d find clams.</p>
<p>“Little slow going on the way down,” Stearns said, unzipping his wetsuit.</p>
<p>“Were geoducks everywhere?” asked Winfrey.</p>
<p>“They weren’t everywhere,” said Hozoji, facemask suction rings still fresh around her eyes. “But not hard to find.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1332" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/fb9be11bea4ff11079752c3c4cb5d5d0/tumblr_inline_p7g84fxFga1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji (reflection) and Dave Winfrey, <i>Monitor</i> captain and Puyallup shellfish biologist. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji, Stearns, and Winfrey make for an affable crew. Winfrey and Stearns* are two scientists who work for the tribe; Hozoji comes from an Indigenous lineage whose relationship with Pacific marine life, notably the clam, a prominent character in the Puyallup genesis story, stretches back hundreds of years and over generations of tribal struggle.</p>
<p>“The history of shellfish to the Puyallup is deeply important to our people, a right that our Elders fought for for over 30 years,” Danica Miller, an assistant professor of American Indian Studies at UWT, told me. (Miller, herself Puyallup, happens to be Hozoji’s cousin.)</p>
<p>As outlined in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9930.1982.tb00277.x" target="_blank"><b>Boldt Decision</b></a>, the 1974 federal court ruling that upheld fishing rights for lower Coast Salish tribes, Indigenous groups and Washington state, respectively, split the total Puget Sound shellfish harvest 50-50. It is <a href="http://puyallup-tribe.com/shellfish/" target="_blank"><b>the mission</b></a> of the Puyallup Shellfish Department, established in 1994, to “maximize and optimize the shellfish harvest rights secured through the [1854] <a href="https://www.fws.gov/pacific/ea/tribal/treaties/Nisqualli_Puyallup.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Treaty of Medicine Creek</b></a>,” which granted Native American tribes “the right of taking fish, at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations” in what was then the Territory of Washington. Per official <a href="http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PuyallupTribe/html/PuyallupTribe12/PuyallupTribe1212.html#12.12" target="_blank"><b>Puyallup shellfish code</b></a>, the Shellfish Department, of which Hozoji is an independent contractor, is “tasked with protecting the habitats and populations of shellfish,” while fostering a safe environment for tribal members to fish for ceremonial, commercial, and subsistence purposes.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1328" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6d3fc5c05f1fda904bb0361c021ebc3a/tumblr_inline_p7g84yNTwI1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Clam bag tags. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Such a responsibility strikes a singular profile in someone like Hozoji, whose “heart,” she tells me, “gives a real big fuck” about restoring and protecting the Salish Sea, the delicate, low-lying Pacific Northwest marine environment, including the Puget Sound, that her ancestors have called home and subsisted on since pre-settler colonial times. If there is an afterlife and Hozoji could choose a form of reincarnation, she says she’d want to meld with the entirety of that biomass, plus that of the greater Salish Sea. “Just, like, <i>be</i> part of it,” she told me, “with no needs other than to feel what that feels like.”</p>
<p>That same ecosystem, battered as it has been by habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution, is threatened anew in a time of <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vvjywx/all-the-ways-the-trump-administration-has-already-screwed-the-epa" target="_blank"><b>deregulation and rollbacks to environmental protections under Trump</b></a>, on top of what’s already a grave tribal concern: global warming.</p>
<p>“Climate change is threatening the natural resources we have relied upon for centuries, as well as our health, economy, and infrastructure,” the <a href="http://puyallup-tribe.com/tempFiles/PuyallupClimateChangeImpactAssessment_2016_FINAL_pages.pdf" target="_blank"><b>2016 Puyallup climate change report</b></a> reads. “For our people, climate change is no longer a ‘tomorrow’ issue.”</p>
<p>After breaking down some of the 300 feet of high-pressure hose Stearns had brought along, we hunkered in the cabin. Winfrey soon turned the <i>Monitor</i> for shore.</p>
<p>A HEAVY LOAD</p>
<p>Hozoji, variously known among friends and colleagues as Hozi, HoHo, or the Hoz, is most widely recognized for her pummeling musical chops.</p>
<p>Forged over two decades of playing, recording, and touring the world in “weird rock” bands like <a href="https://lozenpower.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lozen</b></a>, a drum-and-bass duo named after the legendary female Apache warrior, and the briny trio <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><b>Helms Alee</b></a>, Hozoji’s vocal, bass guitar, and drum stylings, in particular, are exercises in pure attack. She has earned <a href="https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/september-2014-hozoji-matheson-margullis/" target="_blank"><b>praise from <i>Modern Drummer</i></b></a> and was called “a force” in the leading feminist drumming publication <i>Tom Tom Mag</i>.</p>
<p>“Her driving of her band’s songs and rhythm is propulsive, unstoppable, preternatural,” <i>Tom Tom</i>’s Katy Otto <a href="http://tomtommag.com/2011/10/helms-alees-hozoji/" target="_blank"><b>wrote</b></a> in 2011, soon after Hozoji first started diving.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1334" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4d4c0a55b4f26da750c79531c2b0cf2c/tumblr_inline_p7g87hMRfP1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji at Helms Alee’s practice space. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Only more recently has Hozoji begun gaining renown as an emerging scientist with a similarly preternatural gift for spotting marine life in the murkiest, most silted-up waters, a skill she honed over a six-year stint as a commercial shellfish harvester for the Puyallup.</p>
<p>Like many lower Coast Salish communities, Miller told me, the tribe has both specific treaty and ancestral rights when it comes to shellfish, “which necessitates Western science knowledge in addition to Puyallup ones.” (The two aren’t mutually exclusive.) Under Puyallup tribal code, commercial permits “shall be issued when the shellfish harvested will be sold, bartered, or disposed of other than for subsistence or ceremonial use.” Registered tribal members can each <a href="http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PuyallupTribe/html/PuyallupTribe12/PuyallupTribe1212.html#12.12.390" target="_blank"><b>harvest six geoducks</b></a> per day from tribal fisheries.</p>
<p>Hozoji says she would never begrudge any of her people those rights. And how could she?</p>
<p>She is half Native American—Puyallup on her mother’s (Matheson) side—and comes from a long line of Indigenous conservationists. Hozoji’s grandfather (Miller’s great-uncle), Don Matheson, was “one of the primary people fighting for our fishing rights and keeping the language Lushootseed alive,” according to Miller. Hozoji’s own parents were involved in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Wars" target="_blank"><b>Fish Wars</b></a> of the 1960s and 70s, in which Coast Salish tribes compelled the US government, through sustained civil disobedience, to formally acknowledge native fishing rights under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_No_Point_Treaty" target="_blank"><b>1855 Point No Point Treaty</b></a>.</p>
<p>In other words, Hozoji carries the legacy of that multigenerational struggle. As she told me as we puttered out to the tract that morning, “so much of my life is around water.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1272" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/3128ac03f44e93072888e5cf7ceb5a07/tumblr_inline_p7g88h53u71s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji’s grandfather, Don Matheson (with bullhorn, at right), on the steps of the Washington State capitol building during the Fish Wars, September 1968. Photo: Unknown</p>
<p>This could partly explain why Hozoji, over a span of years, became saddled with personal reservations when it came to her role as a commercial tribal shellfish harvester. She’s since left the harvest altogether, pivoting to immerse herself in efforts to restore the biodiversity and health of the Puget Sound and greater Salish Sea. That Hozoji was already a skilled diver with practically a sixth sense for detecting geoduck has made her sought after by crews on tribal marine conservation boats like the <i>Monitor</i>.</p>
<p>“Hozi usually does all of the digging. That’s the hard part, that takes some skill,” as Stearns told me. “She let me do it one time but then she took it away from me.”</p>
<p>“I let you do it twice,” Hozoji clarified.</p>
<p>Those underwater chops, paired with a conscious transition to doing strictly science-based diving and conservation with the Puyallup Shellfish Department, have made Hozoji equally coveted in tribe-adjacent spaces. Last year, through a grant the Puyallup gave UWT, Hozoji was tapped by Bonnie Becker, an associate professor of marine ecology. The tribe had stipulated that some of the grant be used in part to harness young American Indians in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.</p>
<p>Set up in a far corner of Becker Lab, listening to D’Angelo at low volume, Hozoji offered a glimpse of what she’s been working on.</p>
<p>“Check this out,” Hozoji said, gesturing me in for a closer look at a vial she held up to the light. “That little speck?” she said, pointing at an individual shellfish larvae, smaller than a grain of sand, barely perceptible to the naked eye.</p>
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<p>Hozoji looks for bivalve larvae in Becker Lab. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Part of her job is to extract that larvae, whatever kind it may be, from a slide under a microscope using a pipette. “The bitch about it is that they’re so tiny,” Hozoji said. It’s easy for shellfish larvae to get stuck in a pipette tip or in a vial, as she showed me. Other times, “even the slightest hand motion will run right through a larvae.”</p>
<p>Her work feeds into a restoration project aimed at the lone oyster species native to the Puget Sound. <i>Ostrea lurida</i>, the Olympia oyster, creates reef-like environments that perform a critical habitat-building function for other marine life, Becker explains, but the species’ population has been decimated due to ocean acidification, habitat loss, and competition and predation by invasive species. The theory Becker’s lab is testing deals with determining how many actual bivalve larvae are in a given Puget Sound water sample. And to that end, Hozoji plays an important role.</p>
<p>“We have come to really depend on her to do some of the more advanced work in the lab,” Becker told me. “She’s working right now on a tool”—real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a machine-based method of counting DNA—“to help us count and identify these microscopic larvae faster and more efficiently, which is going to help us do a much better job of tracking and managing them.”</p>
<p>“I think if Hozoji were not a member of the Puyallup tribe she would still be a great asset to my lab because I think she has a lot of skill and talent,” Becker added. “But the fact that she does have that background and is able to connect the people who are responsible for managing the shellfish with us, who are studying the shellfish, is a really powerful partnership.”</p>
<p><b>“It is becoming increasingly clear that the only thing that will save our land for everyone is Indigenous science.”</b></p>
<p>Meanwhile, at the federal level, climate change denial is seemingly now a pillar of “America First”-style policy, despite a majority of tribal and other scientific communities believing otherwise. “The odds were already against us in our ability to do a lot of this work,” Becker said. “And this anti-science sentiment is making it a lot harder. But the changes are going to come either way.”</p>
<p>In this light, Hozoji’s emerging function as a link between the science establishment and Indigenous conservation falls into stark relief.</p>
<p>“It is becoming increasingly clear that the only thing that will save our land for everyone is Indigenous science,” said Miller, who is currently writing a history of Puyallup sovereignty that includes sections on Lushootseed language revitalization, decolonization, and shellfish. The problem, according to Miller, is that “we never see Indigenous scientists or Indigenous science validated. We [Indigenous people] all grow up fishing and hunting and caring for our land and waters in very specific ways that is certainly science,” although it isn’t described that way in Western frameworks, she said.</p>
<p>“There is a lot at stake here,” Miller told me. Specifically, in terms of Native American youth, validating and building on their perspectives and epistemologies will help not only the Puyallup and other Indigenous communities, but also individuals. “In the present United States, we have a 50 percent drop-out rate in the 8th grade for our Indigenous youth,” Miller said. “The suicide rate is a public health crisis. Through Indigenous STEM, we can both help our youth and planet. Pretty much a win-win.”</p>
<p>“Hozoji represents the privilege and burden of being American Indian in our day,” Miller added. “We have the amazing responsibility to carry on the work that our Elders have done, but at the same time, it’s a heavy load.”</p>
<p>To get to this point, Hozoji would first have to confront something even more primal.</p>
<p>II.</p>
<p>A HEALTHY FEAR</p>
<p>It was a fellow Puyallup shellfish harvester, a man Hozoji met through a cousin of hers in Idaho, who first urged Hozoji in 2009 to consider diving.</p>
<p>“You should sign up for the training,” the tribal harvester told Hozoji, after they had gotten to talking about the job and what it entailed. “It’s really good money and you’re an independent contractor,” he added, “so you make your own schedule.”</p>
<p>As a working musician who needs to make money in the stretches between touring, Hozoji liked the idea of being her own boss—and out of her element.</p>
<p>“Getting utterly outside of my comfort zone and into an environment that could not be more foreign than what I have grown up in and am used to,” Hozoji remembered, sounded “so otherworldly and insane to me.”</p>
<p>She signed up.</p>
<p>Outside of the preliminary scuba trainings Hozoji would go on to complete in a controlled pool setting, the final approach to her first proper Puget Sound dive, about a year later, was nerve-wracking. Dark water has always given her the creeps.</p>
<p><i>I hope I don’t freak out and embarrass myself</i>, Hozoji thought, suited-up at boat’s edge. <i>I hope I don’t totally lose my shit.</i></p>
<p>She took a breath and leapt in.</p>
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<p>Hozoji at the coast in the early 1990s. Photo: Margullis family</p>
<p>It wasn’t until that first open-water dive, when Hozoji was in her late 20s, that she became conscious of water as a true force of nature, though she says she’s felt pulled toward it her whole life, receiving a constant background signal from what has nearly always been lapping up against her backyard.</p>
<p>Some of Hozoji’s fondest childhood memories, she tells me, are rooted in the gulch between Commencement Bay, a shallow bay that’s part of Puget Sound, and her mom’s house, where Hozoji lived between the ages of 2 and 14 just outside Tacoma proper, conveniently at the opening to a foot-beaten path that connected their backyard and the water below.</p>
<p>Hozoji was a beach kid. And as she came of age around Commencement Bay, her enchantment with the sea and life therein only deepened.</p>
<p>There was the late-night brush with a bevy of otters that had come ashore to eat the fallen fruit of an apple tree near a wooden sleepover shack Hozoji and a neighborhood friend used to frequent. There was the time the two friends witnessed a lone sea lion joy-jumping across the bay at dusk—barking <i>boof</i>, <i>boof</i>, <i>boof</i>—on what could’ve been a Tuesday, for all Hozoji knows, although in her heart, it was a Saturday.</p>
<p>“That fucking sea lion is partying tonight!” she whooped.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1340" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/528518f888ccff75c5a4b44a4e161887/tumblr_inline_p7g8bhEcn61s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>“When I’m underwater I very rarely think about anything on topside,“ Hozoji said. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>But for every moment of awe, there was a growing undercurrent of unease. As a pre-teen, Hozoji developed what she called a “healthy fear” of the sort of murky water characteristic of an inlet like the Puget Sound. She and the same friend used to torque themselves up whenever they’d dive underwater and look at one another through goggles, spooked by the way the color seemed to drain from their faces.</p>
<p>“You kind of look like a dead body,” Hozoji said. “You don’t see anything until it’s right there,” staring back at you.</p>
<p>Jump ahead to that first proper Puget Sound dive, a critical phase of training before becoming a certified tribal shellfish harvester, and it was only natural that Hozoji agonized over the thought of buckling once in actual open water. “I was 95 percent certain I would fail miserably,” she said.</p>
<p>That would change in an instant.</p>
<p>“The very moment we went underwater, I was like”—she snaps her finger for effect—“I love this,” Hozoji said. “It was so much more beautiful and creepy-cool than I’d ever imagined. From the surface it just looks like darkness, but when you’re in it, it’s not. It’s colorful and alive and constantly moving.”</p>
<p>“I knew I had to be part of it forever,” Hozoji added, in the same way there was no question in her 19-year-old mind, in the afterglow of the first set she ever played at a local DIY show in her very first band, that she’d make a life performing music so long as she could.</p>
<p>“I’m going to do this,” Hozoji said, “until I physically cannot anymore.”</p>
<p>SHELL LOCK</p>
<p>Hozoji went geoduck digging for the first time not long after logging that initial Puget Sound dive.</p>
<p>It was Day One of training on <i>Nishga Gang</i>, the tribal vessel Hozoji harvested from for the better part of the next six years. One of the boat’s two captains, Fred Dillon, an “ultimate big brother” type, descended with Hozoji that day and pointed out what to look for while diving for shellfish: little clues that give away the location of a geoduck, like how its siphon, taking in and spitting out water, will tousle a patch of sand about the size of a cupcake top.</p>
<p>Hozoji watched Dillon harvest a bit, before he passed off the high-pressure hose and surfaced by himself. Now it was her turn to walk around and look for geoducks to dig and, to the mild confusion of those up-top, not say a word over the standard diver-crew comms network used on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Hozoji’s silence was immediate, out of sheer instinct, she says. The tunnel vision allowed her to block out the brackishness that closed in on all sides.</p>
<p>“It’s freaking scary down there, especially when you’re first starting and you’re by yourself,” Hozoji said. Imagine traversing a darkened moonscape with a field of vision limited to what’s immediately before you. “It’s very, very intimidating. I think I just got in the zone.”</p>
<p><i>Huh</i>, Hozoji thought to herself, bagging, in short order, one geoduck, then another, and another. <i>I can do this. This is not that hard.</i></p>
<p>She surfaced about midway through the 30-minute dive, having scooped up a cool half-dozen clams.</p>
<p>“You gotten any?” the captains asked, expecting her to show maybe one clam for her first try.</p>
<p>“Oh yeah, I got some,” Hozoji replied, holding up her catch of six.</p>
<p>“When you dig your first geoduck, that’s a major accomplishment,” Dillon later told me. “It didn’t take Hozi long. She was able to catch on really quick.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1332" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/abc6105840bbe0b91d76bea040247424/tumblr_inline_p7g8clZmhx1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji and senior diver Arney Williams on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Photo: Don Coats/Puyallup Tribe</p>
<p>That the captains seemed genuinely stoked for Hozoji, impressed even, left her with a profound sense of personal triumph. Hozoji remembers the distinct rush that comes with the realization you might actually be good at a thing you didn’t think you’d be good at. She felt proud of what she’d done.</p>
<p>Although, as she would discover, harvesting geoducks wouldn’t always be so easy.</p>
<p>“You have to fight with [the geoducks] sometimes,” Hozoji told me. When one is directly under sand that is especially thick with rocks, shell fragments, and other coarse sediment, a phenomenon known as shell lock, you’re “basically jackhammering” through that tough layer with a hose to get to the geoduck. At a spot like this on the seafloor, Hozoji adds, there’s nothing you can do but hold the line until your allotted dive time runs out.</p>
<p>“Those days are really difficult,” Hozoji said.</p>
<p>That’s ultimately not what caused her to leave the <i>Nishga Gang</i>. That decision crystallized, rather, through a chain of events whereby Hozoji became acutely aware of the difference—the “fine line,” as Dillon called it—between exercising treaty rights as a commercial harvester, and the science she’s doing now.</p>
<p><b>“It needs to be sustainable and it needs to be respected.”</b></p>
<p>In terms of shellfish harvest management, according to Dillon, there are certain precautions the tribe takes to try to be sustainable resource managers. They’re careful not to overfish, and harvest each tract to the agreed-upon threshold (no more) before moving on. That way, he explained, each tract is given time to restore to pre-harvest levels.</p>
<p>“You can have all these policy and codes and laws in place, but in my view, it all boils down to enforcement,” said Dillon, who purchased <i>Nishga Gang</i> with his father-in-law not long before Hozoji joined in early 2011. “Without any teeth to back this stuff up, then it’s just a resource that’s going to dwindle away.”</p>
<p>Maybe three years in as a harvester, Hozoji said, she “started to develop a conscience about it.” This was made all the more apparent amid what she felt were shifting vibes on <i>Nishga Gang</i>, as a wave of new crew members joined. Hozoji, the eighth harvester to join a crew that ballooned to 18 divers, said she wasn’t seeing much basic environmental sensitivity from this diving community at the time.</p>
<p>“I’d see smokers flick their cigarettes off the boat into the water. Just a general sort of disregard. I don’t mean that for everyone on my boat,” Hozoji said. “There definitely were exceptions and I can’t speak for other boats because I wasn’t on them. But there was a feeling that conservation was not a topic that seemed to be on the minds of anyone.”</p>
<p>“I still love those dudes endlessly,” Hozoji added, speaking of Dillon and the rest of<i>Nishga Gang</i>’s crew. But while she “very staunchly” stands behind the right of tribal members to harvest the sea, Hozoji said, “it needs to be sustainable and it needs to be respected. And that’s the shit I started to feel uncomfortable with.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, mechanical errors didn’t help her mood. She blamed these slip-ups, in part, on a rapidly expanding crew under a lot of pressure to perform.</p>
<p>In the fall of 2015, Hozoji and a fellow <i>Nishga Gang</i> diver were hospitalized for carbon monoxide exposure after they both vomited after surfacing. Another close shave earlier that year involved a face mask shared among the boat’s dive team. Hozoji claims the mask hadn’t been sufficiently cleaned before one of her dives and that this led to the mask’s regulator getting stuck open, hemorrhaging free-flowing air from an onboard generator with a limited supply of oxygen. Hozoji was 60 feet underwater, solo. Between the scuba gear and about 70 pounds of geoducks lashed around her waist, she had roughly 150 extra pounds strapped to her body. She went to roll the regulator back, attempting to free it from being locked open, only to find it was stuck shut.</p>
<p>Water started filling the mask, up over Hozoji’s nose, then her eyes, when everything went white.</p>
<p>“I stood up and did the motions that it requires to try and remove water from your mask if it’s flooded,” Hozoji said. “Luckily it worked.”</p>
<p>She finished the dive.</p>
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<p>Hozoji on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Photo: Don Coats/Puyallup Tribe</p>
<p>“We’re the kind of boat where it’s safety first,” Dillon told me. Despite this, every diver on that boat, according to him, goes through at least one test of mettle in the harsh, at times unpredictable realms of deep digging. It’s just the nature of the work.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot of danger in what we do,” Dillon said. And the reality is, “sometimes things get gunked up.” That is, sometimes grit finds its way into your underwater breathing apparatus and your face mask, as Dillon described it, starts to “sweat.”</p>
<p>To Dillon, Hozoji’s whiteout incident seemed less a matter of negligence than an honest oversight. He emphasized the day-to-day upkeep required of a suite of filters, pressure-relief valves, and assorted components that comprise a working dive kit on a tribal harvest boat, not to mention the number of divers using that same shared kit.</p>
<p>The fact that Hozoji knew how to pull herself out of the situation speaks to the sort of hands-on training and mentorship Dillon says has always been the <i>Nishga Gang</i> way. It’s also what sets apart a diver like Hozoji. A dangerous diver, according to Dillon, is a scared diver, a timid diver. Not necessarily someone who would’ve kept their composure.</p>
<p>The carbon monoxide incident is harder to explain. Dillon says it remains the first and only time something like it has gone down on <i>Nishga Gang</i>.</p>
<p>As Hozoji and her dive partner descended that day, Dillon remembers, there was no wind. “So we’re thinking maybe the exhaust from the main engine got up in the intake of the air compressor” and didn’t get filtered out to the extent it needed to, he told me. “It’s kind of crazy, but that’s what we’re assuming happened,” he added, “because we had it tested out and everything. Our filters, everything was good. The air quality was good.”</p>
<p>It was, simply, a “mishap,” Dillon said. “But thank goodness Hozoji came to and everything was fine after that.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1111" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/b7d1cdf4c5e72aebd2cc5c3b668f3754/tumblr_inline_p7g8dwUcHl1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>A sea slug ( <i>Hermissenda crassicornis</i>). Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hermissenda_crassicornis#/media/File:Hermissenda_crassicornis_1.jpg" target="_blank"><b>Matt Knoth/Flickr</b></a></p>
<p>The pivotal incident, the moment Hozoji knew she had to leave the harvest for good, was when she witnessed nudibranchs—gastropod molluscs, better known as sea slugs—mating en masse in Puget Sound in the spring of 2015.</p>
<p>“They’re just piled on top of each other, humping,” Hozoji told me, laughing. “Fields of them. They’re beautiful creatures, super fragile, gorgeous. And they’re there to perpetuate their species, you know?”</p>
<p>By this point, Hozoji had begun doing survey dives with Dave Winfrey, the Puyallup shellfish biologist, who she already knew as the guy who assigned permits to “legit” divers on behalf of the Shellfish Department. Hozoji had explained to Winfrey, who’d asked Hozoji to work with him and his team because their other contractor at the time was overbooked, that she was coming to realize marine conservation and science were more in line with her interests.</p>
<p>“If you ever need some muscle on your side,” Hozoji offered Winfrey, “I’d love to be involved.”</p>
<p>For the next three years, she’d moonlight as a shellfish tract surveyor under Winfrey’s tutelage part-time between April and October, while harvesting year-round on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. The more surveys Hozoji helped out on, she says, the queasier she felt, like that day at the nudibranch mating grounds, which happened to overlap with a geoduck tract.</p>
<p>“We’re surveying it,” Hozoji remembered, “and I’m thinking to myself about how we’d finish the survey and say ‘yes, it’s OK for people to come here and dig geoducks’ and that’s going to mean that all of these boats are going to drop anchor here. They’re just gonna harvest right through the nudibranchs.”</p>
<p>“That felt real bad to me,” she said.</p>
<p>A couple of months later, Hozoji found herself harvesting geoducks near the site of that very sea slug orgy. Not the exact spot, but close enough that she was unable to shake the fact that she had facilitated the unintentional slaughter of no small number of nudibranchs. While there was no way of telling for sure, Hozoji knew right then she had to walk away from the harvest for good.</p>
<p>“I thought about it long and hard, cried a million tears, and felt real conflicted,” Hozoji said. “I couldn’t say that other people shouldn’t.”</p>
<p>Recuperating at home one day in late 2016, Hozoji sat with Dillon. And she quit.</p>
<p>“It’s all good, you know?” Dillon told me. “We definitely don’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do, especially out there.”</p>
<p>As a harvester who also works as a natural resources policy representative for the Puyallup’s shellfish commission, Dillon says he could feel for Hozoji.</p>
<p>“I’ve always known Hozi to be more of a giving kind of person instead of a taking kind of person,” Dillon said. “I couldn’t say anything bad about her. She’s a good person inside and out. She has a big heart. She wants to save things.”</p>
<p>EVERYTHING EATS EVERYTHING</p>
<p>Hozoji heard from Bonnie Becker a few months later.</p>
<p>“I do a lot of work with people who work for tribes because of that shellfish connection,” said Becker, who had put a call out to various contacts and friends in her network last year after speaking with Danica Miller.</p>
<p>Miller was in charge of the Puyallup tribal grant given to UWT, dedicated in part to assist recruiting tribal members into the sciences. Miller had reached out to Becker, who suggested funding Indigenous students in Becker Lab: specifically, bringing a non-college student in to do lab work as a way of setting that person on course for a degree.</p>
<p>“This seemed like a perfect fit and I agreed,” Miller later told me. She would describe Hozoji as “a perfect example of a Puyallup who both understands Puyallup science and is able to bridge that with Western methods.”</p>
<p>That’s partly why Becker had Hozoji working specifically on qPCR, the machine-based DNA counting method, as Becker hopes the technique will be of use to tribal shellfish biologists in their ability to manage such resources. Becker has come to depend on Hozoji’s “meticulous way of working,” as Becker described it, because “we have to know what we have to create a tool that we can then apply on what we don’t already know.”</p>
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<p>Two Olympia oyster larvae. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Seated at her far-corner station in Becker Lab, as D’Angelo rolled into the latest Dale Crover (Melvins/Nirvana) solo record, Hozoji tapped out a little drum fill on her knees in the empty moments it took for the ethanol to settle on one of her slides. The physical, exacting nature of the work requires good, old fashioned patience. You get a little antsy sometimes.</p>
<p>“Counting microscopic larvae by hand is an extremely slow process,” Hozoji said. “So it was like, cool, this might be a way to have it done in seconds, rather than weeks or months.”</p>
<p>“And so, these are wild,” she told me, gesturing to a grip of Puget Sound water samples resting in a vial rack, representing the past couple of months of her work. “I’ve gone through and separated them into these individual vials. This one”— she points to one of the vials—“has one large clam, what I would assume is a geoduck in it. This one here”—points to another—“has five big Olympia oyster larvae.”</p>
<p>It’s a matter of going through, Hozoji explained, so that when the time comes to begin testing with the qPCR machine, they will know if there is, say, five in each vial. As they explore whether or not they can accurately use qPCR to count wild larvae in a lab, if the qPCR machine reads “100” then they will know it’s registering bits of DNA that have either broken off from larvae or were in the water column to begin with. “And if that is the result, we know it’s counting stuff that isn’t just larvae,” Hozoji said. “And we know we can’t use it as a reliable source for counting larvae specifically.”</p>
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<p>Bivalve larvae and sand under a polarized microscope. Photo: Hozoji Matheson-Margullis</p>
<p>I asked Hozoji if she had spent much time looking down a microscope prior to this.</p>
<p>“Zero,” she said. “I mean, science class in high school. But other than that no, not at all. I always thought it was neat or whatever, but never saw myself ending up [doing] something like this.”</p>
<p>“I’m like a little kid going into this,” Hozoji added. “I’m a romantic.”</p>
<p>She has come to appreciate the symmetry of an Olympia oyster larvae under a polarized microscope. In particular, the way that causes the bivalve shell to create an X shape, which then helps narrow down her search while sifting through a Puget Sound water sample “filled with other gunk.” As a self-diagnosed germaphobe, she has also made peace with the fact that she has surely swallowed tons of the bivalve larvae she handles here in Becker Lab. “I can’t even imagine how many,” she said.</p>
<p>“Getting to look at these through a microscope and imagine their existence is just…” Hozoji said, struggling to find the word.</p>
<p>Getting to be so up-close and hands on, getting to be around water, she says, opens up space for her to think about the great continuum of things. About her place in the Universe and on Earth, in the past, present, and future of her tribe and this region she calls home.</p>
<p>“Everything eats everything,” Hozoji said. “So, save the whales? Hell yeah, save the whales. But that means save the oyster larvae, too. Everything is important.”</p>
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<p>Many days Hozoji says she puts in at least two hours at the microscope. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji messaged me a few days after my visit.</p>
<p>“I’m here staring through the microscope at Becker Lab and something occurred to me,” Hozoji wrote. “Which is simply that there is so much more to life than the stuff we see and think and worry about everyday. In the same vein [as] knowing that the underwater world is always there and how that is a comfort to me when I’m freakin’ out about humanity, looking at life at a microscopic level calms me because it reminds me that there is a lot more shit going on than what is visible from my human perspective.”</p>
<p>What’s down there?</p>
<p>THE REST OF THE WORLD OUT THERE</p>
<p>Back on the <i>Monitor</i>, returning to Shellfish Department headquarters, Hozoji’s dozen-geoduck haul was spot-checked, stowed, and bound for the lab. The biotoxin results for red tide testing typically are ready in 24 to 48 hours. (This batch of geoducks was biotoxin free.)</p>
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<p>Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Before we pulled into the slip, Winfrey veered in for a closer look at something, just a speck when Hozoji first pointed it out at the edge of Commencement Bay. It was the small brown beach shack Hozoji and her friend spent so much time in coming up, where Hozoji developed her healthy fear of murky water.</p>
<p>The wooden structure appeared dilapidated, eaten away by years of saltwater and wind. But it was still standing.</p>
<p>That afternoon, rinsing down her wetsuit in the backyard of her youth, Hozoji told me about how she’s since moved back into the same modest, wood-panelled home she grew up in. The move came at the urging of her mother after the apartment Hozoji and one of her two current roommates had been living in, in Tacoma proper, flooded with sewage. Hozoji’s drums, the same Rogers kit she’s been playing since she was 15, survived.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/a7cc7128355e6b0b3cb32023e4725a10/tumblr_inline_p7g8gpUBLT1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Tagged rack tom. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Behind the house, the foot-beaten path she took as a kid had fallen into disuse, gradually taken back by nature. The gulch itself, Hozoji later wrote me, “has been slowly but surely sucking the hillside into its mouth for as long as I’ve been alive to observe it.” Trees that used to be in the middle of their yard, she added, are now part way down the hill.</p>
<p>At some point, Hozoji’s mother had the property placed into the tribal land Trust. If something ever happens to Hozoji—“if I die,” she said—the land will go back to the Puyallup.</p>
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<p>Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Later, seated at the kitchen table, Hozoji showed me a pocket-sized, silver booklet that she often carries. It was a gift from her roommates, Hozoji explains, who made it for her. The pages within, they write by way of introduction, include “some great women who have made history in marine biology, diving, and oceanography.”</p>
<p>The entries are brief, handwritten, and begin in the 19th century, with black and white photos pasted alongside each of the 20 or so names. There’s Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson (1881-1967), who wrote “Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast”; Roger Arliner Young (1889-1964), the first African American woman to receive a PhD in zoology; “The first lady of Limu,” Isabella Abbott (1919-2010), discoverer of over 200 kinds of algae; and “Her deepness” Sylvia Earle (1935-present), the first female chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, among others.</p>
<p>“This is only a slice of the rich contribution women have made,” her roommates add. “But we hope it will serve as inspiration as you begin your journey in marine biology.”</p>
<p>The final entry in the booklet is reserved for their friend, Hozoji.</p>
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<p>The booklet. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Beginning this fall Hozoji will start classes at UWT, working toward a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. If it is not about how deep you dig, it’s that you keep digging.</p>
<p>“I feel 100 percent inspired and excited about our Indigenous youth,” as Miller told me. “It’s the rest of the world out there that gives me worry.“</p>
<p>Hozoji, for her part, is also under no illusions.</p>
<p>“I’ve thought many times about what kinds of challenges I will face once I become more heavily involved,” Hozoji said. “I’m signing on for a lot of struggle.”</p>
<p>“The idea to me,” she went on, “is like, I’m going to help protect this thing that I love that is so beautiful and fragile. I’ll be able to get in people’s brains and help them understand why they should care about this sort of thing.”</p>
<p>“I also know there are plenty of people who just do not give a fuck,” Hozoji said. “But ultimately I think there is a reason to be trying. You’ve got to create a balance because otherwise those people win.”</p>
<p><i>*A previous version of this story misidentified Winfrey and Stearns as Puyallup tribal members. They are neither Puyallup members nor native people. The story has been changed to reflect that distinction.</i></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/51911162018-04-19T13:22:57-07:002022-05-26T06:32:13-07:00The Geoduck Diver - Hozoji of Helms Alee // Motherboard<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="104" data-orig-width="564"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/05565c35f6a6c007c99db17231e2d247/tumblr_inline_p7g805JWhT1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4f3261b7434075b3fe3ebe5eb89516c1/tumblr_inline_p7g80ecGdk1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/87a1d0f1a8f1d3d411dbc80b1a75b3b7/tumblr_inline_p7g80iylyU1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Excellent piece on Hozoji Matherson-Margullis of <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> by <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/3kj87n/hozoji-matheson-margullis-native-american-indigenous-science-movement" target="_blank">MOTHERBOARD</a>.</p>
<p>Full article below.</p><!-- more -->
<p>The <i>Monitor</i>, an unassuming vessel crewed by the Shellfish Department of the Puyallup Tribe of Indians, was on a sample-gathering run through a tract of the Puget Sound off Tacoma, Washington, and faced little wind. But even on a serene Thursday morning in early March, partly sunny and otherwise clear, it may as well have been night 55 feet below, where Hozoji Matheson-Margullis sauntered through the disorienting thick of a silt cloud.</p>
<p>Geoduck in hand, Hozoji scoured the seafloor. The tract has been open for tribal harvest for three years, according to <i>Monitor</i> captain and Puyallup shellfish biologist Dave Winfrey. It was flagged recently when a 1,300-pound shipment of geoduck (“gooey duck”), a type of large, edible saltwater clam, sourced from a Puyallup fishery and headed to China, was recalled due to<a href="https://www.doh.wa.gov/CommunityandEnvironment/Shellfish/RecreationalShellfish/Illnesses/Biotoxins/ParalyticShellfishPoison" target="_blank"><b> paralytic shellfish poison</b></a>, a toxic algal bloom phenomenon commonly known as red tide. The <i>Monitor</i>’s assignment that day was to catch at least three geoducks for biotoxin analysis, to make sure that any animals harvested at the site were in fact safe for human consumption.</p>
<p>Native to the coastal waters of the northwestern United States, geoducks are bivalves with retractable, fleshy siphons for sucking in water and filtering nutrients before shooting the spent water back out. A mature geoduck is typically the length of the average adult forearm, weighing a pound or two, though the animals, fixing themselves to the same spot in the seabed, away from predators, for life, have been known to reach 6 feet and up to 14 pounds.</p>
<p>Geoducks look like disembodied infant elephant trunks, but one could be forgiven for thinking the animal resembles another sort of trunk entirely. The etymology of the common name traces to the Lushootseed word <i>g</i>ʷ<i>íd</i>ə<i>q</i> (“gweduc”), which translates to the phrase <i>dig deep</i>, although the suffix “-əq” may also mean “genitalia.” Any confusion on that point, I’m told, is due to mere dialectical differences.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1326" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6f5a3523ff43dfe7693b5137721b7957/tumblr_inline_p7g822HNDQ1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji bagged a dozen geoduck on a biotoxin sample-gathering sweep of a tribal shellfish tract in the Puget Sound near Tacoma, Washington. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Regardless, there is no known burrowing clam on Earth larger than <i>Panopea generosa</i>. And with lifespans that push a century-and-a-half, geoducks are one of the planet’s longest-lived critters.</p>
<p>The proper way to harvest a geoduck, Hozoji explained, is not by yanking the siphon, or “neck,” which risks tearing it from its base. Rather, one must bore under and around the clam’s shell. Dig deep.</p>
<p>Hozoji, now 37 and known internationally as a powerhouse drummer, remembers getting squirted by geoducks at low tide, while exploring the shores of her native Tacoma as a kid. Back then, she hung on a question that has shaped her existence ever since: <i>What’s down there?</i></p>
<p>Today, the geoduck has become a harbinger of climate change. A <a href="https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2586717/" target="_blank"><b>growing</b></a> <a href="https://www.scientificamerican.com/article/increase-in-harmful-algal-blooms-possible/" target="_blank"><b>body</b></a> of <a href="https://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/earth/environment/11713422/Mussels-to-become-poisonous-through-climate-change.html" target="_blank"><b>research</b></a> suggests that global warming and ocean acidification will exacerbate blooms of certain toxic algae like red tide, to the point shellfish like geoduck could become too poisonous for animals and humans to consume. That cuts especially close to home for Indigenous communities like the Puyallup, who despite being protectors of natural resources and stewards of sustainability, have historically been marginalized by non-native political and industrial forces.</p>
<p>The US government, all the while, has deferred to Western scientists, not <a href="http://theconversation.com/its-taken-thousands-of-years-but-western-science-is-finally-catching-up-to-traditional-knowledge-90291" target="_blank"><b>deep-seated native knowledge and technologies</b></a>, still a lingering, systemic bias in 2018. Data is hard to come by on the current number of Indigenous scientists in the US. As of 2011, the <a href="https://www.census.gov/prod/2013pubs/acs-24.pdf" target="_blank"><b>US Census estimated self-identified Native American and Alaskan Natives</b></a> made up 0.6 percent of STEM jobs compared to 66.9 percent white (non Hispanic or Latino). Hozoji is uniquely poised to help close this gap: She came up through the tribal system and is now actively working to integrate herself into the scientific establishment. Last year, she landed a non-student position at a University of Washington-Tacoma (UWT) laboratory that is focused on tracking baby shellfish.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1326" data-orig-width="2162"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/02fa5d0e97aefbecfbc68b9e9e4f6a69/tumblr_inline_p7g82u3uYU1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji with a geoduck. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji is doing the work of an ambassador of Native American conservation to the traditional research-industrial complex, putting her in an insurgent, if precarious, position as a young woman on the frontlines of Indigenous science.</p>
<p>Which, when you’re 50-plus murky feet below the surface of the Puget Sound, means it can be hard to see what’s coming at you.</p>
<p>THE WAY DOWN</p>
<p>Wearing two-thirds of her body weight in scuba gear that calm March morning, Hozoji groped the underwater haze. The sediment had been stirred by a high-pressure water hose that Hozoji used to dislodge the geoduck. That’s when Hozoji noticed the silhouette, a looming presence, as it materialized no more than an arm’s length in front of her.</p>
<p>It was George Stearns, Hozoji’s dive partner.</p>
<p>“I couldn’t see him at all! And I’m waving this geoduck around,” Hozoji laughed, assuming she’d given Stearns, there to gather the specimen in a mesh bag, an accidental mollusk facial.</p>
<p>It was the kind of jumpy close call that comes with a gig in the gloom and, besides, Hozoji had experienced more serious brushes with danger earlier in her diving career. It’s something Hozoji and Stearns would joke about as they clambered back onto the boat’s cramped deck, replaying the near-miss. It was just one of a dozen geoduck Hozoji collected in a little under a half-hour during a sweep of this pocket of a larger shellfish grounds, which, like other tribal tracts, encompassed roughly 100 acres.</p>
<p>Puyallup strategy is to harvest 65 percent of the biomass in a given hundred-acre tribal tract, such as this one, and then to move on, “a rotational thing” assuming an average tract recovery time of 50 years, according to Winfrey. But while this specific bed hadn’t been harvested all the way to that 65 percent limit, Winfrey did describe it as “beat down pretty hard,” enough so that he’d given the divers the go-ahead to descend to 70 feet, the legal limit for shellfish harvesting, if it meant they’d find clams.</p>
<p>“Little slow going on the way down,” Stearns said, unzipping his wetsuit.</p>
<p>“Were geoducks everywhere?” asked Winfrey.</p>
<p>“They weren’t everywhere,” said Hozoji, facemask suction rings still fresh around her eyes. “But not hard to find.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1332" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/fb9be11bea4ff11079752c3c4cb5d5d0/tumblr_inline_p7g84fxFga1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji (reflection) and Dave Winfrey, <i>Monitor</i> captain and Puyallup shellfish biologist. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji, Stearns, and Winfrey make for an affable crew. Winfrey and Stearns* are two scientists who work for the tribe; Hozoji comes from an Indigenous lineage whose relationship with Pacific marine life, notably the clam, a prominent character in the Puyallup genesis story, stretches back hundreds of years and over generations of tribal struggle.</p>
<p>“The history of shellfish to the Puyallup is deeply important to our people, a right that our Elders fought for for over 30 years,” Danica Miller, an assistant professor of American Indian Studies at UWT, told me. (Miller, herself Puyallup, happens to be Hozoji’s cousin.)</p>
<p>As outlined in the <a href="https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/abs/10.1111/j.1467-9930.1982.tb00277.x" target="_blank"><b>Boldt Decision</b></a>, the 1974 federal court ruling that upheld fishing rights for lower Coast Salish tribes, Indigenous groups and Washington state, respectively, split the total Puget Sound shellfish harvest 50-50. It is <a href="http://puyallup-tribe.com/shellfish/" target="_blank"><b>the mission</b></a> of the Puyallup Shellfish Department, established in 1994, to “maximize and optimize the shellfish harvest rights secured through the [1854] <a href="https://www.fws.gov/pacific/ea/tribal/treaties/Nisqualli_Puyallup.pdf" target="_blank"><b>Treaty of Medicine Creek</b></a>,” which granted Native American tribes “the right of taking fish, at all usual and accustomed grounds and stations” in what was then the Territory of Washington. Per official <a href="http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PuyallupTribe/html/PuyallupTribe12/PuyallupTribe1212.html#12.12" target="_blank"><b>Puyallup shellfish code</b></a>, the Shellfish Department, of which Hozoji is an independent contractor, is “tasked with protecting the habitats and populations of shellfish,” while fostering a safe environment for tribal members to fish for ceremonial, commercial, and subsistence purposes.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1328" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/6d3fc5c05f1fda904bb0361c021ebc3a/tumblr_inline_p7g84yNTwI1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Clam bag tags. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Such a responsibility strikes a singular profile in someone like Hozoji, whose “heart,” she tells me, “gives a real big fuck” about restoring and protecting the Salish Sea, the delicate, low-lying Pacific Northwest marine environment, including the Puget Sound, that her ancestors have called home and subsisted on since pre-settler colonial times. If there is an afterlife and Hozoji could choose a form of reincarnation, she says she’d want to meld with the entirety of that biomass, plus that of the greater Salish Sea. “Just, like, <i>be</i> part of it,” she told me, “with no needs other than to feel what that feels like.”</p>
<p>That same ecosystem, battered as it has been by habitat loss, overfishing, and pollution, is threatened anew in a time of <a href="https://motherboard.vice.com/en_us/article/vvjywx/all-the-ways-the-trump-administration-has-already-screwed-the-epa" target="_blank"><b>deregulation and rollbacks to environmental protections under Trump</b></a>, on top of what’s already a grave tribal concern: global warming.</p>
<p>“Climate change is threatening the natural resources we have relied upon for centuries, as well as our health, economy, and infrastructure,” the <a href="http://puyallup-tribe.com/tempFiles/PuyallupClimateChangeImpactAssessment_2016_FINAL_pages.pdf" target="_blank"><b>2016 Puyallup climate change report</b></a> reads. “For our people, climate change is no longer a ‘tomorrow’ issue.”</p>
<p>After breaking down some of the 300 feet of high-pressure hose Stearns had brought along, we hunkered in the cabin. Winfrey soon turned the <i>Monitor</i> for shore.</p>
<p>A HEAVY LOAD</p>
<p>Hozoji, variously known among friends and colleagues as Hozi, HoHo, or the Hoz, is most widely recognized for her pummeling musical chops.</p>
<p>Forged over two decades of playing, recording, and touring the world in “weird rock” bands like <a href="https://lozenpower.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><b>Lozen</b></a>, a drum-and-bass duo named after the legendary female Apache warrior, and the briny trio <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/" target="_blank"><b>Helms Alee</b></a>, Hozoji’s vocal, bass guitar, and drum stylings, in particular, are exercises in pure attack. She has earned <a href="https://www.moderndrummer.com/article/september-2014-hozoji-matheson-margullis/" target="_blank"><b>praise from <i>Modern Drummer</i></b></a> and was called “a force” in the leading feminist drumming publication <i>Tom Tom Mag</i>.</p>
<p>“Her driving of her band’s songs and rhythm is propulsive, unstoppable, preternatural,” <i>Tom Tom</i>’s Katy Otto <a href="http://tomtommag.com/2011/10/helms-alees-hozoji/" target="_blank"><b>wrote</b></a> in 2011, soon after Hozoji first started diving.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1334" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4d4c0a55b4f26da750c79531c2b0cf2c/tumblr_inline_p7g87hMRfP1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji at Helms Alee’s practice space. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Only more recently has Hozoji begun gaining renown as an emerging scientist with a similarly preternatural gift for spotting marine life in the murkiest, most silted-up waters, a skill she honed over a six-year stint as a commercial shellfish harvester for the Puyallup.</p>
<p>Like many lower Coast Salish communities, Miller told me, the tribe has both specific treaty and ancestral rights when it comes to shellfish, “which necessitates Western science knowledge in addition to Puyallup ones.” (The two aren’t mutually exclusive.) Under Puyallup tribal code, commercial permits “shall be issued when the shellfish harvested will be sold, bartered, or disposed of other than for subsistence or ceremonial use.” Registered tribal members can each <a href="http://www.codepublishing.com/WA/PuyallupTribe/html/PuyallupTribe12/PuyallupTribe1212.html#12.12.390" target="_blank"><b>harvest six geoducks</b></a> per day from tribal fisheries.</p>
<p>Hozoji says she would never begrudge any of her people those rights. And how could she?</p>
<p>She is half Native American—Puyallup on her mother’s (Matheson) side—and comes from a long line of Indigenous conservationists. Hozoji’s grandfather (Miller’s great-uncle), Don Matheson, was “one of the primary people fighting for our fishing rights and keeping the language Lushootseed alive,” according to Miller. Hozoji’s own parents were involved in the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Fish_Wars" target="_blank"><b>Fish Wars</b></a> of the 1960s and 70s, in which Coast Salish tribes compelled the US government, through sustained civil disobedience, to formally acknowledge native fishing rights under the <a href="https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Point_No_Point_Treaty" target="_blank"><b>1855 Point No Point Treaty</b></a>.</p>
<p>In other words, Hozoji carries the legacy of that multigenerational struggle. As she told me as we puttered out to the tract that morning, “so much of my life is around water.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1272" data-orig-width="2158"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/3128ac03f44e93072888e5cf7ceb5a07/tumblr_inline_p7g88h53u71s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji’s grandfather, Don Matheson (with bullhorn, at right), on the steps of the Washington State capitol building during the Fish Wars, September 1968. Photo: Unknown</p>
<p>This could partly explain why Hozoji, over a span of years, became saddled with personal reservations when it came to her role as a commercial tribal shellfish harvester. She’s since left the harvest altogether, pivoting to immerse herself in efforts to restore the biodiversity and health of the Puget Sound and greater Salish Sea. That Hozoji was already a skilled diver with practically a sixth sense for detecting geoduck has made her sought after by crews on tribal marine conservation boats like the <i>Monitor</i>.</p>
<p>“Hozi usually does all of the digging. That’s the hard part, that takes some skill,” as Stearns told me. “She let me do it one time but then she took it away from me.”</p>
<p>“I let you do it twice,” Hozoji clarified.</p>
<p>Those underwater chops, paired with a conscious transition to doing strictly science-based diving and conservation with the Puyallup Shellfish Department, have made Hozoji equally coveted in tribe-adjacent spaces. Last year, through a grant the Puyallup gave UWT, Hozoji was tapped by Bonnie Becker, an associate professor of marine ecology. The tribe had stipulated that some of the grant be used in part to harness young American Indians in fields of science, technology, engineering, and mathematics.</p>
<p>Set up in a far corner of Becker Lab, listening to D’Angelo at low volume, Hozoji offered a glimpse of what she’s been working on.</p>
<p>“Check this out,” Hozoji said, gesturing me in for a closer look at a vial she held up to the light. “That little speck?” she said, pointing at an individual shellfish larvae, smaller than a grain of sand, barely perceptible to the naked eye.</p>
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<p>Hozoji looks for bivalve larvae in Becker Lab. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Part of her job is to extract that larvae, whatever kind it may be, from a slide under a microscope using a pipette. “The bitch about it is that they’re so tiny,” Hozoji said. It’s easy for shellfish larvae to get stuck in a pipette tip or in a vial, as she showed me. Other times, “even the slightest hand motion will run right through a larvae.”</p>
<p>Her work feeds into a restoration project aimed at the lone oyster species native to the Puget Sound. <i>Ostrea lurida</i>, the Olympia oyster, creates reef-like environments that perform a critical habitat-building function for other marine life, Becker explains, but the species’ population has been decimated due to ocean acidification, habitat loss, and competition and predation by invasive species. The theory Becker’s lab is testing deals with determining how many actual bivalve larvae are in a given Puget Sound water sample. And to that end, Hozoji plays an important role.</p>
<p>“We have come to really depend on her to do some of the more advanced work in the lab,” Becker told me. “She’s working right now on a tool”—real-time polymerase chain reaction (qPCR), a machine-based method of counting DNA—“to help us count and identify these microscopic larvae faster and more efficiently, which is going to help us do a much better job of tracking and managing them.”</p>
<p>“I think if Hozoji were not a member of the Puyallup tribe she would still be a great asset to my lab because I think she has a lot of skill and talent,” Becker added. “But the fact that she does have that background and is able to connect the people who are responsible for managing the shellfish with us, who are studying the shellfish, is a really powerful partnership.”</p>
<p><b>“It is becoming increasingly clear that the only thing that will save our land for everyone is Indigenous science.”</b></p>
<p>Meanwhile, at the federal level, climate change denial is seemingly now a pillar of “America First”-style policy, despite a majority of tribal and other scientific communities believing otherwise. “The odds were already against us in our ability to do a lot of this work,” Becker said. “And this anti-science sentiment is making it a lot harder. But the changes are going to come either way.”</p>
<p>In this light, Hozoji’s emerging function as a link between the science establishment and Indigenous conservation falls into stark relief.</p>
<p>“It is becoming increasingly clear that the only thing that will save our land for everyone is Indigenous science,” said Miller, who is currently writing a history of Puyallup sovereignty that includes sections on Lushootseed language revitalization, decolonization, and shellfish. The problem, according to Miller, is that “we never see Indigenous scientists or Indigenous science validated. We [Indigenous people] all grow up fishing and hunting and caring for our land and waters in very specific ways that is certainly science,” although it isn’t described that way in Western frameworks, she said.</p>
<p>“There is a lot at stake here,” Miller told me. Specifically, in terms of Native American youth, validating and building on their perspectives and epistemologies will help not only the Puyallup and other Indigenous communities, but also individuals. “In the present United States, we have a 50 percent drop-out rate in the 8th grade for our Indigenous youth,” Miller said. “The suicide rate is a public health crisis. Through Indigenous STEM, we can both help our youth and planet. Pretty much a win-win.”</p>
<p>“Hozoji represents the privilege and burden of being American Indian in our day,” Miller added. “We have the amazing responsibility to carry on the work that our Elders have done, but at the same time, it’s a heavy load.”</p>
<p>To get to this point, Hozoji would first have to confront something even more primal.</p>
<p>II.</p>
<p>A HEALTHY FEAR</p>
<p>It was a fellow Puyallup shellfish harvester, a man Hozoji met through a cousin of hers in Idaho, who first urged Hozoji in 2009 to consider diving.</p>
<p>“You should sign up for the training,” the tribal harvester told Hozoji, after they had gotten to talking about the job and what it entailed. “It’s really good money and you’re an independent contractor,” he added, “so you make your own schedule.”</p>
<p>As a working musician who needs to make money in the stretches between touring, Hozoji liked the idea of being her own boss—and out of her element.</p>
<p>“Getting utterly outside of my comfort zone and into an environment that could not be more foreign than what I have grown up in and am used to,” Hozoji remembered, sounded “so otherworldly and insane to me.”</p>
<p>She signed up.</p>
<p>Outside of the preliminary scuba trainings Hozoji would go on to complete in a controlled pool setting, the final approach to her first proper Puget Sound dive, about a year later, was nerve-wracking. Dark water has always given her the creeps.</p>
<p><i>I hope I don’t freak out and embarrass myself</i>, Hozoji thought, suited-up at boat’s edge. <i>I hope I don’t totally lose my shit.</i></p>
<p>She took a breath and leapt in.</p>
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<p>Hozoji at the coast in the early 1990s. Photo: Margullis family</p>
<p>It wasn’t until that first open-water dive, when Hozoji was in her late 20s, that she became conscious of water as a true force of nature, though she says she’s felt pulled toward it her whole life, receiving a constant background signal from what has nearly always been lapping up against her backyard.</p>
<p>Some of Hozoji’s fondest childhood memories, she tells me, are rooted in the gulch between Commencement Bay, a shallow bay that’s part of Puget Sound, and her mom’s house, where Hozoji lived between the ages of 2 and 14 just outside Tacoma proper, conveniently at the opening to a foot-beaten path that connected their backyard and the water below.</p>
<p>Hozoji was a beach kid. And as she came of age around Commencement Bay, her enchantment with the sea and life therein only deepened.</p>
<p>There was the late-night brush with a bevy of otters that had come ashore to eat the fallen fruit of an apple tree near a wooden sleepover shack Hozoji and a neighborhood friend used to frequent. There was the time the two friends witnessed a lone sea lion joy-jumping across the bay at dusk—barking <i>boof</i>, <i>boof</i>, <i>boof</i>—on what could’ve been a Tuesday, for all Hozoji knows, although in her heart, it was a Saturday.</p>
<p>“That fucking sea lion is partying tonight!” she whooped.</p>
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<p>“When I’m underwater I very rarely think about anything on topside,“ Hozoji said. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>But for every moment of awe, there was a growing undercurrent of unease. As a pre-teen, Hozoji developed what she called a “healthy fear” of the sort of murky water characteristic of an inlet like the Puget Sound. She and the same friend used to torque themselves up whenever they’d dive underwater and look at one another through goggles, spooked by the way the color seemed to drain from their faces.</p>
<p>“You kind of look like a dead body,” Hozoji said. “You don’t see anything until it’s right there,” staring back at you.</p>
<p>Jump ahead to that first proper Puget Sound dive, a critical phase of training before becoming a certified tribal shellfish harvester, and it was only natural that Hozoji agonized over the thought of buckling once in actual open water. “I was 95 percent certain I would fail miserably,” she said.</p>
<p>That would change in an instant.</p>
<p>“The very moment we went underwater, I was like”—she snaps her finger for effect—“I love this,” Hozoji said. “It was so much more beautiful and creepy-cool than I’d ever imagined. From the surface it just looks like darkness, but when you’re in it, it’s not. It’s colorful and alive and constantly moving.”</p>
<p>“I knew I had to be part of it forever,” Hozoji added, in the same way there was no question in her 19-year-old mind, in the afterglow of the first set she ever played at a local DIY show in her very first band, that she’d make a life performing music so long as she could.</p>
<p>“I’m going to do this,” Hozoji said, “until I physically cannot anymore.”</p>
<p>SHELL LOCK</p>
<p>Hozoji went geoduck digging for the first time not long after logging that initial Puget Sound dive.</p>
<p>It was Day One of training on <i>Nishga Gang</i>, the tribal vessel Hozoji harvested from for the better part of the next six years. One of the boat’s two captains, Fred Dillon, an “ultimate big brother” type, descended with Hozoji that day and pointed out what to look for while diving for shellfish: little clues that give away the location of a geoduck, like how its siphon, taking in and spitting out water, will tousle a patch of sand about the size of a cupcake top.</p>
<p>Hozoji watched Dillon harvest a bit, before he passed off the high-pressure hose and surfaced by himself. Now it was her turn to walk around and look for geoducks to dig and, to the mild confusion of those up-top, not say a word over the standard diver-crew comms network used on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Hozoji’s silence was immediate, out of sheer instinct, she says. The tunnel vision allowed her to block out the brackishness that closed in on all sides.</p>
<p>“It’s freaking scary down there, especially when you’re first starting and you’re by yourself,” Hozoji said. Imagine traversing a darkened moonscape with a field of vision limited to what’s immediately before you. “It’s very, very intimidating. I think I just got in the zone.”</p>
<p><i>Huh</i>, Hozoji thought to herself, bagging, in short order, one geoduck, then another, and another. <i>I can do this. This is not that hard.</i></p>
<p>She surfaced about midway through the 30-minute dive, having scooped up a cool half-dozen clams.</p>
<p>“You gotten any?” the captains asked, expecting her to show maybe one clam for her first try.</p>
<p>“Oh yeah, I got some,” Hozoji replied, holding up her catch of six.</p>
<p>“When you dig your first geoduck, that’s a major accomplishment,” Dillon later told me. “It didn’t take Hozi long. She was able to catch on really quick.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1332" data-orig-width="2160"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/abc6105840bbe0b91d76bea040247424/tumblr_inline_p7g8clZmhx1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji and senior diver Arney Williams on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Photo: Don Coats/Puyallup Tribe</p>
<p>That the captains seemed genuinely stoked for Hozoji, impressed even, left her with a profound sense of personal triumph. Hozoji remembers the distinct rush that comes with the realization you might actually be good at a thing you didn’t think you’d be good at. She felt proud of what she’d done.</p>
<p>Although, as she would discover, harvesting geoducks wouldn’t always be so easy.</p>
<p>“You have to fight with [the geoducks] sometimes,” Hozoji told me. When one is directly under sand that is especially thick with rocks, shell fragments, and other coarse sediment, a phenomenon known as shell lock, you’re “basically jackhammering” through that tough layer with a hose to get to the geoduck. At a spot like this on the seafloor, Hozoji adds, there’s nothing you can do but hold the line until your allotted dive time runs out.</p>
<p>“Those days are really difficult,” Hozoji said.</p>
<p>That’s ultimately not what caused her to leave the <i>Nishga Gang</i>. That decision crystallized, rather, through a chain of events whereby Hozoji became acutely aware of the difference—the “fine line,” as Dillon called it—between exercising treaty rights as a commercial harvester, and the science she’s doing now.</p>
<p><b>“It needs to be sustainable and it needs to be respected.”</b></p>
<p>In terms of shellfish harvest management, according to Dillon, there are certain precautions the tribe takes to try to be sustainable resource managers. They’re careful not to overfish, and harvest each tract to the agreed-upon threshold (no more) before moving on. That way, he explained, each tract is given time to restore to pre-harvest levels.</p>
<p>“You can have all these policy and codes and laws in place, but in my view, it all boils down to enforcement,” said Dillon, who purchased <i>Nishga Gang</i> with his father-in-law not long before Hozoji joined in early 2011. “Without any teeth to back this stuff up, then it’s just a resource that’s going to dwindle away.”</p>
<p>Maybe three years in as a harvester, Hozoji said, she “started to develop a conscience about it.” This was made all the more apparent amid what she felt were shifting vibes on <i>Nishga Gang</i>, as a wave of new crew members joined. Hozoji, the eighth harvester to join a crew that ballooned to 18 divers, said she wasn’t seeing much basic environmental sensitivity from this diving community at the time.</p>
<p>“I’d see smokers flick their cigarettes off the boat into the water. Just a general sort of disregard. I don’t mean that for everyone on my boat,” Hozoji said. “There definitely were exceptions and I can’t speak for other boats because I wasn’t on them. But there was a feeling that conservation was not a topic that seemed to be on the minds of anyone.”</p>
<p>“I still love those dudes endlessly,” Hozoji added, speaking of Dillon and the rest of<i>Nishga Gang</i>’s crew. But while she “very staunchly” stands behind the right of tribal members to harvest the sea, Hozoji said, “it needs to be sustainable and it needs to be respected. And that’s the shit I started to feel uncomfortable with.”</p>
<p>In the meantime, mechanical errors didn’t help her mood. She blamed these slip-ups, in part, on a rapidly expanding crew under a lot of pressure to perform.</p>
<p>In the fall of 2015, Hozoji and a fellow <i>Nishga Gang</i> diver were hospitalized for carbon monoxide exposure after they both vomited after surfacing. Another close shave earlier that year involved a face mask shared among the boat’s dive team. Hozoji claims the mask hadn’t been sufficiently cleaned before one of her dives and that this led to the mask’s regulator getting stuck open, hemorrhaging free-flowing air from an onboard generator with a limited supply of oxygen. Hozoji was 60 feet underwater, solo. Between the scuba gear and about 70 pounds of geoducks lashed around her waist, she had roughly 150 extra pounds strapped to her body. She went to roll the regulator back, attempting to free it from being locked open, only to find it was stuck shut.</p>
<p>Water started filling the mask, up over Hozoji’s nose, then her eyes, when everything went white.</p>
<p>“I stood up and did the motions that it requires to try and remove water from your mask if it’s flooded,” Hozoji said. “Luckily it worked.”</p>
<p>She finished the dive.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="720" data-orig-width="960"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/076cdbc5a9912574a0403bfcaa80cbc0/tumblr_inline_p7g8dgkqyy1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Hozoji on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. Photo: Don Coats/Puyallup Tribe</p>
<p>“We’re the kind of boat where it’s safety first,” Dillon told me. Despite this, every diver on that boat, according to him, goes through at least one test of mettle in the harsh, at times unpredictable realms of deep digging. It’s just the nature of the work.</p>
<p>“There’s a lot of danger in what we do,” Dillon said. And the reality is, “sometimes things get gunked up.” That is, sometimes grit finds its way into your underwater breathing apparatus and your face mask, as Dillon described it, starts to “sweat.”</p>
<p>To Dillon, Hozoji’s whiteout incident seemed less a matter of negligence than an honest oversight. He emphasized the day-to-day upkeep required of a suite of filters, pressure-relief valves, and assorted components that comprise a working dive kit on a tribal harvest boat, not to mention the number of divers using that same shared kit.</p>
<p>The fact that Hozoji knew how to pull herself out of the situation speaks to the sort of hands-on training and mentorship Dillon says has always been the <i>Nishga Gang</i> way. It’s also what sets apart a diver like Hozoji. A dangerous diver, according to Dillon, is a scared diver, a timid diver. Not necessarily someone who would’ve kept their composure.</p>
<p>The carbon monoxide incident is harder to explain. Dillon says it remains the first and only time something like it has gone down on <i>Nishga Gang</i>.</p>
<p>As Hozoji and her dive partner descended that day, Dillon remembers, there was no wind. “So we’re thinking maybe the exhaust from the main engine got up in the intake of the air compressor” and didn’t get filtered out to the extent it needed to, he told me. “It’s kind of crazy, but that’s what we’re assuming happened,” he added, “because we had it tested out and everything. Our filters, everything was good. The air quality was good.”</p>
<p>It was, simply, a “mishap,” Dillon said. “But thank goodness Hozoji came to and everything was fine after that.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1111" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/b7d1cdf4c5e72aebd2cc5c3b668f3754/tumblr_inline_p7g8dwUcHl1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>A sea slug ( <i>Hermissenda crassicornis</i>). Image: <a href="https://commons.wikimedia.org/wiki/Category:Hermissenda_crassicornis#/media/File:Hermissenda_crassicornis_1.jpg" target="_blank"><b>Matt Knoth/Flickr</b></a></p>
<p>The pivotal incident, the moment Hozoji knew she had to leave the harvest for good, was when she witnessed nudibranchs—gastropod molluscs, better known as sea slugs—mating en masse in Puget Sound in the spring of 2015.</p>
<p>“They’re just piled on top of each other, humping,” Hozoji told me, laughing. “Fields of them. They’re beautiful creatures, super fragile, gorgeous. And they’re there to perpetuate their species, you know?”</p>
<p>By this point, Hozoji had begun doing survey dives with Dave Winfrey, the Puyallup shellfish biologist, who she already knew as the guy who assigned permits to “legit” divers on behalf of the Shellfish Department. Hozoji had explained to Winfrey, who’d asked Hozoji to work with him and his team because their other contractor at the time was overbooked, that she was coming to realize marine conservation and science were more in line with her interests.</p>
<p>“If you ever need some muscle on your side,” Hozoji offered Winfrey, “I’d love to be involved.”</p>
<p>For the next three years, she’d moonlight as a shellfish tract surveyor under Winfrey’s tutelage part-time between April and October, while harvesting year-round on <i>Nishga Gang</i>. The more surveys Hozoji helped out on, she says, the queasier she felt, like that day at the nudibranch mating grounds, which happened to overlap with a geoduck tract.</p>
<p>“We’re surveying it,” Hozoji remembered, “and I’m thinking to myself about how we’d finish the survey and say ‘yes, it’s OK for people to come here and dig geoducks’ and that’s going to mean that all of these boats are going to drop anchor here. They’re just gonna harvest right through the nudibranchs.”</p>
<p>“That felt real bad to me,” she said.</p>
<p>A couple of months later, Hozoji found herself harvesting geoducks near the site of that very sea slug orgy. Not the exact spot, but close enough that she was unable to shake the fact that she had facilitated the unintentional slaughter of no small number of nudibranchs. While there was no way of telling for sure, Hozoji knew right then she had to walk away from the harvest for good.</p>
<p>“I thought about it long and hard, cried a million tears, and felt real conflicted,” Hozoji said. “I couldn’t say that other people shouldn’t.”</p>
<p>Recuperating at home one day in late 2016, Hozoji sat with Dillon. And she quit.</p>
<p>“It’s all good, you know?” Dillon told me. “We definitely don’t force someone to do something they don’t want to do, especially out there.”</p>
<p>As a harvester who also works as a natural resources policy representative for the Puyallup’s shellfish commission, Dillon says he could feel for Hozoji.</p>
<p>“I’ve always known Hozi to be more of a giving kind of person instead of a taking kind of person,” Dillon said. “I couldn’t say anything bad about her. She’s a good person inside and out. She has a big heart. She wants to save things.”</p>
<p>EVERYTHING EATS EVERYTHING</p>
<p>Hozoji heard from Bonnie Becker a few months later.</p>
<p>“I do a lot of work with people who work for tribes because of that shellfish connection,” said Becker, who had put a call out to various contacts and friends in her network last year after speaking with Danica Miller.</p>
<p>Miller was in charge of the Puyallup tribal grant given to UWT, dedicated in part to assist recruiting tribal members into the sciences. Miller had reached out to Becker, who suggested funding Indigenous students in Becker Lab: specifically, bringing a non-college student in to do lab work as a way of setting that person on course for a degree.</p>
<p>“This seemed like a perfect fit and I agreed,” Miller later told me. She would describe Hozoji as “a perfect example of a Puyallup who both understands Puyallup science and is able to bridge that with Western methods.”</p>
<p>That’s partly why Becker had Hozoji working specifically on qPCR, the machine-based DNA counting method, as Becker hopes the technique will be of use to tribal shellfish biologists in their ability to manage such resources. Becker has come to depend on Hozoji’s “meticulous way of working,” as Becker described it, because “we have to know what we have to create a tool that we can then apply on what we don’t already know.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/bd6026b94e57ddb56759d2028ad42907/tumblr_inline_p7g8eet6Tv1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Two Olympia oyster larvae. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Seated at her far-corner station in Becker Lab, as D’Angelo rolled into the latest Dale Crover (Melvins/Nirvana) solo record, Hozoji tapped out a little drum fill on her knees in the empty moments it took for the ethanol to settle on one of her slides. The physical, exacting nature of the work requires good, old fashioned patience. You get a little antsy sometimes.</p>
<p>“Counting microscopic larvae by hand is an extremely slow process,” Hozoji said. “So it was like, cool, this might be a way to have it done in seconds, rather than weeks or months.”</p>
<p>“And so, these are wild,” she told me, gesturing to a grip of Puget Sound water samples resting in a vial rack, representing the past couple of months of her work. “I’ve gone through and separated them into these individual vials. This one”— she points to one of the vials—“has one large clam, what I would assume is a geoduck in it. This one here”—points to another—“has five big Olympia oyster larvae.”</p>
<p>It’s a matter of going through, Hozoji explained, so that when the time comes to begin testing with the qPCR machine, they will know if there is, say, five in each vial. As they explore whether or not they can accurately use qPCR to count wild larvae in a lab, if the qPCR machine reads “100” then they will know it’s registering bits of DNA that have either broken off from larvae or were in the water column to begin with. “And if that is the result, we know it’s counting stuff that isn’t just larvae,” Hozoji said. “And we know we can’t use it as a reliable source for counting larvae specifically.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1572" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/b8c4a63d745447036061c6a5c51eed93/tumblr_inline_p7g8f0HlTZ1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Bivalve larvae and sand under a polarized microscope. Photo: Hozoji Matheson-Margullis</p>
<p>I asked Hozoji if she had spent much time looking down a microscope prior to this.</p>
<p>“Zero,” she said. “I mean, science class in high school. But other than that no, not at all. I always thought it was neat or whatever, but never saw myself ending up [doing] something like this.”</p>
<p>“I’m like a little kid going into this,” Hozoji added. “I’m a romantic.”</p>
<p>She has come to appreciate the symmetry of an Olympia oyster larvae under a polarized microscope. In particular, the way that causes the bivalve shell to create an X shape, which then helps narrow down her search while sifting through a Puget Sound water sample “filled with other gunk.” As a self-diagnosed germaphobe, she has also made peace with the fact that she has surely swallowed tons of the bivalve larvae she handles here in Becker Lab. “I can’t even imagine how many,” she said.</p>
<p>“Getting to look at these through a microscope and imagine their existence is just…” Hozoji said, struggling to find the word.</p>
<p>Getting to be so up-close and hands on, getting to be around water, she says, opens up space for her to think about the great continuum of things. About her place in the Universe and on Earth, in the past, present, and future of her tribe and this region she calls home.</p>
<p>“Everything eats everything,” Hozoji said. “So, save the whales? Hell yeah, save the whales. But that means save the oyster larvae, too. Everything is important.”</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/8f93e69133f984e56c7b3a12a23b513d/tumblr_inline_p7g8fi9Mdx1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Many days Hozoji says she puts in at least two hours at the microscope. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Hozoji messaged me a few days after my visit.</p>
<p>“I’m here staring through the microscope at Becker Lab and something occurred to me,” Hozoji wrote. “Which is simply that there is so much more to life than the stuff we see and think and worry about everyday. In the same vein [as] knowing that the underwater world is always there and how that is a comfort to me when I’m freakin’ out about humanity, looking at life at a microscopic level calms me because it reminds me that there is a lot more shit going on than what is visible from my human perspective.”</p>
<p>What’s down there?</p>
<p>THE REST OF THE WORLD OUT THERE</p>
<p>Back on the <i>Monitor</i>, returning to Shellfish Department headquarters, Hozoji’s dozen-geoduck haul was spot-checked, stowed, and bound for the lab. The biotoxin results for red tide testing typically are ready in 24 to 48 hours. (This batch of geoducks was biotoxin free.)</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/ce4a8c06c892921cc1e0682009648797/tumblr_inline_p7g8g1DRfP1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Before we pulled into the slip, Winfrey veered in for a closer look at something, just a speck when Hozoji first pointed it out at the edge of Commencement Bay. It was the small brown beach shack Hozoji and her friend spent so much time in coming up, where Hozoji developed her healthy fear of murky water.</p>
<p>The wooden structure appeared dilapidated, eaten away by years of saltwater and wind. But it was still standing.</p>
<p>That afternoon, rinsing down her wetsuit in the backyard of her youth, Hozoji told me about how she’s since moved back into the same modest, wood-panelled home she grew up in. The move came at the urging of her mother after the apartment Hozoji and one of her two current roommates had been living in, in Tacoma proper, flooded with sewage. Hozoji’s drums, the same Rogers kit she’s been playing since she was 15, survived.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/a7cc7128355e6b0b3cb32023e4725a10/tumblr_inline_p7g8gpUBLT1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Tagged rack tom. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Behind the house, the foot-beaten path she took as a kid had fallen into disuse, gradually taken back by nature. The gulch itself, Hozoji later wrote me, “has been slowly but surely sucking the hillside into its mouth for as long as I’ve been alive to observe it.” Trees that used to be in the middle of their yard, she added, are now part way down the hill.</p>
<p>At some point, Hozoji’s mother had the property placed into the tribal land Trust. If something ever happens to Hozoji—“if I die,” she said—the land will go back to the Puyallup.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1049" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/7f0746f607ae566b19045715f69bbf02/tumblr_inline_p7g8hpvuf71s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Later, seated at the kitchen table, Hozoji showed me a pocket-sized, silver booklet that she often carries. It was a gift from her roommates, Hozoji explains, who made it for her. The pages within, they write by way of introduction, include “some great women who have made history in marine biology, diving, and oceanography.”</p>
<p>The entries are brief, handwritten, and begin in the 19th century, with black and white photos pasted alongside each of the 20 or so names. There’s Myrtle Elizabeth Johnson (1881-1967), who wrote “Seashore Animals of the Pacific Coast”; Roger Arliner Young (1889-1964), the first African American woman to receive a PhD in zoology; “The first lady of Limu,” Isabella Abbott (1919-2010), discoverer of over 200 kinds of algae; and “Her deepness” Sylvia Earle (1935-present), the first female chief scientist for the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Association, among others.</p>
<p>“This is only a slice of the rich contribution women have made,” her roommates add. “But we hope it will serve as inspiration as you begin your journey in marine biology.”</p>
<p>The final entry in the booklet is reserved for their friend, Hozoji.</p>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1050" data-orig-width="1575"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/5d2641446e27268e268de78fffe029f9/tumblr_inline_p7g8ifjxf81s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p>The booklet. Photo: Brian Anderson/Motherboard</p>
<p>Beginning this fall Hozoji will start classes at UWT, working toward a bachelor’s degree in marine biology. If it is not about how deep you dig, it’s that you keep digging.</p>
<p>“I feel 100 percent inspired and excited about our Indigenous youth,” as Miller told me. “It’s the rest of the world out there that gives me worry.“</p>
<p>Hozoji, for her part, is also under no illusions.</p>
<p>“I’ve thought many times about what kinds of challenges I will face once I become more heavily involved,” Hozoji said. “I’m signing on for a lot of struggle.”</p>
<p>“The idea to me,” she went on, “is like, I’m going to help protect this thing that I love that is so beautiful and fragile. I’ll be able to get in people’s brains and help them understand why they should care about this sort of thing.”</p>
<p>“I also know there are plenty of people who just do not give a fuck,” Hozoji said. “But ultimately I think there is a reason to be trying. You’ve got to create a balance because otherwise those people win.”</p>
<p><i>*A previous version of this story misidentified Winfrey and Stearns as Puyallup tribal members. They are neither Puyallup members nor native people. The story has been changed to reflect that distinction.</i></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872662018-04-12T12:30:31-07:002021-10-26T08:09:22-07:00Helms Alee @ Psycho Las Vegas 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="675" data-orig-width="540"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.vivapsycho.com/pages/tickets" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/13a87b84d6bb420b83cb18162b307cf8/tumblr_inline_p73769vcJM1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<p>Single day line-ups are announced for Psycho Las Vegas 2018. <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing the Vinyl on Friday, August 17. Tickets <a href="https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vivapsycho.com%2Fpages%2Ftickets&t=OWNjMjE3Zjc3ZGVhYzFjMTU5MTE3OGZkZWQ1MDFhMDRkNDcxMzQ2NCxKOTNvSmVDeA%3D%3D&b=t%3AYBbXn-seGjjQQbVU--XSYg&p=http%3A%2F%2Fmutoidman.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F172865547216%2Fmutoid-man-plays-sunday-august-9-psycho-las&m=1" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/51789962018-04-12T12:30:31-07:002022-02-11T06:15:32-08:00Helms Alee Play Friday, August 17 @ Psycho Las Vegas 2018<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="675" data-orig-width="540"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/13a87b84d6bb420b83cb18162b307cf8/tumblr_inline_p73769vcJM1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>Single day line-ups are announced for Psycho Las Vegas 2018. <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing the Vinyl on Friday, August 17. Tickets <a href="https://t.umblr.com/redirect?z=https%3A%2F%2Fwww.vivapsycho.com%2Fpages%2Ftickets&t=OWNjMjE3Zjc3ZGVhYzFjMTU5MTE3OGZkZWQ1MDFhMDRkNDcxMzQ2NCxKOTNvSmVDeA%3D%3D&b=t%3AYBbXn-seGjjQQbVU--XSYg&p=http%3A%2F%2Fmutoidman.tumblr.com%2Fpost%2F172865547216%2Fmutoid-man-plays-sunday-august-9-psycho-las&m=1" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872672018-01-23T10:42:41-08:002021-10-26T08:09:23-07:00Helms Alee Announce 2018 Tour with Whores and Bummer<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2200" data-orig-width="1700"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/02eda5e8764e2b16b1a1351386baffd5/tumblr_inline_p30tksARQ41qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have announced a 2018 tour with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/whrsband/" target="_blank">Whores</a>.</p>
<p>Dates below:</p>
<p>4/10 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>4/11 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>4/12 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>4/13 San Diego, CA @ Casbah<br>4/14 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>4/15 Reno, NV @ The Holland Project<br>4/16 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill<br>4/17 Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp<br>4/19 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios stumpfest<br>4/20 Seattle, WA @ Highline<br>4/21 Vancouver, BV @ Cobalt<br>4/22 Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/50397932018-01-23T10:42:41-08:002021-09-24T04:08:07-07:00Helms Alee Announce 2018 Tour with Whores and Bummer<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2200" data-orig-width="1700"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/02eda5e8764e2b16b1a1351386baffd5/tumblr_inline_p30tksARQ41qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have announced a 2018 tour with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/whrsband/" target="_blank">Whores</a>.</p>
<p>4/10 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>4/11 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>4/12 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>4/13 San Diego, CA @ Casbah<br>4/14 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>4/15 Reno, NV @ The Holland Project<br>4/16 San Francisco, CA @ Bottom of the Hill<br>4/17 Sacramento, CA @ Blue Lamp<br>4/19 Portland, OR @ Mississippi Studios stumpfest<br>4/20 Seattle, WA @ Highline<br>4/21 Vancouver, BV @ Cobalt<br>4/22 Bellingham, WA @ Shakedown</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872682018-01-19T15:25:14-08:002021-10-26T08:09:23-07:00Helms Alee @ StumpFest 7<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="849" data-orig-width="1152"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/568766463460484/" target="_blank"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c2252bb5635f3e9c25390abba54a3c79/tumblr_inline_p2tsyvKaFZ1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></a></figure>
<p><a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing StumpFest 7 on Thur 4/19 in Portland, OR</p>
<p>More info <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://www.facebook.com/events/568766463460484/" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/50337092018-01-19T15:25:14-08:002019-02-20T12:40:02-08:00Helms Alee @ StumpFest 7<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="849" data-orig-width="1152"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/c2252bb5635f3e9c25390abba54a3c79/tumblr_inline_p2tsyvKaFZ1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing StumpFest 7 on Thur 4/19 in Portland, OR</p>
<p>More info <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/568766463460484/" target="_blank">HERE</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872692017-10-18T07:00:19-07:002021-10-26T08:09:24-07:00Helms Alee Tour Starts Today<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="4200" data-orig-width="3300"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/4a67bbb5fb409bbab279765ebc17ca23/tumblr_inline_oxmnxkRe4Q1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>Tour starts today! <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have added more shows surrounding their dates supporting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/borisheavyrocks/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Boris</a>. More information and ticket links here: <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">https://helmsalee.net/</a></p><!-- more -->
<p>OCT 18 Spokane, WA @ The Observatory<br>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 08 Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 11 McDade, TX @ Sound On Sound Fest<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & Endon</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/48967812017-10-18T07:00:19-07:002024-01-19T12:31:18-08:00Helms Alee Tour Starts Today<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="4200" data-orig-width="3300"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//78.media.tumblr.com/4a67bbb5fb409bbab279765ebc17ca23/tumblr_inline_oxmnxkRe4Q1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>Tour starts today! <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have added more shows surrounding their dates supporting <a href="https://www.facebook.com/borisheavyrocks/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Boris</a>.</p><!-- more -->
<p>OCT 18 Spokane, WA @ The Observatory<br>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 08 Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 11 McDade, TX @ Sound On Sound Fest<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & Endon</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872702017-10-13T11:51:54-07:002021-10-26T08:09:24-07:00Helms Alee Add Show With Ministry<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="920" data-orig-width="600"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://78.media.tumblr.com/f6a9d11c6645c24a50323d841471c0e9/tumblr_inline_oxryxmtdaI1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> just added a show on Nov 12 with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMinistry/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Ministry</a> in San Antonio, TX. Read more for all tour dates.</p><!-- more -->
<p>OCT 18 Spokane, WA @ The Observatory<br>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 08 Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 10 Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Lounge<br>NOV 12 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre w/ Ministry<br>NOV 13 El Paso, TX @ The Perch at Tricky Falls<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & ENDON</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/48912872017-10-13T11:51:54-07:002019-02-20T12:40:31-08:00Helms Alee Add Show With Ministry<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="920" data-orig-width="600"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//78.media.tumblr.com/f6a9d11c6645c24a50323d841471c0e9/tumblr_inline_oxryxmtdaI1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> just added a show on Nov 12 with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/WeAreMinistry/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">Ministry</a> in San Antonio, TX<br>to our tour dates!</p>
<p>OCT 18 Spokane, WA @ The Observatory<br>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 08 Little Rock, AK @ Vino’s<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 10 Fort Worth, TX @ Ridglea Lounge<br>NOV 12 San Antonio, TX The Aztec Theatre w/ Ministry<br>NOV 13 El Paso, TX @ The Perch at Tricky Falls<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & ENDON</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872712017-08-15T09:59:36-07:002021-10-26T08:09:25-07:00Helms Alee Add More Dates To 2017 Tour<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2500" data-orig-width="1668"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/063c0582feb792a110178de8daa2d0f0/tumblr_inline_oupac9qKCz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have added headlining shows surrounding their dates supporting <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris.</a> More information and ticket links <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<p><!-- more --></p>
<p>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 11 McDade, TX @ Sound On Sound Fest<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & Endon</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/48147812017-08-15T09:59:36-07:002021-01-27T21:41:02-08:00Helms Alee Add More Dates To 2017 Tour<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="2500" data-orig-width="1668"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/063c0582feb792a110178de8daa2d0f0/tumblr_inline_oupac9qKCz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have added headlining shows surrounding their dates supporting <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris.</a> More information and ticket links <a href="https://helmsalee.net/" target="_blank">here.</a></p>
<p>OCT 20 Fargo, ND @ Aquarium<br>OCT 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club *<br>OCT 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall *<br>OCT 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall *<br>OCT 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club *<br>OCT 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop *<br>OCT 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls *<br>OCT 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer *<br>OCT 30 Brooklyn, NY @ Saint Vitus<br>OCT 31 Boston, MA @ Great Scott<br>NOV 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter<br>NOV 03 Durham, NC @ The Pinhook<br>NOV 04 Columbia, SC @ New Brookland Tavern<br>NOV 06 Athens, GA @ Caledonia Lounge<br>NOV 07 Memphis, TN @ Hi-Tone Cafe<br>NOV 09 Norman, OK @ Opolis<br>NOV 11 McDade, TX @ Sound On Sound Fest<br>NOV 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister *<br>NOV 15 Tucson, AZ @ Club Congress<br>NOV 16 Los Angeles, CA @ The Resident<br>NOV 17 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern</p>
<p>*w/ Boris & Endon</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872722017-07-20T11:06:05-07:002021-10-26T08:09:26-07:00Helms Alee & Mutoid Man Show Review // Metal Assault<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1448" data-orig-width="2172"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/d242da8a48e31a0f0fee8ee33f5cd94e/tumblr_inline_otei6oeXcz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> hit the stage, and brought forth a multi-faceted set that went through several variations over the course of its 45-minute duration, transitioning from mellow to violent and melodic to crushing and everything in between, the vocal harmonies being the standout feature of the band’s musicianship. This trio from the Pacific North West has earned themselves quite the fan base in the LA area owing to fine performances on past tours, and their fans were here in good numbers at this show. Choosing to play in minimal stage lighting, Helms Lee allowed their sound to be the primary focus for the audience, and delivered a set that was just the perfect companion and complement to what Mutoid Man followed with. Anyone attending these shows is getting treated to long sets by two very disparate bands, and the impact Mutoid Man makes can be attributed in part to the tone set by Helms Alee.</p>
<p>Full article via <a href="http://metalassault.com/gig_reviews/2017/07/11/mutoid-monday-mutoid-man-raises-the-roof-in-downtown-la/" target="_blank">Metal Assualt. </a><br>By Andrew Bansal<br>(photos by Matt Nielson)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/47866602017-07-20T11:06:05-07:002021-02-25T00:20:43-08:00Helms Alee & Mutoid Man Show Review // Metal Assault<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1448" data-orig-width="2172"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/d242da8a48e31a0f0fee8ee33f5cd94e/tumblr_inline_otei6oeXcz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> hit the stage, and brought forth a multi-faceted set that went through several variations over the course of its 45-minute duration, transitioning from mellow to violent and melodic to crushing and everything in between, the vocal harmonies being the standout feature of the band’s musicianship. This trio from the Pacific North West has earned themselves quite the fan base in the LA area owing to fine performances on past tours, and their fans were here in good numbers at this show. Choosing to play in minimal stage lighting, Helms Lee allowed their sound to be the primary focus for the audience, and delivered a set that was just the perfect companion and complement to what Mutoid Man followed with. Anyone attending these shows is getting treated to long sets by two very disparate bands, and the impact Mutoid Man makes can be attributed in part to the tone set by Helms Alee.</p>
<p>Full article via <a href="http://metalassault.com/gig_reviews/2017/07/11/mutoid-monday-mutoid-man-raises-the-roof-in-downtown-la/" target="_blank">Metal Assualt. </a><br>By Andrew Bansal<br>(photos by Matt Nielson)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872732017-07-06T12:04:13-07:002021-10-26T08:09:26-07:00Helms Alee Starts West Coast w/ Mutoid Man Today<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="281" data-orig-width="500"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/fd925fba8bc704b8877a4344eff2e1b5/tumblr_inline_osomsmFDdd1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_xl justify_inline border_" /></figure>
<p>July tour with <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man" target="_blank">Mutoid Man</a> beings today. <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> is also to join <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tokyodionysos/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">ENDON</a> this Fall for their East Coast. </p>
<p><b>SUMMER TOUR W/ MUTOID MAN</b><br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater<br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s<br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room<br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall<br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/47696032017-07-06T12:04:13-07:002019-02-20T12:41:05-08:00Helms Alee Starts West Coast w/ Mutoid Man Today<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="281" data-orig-width="500"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/fd925fba8bc704b8877a4344eff2e1b5/tumblr_inline_osomsmFDdd1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>July tour with <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man" target="_blank">Mutoid Man</a> beings today. <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> is also to join <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tokyodionysos/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">ENDON</a> this Fall for their East Coast. More info <a href="https://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">here</a>.</p>
<p><b>SUMMER TOUR W/ MUTOID MAN</b><br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater<br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s<br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room<br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall<br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge</p>
<p><b>FALL DATES W/ BORIS & ENDON</b><br>Oct 21 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rocks Social Club<br>Oct 22 Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall<br>Oct 23 Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall<br>Oct 25 Detroit, MI @ El Club<br>Oct 26 Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop<br>Oct 27 Millvale, PA @ Mr. Smalls<br>Oct 28 Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer<br>Nov 14 Albuquerque, NM @ Sister</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872742017-06-26T12:27:48-07:002021-10-26T08:09:26-07:00Helms Alee Add Fall Dates w/ Boris and Endon<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1366" data-orig-width="1366"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/f55366d58af602edce7a1481a8e111bc/tumblr_inline_os65tbZu7Y1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> just added some shows with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tokyodionysos/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">ENDON</a> this fall but first, July tour with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man" target="_blank">Mutoid Man</a>. More info <a href="https://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">here</a></p>
<p><b>SUMMER TOUR W/ MUTOID MAN</b><br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater<br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s<br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room<br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall<br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge</p>
<p><b>FALL TOUR W/ BORIS & ENDON</b><br>10/21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club <br>10/22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall <br>10/23 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall <br>10/25 – Detroit, MI @ El Club <br>10/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop <br>10/27 – Millvale, PA @ Mr Smalls <br>10/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer <br>11/14 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sister </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/47583002017-06-26T12:27:48-07:002017-06-26T17:33:47-07:00Helms Alee Add Fall Dates w/ Boris and Endon<figure data-orig-width="1366" data-orig-height="1366" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/f55366d58af602edce7a1481a8e111bc/tumblr_inline_os65tbZu7Y1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> just added some shows with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/boris" target="_blank">Boris</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/tokyodionysos/?fref=mentions" target="_blank">ENDON</a> this fall but first, July tour with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man" target="_blank">Mutoid Man</a>. More info <a href="https://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">here</a>.</p><p><b>SUMMER TOUR W/ MUTOID MAN</b><br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos<br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater<br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s<br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident<br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room<br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge<br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar<br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall<br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Lounge</p><p><b>FALL TOUR W/ BORIS & ENDON</b><br>10/21 – Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock Social Club <br>10/22 – Milwaukee, WI @ Turner Hall <br>10/23 – Chicago, IL @ Thalia Hall <br>10/25 – Detroit, MI @ El Club <br>10/26 – Cleveland, OH @ Grog Shop <br>10/27 – Millvale, PA @ Mr Smalls <br>10/28 – Philadelphia, PA @ Union Transfer <br>11/14 – Albuquerque, NM @ Sister </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872752017-06-16T12:56:39-07:002021-10-26T08:09:26-07:00Helms Alee Show Review // Nine Circles<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/031ded72dde3c2f171783a71113489a0d4b05fe3/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-29-55-pm.png?1497642654" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/5c8dad8fb43e2e1048159182101d0b3b1337f7f3/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-30-37-pm.png?1497642660" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/83e5920dd0d28dcc252d61c394fca14a90e0381b/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-30-30-pm.png?1497642662" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p>“… <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> may have actually won the night for me. I’ve enjoyed this band recently, having been exposed to their latest album, Stillicide, and taking to it quite a lot. But, for as trippy and magical as that album is, their performance is even better. It felt like flying through space. The rising and falling song structures, the dark ambient setting… it was mesmerizing. I could have watched them play for hours.”</p>
<p>More Photos Below</p>
<p>Full Article <a href="https://ninecircles.co/2017/06/16/concert-review-mutoid-man-and-helms-alee-6-4-2017/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p><!-- more -->
<p><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/9290a1e543f6356436bc77ce7d571e87e54628ca/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-01-pm.png?1497642837" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/2e67f2ea65487232f13f0ad90743a2c054d6740f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-23-pm.png?1497642839" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/0eeb3414a89db74d3b6f4a55bfe778e2285010d8/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-12-pm.png?1497642839" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/47476622017-06-16T12:56:39-07:002020-12-13T01:10:42-08:00Helms Alee Show Review // Nine Circles<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/031ded72dde3c2f171783a71113489a0d4b05fe3/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-29-55-pm.png?1497642654" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/5c8dad8fb43e2e1048159182101d0b3b1337f7f3/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-30-37-pm.png?1497642660" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/83e5920dd0d28dcc252d61c394fca14a90e0381b/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-30-30-pm.png?1497642662" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p>“… <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> may have actually won the night for me. I’ve enjoyed this band recently, having been exposed to their latest album, Stillicide, and taking to it quite a lot. But, for as trippy and magical as that album is, their performance is even better. It felt like flying through space. The rising and falling song structures, the dark ambient setting… it was mesmerizing. I could have watched them play for hours.”</p><p>More Photos Below</p><p>Full Article <a href="https://ninecircles.co/2017/06/16/concert-review-mutoid-man-and-helms-alee-6-4-2017/" target="_blank">HERE.</a></p><!-- more --><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/9290a1e543f6356436bc77ce7d571e87e54628ca/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-01-pm.png?1497642837" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/2e67f2ea65487232f13f0ad90743a2c054d6740f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-23-pm.png?1497642839" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/0eeb3414a89db74d3b6f4a55bfe778e2285010d8/original/screen-shot-2017-06-16-at-12-53-12-pm.png?1497642839" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" />Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/47458902017-06-15T10:32:05-07:002019-02-14T15:24:55-08:00Helms Alee Interview // Earpeeler<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/0d463e6f316643c9042eed5c264f4b9fc8c3320f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-10-15-38-am.png?1497547115" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1fd5fa5b9a20ab6acffa69b47c35a5d97d86ac9f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-10-15-58-am.png?1497547117" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p>
<p><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="402" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/454qMBP66Mg" width="600"></iframe></p>
<p>Catch <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> on tour with <a href="https://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man" target="_blank">Mutoid Man</a> now. Dates Below:</p>
<p>June 14 Houston, TX @ The Studio at Warehouse Live <br>June 15 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon <br>June 16 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell) <br>June 17 Orlando, FL @ The Social <br>June 19 Raleigh, NC @ King's <br>June 20 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts - Black Box <br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos <br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater <br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s <br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident <br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room <br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah <br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge <br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar <br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall <br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Loung</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872762017-06-15T10:25:00-07:002022-08-27T09:28:02-07:00Helms Alee Interview // Earpeeler<p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/0d463e6f316643c9042eed5c264f4b9fc8c3320f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-10-15-38-am.png?1497547115" class="size_l justify_center border_" style="text-align: center;" /><img src="https://d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/1fd5fa5b9a20ab6acffa69b47c35a5d97d86ac9f/original/screen-shot-2017-06-15-at-10-15-58-am.png?1497547117" class="size_l justify_center border_" style="text-align: center;" /></p>
<p style="text-align: center;"><iframe allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0" height="402" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/454qMBP66Mg" width="600"></iframe></p><!-- more -->
<p>Catch <a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee">Helms Alee</a> on tour with <a contents="Mutoid Man" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="https://sargenthouse.com/mutoid-man">Mutoid Man</a> now. Dates Below:</p>
<p>June 14 Houston, TX @ The Studio at Warehouse Live <br>June 15 Baton Rouge, LA @ Spanish Moon <br>June 16 Atlanta, GA @ Masquerade (Hell) <br>June 17 Orlando, FL @ The Social <br>June 19 Raleigh, NC @ King's <br>June 20 Philadelphia, PA @ Underground Arts - Black Box <br>July 6 Seattle, WA @ Neumos <br>July 7 Portland, OR @ Hawthorne Theater <br>July 8 San Francisco, CA @ Slim’s <br>July 10 Los Angeles, CA @ Resident <br>July 11 Santa Ana, CA @ The Constellation Room <br>July 12 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah <br>July 13 Phoenix, AZ @ Rebel Lounge <br>July 14 Las Vegas, NV @ Beauty Bar <br>July 15 Salt Lake City, UT @ Metro Music Hall <br>July 16 Denver, CO @ Larimer Loung</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/45407642017-01-06T13:05:48-08:002021-04-27T22:59:52-07:00Helms Alee Interview // Music & Riots Issue 21<figure data-orig-width="619" data-orig-height="134" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/d63108bcd6f326d2490c9b54530f0cf3/tumblr_inline_ojdmhheZj81qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1369" data-orig-height="968" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/7f9057d63095df1494c8601aabac98a4/tumblr_inline_ojdmgt1E801qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have a great interview feature in issue #21 of <a href="https://issuu.com/music_and_riots_mag/docs/issue_21" target="_blank">Music & Riots</a>. Read the full article <a href="https://issuu.com/music_and_riots_mag/docs/issue_21/16" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872772016-12-16T11:41:21-08:002022-09-10T01:38:03-07:00Helms Alee On The Sludgelord Top Albums Of 2016<figure data-orig-height="112" data-orig-width="250"><p style="text-align: center;"><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/albums-of-year-sludgelords-official-top.html" target="_blank"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/fdba5a78836618ac0662db44361e3f08/tumblr_inline_oiami4vUQz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></a></p></figure>
<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1200" data-orig-width="1200"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/568c86cdc8bd7c061c132c82a3f63368/tumblr_inline_oiamjzLu1K1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></p></figure>
<p>#9: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have created a perfect fusion of big riffs, noise rock rumble and muscular indie rock filtered through a cloud of woozy reverb. Every track on this album is stuffed to the gills with choice riffs and klller hooks that will be embedded deep in your mind for years to come. “<a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a>” is a stellar release that sets the bar for heavy music in 2016.</p>
<p>For full list go to <a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/albums-of-year-sludgelords-official-top.html" target="_blank">The Sludgelord</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/45148412016-12-16T11:41:21-08:002017-01-27T12:01:22-08:00Helms Alee On The Sludgelord Top Albums Of 2016<figure data-orig-width="250" data-orig-height="112"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/fdba5a78836618ac0662db44361e3f08/tumblr_inline_oiami4vUQz1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1200" data-orig-height="1200" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/568c86cdc8bd7c061c132c82a3f63368/tumblr_inline_oiamjzLu1K1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>#9: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have created a perfect fusion of big riffs, noise rock rumble and muscular indie rock filtered through a cloud of woozy reverb. Every track on this album is stuffed to the gills with choice riffs and klller hooks that will be embedded deep in your mind for years to come. “<a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a>” is a stellar release that sets the bar for heavy music in 2016.</p><p>For full list go to <a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.co.uk/2016/12/albums-of-year-sludgelords-official-top.html" target="_blank">The Sludgelord</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/67872782016-12-02T15:32:10-08:002021-10-26T08:09:27-07:00Helms Alee is KISW’s Band Of The Week<figure data-orig-height="114" data-orig-width="144"><p style="text-align: center;"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/1e83e6e12123ae6d4caa8bea285b2229/tumblr_inline_ohkzpzNz2r1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.kisw.com/blogs/loud-local/bj-ll-band-week-helms-alee" target="_blank"><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/b5086767cd8fa53483be4e62920a0754/tumblr_inline_ohkzp9eBMJ1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://68.media.tumblr.com/e749171e105f4976e5b0bf5f4c43b4b3/tumblr_inline_ohkzqzTTtD1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p></figure>
<p>After nearly a decade of existence, one can only assume that a band is either entering their sunset years or striding with such artistic strength and confidence that they are creating a whole new legacy for themselves. With <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>, it is obviously the latter scenario. The band set a high bar for themselves with their spectacular debut album Night Terror, but every subsequent release has trumped their previous endeavors.</p>
<p>Bolstered by the recording and production expertise of Kurt Ballou at God City Studios, <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a> (their new album), is not only the group’s strongest collection of songs, it is arguably their best sounding release to date. The heavier moments are that much more oppressive; their melodic angles are that much more beguiling, and the juxtaposition between Verellen’s patriarchal roar and the siren song vocals of James and Margullis is that much more exhilarating. If there was only one band you could listen to for the rest of your life, Helms Alee would satiate most every emotional yearning. And if you could only pick one of their albums, you’d gravitate towards the best document of their textural range and songwriting chops. You’d gravitate towards Stillicide.</p>
<p><a href="http://www.kisw.com/blogs/loud-local/bj-ll-band-week-helms-alee" target="_blank">(via KISW)</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44945032016-12-02T15:32:10-08:002021-05-22T10:58:21-07:00Helms Alee is KISW’s Band Of The Week<figure data-orig-width="144" data-orig-height="114"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/1e83e6e12123ae6d4caa8bea285b2229/tumblr_inline_ohkzpzNz2r1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="775" data-orig-height="515" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/b5086767cd8fa53483be4e62920a0754/tumblr_inline_ohkzp9eBMJ1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="687" data-orig-height="81" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/e749171e105f4976e5b0bf5f4c43b4b3/tumblr_inline_ohkzqzTTtD1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>After nearly a decade of existence, one can only assume that a band is either entering their sunset years or striding with such artistic strength and confidence that they are creating a whole new legacy for themselves. With <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>, it is obviously the latter scenario. The band set a high bar for themselves with their spectacular debut album Night Terror, but every subsequent release has trumped their previous endeavors.</p><p>Bolstered by the recording and production expertise of Kurt Ballou at God City Studios, <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a> (their new album), is not only the group’s strongest collection of songs, it is arguably their best sounding release to date. The heavier moments are that much more oppressive; their melodic angles are that much more beguiling, and the juxtaposition between Verellen’s patriarchal roar and the siren song vocals of James and Margullis is that much more exhilarating. If there was only one band you could listen to for the rest of your life, Helms Alee would satiate most every emotional yearning. And if you could only pick one of their albums, you’d gravitate towards the best document of their textural range and songwriting chops. You’d gravitate towards Stillicide. </p><p><a href="http://www.kisw.com/blogs/loud-local/bj-ll-band-week-helms-alee" target="_blank">(via KISW)</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44704092016-11-16T10:31:53-08:002023-12-10T10:27:28-08:00Helms Alee “Stillicide” Album Review // New Noise<figure data-orig-width="260" data-orig-height="90"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/5b5cef64fcb68308dbb433196a460513/tumblr_inline_ogqz90uSeF1s6a0gh_500.gif" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1200" data-orig-height="1300" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/38d9849a0fab6ced25df362343a1761f/tumblr_inline_ogqz9lrYq71s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="75" data-orig-height="17"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/750c1480c20068f5fcfdae454e4e050b/tumblr_inline_ogqzcsNBOf1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have basically mastered the art of kitchen sink modern metal. Their sound takes influence from so many different styles (notably: stoner, shoegaze, prog, math rock, pop, and psych) to create something that shouldn’t sound so cohesive. They continue to get better with each release, and Stillicide is Helms Alee at their most focused (at least as can be expected). The results are their best compositions, alternating between hooky 90s-influenced hard rock and something altogether heavier and more progressive. Unlike a lot of groups under the stoner and prog umbrellas, Helms Alee are much more concerned with rocking out and making you nod along than they are with wowing you with absurd technicality or mind-melting compositions.</p><p>While this could fit in with other drug-influenced groups, Helms Alee feel like a product of their city: here is a group of Seattleites who studied up on what they loved about all sorts of styles, and coffee was their fuel to get them through that studying. Well the band have absolutely aced their test. It’s certainly the group’s best work yet, basically turning everything that made them great into a better version of that: better riffs, better hooks, and more impressive songs. Helms Alee are proving to be just as impressive in theory as they are in practice.</p><p><br></p><iframe src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=920532347/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/">&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;a href=“http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide”&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;Stillicide by Helms Alee&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;lt;/a&amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;amp;gt;</iframe><p></p><p>Don’t miss Helms Alee’s “Stillicide” album release shows in Portland, OR and their hometown of Seattle, WA:<br>Nov 22 - Portland, OR @ <a href="https://www.etix.com/ticket/p/4688214/mcmenamins-presentsblasphemous-collaboration-with-helms-alee-portland-mcmenamins-lolas-room?cobrand=mcmenamins" target="_blank">Lola’s</a> <br>Nov 23 - Seattle, WA @ <a href="http://www.ticketfly.com/purchase/event/1277421/tfly?utm_medium=api&utm_medium=459899" target="_blank">The Crocodile</a></p><p>Via <a href="http://newnoisemagazine.com/review-helms-alee-stillicide/" target="_blank">New Noise</a> - 4.5/5</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44351622016-10-24T13:12:00-07:002022-05-29T20:16:51-07:00Helms Alee Interview with Overblown<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="117" data-orig-width="791"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/969c37c1ce74dfd4c68e55bdbb69c233/tumblr_inline_ofkihobIP31s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="460" data-orig-width="690"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/6b7b5a45c640dc2322469ecaf7a3ca1d/tumblr_inline_ofkiimH8Dp1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>For those of you not in the know ‘helms alee’ is a nautical term used in sailing when coming about. The helmsman first signals the intent to come about by shouting, “Ready about!” When the crew responds, “Ready,” then the helmsman will signal that he or she is beginning to come about by shouting, “Helm’s alee!” As such it is the perfect moniker for the tempestuous squall and heave-ho of the Seattle sludge/noise rock trio who take their name from the term.</p><p>The group recently released their fourth album eerily titled Stillicide via Sargent House. An at times murky, bruising and battering set, the record also finds ample room for off kilter melody and some rather enormous choruses.</p><p>We had the chance to have a chin wag with the group about the ongoing seafaring theme in their music, touring with (the) Melvins, and indoor combat style laser tag.</p><p><b>Overblown: Your new album is called Stillicide. Where did the album title come from?</b></p><p><b>Helms Alee:</b> Stillicide is drops of water or the sound of drops of water. We just liked the imagery of that very dark sounding word. The record artwork ended up being the idea of this sort of minute thing, a drop of water, causing something catastrophic like a full scale tidal wave.</p><p><b>O:</b> This is your fourth album together. Do you do anything to keep the writing and recording process fresh?</p><p><b>HA:</b> We just keep plugging away, practicing real regularly, half to work on things, but as much to just kick it. We always have an abundance of new song ideas that come out of that, it’s just wading through them for keepers. But we don’t try to jostle the approach to make things new again. We’re comfy with our process. After 10 years we’re still taking the same approach.</p><!-- more --><p><b>O: </b>You toured the US with the Melvins. What was that like? Are they as ornery as their reputation would have you believe?</p><p><b>HA:</b> We had an amazing tour with them. They were a pleasure to be around every day, and there was some good hijinx and proper razzing. I appreciated how super respectful those guys were to everyone they worked with. They obviously take their work seriously, but approach it with an air of calm confidence. We were in school, for sure.</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="367" data-orig-width="683"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/3e9cddd346d18ffd981ded9eff961beb/tumblr_inline_ofkin9ymr61s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><b>O:</b> Your album artwork and name seem to be very much influenced by the seafaring tradition. What attracts you to that?</p><p><b>HA:</b> Well we’re surrounded by that in the Pacific Northwest so that watery aesthetic has always been there in the background. It makes more sense to me to take inspiration with the things in front of your face that grab your eye or ear, rather than try to borrow from something fantastic and foreign. We wouldn’t be good at making desert rock or Norwegian black metal or something.</p><p><b>O: </b>I really love your track ‘Galloping Mind Fuk’. Particularly the wandering bass line. What is that song about?</p><p><b>HA:</b> Thank you! So tough to get literal about Helms Alee song meanings usually. That song has 3 people contributing vocals and lyrics, and really without any coordination, so the song ends up being this barrage of different meanings to each of us. We like it that way, but it makes answering this kind of question pretty tough.</p><p><b>O:</b> Another thing I love is how ferocious and yet melodic your sound is, combining elements of sludge metal, post metal, and grunge. Is this something that you concentrate on creating?</p><p><b>HA:</b> We’re very much shooting from the hip without lots of intention when we write. We like all kinds of stuff so that comes out in the mish mash of ideas.</p><p><b>O:</b> Next year will be the ten year anniversary of the band’s formation. Anything special planned?</p><p><b>HA:</b> I’m shooting for indoor combat style lazer tag, we’ll see how everyone else feels about that. But 2017 should be a busy year with tours and writing songs. We’re all very proud of Stillicide, and coming off of those tours with Melvins and Russian Circles, we’re feeling real inspired and jazzed to get back out and play these songs and keep the writing going.</p><p><b>O: </b>What is your favourite memory of playing live with Helms Alee?</p><p><b>HA:</b> So many memories in 10 years of shows. Teaming up on stage with our childhood heroes Melvins to play ‘Nightgoat’ is a recent highlight, embarrassing myself by trying to address a crowd of a couple thousand in Madrid with my 9th grade level Spanish skills is a fond memory, and so many rowdy house shows in Seattle.. those will always have a place too.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44278482016-10-19T16:52:52-07:002017-01-16T06:29:34-08:00Russian Circles + Helms Alee Live Review via CVLT Nation<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="148" data-orig-width="619" style=""><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/776e8531904f2f59187e3ce59e9a395a/tumblr_inline_ofbiwupHo21qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="114" data-orig-width="518" style=""><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/7aa434bf7156f0748499ed0b51fcf326/tumblr_inline_ofbiwzMBao1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="272" data-orig-width="612" style=""><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/aeede452d1cdbbda4076710ba4ea577f/tumblr_inline_ofbix6JVCs1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>The latest <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> release, <i>Stillicide</i>, was an impressive feat by itself. In person, the tracks are even more massive. As they played the final seconds of “Galloping Mind Fuk” to end their set, it was clear that whether live or recorded, they play with more force than many of their peers. Hozoji Margullis is, to say the least, a phenom behind the drums. Dana Jones brings a concrete, unshakable foundation with her bass. And then there’s Ben Verellen, whose playing and vocals are abrasive, intense and perfectly suited to Helms. Their aquatic inspirations were evident as they rolled through songs with the strength of a hurricane tidal surge.</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="661" data-orig-width="472"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/ee6c77ad692e5ba7c90a0e8b3292cae1/tumblr_inline_ofbj04WTTr1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> are a bucket-list band. As expansive as their records are, the three create an even larger landscape in person. From Station to their recent <i>Guidance</i>, Brian Cook, Mike Sullivan and Dave Turncrantz collected ten tracks from their discography and stretched them into what seemed like hours and hours. The rises and falls and building then stalling of their songs created a story that took you from stillness to the usual light headbang. The voices of each instrument were highlighted in a live setting so that they each contributed equally to the conversation. Even on an album, the individuality that each person brings isn’t so distinct.</p><!-- more --><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="408" data-orig-width="611"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/b3aa29d662c09326b3d491401420e2a6/tumblr_inline_ofbj1xmPXQ1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>“Distinct” describes them well. Theirs was the first show I’ve ever seen with a Moog Bass Synthesizer present. They never speak and only occasionally exchange smiles before a major song shift. The emphasis was entirely on the music and on the lights that illuminated their silhouettes. Russian Circles may sound complicated, but the trio seemed entirely at ease as they journeyed through “Asa” and “Youngblood.” It’s an experience and a true example of musicianship that is, from what I’ve seen so far, unparalleled.</p><p>See full photosets of Helms Alee and Russian Circles <a href="http://www.cvltnation.com/cvlt-nation-captures-russian-circles-birmingham/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="386" data-orig-width="629"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/85d110b79f3eb0741c3027ebbf23ba60/tumblr_inline_ofbj9evRib1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="601" data-orig-width="637"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/0c6727ad26e3a027d8ec5274d49f5316/tumblr_inline_ofbj9mtvaj1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44170722016-10-12T15:24:05-07:002022-05-04T03:20:14-07:00Helms Alee Live Review // Brooklyn, NY via Cryptic Rock<figure data-orig-width="464" data-orig-height="128" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/36b6c56eb50611791d7cde3414cc500f/tumblr_inline_oeygbksSnP1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="764" data-orig-height="508" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/258460da04ce5fa4796aa410b5d6a2da/tumblr_inline_oeygo9Lr1b1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Arriving at the venue on quite a wet evening, concert goers took a moment to dry off from the rain and grab a refreshing drink at the bar prior to the opening set of Helms Alee. Hailing from Seattle, Washington, Helms Alee have been part of the Sargent House label with Russian Circles since 2013 and are currently promoting their fourth studio album, 2016′s Stillicide. A unique batch of musicians, the trio includes Ben Verellen (guitar/vocals), Dana James (bass), as well as Hozoji Matheson-Margullis (drums), and their style is difficult to categorize. No stranger to touring, they recently wrapped up dates with The Melvins before hitting the road again with Russian Circles.Lights, interaction, and explanations were not needed for Helms Alee as they were there for one thing only; to perform music. That in mind, Verellen sliced through his guitar riffs as his hair whip through the air while he howled into the microphone. </p><figure data-orig-width="766" data-orig-height="511" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/c86f65f842e19b300ea9f73f669c788c/tumblr_inline_oeygsl6wj51s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Meanwhile, James hid her face in her long dark hair, focused on bringing an abrasive sound with bass lines that rolled throughout the entire set with an unstoppable force. Then there was Matheson-Margullis which led each song with the pounding of the drums completing the ensemble and creating a full, distorted sound.The sound was quite fierce in fact as spectators headbanged throughout songs that included “Ripper No Lube,” “Andromenous,” “Pleasure Center,” “Tumescence,” “Pretty As Pie,” “Stillicide,” and “Fetus. Carcass.” As the tracks moved with ease, James took a surprising moment to interact with the audience, speaking softly and mentioning that they were from Seattle. Also informing the compelled audience they had few more songs left, the band wasted no time to blast out more music with “Paraphrase,” “Untoxicated” and closed with “Galloping Mind Fuk.” There was no goodbye and Helms Alee casually walked off the stage leaving fans hungry for more. Helms Alee are a unique act and fit quite well to open for Russian Circles, putting on a performance one cannot actually classify as just Instrumental, Metal, nor Rock.<br></p><p><a href="http://crypticrock.com/russian-circles-bring-guidance-to-brooklyn-ny-9-30-16-w-helms-alee/" target="_blank">READ FULL REVIEW AND SEE COMPLETE PHOTO GALLERY HERE.</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/44101112016-10-07T15:22:19-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00Helms Alee Interview via Concert Guide Live<figure data-orig-width="572" data-orig-height="143" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/03610421ecddfa4046737e0b3e648bdb/tumblr_inline_oep61j2XxW1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="674" data-orig-height="39" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/84ab263962740e4bb8be284c1bfc90e9/tumblr_inline_oep63224rJ1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="704" data-orig-height="396" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/5a87ed6b7b8e016f31a3a97f10d2aca9/tumblr_inline_oep63vyB8c1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be rocking out at The Complex in Glendale Oct. 12, offering up their signature blend of sludgy genre-bending hard rock. Their new album, <i><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a></i>, has been widely lauded as their most hooky and melodic effort to date, a more accessible blend of the beauty and brutality that has become their calling card.</p><p>In the midst of touring with The Melvins, Ben Verellen (Helms Alee’s guitarist, singer, and Verellen Amplifiers founder) caught up with Concert Guide Live, to talk about the new album, nervous poops, and why metal bands are so darn sweet.</p><p><b>CONCERT GUIDE LIVE: </b>How’s The Melvins tour been so far?<br><b>BEN VERELLEN</b>: So fun! This is the longest trip we’ve done, so I think we were all a little apprehensive about how we were going to feel at this stage, smack in the middle of it, but everyone seems in good spirits. Nothing negative to report.</p><p><b>CGL:</b> Jody Stephens gave you guys a tour of Ardent Studios in Memphis. What was that like?<br><b>BV:</b> What the hell, right?! It was crazy. They reached out and asked if we wanted to come check out the studio. We had no idea. It wasn’t until we showed up that the receptionist was like, “Oh yeah, Jody Stephens from Big Star is going to be doing the tour for you.” He popped out and introduced himself. Dana [James] is probably the most familiar with Big Star, so she was really trying to contain her excitement about hanging out with that guy.</p><!-- more --><p><b>CGL:</b> Ok so let’s go back to the beginning a little bit. How did you get into music?<br><b>BV:</b> I was lucky. My older brother and his buddies got together and started a band (Botch) when I was coming up in junior high and high school, so I got to tag along with them. They were touring around the country and the world, so that was really inspiring, and set me on the path of, “Well, that’s what I want to do for the rest of my life.”</p><p><b>CGL:</b> <i>Stillicide</i>, came out a few weeks ago. You guys had 10 days to record it? Is that right?<br><b>BV</b>: It was all positive. A little stressful, but I think we felt somewhat prepared. There’s always working out kinks at the last minute and finishing up the last little bits. Personally, I like the pressure of saying, “Here it is, we’ve got to do it.” It was definitely under the gun but Kurt Ballou, who owns and runs the studio over there, he’s really organized. We didn’t really have to worry about anything other than performing.</p><p><b>CGL</b>: Noisey called the new album “weird stadium rock for music nerds” but a lot of other reviews called it your most accessible release to date. Were you consciously going for a more accessible sound?<br><b>BV:</b> Definitely not going for anything like that, but once it was all done and in our hands, I can see it. To my ears, some of the songs have more hooks, some more catchy moments then the dissonant and more challenging stuff. There’s more head bob-ability [laughs].</p><p><b>CGL:</b> Do you or your bandmates have any weird pre-show rituals?<br><b>BV:</b> Does poop count? That’s one. What other pre-show rituals do we have (he asks his band mates). Ya, Hozoji [Margullis] said it best: Be nervous, pace around and hopefully take a dump. The pre shit-show show-shit.</p><p><b>CGL:</b> The heavier the music gets, the nicer the people playing it are. Do you agree with that?<br><b>BV:</b> It’s therapeutic for sure, to scream and yell and play all this angry music. You get it off your chest, and then you get to be a normal human being. I’ve been playing in bands like this since I was 15, and I can’t imagine what it would be like if I didn’t get to do that, to get my hollering out and all that [laughs].</p><p><b>CGL:</b> In addition to Helms Alee, you also started Verellen Amplifiers. What advice you would have for someone that’s trying to build something like that?<br><b>BV:</b> Try and keep everything as cheap as possible for as long as possible. If you can work from home, do that as long as you can. Don’t think you have to have a space, that’s just a lot of rent and overhead. Use as much elbow grease and as little money as possible to get going. More importantly, this is no longer a time when you can have a faceless company. It’s much more personal now. All you have at that point is your reputation, and the way that customers and potential customers feel about what you’re doing. It’s making sure that you bend over backwards to take care of customers, and problems that will inevitably arise, and everything else should take care of itself.</p><p><b>CGL:</b> Helms Alee is coming up on 10 years. How have you guys managed to keep the peace and keep everyone happy?<br><b>BV:</b> These guys are my best friends first and foremost, so we’re going on camping trips every summer and everybody’s really involved in each other’s lives. We’ve also never made money playing in this band, in terms of paying our rent and whatnot. It’s always been the thing that we come home from work to do, to unwind and feel normal, as opposed to it being something we have to do to perpetuate our lifestyle. You just want to keep the business side of things out of the forefront as much as possible, and just remember that you’re doing this to feel like a human being, get stuff off your chest, and hang out with your friends.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43955612016-09-28T16:23:59-07:002024-03-22T08:49:23-07:00Helms Alee Live Show Review via Bloody Disgusting<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="37" data-orig-width="328"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/d8c4d1e8488a972d5c5dff6658abe489/tumblr_inline_oe8m4bwB0j1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="329" data-orig-width="507"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/2ee5d06e81b8eab596b60be09a4d056c/tumblr_inline_oe8m92nBIC1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>This past weekend, I went to Detroit to see <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> label mates <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> and <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> in concert. Both bands were on tour celebrating new albums with the former acting as the headliner. I’ve written about my love of both bands several times on the site, so when I saw that they were touring together, it was a no-brainer that I had to attend.</p><p>So, onward I ventured into Mexicantown on a Sunday night to El Club, a venue I’d heard about but had never been to. First off, let me say that I really dug that spot. Good prices on drinks (beer that was under $5 at a concert? Be still, my heart!), a large enough room for a few hundred people, a good lighting setup, and a patio with a fire pit, a beer garden, and comfortable seating. It’s probably become my favorite venue in the Southeast Michigan area, and I’ve been to a lot!</p><p>Feeling rather comfortable and at ease in my surroundings, I was able to relax and appreciate what was to come, which was a night of damn good music.</p><p>Read Full Review <a href="http://bloody-disgusting.com/music/3408292/concert-review-russian-circles-helms-alee-detroit/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43951572016-09-28T12:18:37-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00“Stillicide” Album Review via Hanging Hex<figure data-orig-width="300" data-orig-height="100" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/9ff821b8219f52e4bdef17e20bda00cb/tumblr_inline_oe8al8hstT1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1200" data-orig-width="1200" style=""><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/568c86cdc8bd7c061c132c82a3f63368/tumblr_inline_oe8ap0de2B1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>HELMS ALEE, “Stillicide”<br>The opening track on Helms Alees’ new record starts with the piano coda that closes out their very first LP, “Night Terrors”, before it mutates into a maelstrom of swirling distortion and thunder. They have had two records between these two, so it’s kind of interesting the Seattle trio recall a tidbit from their first LP on their fourth long player. I guess it shows that since that time they have remained a strange, bewildering beast, but have grown in many ways as well. It’s that touchstone from the past opening a door to reflection, yet showing what’s new. What remains consistent is how Helms Alee is the bewildering sound of hiking through the redwoods on a foggy morning before reaching a beach in the Pacific Northwest. You look in one direction and there’s the water- calm and cool. You look behind you and trees rise up like skyscrapers. And in front of you are some of the most majestic mountains you’ll see. It’s at once mesmerizing and beautiful, but you also realize the hugeness of all these things, how little you are, and it’s sort of terrifying and weird. That’s the sound of Helms Alee. They can twist and turn with odd rhythms, sinewy melodies, harmonized and haunting female vocals. But they can quickly hit the distortion and come off as the most thunderous sasquatch of a beast you’ll ever hear between drummer Hozi Matheson Magullis’ polyrhythmic tom rolls, Dana James crushing low end and Ben Verellens howling baritone. Whether it’s the continuous crush of the title track and “Galloping Mind Fuk” (sic), or the long, slow burn meandering of “Creeping You Company”, to a perfect combination of all their styles (melodic, weird, and pretty to beefy and mean) on “Andromenous” this new LP is really an excellent addition to an already stellar catalog from a great band. - <a href="http://hanginghex.blogspot.com/2016/09/summers-done-read-reviews-and-get-over.html" target="_blank">Hanging Hex</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43916262016-09-26T14:21:20-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00Decibel // Helms Alee “Stillicide” Album Review<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="318" data-orig-width="1556" style=""><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/04b01f200da31de3461e8a539750b34f/tumblr_inline_oe4r8gZJrf1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="1200" data-orig-width="1200"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/568c86cdc8bd7c061c132c82a3f63368/tumblr_inline_oe4r8pingU1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>It’s too bad (for their sake) that the majority of critics calling metal “the new indie rock” 10 years ago fell off the bandwagon way too soon to hear their old meme implode via <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a>. Without straying even half a degree from the strictly post-whatever waters they’ve steered their speculative metal vessel through with escalating success since 2008’s Night Terror, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have very casually made one of the decade’s most substantial indie rock records.</p><p>A solid chunk of the Seattle-based trio’s fourth album feels newly minted even after multiple listens, thanks in equal parts to producer and engineer Kurt Ballou’s impeccable placement and processing and the band’s imaginative arrangements—aspects that rank just below the songs themselves, simultaneously tightly structured and surreal in a way that both pays homage to their highly collaborative origins and subtly showcases the band’s superior musicianship. Vocals are ridiculously good and optimally deployed, with bassist Dana James, drummer Hozoji Margullis, and guitarist Ben Verellen offering enough variation in color, texture and emotive flavor to render broadband gender fluidity audible. For all the album’s originality, the band makes no effort to hide their roots, instead just tweaking and braiding them into unlikely juxtapositions that add more depth than ever to their many shadow identities. Stoner Fugazi/PJ Harvey-hybrids, Slint as Jovians, the Pixies if they’d formed in 2015 and were heavily influenced by SubRosa—all (and more) flicker in and out of earshot on an album that’s strangely inexhaustible, given how easy it is to love.</p><p>— Rod Smith</p><p>Via <a href="http://decibelmagazine.com/best-new-noise/2016/9/26/helms-alee" target="_blank">Decibal</a>; dB rating: 8/10</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43729072016-09-14T17:21:50-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00The Quietus Reviews Helms Alee’s “Stillicide”<figure data-orig-width="250" data-orig-height="77"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/bc4398456fcb10b1b2a388c043de5886/tumblr_inline_odirg1zgk81qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1200" data-orig-height="1200" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/568c86cdc8bd7c061c132c82a3f63368/tumblr_inline_odirgdOiuF1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>’s latest is also overflowing with riffs, though it’s significantly harder to categorise. The Seattle based trio seem to revel in this, and have somehow managed to carve out a very distinctive sound for themselves without ever confining themselves to any particular style. They’re often compared to the Melvins, despite not really sounding anything like the Melvins – presumably it’s because both bands love big, sludgy riffs but refuse to be defined by them, anchoring their madcap antics with an encyclopaedic knowledge of classic rock and punk and an inherent knack for song writing (of course it could just be because every slightly off-the-wall guitar band that’s formed in the last two decades is invariably compared to the Melvins, but hey, just go with us on this one, OK?).</p><p>Stillicide is their fourth and arguably most accessible opus, despite the fact that it experiences more wild mood swings between tracks than your average teenage headbanger. Whilst the cathartic ‘Tit To Toe’, for example, alternates between hoarse Scott Kelly-esque roars and the kind of unashamedly catchy chorus that Kylesa deployed on their last few albums, the next song ‘Meats And Milks’ takes a deep breath and offers a brief glimpse into an alternate universe where Kim Deal and Slint live together out in the desert and write country and western hits, before crashing back into grand stadium sludge riffery.</p><p>Elsewhere, the rampant, hyperactive and vaguely Lightning Bolt-esque ‘Galloping Mind Fuk’ does exactly what it says on the tin, then minutes later the shimmering ‘Creeping You Company’ slams its foot on the brakes and gives us a beautiful indie-pop ballad, whilst ‘Andromenus’ basks in luscious, moody melodies and jarring, jangly guitars like Belly gone goth before ‘Worth Your Wild’ closes the record, sounding like the end of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ stretched out into a gorgeous, aching doom anthem. All of these songs are bound together by Helms Alee’s unmistakable skill as song writers, and coalesce into a very varied, inventive and remarkably assured album.</p><p>Listen to “Stillicide” <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">here</a>. </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43553102016-09-02T15:17:19-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00She Shreds Magazine Interview with Helms Alee’s Dana James<figure data-orig-width="250" data-orig-height="107"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/4962c8364448a14c3e04005b44422193/tumblr_inline_ocwdayg14y1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="2542" data-orig-height="1266" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/c848b5ad447f05ee143e502fb6f34ad8/tumblr_inline_ocwdbqd6il1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>With a mix of melody-driven post-rock, punk, prog, and pop, enormous, chugging riffs, and unusual use of time signatures and vocal interplay, Seattle’s <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/helms-alee" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> has charted a musical path that touches on various influences but remains entirely distinct from its musical peers.</p><p>Comprised of of bassist Dana James, guitarist Ben Verellen, and drummer Hozoji Margullis, the band takes an egalitarian approach to its music, with each member contributing to songwriting and vocals. Together they have released four albums in less than a decade, starting with its powerful 2008 debut Night Terror up through their most recent LP, <a href="https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com" target="_blank">Stillicide</a>. Adding to the magic are the rich, velvety tones that flow out of the band’s gear from <a href="http://verellenamplifiers.bigcartel.com" target="_blank">Verellen Amplifiers</a>, the boutique amplifier company Verellen has run since 2007. James plays her bass through a Verellen Meatsmoke and uses a pick because, as she says, “I play bass like a guitar.”</p><!-- more --><p>On Stillicide, Helms Alee has continued its mergings of intricate twists and textures with crunchy rhythms and hooks, a tactic that has resulted in what are arguably their most compelling songs to date. “Half of our brains want it to be something that is relatable, but the other half of our brains want it to be something that sounds interesting and weird. When we write songs it’s usually a mash of technical and feeling,” James explains.</p><p>Given those polarities, it seemed like James might have some words of wisdom to share with other musicians when it comes to working through difficult parts of song development. When we met up with James before the band’s recent show at Chicago’s Beat Kitchen, it turned out she did.</p><p>Check out her tips below. Stillicide is available now through Sargent House Records.</p><p>Record everything. Helms Alee makes a habit of recording their songwriting sessions so they can revisit ideas later on. You never know when an idea you previously passed on could be a perfect match for something new. “We record everything,” James says. “No matter how bad it sounds we record it.” <br>Listen to the recordings in the car, or another private space if you don’t have a car. “[My car] is my version of practicing at home,” James says, adding that “practicing while driving” helps her work out how to fit her vocals over complex rhythms since she doesn’t have to focus on playing an instrument at the same time. Connecting the two will come naturally. “It’s just creating the neural pathways. Doing two completely different things at the same time, the neural pathways aren’t naturally there and you have to slowly build them.” <br> Trust your instincts. “[When I am writing] I never really think about how something is supposed to be,” James says. For example, the title track for Stillicide, which opens with a heavy, fuzzed-out bass solo, was born out of a riff she was experimenting with when she was the first to arrive at practice one day. When her bandmates arrived, they pieced the rest of the song together from there. <br>Have patience with your bandmates (and vice versa) and with yourself. Though James says that some Helms Alee songs, like “Stillicide,” come together fairly easily others take more time and effort to get them just right, which makes good communication and cooperation between the bandmates that much more essential.“When you’re frustrated it is easy to give up,” James says. “If one of us has trouble getting something after playing it over and over, we’ll move on and come back to it later.”<br>Don’t give up. “My thought about playing an instrument is that anyone can do it. If you’ve got the time and the determination you can do it,” James says. “If something seems hard, just keep trying and keep doing it because eventually you’re going to move on and time is going to pass. One day in the future you will realize that it’s easy for you now, and you’ll think ‘how was that ever so hard for me?’” </p><p><br></p><iframe src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/270235670&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true" width="100%" height="450" frameborder="no"></iframe><p>Helms Alee on Tour:</p><p>(with the Melvins unless noted *)</p><p>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC – Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS – Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR – Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK – Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX – The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress</p><p>(with Russian Circles)</p><p>Sep 24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest <br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI – El Club <br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace <br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair <br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer <br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw <br>Oct 01 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel <br>Oct 02 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall <br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5 <br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL – Saturn <br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon <br>Oct 07 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio <br>Oct 08 Austin, TX – Barracuda <br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX – RBC</p><p>(with guests)</p><p>Oct 11 Phoenix, AX – Last Exit<br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA – Complex<br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern<br>Nov 22 Portland, OR – Lola’s<br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile</p><p>Via <a href="http://sheshredsmag.com/helms-alees-dana-james-working-tough-spots-song-development/" target="_blank">She Shreds Magazine</a>.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43533262016-09-01T09:58:29-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00“Stillicide” is now streaming on Brooklyn Vegan<p><figure data-orig-width="200" data-orig-height="73"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/7601a798ca21bac4a24d09491395889c/tumblr_inline_ocu44xehqV1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="630" data-orig-height="630" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/5cf66840ab01cca4591420b940d6ecef/tumblr_inline_ocu44aCxO71qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="643" data-orig-height="75" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//68.media.tumblr.com/396a2cab2cb32c551b4a702e69416688/tumblr_inline_ocu45fH8yd1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure></p><p>Washington heavy trio <b><a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a></b> had already shared a couple <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/helms-alee-announce-stillcide-share-tit-to-toe-touring-dates-stream/" target="_blank">songs</a> from their imminent new LP <i>Stillicide</i>, and now we’re pleased to premiere a stream of the whole album. Produced by Kurt Ballou, <i>Stillicide</i> is officially out Friday (9/2) on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>, and you can pre-order a physical copy of this thing at their <a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/helms-alee" target="_blank">store</a>. For now, you can stream <i>Stillicide</i> right <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/listen-to-helms-alees-new-lp-stillicide/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><iframe width="100%" height="450" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/255288340&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false&visual=true"></iframe><!-- more --><p>This is one of the more sonically varied, genuinely arty metal albums you’re likely to listen to this year. Pulling in elements of sludge, post-rock, math-rock, noise, and plain old hard rock, there are changeups around every corner here, with the uniting factor being that everything is crushingly heavy. They hit so many beats here that it can be hard to keep track of: “Untoxicated” is a shuddering noise/sludge stomp; the title track is an evil doom banger that takes a turn for the soaring and has a bit of an early Kylesa thing going on; “Galloping Mind Fuk” actually made me laugh out loud with a Rage Against The Machine-style rap-rock passage; the verse section of “Bullygoat” has a lovely, unsettling piece of melody that, call me insane, weirdly sounds kind of like Neko Case. In short, it’s really cool.Helms Alee have a ton of tour dates coming up, both with <b>Melvins</b> and with <b><a href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a></b>. That Russian Circles <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/russian-circles-announce-new-lp-guidance-tour-with-helms-alee/" target="_blank">tour</a> comes through NYC for a show at <b>Warsaw on September 30</b>. <a href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank"><b>Tickets</b></a> for that are on sale now. All dates for Helms Alee are listed below.</p><p>—<b>Helms Alee/Melvins — 2016 Tour Dates</b><br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter (no Melvins)<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC – Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS – Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR – Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK – The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK – Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX – The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress</p><p><b>Helms Alee/Russian Circles — 2016 Tour Dates</b><br>Sep 23-24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest<br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI – El Club<br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace<br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair<br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer<br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw<br>Oct 01 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel<br>Oct 02 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall<br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5<br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL – Saturn<br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Oct 07 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio<br>Oct 08 Austin, TX – Barracuda<br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX – RBC</p><p><b>Helms Alee — 2016 Tour Dates</b><br>Oct 11 Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit<br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA – Complex<br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern<br>Nov 22 Portland, OR – Lola’s<br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile<br></p><p><a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/listen-to-helms-alees-new-lp-stillicide/" target="_blank">(via Brooklyn Vegan)</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43388682016-08-23T12:51:42-07:002017-01-16T06:29:33-08:00MusicRadar talks to Helms Alee’s Ben Verellen<figure data-orig-width="545" data-orig-height="56" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/dda1dbcdfdd65684bdbdf91656896bf4/tumblr_inline_ocdlneLW5m1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="595" data-orig-height="333" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/6061e6fed16047a8eb9f0650c2d6b2f4/tumblr_inline_ocdloaRURZ1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><h2>“On the whole, it probably is a bit darker than Sleepwalking Sailors, but that certainly wasn’t an intentional thing,” says Ben Verellen, guitarist and co-vocalist of Helms Alee, when asked about the tone of their new album, Stillicide.</h2><p>“That’s kind of a trip, that it comes across so clearly to you as a darker thing.”</p><p>Without prying into specifics, the Verellen amps founder confides, “There were definitely some heavy personal things going on - I don’t have the right to disclose, but it was a tough time, for sure.</p><p>“We got to Salem to record the record; we had about 10 days to do it, which is stressful as it is, knowing that you’re on the clock and you have to bang this thing out - these songs we’ve been mulling over the last two, three years and try and document them in a short span of time.</p><p>“Then to have some real heavy life stuff land, and have to deal with that simultaneously - it was a stressful, but also kind of therapeutic, 10 days.”</p><p>The album is also more confidently pop - or, at least, as close to pop as a band steeped in stoner rock, hardcore, math and post-rock vibes can get.</p><iframe src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/OkkIQPfPyT8" width="500" height="315" allowfullscreen="" frameborder="0"></iframe><p>Completed by Dana James on bass and Hozoji Margullis on drums, over a series of critically-acclaimed albums, <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have gradually built themselves an enviable underground US following, and are gradually finding themselves called further afield.</p><!-- more --><p>“We had a really incredible show in Paris when we were in Europe last spring with <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">[Russian] Circles</a>,” Ben recalls.</p><p>“There were a lot of shows on that tour that were just mind-blowing. It was our first time in Europe, and it didn’t seem like people knew us necessarily, but there were a couple of shows where there was an overwhelming reaction.”</p><figure data-orig-width="600" data-orig-height="335" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/9f37c37f43c44233a96277e65fb3066c/tumblr_inline_ocdmkep7kk1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><h2>Though Ben laughs at the suggestion of a Beach Boys influence on Stillicide (“We’re not a band that sits down and hashes out real intense harmonies regularly, but the ideas just happened to present themselves… before you know it, you end up with a grandiose three-part harmony”), he does describe Helms Alee’s influences and process while writing as broad and reflective.</h2><p>“We always talk about this stuff and joke about how ‘Oh, this record is all too mellow’ or 'all these songs are too heavy’ or 'all these songs are too dark’, or whatever - but when we get to listen to the entire thing, we all agree that actually there’s a big mish-mash of melodic stuff, and heavy stuff, and dark stuff and whatnot.”</p><p>Accordingly, Verellen also observes that the genre tags they’re often saddled with don’t really encompass what they do.</p><p>“I wouldn’t say we’re one of many math-rock bands or one of many post-rock bands. There’s elements of all that stuff in Helms Alee, but to my ears, anyway, it doesn’t seem like it that clearly fits the mould.”</p><p>Success, as defined by Helms Alee, is nothing like most bands; there’s not a sports car in sight, or even the notion of it being a day job.</p><p>“My idea of it would be to have it be a job only as much as it absolutely has to be,” Ben explains.</p><p>“We want to come to practice to complain about work, you know? We don’t want to get to practice to do work. Music is the therapy, music is the escape.”</p><p>He shrugs, continuing, “What we’re doing right now feels incredible. It’s so exciting that we get to put out a record and that people are going to find out about it… people are going to hear about us on the other side of the world and we get to travel around and play shows and then come back home and go to work and have a life back here, too.”</p><p>All of which brings us neatly to the other reason you might have heard Verellen’s name: Verellen Amplifiers.</p><figure data-orig-width="600" data-orig-height="340" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/9eefb08e6cda066a7ef681803c886aa2/tumblr_inline_ocdmngV7k91qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Verellen got into building amplifiers in less of a roundabout way than you might imagine.</p><p>Having played in bands in his teens, his interest in gear led him to an electronic engineering course at university, and here he found a way to explore his passion.</p><p>“I reached out to every professor in the department asking if anybody would teach me tubes, and there was only one professor who was interested,” Ben recalls.</p><p>“He walked me through a project where we basically designed an amp from the ground up and did a real in-depth analysis of everything that’s happening, from an academic perspective. He ended up getting it published.”</p><p>After that success, several more papers were published.</p><p>“We did an in-depth analysis of a couple of other circuits,” Ben expands, “and then some design to change those circuits and describe what is happening via distortion and frequency response, and all the different things that make these failing circuits sound they way they do.”</p><p>Having completed these explorations, his mentor offered to invest in Ben’s new amp company. A whip-round of friends and family followed, and having paid off the initial investment several years later, Ben is now going from strength to strength.</p><p>“Everything’s always getting a little busier and a little bit smoother. I’ve surrounded myself with really talented people, and it gets a little easier all the time.”</p><figure data-orig-width="597" data-orig-height="332" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/55220718cf835a3a18d4e7be03428b0c/tumblr_inline_ocdmq9Zzkr1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><h2>When designing amps, there’s a different process for every client. Although there are off-the-shelf products like the Skyhammer, Kalaloch, Loucs and Meatsmoke in the Verellen line-up, the reality is that most people are coming to Ben with an idea in mind.</h2><p>“Somebody will say, 'I want it to sound like a waterfall raining volcanic lava on the entire world, you know what I mean?’” describes Ben.</p><p>“And then I have to go, 'Okay, you’re wearing a Slayer t-shirt, so I bet you like something like a Marshall JCM800 classic metal sound, but maybe a little more gain… somebody will tell you what they think they want, and you put together, 'Well, I know that wouldn’t work, but I think that this would make them happy; this is what they need.’”</p><p>“We’ve always tried to get away from the custom thing,” Ben continues, “because it is such a better business model and so much more efficient to just jam out some quantity of a proven circuit, [but] people always come back to us and tell us the crazy idea they have for the perfect amp - that’s what they want, and we’re always willing to do it.”</p><p>Though this might frustrate some, Verellen sees the situation in a somewhat different light, realising that he wouldn’t like the custom orders to fall by the wayside, anyway.</p><p>“I think we’re just accepting the role that we’ve created for ourselves, and so custom amps is the deal for sure. I’d say 90 per cent of the amps we’ve done are unique, one-of-a-kind builds, and we’ve done over 700 amps over the last nine or 10 years.”</p><p>This has led to a lot of Verellen’s innovations evolving over time, from discrete products to options for custom builds - perhaps not the direction originally intended, but at least validating the core of the ideas.</p><p>Case in point is the new two-amps-in-one Kalaloch, which boasts two valve preamps, which can be used independently of one another or as a regular mono amp or stereo rig, backed by a solid-state power amp.</p><p>“I had the idea for doing that, and thought that we’d bang them out and it would be the one product that we would sell lots of, but in typical Verellen Amps fashion, I did a sale for them and sold, like, 20 right out of the gate, which was incredible, and then immediately after that come all the custom ideas, so everything we’ve been doing since then, the solid-state power amp has been folded into the brew of custom options.”</p><figure data-orig-width="599" data-orig-height="337" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/f79aa1c89cf0a2cdad4bb0fe62d9d8eb/tumblr_inline_ocdmyzjSY91qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><h2>The interesting thing about the customs versus off-the-shelf debate is that customs and Verellen designs seem equally popular among his more well-known clientele.</h2><p>Though Pete Koller from Sick Of It All and Andrew Seward, formerly of Against Me! boast customs, Nate Mendel from Foo Fighters and Scott Shriner from Weezer use Meatsmokes, Amedeo Pace from Blonde Redhead uses a Skyhammer, and Mike Sullivan from Russian Circles has a Meatsmoke and Loucs.</p><p>And Ben? Well, unsurprisingly for a serial tinkerer, he has his own set of bespoke amplifiers.</p><p>“The amps I have are just kind of oddball. It’s like the car mechanic thing, y'know? I use two amps that I stuck together really early on when I started doing amps.</p><p>“I, of course, have all these ideas of things I’d like to do for myself down the road, but there’s so many things I have to do for other people that I just can never set aside the time.”</p><p>But whether it’s amps or Helms Alee, it all comes back to music, and that’s what keeps Ben motivated.</p><p>“There’s so much you can get out of music. There’s just enjoying it, but also playing it, performing it, writing it, all that stuff - I feel like I’d be a crazy person if I didn’t get to do all those things.”</p><p>For a craftsman who has orientated his life around building tools to help other musicians create, that makes perfect sense.</p><p><a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide is out on 2 September via Sargent House.</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43318602016-08-18T13:25:46-07:002022-03-26T11:04:21-07:00Helms Alee “Stillicide” Review via The Quietus<figure data-orig-width="921" data-orig-height="122" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/a8a9259ddfd44cdceb3a23a1071334b5/tumblr_inline_oc4gh2J3GQ1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="2000" data-orig-height="2000" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/d93a43f89690ab220be3ace40b136489/tumblr_inline_oc4gguAmV41s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="662" data-orig-height="67" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/861968096bbc499dacae2906b9fc6cee/tumblr_inline_oc4gh92dpl1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><iframe style="border: 0; width: 100%; height: 120px;" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=920532347/size=large/bgcol=333333/linkcol=ffffff/tracklist=false/artwork=small/transparent=true/" seamless><a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide by Helms Alee</a></iframe></p><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>’s latest is also overflowing with riffs, though it’s significantly harder to categorise. The Seattle based trio seem to revel in this, and have somehow managed to carve out a very distinctive sound for themselves without ever confining themselves to any particular style. They’re often compared to the Melvins, despite not really sounding anything like the Melvins – presumably it’s because both bands love big, sludgy riffs but refuse to be defined by them, anchoring their madcap antics with an encyclopaedic knowledge of classic rock and punk and an inherent knack for song writing (of course it could just be because every slightly off-the-wall guitar band that’s formed in the last two decades is invariably compared to the Melvins, but hey, just go with us on this one, OK?).</p><p><i><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a></i> is their fourth and arguably most accessible opus, despite the fact that it experiences more wild mood swings between tracks than your average teenage headbanger. Whilst the cathartic ‘Tit To Toe’, for example, alternates between hoarse Scott Kelly-esque roars and the kind of unashamedly catchy chorus that Kylesa deployed on their last few albums, the next song ‘Meats And Milks’ takes a deep breath and offers a brief glimpse into an alternate universe where Kim Deal and Slint live together out in the desert and write country and western hits, before crashing back into grand stadium sludge riffery.</p><p>Elsewhere, the rampant, hyperactive and vaguely Lightning Bolt-esque ‘Galloping Mind Fuk’ does exactly what it says on the tin, then minutes later the shimmering ‘Creeping You Company’ slams its foot on the brakes and gives us a beautiful indie-pop ballad, whilst ‘Andromenus’ basks in luscious, moody melodies and jarring, jangly guitars like Belly gone goth before ‘Worth Your Wild’ closes the record, sounding like the end of Fleetwood Mac’s ‘The Chain’ stretched out into a gorgeous, aching doom anthem. All of these songs are bound together by Helms Alee’s unmistakable skill as song writers, and coalesce into a very varied, inventive and remarkably assured album.</p><p>Don’t forget to catch Helms Alee on tour with the Melvins and then Russian Circles starting in September. ALL dates listed below. For Show + Ticket details click <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p><b>HELMS ALEE with MELVINS unless * noted</b><br></p><p>
Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>
Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre <br>
Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>
Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>
Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>
Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works - <br>
Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>
Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>
Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>
Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>
Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>
Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle <br>
Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>
Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>
Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>
Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>
Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>
Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>
Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>
Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>
Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>
Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>
Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>
Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>
Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>
Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>
Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>
Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress<br>
———————————————-<br><b>
with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/russiancirclesmusic/" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a></b><br>
Sep 24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest <br>
Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club <br>
Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace <br>
Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair <br>
Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer <br>
Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw <br>
Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel <br>
Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall <br>
Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5 <br>
Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn <br>
Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon <br>
Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio <br>
Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda <br>
Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC</p><p><b>HELMS ALEE with Guests<br></b>Oct 11 Phoenix, AX - Last Exit<br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA - Complex<br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern<br>Nov 22 Portland, OR - Lola’s<br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43286052016-08-16T16:46:42-07:002017-01-16T06:29:32-08:00New Track Premiere “Galloping Mind Fuk” via Metal Injection<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="158" data-orig-width="845"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/a336ba685c02f76926f25a72bbd18ca7/tumblr_inline_oc0wbzFVmf1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="396" data-orig-width="665"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/ae2d864512ccad75a65c1abd24163213/tumblr_inline_oc0wc8oGqd1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>I’ve heard <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>’s new album, <i>Stillicide</i>, and it is the chock full of gripping riffs and math groove. With nearly a decade of music under their belt, the Seattle post-rockers are still bringing their dynamic art to life, and doing it in style with some help from Kurt Ballou (Converge) behind the board at God City Studio for this effort.</p><p>We’re stoked to premiere the latest track, “Galloping Mind Fuk”, off the new album <i>Stillicide</i>. Check it out below.<br><i>Stillicide</i> will be available via <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on September 2nd, and if you’re into the track, you can <a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/helms-alee" target="_blank">pre-order the album here</a>.</p><p>Listen to “Galloping Mind Fuk” <a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/helms-alee-galloping-mind-fuk" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="430" data-orig-width="625"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/5cde5c0afc5b2b314dbd022cf4bbff1c/tumblr_inline_oc0zxoiTua1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Catch them on <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">tour</a> right now, remaining dates below!</p><p><b>HELMS ALEE with MELVINS unless noted *</b><br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO – The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre<br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI – The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY – Iron Works –<br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY – The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT – The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI – Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC – Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS – Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR – Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK – The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK – Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX – The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress<br>———————————————-<br><b>HELMS ALEE with RUSSIAN CIRCLES</b><br>Sep 23-24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest<br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI – El Club<br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace<br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair<br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer<br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw<br>Oct 01 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel<br>Oct 02 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall<br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5<br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL – Saturn<br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Oct 07 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio<br>Oct 08 Austin, TX – Barracuda<br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX – RBC<br>———————————————-<br><b>HELMS ALEE</b><br>Oct 11 Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit<br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA – Complex<br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern<br>Nov 22 Portland, OR – Lola’s<br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43282282016-08-16T11:30:18-07:002021-09-18T13:03:48-07:00New Track Premiere “Galloping Mind Fuk” via Metal Injection<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="158" data-orig-width="845"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/31d288fe534b5f85b92181037b5f0fb8d4024fee/original/screen-shot-2016-08-16-at-10-54-43-am.png?1471371692" class="size_l justify_none border_" /><img src="" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/7cbef4db5d8e8f39e84692af1b8b43b87f24a753/original/screen-shot-2016-08-16-at-10-54-54-am.png?1471371695" class="size_l justify_none border_" /></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="396" data-orig-width="665"><div>
<img src="" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" />I’ve heard Helms Alee’s new album, <i>Stillicide</i>, and it is the chock full of gripping riffs and math groove. With nearly a decade of music under their belt, the Seattle post-rockers are still bringing their dynamic art to life, and doing it in style with some help from Kurt Ballou (<b>Converge</b>) behind the board at God City Studio for this effort.<br><br>We’re stoked to premiere the latest track, “Galloping Mind Fuk”, off the new album <i>Stillicide</i>. Check it out below.<br><i>Stillicide</i> will be available via <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a> on September 2nd, and if you’re into the track, <a href="https://www.hellomerch.com/collections/helms-alee" target="_blank">you can pre-order the album here.</a><br><a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/helms-alee-galloping-mind-fuk" target="_blank">Listen to “Galloping Mind Fuk” HERE</a><br> </div></figure><figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="430" data-orig-width="625"><div>
<img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/128df941d5f40bfe5cd2960ef21a4f4c8f14e6ca/original/screen-shot-2016-08-16-at-11-00-04-am.png?1471371698" class="size_l justify_none border_" /><img src="" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" />
</div></figure><p>Catch them on <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">tour</a> right now, remaining dates below!</p>
<p><b>HELMS ALEE with MELVINS unless noted *</b><br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS – The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO – The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY – Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN – The Vogue Theatre<br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI – The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH – A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA – Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY – Iron Works –<br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY – The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA – Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT – The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI – Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD – Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC – Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA – 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC – Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC – Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL – Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS – Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN – Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR – Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK – Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK – The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK – Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX – The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX – Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX – Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ – Club Congress<br>———————————————-<br><b>HELMS ALEE with RUSSIAN CIRCLES</b><br>Sep 23-24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest<br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI – El Club<br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON – Lee’s Palace<br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA – The Sinclair<br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA – Union Transfer<br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY – Warsaw<br>Oct 01 Washington, DC – Rock & Roll Hotel<br>Oct 02 Durham, NC – Motorco Music Hall<br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA – Aisle 5<br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL – Saturn<br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA – Spanish Moon<br>Oct 07 Houston, TX – Warehouse Live Studio<br>Oct 08 Austin, TX – Barracuda<br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX – RBC<br>———————————————-<br><b>HELMS ALEE</b><br>Oct 11 Phoenix, AZ – Last Exit<br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA – Complex<br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA – Hemlock Tavern<br>Nov 22 Portland, OR – Lola’s<br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA – The Crocodile</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43215222016-08-11T16:34:12-07:002017-01-16T06:29:32-08:00Helms Alee Audiotree Live Session 8/12/16<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="179" data-orig-width="1070"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/9bfc3e60ce4f3c984248635b6ff0bc0d/tumblr_inline_obrqreRej41s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="1100" data-orig-height="1100" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/2b60d72229c9d1d2b94c7d34d8ad1605/tumblr_inline_obrp9uG8Bh1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing a live session on <a href="http://www.audiotree.tv" target="_blank">Audiotree</a> this Friday 8/12 at 1pm CST tune in online at: <a href="http://audiotree.tv" target="_blank">http://audiotree.tv</a></p><p>Don’t forget to catch them on tours this fall with <a href="http://www.themelvins.net" target="_blank">Melvins</a> and <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a>. Full dates below - for all show and ticket details click <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p><b>HELMS ALEE with MELVINS</b> unless * noted <br>Aug 12 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen *<br>Aug 13 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *<br>Aug 14 Rock Island - Rock Island Brewing Company<br>Aug 15 Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s<br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO - The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre <br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works - <br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle <br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress<br>———————————————-<br><b>with Russian Circles</b><br>Sep 24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest <br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club <br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace <br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair <br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer <br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw <br>Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel <br>Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall <br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5 <br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn <br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon <br>Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio <br>Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda <br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC<br><b>HELMS ALEE with Guests </b><br>Oct 11 Phoenix, AX - Last Exit <br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA - Complex <br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern <br>Nov 22 Portland, OR - Lola’s <br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/43089162016-08-03T10:56:52-07:002021-02-27T02:50:14-08:00Helms Alee US Summer/Fall Tour 2016<figure data-orig-width="4912" data-orig-height="7360" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/951403f86435fa694d06474e6045e715/tumblr_inline_obchh0RbNg1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Today <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> kicks off their massive US Tour supporting <a href="http://www.themelvins.net" target="_blank">Melvins</a> from Aug-Sep and immediately jumping on to support <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> until October, as well as some headline dates later in the year. </p><p><br>A full list of dates can be found below. Ticket links available <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p><b>HELMS ALEE with MELVINS unless noted *</b><br>Aug 03 Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar & Billiards<br>Aug 04 Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room<br>Aug 06 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre<br>Aug 07 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre <br>Aug 09 Sioux Falls, SD - The District<br>Aug 10 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs)<br>Aug 12 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen *<br>Aug 13 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *<br>Aug 14 Rock Island - Rock Island Brewing Company<br>Aug 15 Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s<br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO - The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre <br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works - <br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle <br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK - The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress<br>———————————————-<br><b>with RUSSIAN CIRCLES </b><br>Sep 23-24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest <br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club <br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace <br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair <br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer <br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw <br>Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel <br>Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall <br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5 <br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn <br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon <br>Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio <br>Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda <br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC <br>———————————————-<br><b>HELMS ALEE with Guests </b><br>Oct 11 Phoenix, AX - Last Exit <br>Oct 12 Los Angeles, CA - Complex <br>Oct 13 San Francisco, CA - Hemlock Tavern <br>Nov 22 Portland, OR - Lola’s <br>Nov 23 Seattle, WA - The Crocodile</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42977502016-07-27T10:11:49-07:002017-01-16T06:29:32-08:00Helms Alee share new song “Untoxicated” on AV Club<figure data-orig-width="200" data-orig-height="200"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/213b4c20c89f86abe9039b40f3c44cad/tumblr_inline_oazgy3eWXj1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="642" data-orig-height="383" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/233b4fb2629dc6cbc763b91f4d80cdb2/tumblr_inline_oazgyahINB1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="690" data-orig-height="133" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/1f785bdbd8fdbac0cd4169a7b0f70f59/tumblr_inline_oazgyefrNt1qbzv4w_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p>Across its three previous albums, Washington trio <a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> has shown little regard for sticking to any of metal’s sub-genres. For <i><a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/stillicide" target="_blank">Stillicide</a></i>—coming September 2 on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>—the band once again refuses to go in any single direction, allowing its songs to feel avant-garde while still working within a form. <i>The A.V. Club </i>is premiering “Untoxicated” below, which sees Helms Alee come right out the gate with a massive doom-metal riff that seems to expand and contract at will. Each member of Helms Alee is known to step up to the mic, and “Untoxicated” shows them joining in on a melodic hook that makes the pulverizing song feel accessible.</p><p><i>Stillicide</i> is available for <a href="http://t.ymlp26.com/qehuacaejmeqafabubaaaybj/click.php" target="_blank">pre-order</a> now, and Helms Alee will be on tour starting August 3, supporting the Melvins and Russian Circles respectively.</p><p><a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/helms-alee-makes-doom-metal-accessible-untoxicated-240170" target="_blank">Listen to “Untoxicated” HERE</a></p><p><a href="http://www.avclub.com/article/helms-alee-makes-doom-metal-accessible-untoxicated-240170" target="_blank">(via AV Club)</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535352016-06-23T15:41:55-07:002017-01-16T06:29:31-08:00Helms Alee NEW TRACK PREMIERE // ‘Tit to Toe’ via Noisey<figure data-orig-width="667" data-orig-height="117" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/f6b7a0a5242319a7f482c99eabba9ff3/tumblr_inline_o98xgcGdHv1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><figure data-orig-width="639" data-orig-height="425" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//65.media.tumblr.com/6dc56f318f300b855cbfc02a8fd71f7f/tumblr_inline_o98xcq3n5u1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><i>Photo by Ryan Russell</i></p><p><b>PREMIERE: THIS NEW HELMS ALEE TRACK,“TIT TO TOE,” IS WEIRD STADIUM ROCK FOR MUSIC NERDS</b></p><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> is a difficult band to describe. You’ve got to make mention of their big fat math rock crush, of course, as well as their penchant for dark, spidery pop, and the urgent grooves bubbling up underneath. There’s the matter of how heavy the riffs are, and of how heavily the atmosphere sits atop them, and that’s without even getting into the vocals, a triple—triple!—harmonic assault punctuated by well-placed roars.</p><p>It’s smart, nerdy, weird music, but the strangest thing about it isn’t its quirky rhythms or offbeat approach—it’s that you could easily imagine hearing it blasting through an arena. Helms Alee is stadium rock for music nerds, as their new album, Stillicide, shows.</p><p>Recorded with Kurt Ballou, <i>Stillicide</i>, is out September 2 on Sargent House, and we’re premiering the first single, “Tit to Toe,” below.</p><p>Listen to their new track <a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/helms-alee-tit-for-toe" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><figure data-orig-width="713" data-orig-height="445" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/a3ded391bdc8a781e59ef650bf16fb77/tumblr_inline_o98xkj3BpO1s6a0gh_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p>Helms Alee will be <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">hitting the road</a> this summer and beyond for a slew of dates with the Melvins and with Russian Circles; check out the dates below!<br></p><!-- more --><p>Jun 25 Portland, OR - B Side Tavern<br>————————————————–<br>with MELVINS unless noted *<br>Aug 03 Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar & Billiards<br>Aug 04 Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room<br>Aug 06 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre<br>Aug 07 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre <br>Aug 09 Sioux Falls, SD - The District<br>Aug 10 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs)<br>Aug 12 Chicago, IL @ Beat Kitchen *<br>Aug 13 Minneapolis, MN @ Triple Rock *<br>Aug 14 Rock Island - Rock Island Brewing Company<br>Aug 15 Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s<br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO - The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre <br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works - <br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle <br>Sep 02 Richmond, VA @ Strange Matter *<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK - The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress<br>———————————————-<br>with RUSSIAN CIRCLES<br>Sep 23-24 Cincinnati, OH @ Midpoint Music Fest <br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club <br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace <br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair <br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer <br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw <br>Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel <br>Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall <br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5 <br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn <br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon <br>Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio <br>Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda <br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535362016-06-21T10:55:10-07:002016-06-28T10:42:41-07:00New Album Announcement: Helms Alee “Stillicide”<p><iframe width="500" height="315" src="https://www.youtube.com/embed/s8RX5mArLUM" frameborder="0" allowfullscreen></iframe></p><p>New <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>, “Stillicide” is coming on September 2, 2016 via <a href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank">Sargent House</a><br></p><p><i>Album Recorded and mixed by Kurt Ballou<br>Art by Ammo & Ben Verellen <br>Video by Ben Chisholm</i></p><p>In addition to their fall release, Helms Alee will be on two back-to-back tours supporting Melvins and Russian Circles. See all dates below, for all show/ticket details click <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p><p>///<br><br><b>HELMS ALEE TOUR DATES</b><br>Jun 25 Portland, OR - B Side Tavern</p><p><b>with MELVINS</b><br>Aug 03 Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar & Billiards<br>Aug 04 Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room<br>Aug 06 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre<br>Aug 07 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre<br>Aug 09 Sioux Falls, SD - The District<br>Aug 10 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs)<br>Aug 14 Rock Island - Rock Island Brewing Company<br>Aug 15 Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s<br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO - The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre<br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works -<br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK - The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress<br><br><b>with RUSSIAN CIRCLES</b><br>Sep 23-25 Cincinnati, OH Midpoint Music Festival<br>Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club<br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace<br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair<br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer<br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw<br>Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel<br>Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall<br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5<br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn<br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio<br>Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda<br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535372016-05-24T16:42:50-07:002022-07-23T04:09:44-07:00JUST ANNOUNCED: TOURS WITH THE MELVINS AND RUSSIAN CIRCLES<figure data-orig-width="640" data-orig-height="435" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/24b4be15de3b0a1861454687ffcc0e3e/tumblr_inline_o7pggcSveS1s6a0gh_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be playing Crucial Fest in June with a few headline shows around it then in August they will begin touring first with <a href="http://www.facebook.com/melvinsarmy" target="_blank">Melvin</a>s then will go directly on to a tour with <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> all in support of their upcoming album due out in late Summer/Fall on Sargent House.</p><p>All show details posted below and at: <a href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">http://helmsalee.net/shows</a></p><p><b>HELMS ALEE</b><br>Jun 16 Spokane, WA - The Observatory<br>Jun 17 Boise, ID - The Olympic<br>Jun 18 Salt Lake City, UT - Crucial Fest<br>Jun 19 Missoula, MT - Palace Lounge</p><p><b>with MELVINS</b><br>Aug 03 Las Vegas, NV - Backstage Bar & Billiards<br>Aug 04 Flagstaff, AZ - The Green Room<br>Aug 06 Boulder, CO - Fox Theatre<br>Aug 07 Fort Collins, CO - Aggie Theatre<br>Aug 09 Sioux Falls, SD - The District<br>Aug 10 Fargo, ND - The Aquarium (Dempsey’s Upstairs)<br>Aug 14 Rock Island - Rock Island Brewing Company<br>Aug 15 Des Moines, IA - Wooly’s<br>Aug 16 Lawrence, KS - The Bottleneck<br>Aug 17 St. Louis, MO - The Firebird<br>Aug 18 Louisville, KY - Headliners Music Hall<br>Aug 19 Indianapolis, IN - The Vogue Theatre<br>Aug 20 Grand Rapids, MI - The Pyramid Scheme<br>Aug 22 Columbus, OH - A&R Music Bar<br>Aug 23 Pittsburgh, PA - Rex Theater<br>Aug 24 Buffalo, NY - Iron Works -<br>Aug 26 Syracuse, NY - The Westcott Theater<br>Aug 27 Northampton, MA - Pearl Street<br>Aug 28 Hamden, CT - The Ballroom at The Outer Space<br>Aug 29 Providence, RI - Fete Ballroom<br>Aug 31 Baltimore, MD - Ottobar<br>Sep 01 Carrboro, NC - Cat’s Cradle<br>Sep 05 Athens, GA - 40 Watt Club<br>Sep 06 Charlotte, NC - Amos’ Southend<br>Sep 07 Charleston, SC - Music Farm<br>Sep 08 Jacksonville, FL - Jack Rabbits<br>Sep 10 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Sep 11 Jackson, MS - Duling Hall<br>Sep 12 Memphis, TN - Hi-Tone<br>Sep 13 Little Rock, AR - Metroplex<br>Sep 14 Tulsa, OK - Cain’s Ballroom<br>Sep 15 Oklahoma City, OK - The ACM @ UCO Performance Lab<br>Sep 16 Norman, OK - Opolis<br>Sep 17 Austin, TX - The Sidewinder<br>Sep 18 San Antonio, TX - Paper Tiger<br>Sep 20 El Paso, TX - Lowbrow Palace<br>Sep 21 Tucson, AZ - Club Congress</p><p><b></b></p><b><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159790/90a868c4a1ad77e99589fb74478d3b10258cf2f5/medium/rc-insta-helms.jpg?1464200347" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></b><p><b><br>with RUSSIAN CIRCLES</b></p><p>Sep 25 Detroit, MI - El Club<br>Sep 26 Toronto, ON - Lee’s Palace<br>Sep 28 Cambridge, MA - The Sinclair<br>Sep 29 Philadelphia, PA - Union Transfer<br>Sep 30 Brooklyn, NY - Warsaw<br>Oct 01 Washington, DC - Rock & Roll Hotel<br>Oct 02 Durham, NC - Motorco Music Hall<br>Oct 04 Atlanta, GA - Aisle 5<br>Oct 05 Birmingham, AL - Saturn<br>Oct 06 Baton Rouge, LA - Spanish Moon<br>Oct 07 Houston, TX - Warehouse Live Studio<br>Oct 08 Austin, TX - Barracuda<br>Oct 09 Dallas, TX - RBC</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535382016-01-31T15:06:52-08:002017-01-16T06:29:31-08:00Dog inspiration @godcitymusic<img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/bebcac601c479bdbd54b0bc10bee8dae/tumblr_o1uavgEggS1sdl2n7o1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Dog inspiration @godcitymusic</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535392016-01-31T15:06:39-08:002022-05-26T23:47:10-07:00Day 1 recording new album with Kurt Ballou<img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/49089d31e2b0ecdef95fc66cff1ffb47/tumblr_o1uav3VBZA1sdl2n7o1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><br><br><p>Day 1 recording new album with Kurt Ballou</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535402015-06-10T12:11:55-07:002017-01-16T06:29:32-08:00Upcoming Summer 2015 Show + Festival Dates<figure data-orig-width="500" data-orig-height="376" class="tmblr-full"><img src="//67.media.tumblr.com/3352495d445178aac1bd5b2993396033/tumblr_inline_npqqnbqGyi1qbzv4w_540.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /></figure><p><a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee </a>will be playing two shows in their home town Seattle this summer before heading out to the UK in August for a couple of festival dates -</p><p>This week we are playing a <a href="http://rockschoolfund.org" target="_blank">Rock School Scholarship Benefit Concert</a> at The Vera Project followed by El Corazón for Coliseum’s album release in July. We are then heading to the UK where we will be joined by label-mates <a href="http://www.deafheaven.com" target="_blank">Deafheaven</a>, <a href="http://www.marriagesband.com" target="_blank">Marriages</a>, <a href="http://www.marriagesband.com/emma-ruth-rundle" target="_blank">Emma Ruth Rundle</a>, and <a href="http://www.myletsmusic.com" target="_blank">Mylets</a> in the UK for the much anticipated ArcTanGent Festival this August (((tickets for the fest are going fast! Purchase yours <a href="http://www.arctangent.co.uk" target="_blank">HERE</a>))), followed by <a href="http://wyrdout.com" target="_blank">Wyrdout Fest</a> in London before heading back home.</p><p><i>Full list of dates below, for all show + ticket details click <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</i></p><p>June 13 - Seattle, WA @ The Vera Project (Rock School Benefit Concert)<br>July 28 - Seattle, WA @ El Corazón<br>Aug 21 - Bristol, UK @ ArcTanGent Festival<br>Aug 23 - London, UK @ Wyrdout </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535412015-04-13T14:38:38-07:002018-07-26T21:57:08-07:00CVLT NATION Photo Diary // RUSSIAN CIRCLES + HELMS ALEE<figure class="tmblr-full" data-orig-height="165" data-orig-width="383"><img src="//65.media.tumblr.com/664bf351f5c28e19a2c8bfe3dbc44134/tumblr_inline_nmrk6nHIXB1qbab62_540.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure>
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<p><b>Andrea Petrovicova</b> is a Prague photographer whose work is mind-melting and otherworldly. When I look at her pictures, I lose myself in them only to find a new part of my imagination. Check out this killer photo essay featuring her most recent pictures of <a href="http://www.helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> and <a href="http://www.russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> performing in Prague…Stay tuned for more work by Andrea Petrovicova on <a href="http://www.cvltnation.com" target="_blank">CVLT Nation</a>.</p><!-- more -->
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<p>To view full photo diary w/ Russian Circles click <a href="http://www.cvltnation.com/a-mind-melting-russian-circles-helms-aleephoto-essay/" target="_blank">HERE</a>.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/42535422015-02-06T05:01:49-08:002017-01-16T06:29:32-08:00European tour with Russian Circles starts March 31, 2015<figure><img src="//66.media.tumblr.com/024569a86901bf98bec4e892e26bbc22/tumblr_inline_njbt0zpjo51qbab62.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></figure><p><a href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will be joining <a href="http://russiancirclesband.com/" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> on their European tour starting March 31st - May 3rd. See all dates and details <a href="http://helmsalee.net/shows" target="_blank">HERE</a> and below:</p><!-- more --><p><b>RUSSIAN CIRCLES // HELMS ALEE 2015</b><br>Mar 31 Vienna,(AT) @ Arena Vienna <br>Apr 01 Padova,(IT) @ Circolo Mame <br>Apr 02 Rome,(IT) @ INIT club <br>Apr 03 Milan,(IT) @ Lo Fi Club<br>Apr 04 Inssbruck,(AT) @ Platform Mobile Kulturinitiativen<br>Apr 05 Ljubljana,(SI) @ Kino Siska <br>Apr 07 Prague,(CZ) @ Podnik <br>Apr 08 Leipzig,(DE) @ UT Connewitz e.V. <br>Apr 09 Tilburg,(NL) @ 013 - Roadburn Festival <br>Apr 10 Paris, (FR) @ La Maroquinerie *<br>Apr 11 Karlsruhe, (DE) @ Dudefest @ Jubez *<br>Apr 12 Zürich,(CH) @ Rote Fabrik *<br>Apr 14 Barcelona,(ES) @ Bikini *<br>Apr 15 Madrid,(ES) @ Joy Eslava *<br>Apr 16 Lisbon,(PT) @ RCA Club *<br>Apr 17 Santiago De Compostela,(ES) @ Sala Capitol <br>Apr 18 Durango, (ES) @ Wombat Fest <br>Apr 21 London, (UK) @ Islington Assembly Hall<br>Apr 22 Bristol, (UK) @ The Fleece <br>Apr 23 Leeds, (UK) @ Brudenell Social Club <br>Apr 24 Tourcoing, (FR) @ Le Grand Mix <br>Apr 25 Esch-Alzette,(LU) @ Out of the Crowd Festival<br>Apr 26 Brussels, (BE) @ AB Box <br>Apr 28 Copenhagen, (DK) @ Copenhagen Jazzhouse <br>Apr 29 Hamburg, (DE) @ Logo <br>Apr 30 Groningen, (NL) @ Vera <br>May 01 Dortmund, (DE) @ F Z W <br>May 02 Berlin, (DE) @ Lido<br>May 03 Wroclaw, (PL) @ Asymmetry Festival </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080782015-01-16T13:25:00-08:002015-03-17T16:22:02-07:00Straight.com features Helms Alee in advance of Vancouver show<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/9f535a4b4a39fba7b830d2abab876021/tumblr_inline_nia7eiSKQb1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a895e4d352670ecb6fc1a9e3693a0ef9/tumblr_inline_nia7exFU4E1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>There’s a case to be made that <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee’s</a> third and latest album, <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>, might not be the best calling card for singer-guitarist Ben Verellen.</p>
<p>When he’s not on tour with the Seattle-based metal alchemists, the Tacoma-born musician runs his own business, building <a href="http://verellenamplifiers.com">Verellen Amplifiers</a>. Naturally, those amps are used by Helms Alee, which also includes bassist Dana James and drummer Hozoji Margullis. What’s interesting is the way that, at various points on <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, one is left wondering what kind of hopelessly trashed gear Helms Alee is using.</p>
<p>Consider, for example, the blown-speakers meltdown “Pleasure Center”, which kicks off the album. To untrained ears, it seems like Helms Alee pulled a couple of cabinets from the Verellen Amplifiers repair dock, plugged in, and then decided to ignore the acrid smoke as the tape rolled. Reached in the Emerald City, however, Verellen says that wasn’t exactly the case.</p>
<p>“It’s kind of weird because, personally, I’m actually a big fan of amps that are loud and clean and do their thing with a kind of tube-y smoothness,” the guitarist states. “I like the kind of amps that don’t have a lot of distortion themselves. And then I have an array of pedals that I’ve had for over 10 years that I really like, including one that makes everything sound like it’s broken. That’s what you hear on that song.</p>
<p>“It’s a Japanese copycat of a Univox Super-Fuzz from the ’70s, or maybe ’60s even—they are super-ancient,” Verellen continues. “It’s a crappy, half-assed mistake of a version of that super-famous, popular pedal, but it’s got its own thing to it. I then tweaked it a little bit and made it my own.”</p>
<p>Helms Alee does an admirable job of making heavy music its own thing on <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, released on the formidable indie label Sargent House. Along with his bandmates—who share the vocals with him—Verellen isn’t shy about mixing and matching disparate genres, often within the confines of a single song. Take, for example, “Dodge the Lightning”, which starts off with two minutes of savage riffing, suddenly veers off into the land of California-sunset MOR, and then charges across the finish line sounding like an artifact from the golden age of grunge. “Slow Beef” is heavy on reverb-soaked atmosphere off the top, before upshifting into a tribal postpunk workout, while “Heavy Worm Burden” will thrill those who love the dissonant early years of Sonic Youth.</p>
<p>That <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i> is all over the place was perhaps to be expected, considering the record was two-and-a-half years in the making, and was finished only when the group embraced crowdsourcing.</p>
<p>“Because it happened over such a large amount of time, there was no feeling of ‘Let’s write a record and see how it comes out,’ ” Verellen relates. “It was more people bringing in parts—every moment on that record is the sum of all three of us throwing our two cents in. It all felt disjointed at times, but when we put the whole thing together, we were able to put the songs in a sequence where it felt like things were moving in a direction. And because it’s all over the place sonically, I think that helps keep it interesting.”</p>
<p>Right down, one might argue, to the cover art, which features a giant and fantastically horrific-looking anglerfish whose teeth have been modified to read “Helms Alee”, and a minnow-size diver swimming nearby.</p>
<p>“Hozi dives for a living—she dives for geoduck,” Verellen says. “She started tripping out on the whole bioluminescence thing, because there’s some of that in Puget Sound down here. She’s interested in it as an aesthetic and a theme—the fact that there can be all these horrifying sea creatures at the bottom of the ocean that glow in the dark and have all these weird appendages. So that was the idea, which we hashed out and then commissioned our buddy Aaron John Gregory from the band Giant Squid in the Bay Area to do the artwork.”</p>
<p>His payment?</p>
<p>“I actually made him some gear for the artwork,” Verellen says with a laugh. “So I got to walk away with the finished piece. It’s hanging up in my shop right now.”</p>
<p><b>Helms Alee plays Electric Owl on Saturday (January 17).</b><br><br>(via <a contents="Straight.com" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.straight.com/music/806536/helms-alee-makes-its-own-brand-heavy">Straight.com</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080772014-11-30T13:20:00-08:002015-03-17T16:18:02-07:00January Tour dates announced with Marriages<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/281b92b03020b692f23d9bf7d7d3b267/tumblr_inline_nfvzebjuAZ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p> </p>
<p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have just announced some headline shows in January. <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> label mates <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://marriagesband.com" target="_blank">Marriages</a> will be joining and co-headlining on the last week of shows.<br>All dates and details below</p>
<p><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">Helms Alee Tour Dates</a><br><br>Jan 16 Victoria, BC (CA) @ Copper Owl<br>Jan 17 Vancouver, BC (CA) @ Electric Owl<br>Jan 18 Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown<br>Jan 20 Sacramento, CA @ The Press Club<br>Jan 23 Los Angeles, CA @ Jewels Catch One*<br>Jan 24 San Diego, CA @ The Hideout*<br>Jan 26 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom*<br>Jan 27 Las Vegas, NV @ Bunkhouse*<br>Jan 28 San Francisco, CA @ Hemlock Tavern*<br>Jan 30 Portland, OR @ Bunk Bar*<br>Jan 31 Seattle, WA @ Neumos*<br><br>*with Marriages</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080712014-11-18T13:10:00-08:002020-11-25T07:26:56-08:00Helms Alee announced to play Roadburn Festival in April 2015, will also tour with Russian Circles <img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/da50cbbca76ab6e2590cb0f751887fa3/tumblr_inline_nf9kf9wE971s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> will play their first European & UK shows this April 2015 on a full month long tour as direct support to <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles.</a> All tour dates will be announced soon, both bands have been announced to be playing <a href="http://www.roadburn.com/2014/11/helms-alee-to-bring-bewitching-melodies-and-caustic-fuzz-to-roadburn-2015/">Roadburn Festival </a>on April 9, 2015.<br><br>Stay Tuned for more details and tour dates coming soon.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080702014-06-29T13:10:00-07:002023-12-10T08:57:16-08:00The Seattle Times interviews Ben Verellen making amps<a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023871080_madeinseattle01xml.html"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/5d284521fc2862dc3eee845531fffbe7/tumblr_inline_n7y66zXujp1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023871080_madeinseattle01xml.html"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/706425ff13c6bbfc44bdfecacc14bc8d/tumblr_inline_n7y681ErJW1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023871080_madeinseattle01xml.html"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/fd4ee33dc6ddd11fe759e642547fcc89/tumblr_inline_n7y68fhHLQ1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p><span class="font_large">Made in Seattle, Part 5: An electrical engineer by training and a guitar-heavy musician by passion, Ben Verellen creates custom amplifiers in his Fremont workshop, seeking a certain Platonic guitar sound. </span><br><br>Orange hair spiraling everywhere, Viking-looking <a href="http://www.verellenamplifiers.com/">Ben Verellen</a> perches on a stool in his Fremont workshop behind the High Dive music venue in Fremont, detailing his intimate relationship with guitar amplifiers.</p>
<p>“I’ve made amps for jazz players, acoustic guitarists — I’d love to be known as making amps for everyone,” he explains. “But there do seem to be a lot of heavy rock customers. I don’t know what it is. The aesthetic? I do sell a lot of amps to friends in bands, and their friends. And ... I’m a longhair.”</p>
<p>Verellen is something like “Beast” from the X-Men — hard-core appearance, but a sweet and professorial demeanor. At night, fronting his band <b><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a></b>, or playing drums in <b>Constant Lovers</b>, he’s all rock and rough. During the day, he meticulously crafts custom amplifiers at his company, Verellen Amplifiers, making setups customized to players’ specifications, one at a time, and completing all the wiring by hand.</p>
<p>Today at headquarters, the mood is serene, two rooms full of ruggedly handsome amps in various stages of doneness, dark wood branded with block letters — “Verellen Amplifiers.” The wood — mostly Baltic birch, which is typical for amps, or spalted maple, which is unusual, attractive but technically diseased and riddled with black lines — comes from Tacoma, from Verellen’s partner and friend Mike Erdman.</p>
<p>“Your alternative is to buy a vintage amp,” Verellen explains, “which break because they’re old. Or go to a big-box store. And then there’s the boutique world, which involves taking $500 in parts and selling a $4,000 amp to a rich person who sits it in the corner and says, ‘Look what I’ve got.’ ”</p>
<p>His goal is high-quality units priced as reasonably as possible.</p>
<p>Verellen’s amps are made for full-power rocking on stage during a concert — a concert by, say, platinum-selling rock act Weezer, whose bassist Scott Shriner plays Verellen’s house model, Meatsmoke (base price for the 300-watt version, $2,500.)</p>
<p>“It’s a gnarly thing of beauty and power, man,” says Shriner on the phone from L.A. “There is an idea that with bass amps, wattage equals power. And that’s somewhat true. But I’ve played other 300-watt amps, and that amp just blows them away. I don’t know what it is, I don’t know how Verellen does it.”</p>
<p>The standardized Meatsmoke is popular for Verellen, but he has also developed a following because he’s willing to interpret a musician’s vision for an ideal amp, build it, troubleshoot it and find a way to make it work the way the client wants at an affordable price.</p>
<p>“Amplifier,” you may know, is the common name for the luggage-sized box into which one plugs an electric guitar. This object receives a signal from the instrument and sends noise through a speaker. But the amplifier is not in fact the whole speaker-containing cabinet. It is a smaller component connected inside the cabinet, or sitting on top as a separate box. It represents a crucial, flavor-gathering stop along the electrical route which manipulates electricity through either modern transistors/semiconductors (most amps), or the purist’s choice — and Verellen’s stock in trade — glass vacuum tubes.</p>
<p>Today, tube amps are a cottage industry favored by players who say they impart grit and heft to their instrument’s sound. Verellen draws no such lines. But he does believe vacuum tubes produce special sounds. He picks up a small glass tube and squints at it. It looks like a light bulb.</p>
<p>He says if you looked closely at a tube in action, you’d see thin metal prongs and a little filament glowing hot orange. That orange filament boils off a cloud of invisible electrons inside the glass. Applying voltages attracts those electrons to the pieces of metal, and increases the flow of electricity through the tube.</p>
<p>Verellen admits to seeking a certain Platonic guitar sound, though he can’t define what it is exactly.</p>
<p>“It’s hard to explain why they sound the way they do,” he says. “But the weird thing about it is, it’s the failures of tubes that make them attractive for audio, especially guitar amps whose job it is to distort the signal in a way that is musical. Distortion is an engineer’s typical enemy. With guitar amplifiers, not so. The idea is to make the amplifier become part of the instrument’s tonality.”</p>
<p>Verellen is not alone in his artisanal pursuit. Seattle has a few well-known custom amp manufacturers. It’s an international business, with amps flying out of Seattle to nearly every continent. If there were a local farmer’s market for guitar amps, Seattle would certainly have booths for Mike Soldano (Soldano Custom Amplification) and Andy Marshall (THD Amps) — legends in the field. (“Those guys are great role models and I have nothing but admiration for them,” Verellen says.)</p>
<p>And then there would be Verellen, his amps standing out because they look less like midcentury-modern furniture and more like leather and burnt wood.</p>
<p>“Hand-wired, custom-made guitar amps which are about the same price as amps they sell at Guitar Center?” he asks rhetorically. “I don’t know anyone else doing it.”</p>
<p>Verellen developed his passion for amps growing up in the Tacoma rock scene, and he’s been carving out his own beautiful and challenging strain of heavy rock ever since. But he never got over his initial puzzlement about a guitarist stepping on an effects pedal and the whole sound of the instrument changing. He remembers thinking, “I wonder what’s going on there.”</p>
<p>A lifelong tinkerer, Verellen holds an electrical-engineering degree from the University of Washington. At the end of that academic path, though, he took a sharp left. When most of his peers graduated and took $80,000-a-year entry-level jobs, which meant working on someone else’s big project, Verellen instead became an entrepreneur.</p>
<p>“I began making amps in my junior year,” Verellen says, “and started reaching out to faculty at the E.E. department for guidance. Only one professor got back to me who was into vacuum tubes. All the other professors said, ‘What are you doing? Tubes are old and inefficient and fragile.’ But professor Brian Otis got back to me, and he helped me with two projects, both of which ended up with me building amplifiers from scratch. Friends of mine who played in bands saw them and wanted to use them.”</p>
<p>Otis became one of the initial investors who helped Verellen start building amps as a full-blown business. Those naysaying professors were mentoring from a realistic place, arguing that engineers’ jobs are to make systems smaller, lighter and more efficient. But Verellen was more into art.</p>
<p>Verellen Amplifiers has been in business since 2007. The initial business plan was shaky and naive. But over the years he’s shed weight by employing the bare minimum personnel, and doing most of the work himself, with Erdman. Verellen Amplifiers builds and mails nine or 10 amps per month as a two-man operation, and sends them to serious players who, according to the PREMIERGuitar website, care to have something “absolutely perfect for modern stoner-rock, slow doom-metal, and sludge-drenched riffs.”</p>
<p>It’s true, the music he helps bring to the world is often loud, but he’s not out to dominate anything. He’s going to keep tinkering, including with some tube-amp systems for turntables and MP3s played from phones, but guitar amps will remain his primary jam.</p>
<p>“This year I’m projecting that we’ll pay off our final investor,” Verellen says. “The goal is to keep the business sustainable.”</p>
<p><i>Interview by Andrew Matson <a href="http://tmblr.co/mzQS0A-p5ydvngzvoqic1BQ">andrewmatson</a> for <a href="http://seattletimes.com/html/entertainment/2023871080_madeinseattle01xml.html">The Seattle Times </a></i></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080692014-06-20T13:05:00-07:002020-12-14T02:33:41-08:00Live Review & Video from Crucial Fest - Tonight - June 20th Helms Alee play Sled Island Festival<a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2014/06/19/crucial-fest-four/"><b><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/ec58ed4d596ea877d4d4de8153b48918/tumblr_inline_n7hmih43Y71qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></b></a><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/b2APrkBYn34?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2014/06/19/crucial-fest-four/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/4b060c1eff5189601639a99e75c9d13b/tumblr_inline_n7hmjxnAsx1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p>I had been waiting to catch <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> live for some time now and was beyond stoked to see that they would be a part of <a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2014/06/19/crucial-fest-four/">Crucial Fest</a> this year. The bands latest album <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>, has been on constant rotation ever since it came out in February of this year. Well all my waiting to see Helms Alee’s live show was worth it. This band absolutely slayed live, Ben Verellen’s guitar playing was fierce and soared all over the place and Dana James bass tone was absolutely legit, but the highlight was watching drummer Hozoji Mathes0n-Margullis’ crazy and unique drumming style. Mathes0n-Margullis was like a less hairy and more controlled version of Animal from the Muppet’s! Another killer aspect of the show was witnessing how intricate the bands vocal work is with Verellen adding in the pirate like howls and wails and the female’s of the group countering with chant like dual vocal harmonies. These vocals are one of the more interesting elements of Helms Alee’s sound, but it’s something that needs to be witnessed live to truly appreciate the complexity of the arrangements. The band played second to last in this showcase and was given a bit longer set time than the other bands half hour sets, which I was grateful for because it gave them an opportunity to play a a variety of songs from their entire discography. After the show I stalked Verellen outside of the bathroom just so I could introduce myself and tell him how awesome his band was. So Ben if your reading this sorry for being a creep, but thanks for being so nice, hahaha! Also, shout out to the all three band members for hanging around the entire next day and checking out all the other bands’ sets. I love it when bands support each other. – <b><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/author/franknooch/">Jon</a></b></p>
<p><br><b><a href="http://www.sledisland.com/2014/helms-alee">Catch HELMS ALEE Live - Tonight June 20th in CALGARY at Sled Island Fest </a><a href="http://www.sledisland.com/2014/helms-alee">at 12:30am at Dicken's Pub. </a></b></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36080612014-06-05T13:00:00-07:002020-12-08T14:06:18-08:00Alarm Magazine Review: Helms Alee & Young Widows Split - Out Now<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a3f31a07333489c399fcb9f3b9999c4a/tumblr_inline_n6pt7267wn1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><iframe seamless="" src="https://bandcamp.com/EmbeddedPlayer/album=3121538964/size=large/bgcol=ffffff/linkcol=0687f5/tracklist=false/transparent=true/" style="border: 0; width: 350px; height: 470px;"><a data-cke-saved-href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/helms-alee-young-widows-split" href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/helms-alee-young-widows-split">Helms Alee / Young Widows - Split by Helms Alee &amp; Young Widows</a></iframe><br>Each a veteran of boundary-bending hardcore—from sludge to dissonant alt-rock to pop-metal perfection—Helms Alee and Young Widows were a natural fit to tour together and, having done so, release a split EP. <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> opens the <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> release with the frenetic head-banger “Punchy Stabby.” In just over a minute and forty seconds, it echoes the best of <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/sleepwalking-sailors">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>, acting as a powerful addendum. The beautifully weird “PAN” is static and fuzz that showcases the band’s vocal switches and tight arrangements. “Gas Giant” soars, closing Helms Alee’s portion of the album dramatically. <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Widows/37160148471"> Young Widows</a> immediately sets a more dour tone. “Field of Zzzz” dreams of reverb and buzz, punctuated with steadfastly depressive lyrics. “The Wanderer” is an up-tempo travel song, with guitar almost (but not quite) overpowering the vocals and shooting through a simple but perfect solo. The band finishes with “The Waves Came In,” a tragic hymn with a climactic feel. Whether you’re an old fan or new to each band, you owe it to your ears to give this six-track fury a listen above. <a href="http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com">To order the Split on Vinyl go HERE</a>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36079072014-06-02T11:20:00-07:002020-12-13T02:22:25-08:00Helms Alee Mini-Tour begins June 4th<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b97341a7ec84a1497dc33bc2ea111d6e/tumblr_inline_n6kdv5rm1m1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee </a>will be hitting up these four cities below starting on June 4th and playing with loads of good friends and good bands.<br><br><b><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL HELMS ALEE SHOW DETAILS HERE </a></b></p>
<p><br><b>HELMS ALEE LIVE 2014</b><br>June 4 - Portland, OR @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/685047834865950/?fref=ts">East End </a><br>w/ Kowloon Walled City, Gaytheist & Rabbits<br><br>June 6 - Salt Lake City, UT @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1392736741014167/">Bar Deluxe - Crucial Fest</a><br>w/ Eagle Twin, Kowloon Walled City, Making Fvck & Oxcross<br><br>June 8 - Boise, ID @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/228163410712608/">Neurolux</a><br>w/ Red Fang, Big Business, American Sharks<br><br>June 10 - Bellingham, WA @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/533679543421342/?source=73">The Shakedown</a><br>w/ Big Business , American Sharks, Drunk Dad</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36079092014-05-29T11:20:00-07:002015-03-17T17:22:57-07:00Boxx Magazine Live Review: Helms Alee - Chicago<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://boxxmagazine.com/2014/05/helms-alee-may-14-2014-chicago/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f6f6de873d244333f02afacb226a7394/tumblr_inline_n6kefcsLpV1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://boxxmagazine.com/2014/05/helms-alee-may-14-2014-chicago/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/ada631923983d94455467ade1c841f81/tumblr_inline_n6kefuZzOP1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/ca8d0daf02eaa369ec0abe3b6222ec66/tumblr_inline_n6keg6gEXl1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>It’s the contrasts of brute force delivered with a perfectionist’s precision that defines the heavy metal genre at its best. And one of the new headbanging bests just may be <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee. </a>The trio, formed in 2007 and one of <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> Records’ hidden gems, is loudly demanding to be noticed, especially touring with headliner <a href="http://young-widows.blogspot.com/">Young Widows. </a>On this tour date at Chicago’s Subterranean, it wasn’t clear who the audience was more energized to see.<br><br>While tuning before the show, front man Ben Verellen asked the sound man for an adjustment on his microphone.</p>
<p>“I want it to sound like a cave—like a cave in outer space.” Chuckling to themselves, the crowd seemed excited at the idea, and those unfamiliar with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee">Helms Alee</a> were giddy to see just what Verellen meant by that.</p>
<p>The sound man nailed it, and soon so did Helms Alee with a focused and exceptional set that showed their unique brand of metal that manages to be spacey and odd, all the while excelling in the aggression department that metal fans hold so dear. Their style may be so captivating because each member of the band brings something completely different to the final product from instrumentation to shared vocal duties. While Helms Alee is obviously greater than the sum of its parts, each of those parts deserves to be examined in detail because they are all equally incredible.</p>
<p>Like Hozoji Margullis’ style of drumming, which is in a word, mesmerizing. Her influence over the trio became apparent literally seconds into their second song of the night, “Tumecence,” as it snared its way into anyone who hadn’t been sold yet by the band. Margullis may be quirky and silly, having made odd faces and with a jovial interplay with her bandmates throughout the set, but she transformed into a freight train of sound when she sat down behind her drums, calling upon tribal drum patterns and navigating ambitious time signatures—something that tees up the bass work of Dana James and guitar of Ben Verellen just perfectly.</p>
<p>Those who know of Verellen from Harkonen and These Arms Are Snakes might not recognize his current work, as he has evolved significantly since joining Helms Alee. Verellen combines atmosphere and heavy noise, with a twangy quality in his guitar, reminiscent of surf rock, but don’t let that fool you. This is a dark reflective sound; the surf influence complicates it and transforms it to a place that is just a different shade.</p>
<p>Dana James is unquestionably the rock lord of Helms Alee, reigning in all its far-flung experimentation. Throughout the show, James frequently shared the responsibility of carrying melody with Verellen and maintained the element of heaviness in the music while Verellen went off into a spacey jam session. Her bass was loud and forceful, but not a single note was out of place, making it impossible to not marvel at how truly effortless her talent is.</p>
<p>Helms Alee left on a high note with the adoration of an extremely impressed crowd, who recognized their evolution of metal, using it as a springboard to a weird place—a place any music fan would be lucky to explore.</p>
<p><b><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">Catch Helms Alee on tour now - see all tour dates HERE</a></b><br><br>(via <a contents="Boxx Magazine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://boxxmagazine.com/2014/05/helms-alee-may-14-2014-chicago/" target="_blank">Boxx Magazine</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36078512014-05-27T11:15:00-07:002015-03-17T14:15:09-07:00NOISEY: Full Album Stream of Split 12" with Young Widows<a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/young-widows-helms-alee-split"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/28042a5670f4e70add3ea666f6f16a22/tumblr_inline_n68tptsK2k1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/young-widows-helms-alee-split"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c1f2b0c96ab130553a980ebe320e9c6e/tumblr_inline_n68tq3L7fX1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/60dffed14b23c0910e8cce994260ff10/tumblr_inline_n68tqkYVVr1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><i><b>Helms Alee</b></i></p>
<p>Between the recent and well-received <b>Young Widows</b> <a href="http://noisey.vice.com/blog/young-widows-king-sol-stream">LP <i>Easy Pain</i></a> and this new split, you should have your hands full with material from the Louisville team for the time being. The latest sees the band teaming with recent tour mates and bad asses in their own right, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><b>Helms Alee</b> </a>(ex-Harkonen) for a split via <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>, due on June 3rd. Each band contributes a trio of new burners that toil in a riffy, post-punk/post-hardcore wonderland, and we have the stream available below for the first time. Order yours <a href="http://smarturl.it/HelmsWidows">on iTunes</a> or <a href="http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com/">on vinyl</a>.<br> </p><iframe frameborder="no" height="450" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/playlists/36135024&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&visual=true" width="100%"></iframe><br><br><a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/">You can also listen to Helms Alee's "Sleep Walking Sailors" album in full HERE </a>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36078502014-05-07T11:20:00-07:002015-03-17T14:13:24-07:00Helms Alee Tour with Young Widows starts May 13th<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/0794a98a341b810b561016650b9fc53c/tumblr_inline_n57ycm2AgI1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><br><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> tour with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Widows/37160148471">Young Widows</a> will be kicking off in YW's home town of Louisville, KY on May 13th for their official album release show and then..<br><br><a contents="See All Helms Alee Show Details HERE" data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">See All Helms Alee Show Details HERE</a><br><br><b>YOUNG WIDOWS & HELMS ALEE 2014</b><br>5/13 - Louisville, KY - The New Vintage<br>5/14 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean<br>5/15 - Michigan City, IN - Pine's Lounge<br>5/16 - Ferndale, MI - Loving Touch<br>5/17 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck<br>5/18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus<br>5/19 - Boston, MA - Great Scott<br>5/20 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle<br>5/21 - Washington DC - DC9<br>5/22 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter<br>5/23 - Raleigh, NC - Kings<br>5/24 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl<br>5/25 - Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree<br><br><b>HELMS ALEE 2014</b><br>6/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - <a href="https://www.facebook.com/crucialfest">Crucialfest</a><br>6/8 - Boise, ID - Neurolux w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/redfangband">RED FANG</a> & <a href="https://www.facebook.com/bigbigbiz">Big Business</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36078482014-05-07T11:15:00-07:002020-12-15T05:50:20-08:00Music & Riots feature Helms Alee in full feature and interview<a href="http://issuu.com/music_and_riots_mag/docs/press_print_3"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d8d9180065ee6b4b2d133d91079e3a7d/tumblr_inline_n549dfRLSo1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee">Helms Alee</a> gets full feature treatment with interview in the new, May issue of <a href="http://issuu.com/music_and_riots_mag/docs/press_print_3">Music and Riots on pages 42-43 - see full issue online here </a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36078462014-04-07T11:10:00-07:002021-04-15T03:25:52-07:00Pitchfork streams "Punchy Stabby" from upcoming Helms Alee & Young Windows split<p><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/16837-punchy-stabby/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/b2027f1456b9084111178e245f084b8fb8ed31b5/original/screen-shot-2015-03-17-at-1-57-57-pm.png?1426625929" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></a><br>Though three years passed since <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>’s second album and this year's excellent <a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18857-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>, the Washington state trio wasn’t exactly taking it easy in the interim. Last year alone, they released three splits, highlighted by their side of a 7” with Philly’s <a href="http://ladderdevils.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ladder Devils</a>, and on June 3 they’ll issue a six-song 12” with tourmates <a href="http://pitchfork.com/artists/5106-young-widows/">Young Widows</a>. “Punchy Stabby” is an appropriately titled blast from Helms Alee, rushing and roaring through three verses in about 100 seconds. Despite the speed, though, the trio’s typical harmony-heavy approach makes what’s hear stick, making this a synthesis of hooky and heavy in much the same way as the best cuts from Sleepwalking Sailors. Even if you can’t quite tease out what Ben Verellen’s screaming, you’ll want to shout the melody, however wordless and mangled, back at him.</p><iframe width="100%" height="166" scrolling="no" frameborder="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/142757557&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false"></iframe>
<p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee">Helms Alee</a> debut the first new track, "Punchy Stabby" off their 12" split with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Widows/37160148471">Young Widows </a>which comes out officially on June 3rd on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>. In May both bands will be touring together and will have the release early for sale at the shows. <br><br><a href="http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com"><b>PRE ORDER SPLIT HERE</b> </a><br><br><b><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">SEE ALL HELMS ALEE TOUR DATES HERE </a></b></p>
<p><b>YOUNG WIDOWS & HELMS ALEE 2014</b><br>5/13 - Louisville, KY - The New Vintage<br>5/14 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean<br>5/15 - Michigan City, IN - Pine's Lounge<br>5/16 - Ferndale, MI - Loving Touch<br>5/17 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck<br>5/18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus<br>5/19 - Boston, MA - Great Scott<br>5/20 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle<br>5/21 - Washington DC - DC9<br>5/22 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter<br>5/23 - Raleigh, NC - Kings<br>5/24 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl<br>5/25 - Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree<br><br><b>HELMS ALEE 2014</b><br>6/6 - Salt Lake City, UT - <a href="http://www.crucialfest.com/#bands">Crucial Fest</a><br>6/8 - Boise, ID - Neurolux w/ Red Fang & Big Business</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077802014-03-26T10:55:00-07:002020-11-26T03:43:41-08:00Helms Alee will release a Split 12" and go on tour with Young Widows in May 2014<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d2427f2c41259408343cfdab670ab9ce/tumblr_inline_n32ab4pvt81qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Young-Widows/37160148471?fref=ts">Young Widows</a> have a lot to celebrate they both have great new albums to play and so they are going to tour together to do it. Helms Alee's - <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a> came out in February and YW 's new record <a href="http://www.brooklynvegan.com/archives/2014/03/young_widows_re_1.html"><i>Easy Pain</i></a> comes out on <a href="http://shop.temporaryresidence.com/trr221">Temporary Residence</a> on May 15th. </p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/7bdf954196f0debadd25fe2f859b4587/tumblr_inline_n32an1mhpa1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><p>If that is not enough they also have a split 12" together coming out on <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a> featuring three songs from each band that will be available with them on their May tour dates (weeks before they hit stores on June 3rd) - <a href="http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com">Pre Orders</a> for the new split will also go up next week <a href="http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com">HERE </a><br><br>Don't miss two great bands that sound great together!</p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c889e95bb5a6d6d7c5a16242e8f12896/tumblr_inline_n32ap2ULQz1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><br><b>Young Widows & Helms Alee Tour Dates 2014</b>
<p>5/13 - Louisville, KY - The New Vintage<br>5/14 - Chicago, IL - Subterranean<br>5/15 - Michigan City, IN - Pine’s Lounge<br>5/16 - Ferndale, MI - Loving Touch<br>5/17 - Toronto, ON - Hard Luck<br>5/18 - Brooklyn, NY - St. Vitus<br>5/19 - Boston, MA - Great Scott<br>5/20 - Philadelphia, PA - Boot & Saddle<br>5/21 - Washington DC - DC9<br>5/22 - Richmond, VA - Strange Matter<br>5/23 - Raleigh, NC - Kings<br>5/24 - Atlanta, GA - The Earl<br>5/25 - Birmingham, AL - The Bottletree<br><br><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL HELMS ALEE SHOW DETAILS HERE </a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077772014-03-20T10:50:00-07:002020-12-30T20:24:07-08:00Helms Alee joins the booking roster over at Ground Control Touring for N. America<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/21c62748379606e886e35f9fa5979b46/tumblr_inline_n2r9ilrJtU1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/69486078aca1497ae75d06bcf6fe0fd5/tumblr_inline_n2r9iuxg1a1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><p>We are delighted to announce that <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> is now part of the fantastic roster of bands for N. American booking over at <a href="http://www.groundcontroltouring.com/artists/helms-alee">Ground Control Touring</a>. So the good news is we will have some new Helms Alee tour dates being announced soon.<br><br>Helms Alee is booked by <a href="http://odysseybooking.com/roster.php">Odyssey Booking</a> for Europe.<br><br>In the meantime you can watch Helms Alee live on these <a href="http://blog.kexp.org/2014/02/06/live-video-helms-alee/">KEXP </a>sessions below</p><iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JnZhbMzG1bA?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077222014-03-13T10:45:00-07:002015-03-17T13:45:24-07:00Louder Than War gives Sleepwalking Sailors a 9/10<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://louderthanwar.com/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album-review/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1c0bf860a0eb0ad43b9b9f100c5bacfc/tumblr_inline_n2e7ht9Jud1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><a href="louderthanwar.com/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album-review/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/6bbbbfea53791eb245c5a10dd78bc831/tumblr_inline_n2e7i8vY2q1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/15ab3feffb90af418bfc8a65c13ac86d/tumblr_inline_n2e7jqHRoE1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1098e46fc7c87f8c0ac447d99fe45e86/tumblr_inline_n2e7kr244O1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>This is a sound I haven’t heard for a long time. I think we used to call it Alternative, whatever that meant. Hearing this takes me to when I first heard the Pumpkins or Jane's Addiction, the giants of alternative rock or alt-rock or whatever you want to throw at it. The sound is huge, wide open and expansive. It pulls you in and takes you over – I would love to see this bunch live. This has the potential to be absolutely massive, it’s that good.</p>
<p>The cover shows a figure in the sea swimming towards a light, which is of course a lure for a massive horrible sea monster. <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> spelt out in its needle like teeth. This record puts you under water in the sound, it envelops you and takes you away.</p>
<p>The music is led and formed around Hozoji’s massive drum sounds on every track, they keep everything together and are the bones to this album. Dana’s bass circles the drums and makes the sound full and rich. Ben’s guitars complete the noise, loud or strangely quiet they will get inside you and make you listen. The combination of the three together is quite simply breathtaking. </p>
<p>The music is loud and heavy but a long way from Metal. It’s got a subtlety and grace as it ebbs and flows like the tides. Its strangely emotive that grows as the vocals change from the masculine growl and singing to the feminine calm. Individual tracks wash over and around you, my favorites are ‘Pleasure Center’ with it’s slow and steady rise and ‘Slow Beef’ with it’s fuzzed out Mariachi introduction that just grows and gets heavier and heavier.</p>
<p>It’s not an album for a quiet evening in, it’s a put it on and make the neighbors windows rattle record, it is a contradiction in that it isn’t metal and it isn’t punk and it isn’t anything else. Listening to it will tell you what it is, a definite contender for album of the year.</p>
<p>~</p>
<p>Helms Alee’s website is <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">here</a>, they are on <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee">Facebook</a> and can be found on twitter as <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee">@HelmsAleeMusic</a>.<br><br>(via <a contents="Louder Than War" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://louderthanwar.com/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album-review/" target="_blank">Louder Than War</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077192014-03-12T10:45:00-07:002022-03-07T03:58:58-08:00Photos from SOLD OUT Los Angeles show at El Rey<img src="//36.media.tumblr.com/6186fafeca66b4d349f8eabfcc9ba871/tumblr_n2clz7mpkK1qblyljo1_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/8c6c4064c29ccbe0c8438f4a14da49f6/tumblr_n2clz7mpkK1qblyljo2_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/d26a2ac23799854897dce2f6bfe4ace3/tumblr_n2clz7mpkK1qblyljo3_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//41.media.tumblr.com/e209de51db0bd2c39533df0ac016cd7d/tumblr_n2clz7mpkK1qblyljo4_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><img src="//40.media.tumblr.com/cf4bbe482aab7ba66b906b046d1058a0/tumblr_n2clz7mpkK1qblyljo5_500.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" /><p><br>Thanks to <a href="http://larecord.com/photos/2014/03/11/russian-circles-helms-alee-ken-mode-el-rey-theatre">L.A. Record</a> for posting all these great <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> photos by <a href="http://www.debidelgrande.com/">Debi Del Grande</a> from the sold out Los Angeles show at EL Rey on March 10th with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Russian_Circles">Russian Circles</a>. <br><br><a href="http://larecord.com/photos/2014/03/11/russian-circles-helms-alee-ken-mode-el-rey-theatre">SEE THE FULL SETS HERE AT L.A. RECORD </a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077172014-03-10T10:40:00-07:002015-03-17T17:23:41-07:00The Quietus reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://thequietus.com/articles/14690-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d268956433d061e0342d18b61745ca53/tumblr_inline_n28r58wsiF1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://thequietus.com/articles/14690-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/eb5ecb66e1a57a3b6180789e62107e33/tumblr_inline_n28r5jyraf1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/56f525b489ee574e75ff0ea3ee30d66a/tumblr_inline_n28r6xrHID1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_none border_" alt="image" /><br>Of all the bands associated with the Hydra Head label in its dying days, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> were the band I worried for the most. This hugely talented trio had produced two of the finest - and most underrated – albums of the last decade in <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Night Terrors</i></a> and <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Weatherhead</i></a>; albums that defied categorization and easy assimilation, and were the work of tremendously committed musicians that deserved mass attention and acclaim.
<p>Yet with the demise of Hydra Head it seemed it wasn’t meant to be. How good it feels to be wrong. Safely ensconced on new label <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>, Helms Alee have delivered their finest album to date in <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a> – a fierce and combustible collection that is a huge advance on the already dizzying heights of <i>Weatherhead</i>. That album's implacable heft has been allied to a more compact and melodic attack, new-found anathemic aspects in perfect sync with the band's sludge-oriented bluster.</p>
<p>The opening salvo of 'Pleasure Center' and the aptly named 'Tumescence' are amongst the most powerful of the band's career; huge blasts of searing rock, slathered with hulking bass lines by the irrepressible Dana James and guitarist Ben Verellen's patented stinging sourness – a weapon that has served him well since his time with the brilliant Harkonen, another long-lost cult Hydra Head outfit.</p>
<p>The vocal interplay from James, Verellen and Hozoji Margulis brings another refreshing and infectious component to each song. The soaring choruses of 'Heavy Worm Burden' and 'Crystal Gale' are perfect hook-laden pop gems, their melodies gleefully peeking out from within blast furnace power chords and brutal in-the-pocket drumming. The band's skills are displayed at a career apex here, bristling with an ease-fulness that some bands work their entire lives for to never achieve.<br><br>(via <a contents="The Quietus" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://thequietus.com/articles/14690-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors" target="_blank">The Quietus</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36077152014-02-27T10:40:00-08:002021-07-05T07:14:55-07:00Rock A Rolla Magazine Feature and Tour Dates with Russian Circles and KEN Mode<a href="http://rock-a-rolla.com/main/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/7585dea3b31cfa752a78d1370cbed401/tumblr_inline_n1o2ol2hnB1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b70b2a751cd9d6ebea28661e06a334dc/tumblr_inline_n1o25gWLHY1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Thank you to <a href="http://rock-a-rolla.com/main/">Rock A Rolla </a>for the double page feature on <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> in the new<a href="http://rock-a-rolla.com/main/"> Issue #48 out now (subscribe or order here</a>). Helms Alee will soon hit the road starting March 4th in Seattle on the <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> tour with <a href="http://www.ken-mode.com/">KEN Mode</a> opening all dates. Helms Alee have also added a show with a few more possibly to come after the tour to make their way back home.<br><br>Make sure to grab advance tickets for these folks, shows have been selling out. <a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows">SEE ALL HELMS ALEE SHOW DETAILS HERE</a><br><br><b>RUSSIAN CIRCLES // HELM</b><b>S ALEE // KEN MODE</b><br>03/04 Seattle, WA @ Neumos - SOLD OUT<br>03/05 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom - SOLD OUT<br>03/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall - SOLD OUT<br>03/09 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah - SOLD OUT<br>03/10 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre<br>03/12 Phoenix, AZ @ Crescent Ballroom also w/ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/thiswilldestroyyou">This Will Destroy You </a><br>03/13 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>03/14 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory<br>03/15 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar<br>03/16 Chicago, IL @ Metro<br><br><b>HELMS ALEE</b><br>3/17 Minneapolis, MN @ <a href="http://www.ticketfly.com/event/511167">Triple Rock Social Club</a> <br>3/20 Missoula, MT @ <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1421735138066369/">ZAAC </a>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076592014-02-24T10:30:00-08:002021-10-27T23:28:00-07:00Treble Zine interviews Ben Verellen<a href="http://www.treblezine.com/helms-alee-interview/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/89637219516aca3472c657d40426774f/tumblr_inline_n1j1n59Qbp1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p><a href="http://www.treblezine.com/helms-alee-interview/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d6592844fee0397bbd03e2656031cb2e/tumblr_inline_n1j1nignHH1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a></p>
<p>When <a href="http://hydraheadlines.blogspot.com">Hydra Head Records</a> announced in fall 2012 that they were no longer planning to release any new music, Seattle metal/post-hardcore trio <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> suddenly found themselves without a label home.</p>
<p>The band — comprising guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen, basisst/vocalist Dana James and drummer/vocalist Hozoji Margullis — had released two excellent under-the-radar releases on the revered Los Angeles metal imprint: 2008’s <i>Night Terror</i> and 2011’s <a href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-weatherhead/"><i>Weatherhead</i></a>. And just when it seemed the band had begun to build up a full head of steam, this setback found them in the unenviable position of trying to figure out what to do next.<br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/helms-alee/shows">HELMS ALEE US TOUR WITH RUSSIAN CIRCLES & KEN MODE starts March 4th - SEE ALL DATES HERE</a></p>
<p>“We didn’t know what we were going to do,” says Verellen in a phone interview with Treble. “We knew we were going to keep playing. It’s kind of hard to say how it would have gone.</p>
<p>“It was scary,” he continues. “It took the steam out of the band for a minute.”</p>
<p>Rather than wait for the right label to come along, however, the three musicians took matters into their own hands and started putting the wheels in motion for setting up their own label entity to release their music. They paid the license fees to start a business, launched a <a href="https://www.kickstarter.com/projects/helmsalee/new-helms-alee-record-presale">Kickstarter campaign</a> to fund the recording of their third album, and by mid-2013, the group seemed ready to take on the challenge of financial autonomy.</p>
<p>But like unseasonable warmth on the day you remember to bring an umbrella, Los Angeles label <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> signed the band just as they were ready to take the plunge into label ownership — a fact that Verellen says may have saved the band a lot of trouble in the long run.</p>
<p>“[Running a label] is a ton of work, is the main thing we figured out early on. And it’s really expensive to do well,” he says. “And really time consuming. We’re not just sitting on our hands enough to be like, ‘We started this thing, so maybe we should put out records by our buddy bands.’ That sounds awesome, but it sounds… distant.”</p>
<p>Helms Alee’s first album for <a contents="Sargent House" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.sargenthouse.com" target="_blank"><b>Sargent House</b></a>, <a href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>, is the band’s best yet — a powerful mixture of soaring rock anthems and booming metal heaviness. But it’s not an easy one to pin down. The band has long evaded heavy metal traditionalism in favor of a more nuanced approach, and while Verellen can let out a mighty roar on tracks like “Pleasure Center” and “Pinniped,” there are just as many moments like standout “New West,” in which a subtler, almost shoegaze-like sound takes over.</p>
<p>Verellen spoke to Treble on a rainy February afternoon, about the new album, defining the band’s sound, and how their sense of humor is an important part of the band’s image.</p>
<p><b>Treble: </b>When you started to work on <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, was there a specific direction that you were following?</p>
<p><strong>Ben Verellen: </strong>Not really, no. I think if the way it works for us is, we practice pretty regularly three times a week. After a few years of doing that, we kind of looked around and said, we have enough music to do a record. And I think that the songs kind of dictate what’s in the record and what the record’s gonna be instead of, let’s make this record. Let’s make a really pissed off record or a little noodly one. If we stay around for long enough then we’ll have enough music to do something with.</p>
<p><b>Treble: </b>Compared to <i>Weatherhead</i>, it feels like there’s more space on this record, and occasionally some even more aggressive parts.</p>
<p><strong>BV:</strong> Man, it’s so funny. I always think that we’re drifting in one direction farther than another. Like “All these songs are too mellow or pissed off” or whatever. But then it turns out I’m wrong. Like, all these songs are really mellow. But there’s a bunch of noisy screaming and weirdo stuff. I have a pretty separated understanding of all that stuff.</p>
<p><b>Treble:</b> Is it easier to get some perspective on an album after it’s done?</p>
<p><strong>BV: </strong>Totally. Yeah, for sure. I think it would take a few months before you can actually hear something without having your head stuck in it. Especially when we were recording, and we were doing all these other songs. I couldn’t keep straight which songs were going on what. And it’s funny because a few months later and it’s all being manufactured, the vinyl shows up and you listen to it, and you really take it in. You hear it how it stands as a standalone piece of music. And it’s like ‘oh, it’s cool how that goes into that’. It’s ridiculous how unintentional some of the things end up.</p>
<p><b>Treble:</b> Humor seems to be a pretty important aspect of the band’s identity — is it important for that to come across in what you do?</p>
<p><strong>BV:</strong> I appreciate a lot of music that’s really serious, and you know, in a way, nobody wants Slayer to be silly or whatever. But we’re just not like that. It would not be believable for us to be standing in front of a brick wall, vibing the camera and standing in the shadows. It just – we’re just way too goofy for that to come across. So we might as well just embrace our ridiculousness.</p>
<p>There’s plenty about the band that’s sincere and heartfelt. But it’s first and foremost about getting our rocks off. We’re not the Descendents — we’re not singing about fart jokes. There’s a time to… I guess, if you have something important to say, say it. But I’m a human being. If you’re not serious all the time, I think it’s important to acknowledge that.</p>
<p>I think it’s weird, especially when heavier bands feel like “My favorite band is Neurosis, and they look frightening, so they must be frightening in real life” People are just… everybody’s so different. I think people would be better off if they embraced everything about them and the relationship with their band mates that makes them unique.</p>
<p><b>Treble:</b> Given how non-traditional a heavy band Helms Alee is, do you still consider yourselves a metal band?</p>
<p><strong>BV:</strong> I mean, I don’t really try to think about it too much. I usually tell [people] it’s a rock band with a bunch of singing and a bunch of screaming and a bunch of melodic stuff, and some guitars and bass and drums. It’s kind of a weird one I guess. But I’m proud of that in a way, as much as it might be confusing and might make it kind of hard to find our place. I just… I don’t know. I think for me, personally, it was probably mostly the combination of three different people from three different backgrounds that makes it kind of oddball.</p>
<p>We wouldn’t be capable of pulling off any particular vibe like a heavy metal vibe effectively. We wouldn’t do it well.<br><br><a contents="Treble Zine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.treblezine.com/helms-alee-interview/" target="_blank">Treble Zine</a>(via Treble Zine)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076562014-02-20T10:20:00-08:002015-03-17T13:20:26-07:00Helms Alee featured in the new issue of Rock A Rolla Magazine<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/a5e9140aac47d31b8863d96c52bf4194/tumblr_inline_n1bkvmsu9w1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><a href="http://rock-a-rolla.com/main/">Rock A Rolla</a> Magazine's new issue #48 is out now and has a feature on <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>. <a href="http://rock-a-rolla.com/main/">Order a copy HERE</a> or pick one up at news stand in the UK.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076212014-02-20T10:15:00-08:002023-12-10T08:57:50-08:00Steel for Brains interviews Ben Verellen<a href="http://www.steelforbrains.com/post/77279084244/helms-alee"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/af6f60a3a4283498e492fb44e1687163/tumblr_inline_n1b71sffN31qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.steelforbrains.com/post/77279084244/helms-alee"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f5b39201845d9d7dc725fe3ed8c0ed46/tumblr_inline_n1b72qaTme1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1f1b2f4f26dc2f8a6c3f1f393de12e70/tumblr_inline_n1b730COLz1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br>Let it never be said that <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> are simply a metal band. The Seattle trio play a goddamn infectious blend of hook-laden rock ‘n roll that’s as much punk and pop as it is heavy metal. Their most recent offering, the sublime <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a> finds them channeling their myriad of influences into a singular sound, resulting in their finest album yet. It comes as no surprise that guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen (Harkonen/Roy) doesn’t take himself or the hype too seriously as that’s arguably the characteristic and attitude that’s given Helms Alee the recognition and acclaim they deserve. For these three, It’s about doing what they love, and Helms Alee do it well and loud. <a href="http://www.steelforbrains.com/post/77279084244/helms-alee">SfB</a> reached out to Verellen to talk about the new record, why he’s thankfully not a part of any scene, and the possibility of a <b>Harkonen</b> and <b>Roy</b> reunion.
<p><b>What was the thought process for you guys going into making <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>? Did anything change just in the way of creative approach for the band?</b></p>
<p>It was about three years workin’ on it without really realizing we were working on a record. We kind of just – we’d get together a couple times a week and play, and at some point a couple years in, we realized we had enough material to do a record. I’m trying to think of what’s really changed from the previous record to this one. I don’t know. Nothing too major, to be honest. </p>
<p>When I think about the band, it’s really just kind of plowed from the beginning and always been a real straight approach without a whole lot of twists and turns with us trying to do things differently. It’s always just kind of been us getting together a couple times a week, playing music, and just being weirdos. At some point in all that you end up with a whole buncha songs and turn them into a record. <br><br><b>Starting from your earliest days as a music fan to your time with Harkonen and Roy to where you are now with Helms Alee, how have you seen yourself evolve both musically and personally?</b></p>
<p>I definitely feel like I had a pretty clear cut path from a pretty young age to realizing I was obsessed with music and wanted to do something with music for the rest of my life. I think probably about age thirteen it was pretty clear. My brother Dave who’s in that band Botch – I remember him coming home from trying out for the band, and he was like “I got in the band! I’m in the band! I’m in the band!” Everything after that was just me sneaking to their practices and listening in and being excited about it. </p>
<p>Fast forward four years later, and I got to tag along with them to Europe and touring around the country as a teenager. That just kind of fueled me to try and get something together so I could have some of the same kinds of adventures. Of course, they were really incredible musicians as well, so there was always that inspiration around, and a really broad range of influences for those guys that bled into my tastes as well. </p>
<p>You think back to like Harkonen and Roy and Helms Alee and These Arms are Snakes – none of those bands sound too much alike. Harkonen is probably the closest thing to Helms Alee, I guess. Roy is kind of out of left field as some people say, but those things are all just a result of what I was listening to when I was a kid.</p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/0d72a389bd9510dcb606c24a912afcd5/tumblr_inline_n1arf3AZuy1rts4n8.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>photo credit: Nik Christofferson</p>
<p><b>Were there any specific bands then from when you were a kid that impacted you more than others and gave you that initial creative inspiration?</b><br><br>Absolutely. The first one was probably my brother’s band, Botch. And then at some point I’d say probably about my junior year of high school, my brother again turned me on to this band Karp. To me, that was like the most incredible thing on the planet because it was a super heavy band that sounded like nothing else I’d ever heard. Just the sounds were so unique. They were in this element of a kind of sense of humor, and intelligence that most hardcore bands didn’t have. That was a really inspiring moment for me, I think. Definitely steered things for me for what I would do and what music interested me. </p>
<p><b>How have you personally seen the heavy music genre evolve for both good and bad since you first became involved with and began making music of your own?</b></p>
<p>First of all, I’ve never felt too married to any particular scene. I don’t consider myself a member of the heavy music community anymore than I do just somebody that’s just interested in general, so a lot of that stuff I just try not to pay attention to. When I think about what the trends are just in terms of what kind of heavy bands are popular, and I’ve got my favorites, and they’re sort of oddballs, and I think they’re probably not necessarily the most popular or heavy bands that are considered the thing of the day. </p>
<p>But I do like a lot of them in the sort of heavy music underworld of bands. The ones I can think of that pop up to me are mostly bands we’ve toured with, we’re buddies with like the Big Business guys, and the Torche guys, the Red Fang guys, and I don’t think it’s necessarily just because we’ve gotten to know those bands. I think those are actually some of the bands that are super interesting. It seems to me like on the side of that, there’s been all these genres that have kind of been popular and come and gone sort of on the side of those bands I just mentioned. </p>
<p>It seems like Mastodon kind of tipped off a wave of these proggy metal bands, and that came to be a big thing. And I really like Mastodon a lot, but it seems like one of those things where they do really well, and then some bands – or a lot of bands – don’t do it really quite as interesting. There seemed to be a lot of those that were popular.</p><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/6d6666c30510e6d8dfd60cee9934e1c1/tumblr_inline_n1argfM2Da1rts4n8.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><b>It’s interesting you bring up Mastodon, a heavy music band considered mainstream by some and still underground by others somehow. It makes me think of the broader spectrum of what we consider when we use that kind of terminology. I think of labels like Hydra Head who put out and helped discover some of the most well respected heavy music artists of the last decade only to succumb to financial issues. Are the terms of underground or mainstream even relevant anymore? </b></p>
<p>It’s weird, isn’t it? Because what it is a mainstream metal band now? Who is it? Metallica? I don’t know. Are there other mainstream heavy bands? It’s not like when I was a kid, and there were like ten or twelve heavy bands getting played on MTV and were super huge bands. Now it’s sort of like a level playing field, I guess you could say. I have some buddies in bands who are playing in a band for a living, which is the dream for a lotta people. </p>
<p>They’re working hard. They’re in bands that are “successful” and well known, and you see the places they’re playing, and you think ‘Oh man, they must be just raking it in and doing great,’ and they are surviving and functioning and doing great and professional musicians, but they’re working hard, touring all year long, and it’s not just easy. I don’t know that there was a time when it was just like ‘You’re a rockstar now. Your band is really popular.’ It seems like even on the super popular side of things, those bands have to work hard.</p>
<p><b>Is it easier from your perspective for a band who’s experimenting or kind of on the fringe of several genres to gain exposure now as opposed to ten years ago? Is the social media culture more adept at absorbing more abrasive music, or is it simply a result of the constant exposure on the internet?</b></p>
<p>It’s been really interesting since we started working with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>, who’s releasing the new record, just to see how much attention they’ve brought to the band. Without spending any money on advertisements, without a big budget music video, or all the things that might be the traditional ways to promote a band – just by using the free social media stuff that everybody has access to. I think it’s a matter of elbow grease. The spotlight is on everyone now, and it’s really just a matter of how much work you’re willing to do to bring attention to what you’re doing. <br><br><b>What’s your creative process like, Ben, and has that changed for you personally over the years?</b></p>
<p>I think a big part of that has been dependent on the part of the project, for me. I think about the band Roy. There was a kind of handful of individuals writing all the songs for that and then sticking them together. I’d write a song, then Brian would write a song, and that was how that band worked. Helms Alee is a completely different animal in that there’s not a whole lot of ideas brought to practice from home. </p>
<p>We all just get together and see what comes. It’s cool because it’s sort of shooting from the hip stream of consciousness, for lack of a better word. Just whatever comes out, try it. The good ideas stick and the bad ones don’t, so it’s sort of like an automatic approach. There’s not a whole lot of sitting down to consciously think through an idea for a song. It’s more whatever just happens will come out. </p>
<p><b>I think it’s a given that in any interview you’re gonna be asked about a possible Harkonen reunion, so I’ll just go ahead and take care of that here, but I’m also curious about Roy. Any chance of either of those groups reuniting? </b></p>
<p>[Laughs] I don’t mind those questions. I’m lucky that all the bands I’ve played in that those people are dear friends of mine. I’m still in touch with all of them, and I’m sure both of those bands will play music together again. Harkonen got together for “reunion shows” like once or twice a year there for a couple of years. Matt just had a kid and got married, and so that might make things a little trickier, but I’m sure somewhere down the road we’ll get together and play more music. I don’t know about records and stuff like that, but who knows? <br><br>(via <a contents="Steel for Brains" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://steelforbrains.com/post/77279084244/helms-alee" target="_blank">Steel for Brains</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076202014-02-13T10:10:00-08:002021-12-14T12:48:18-08:00Pitchfork reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18857-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/e1c50e9c9904fd5f642c1b81c6a08a6c/tumblr_inline_n0yeexQwe11qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18857-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/0d38408eae14ad3dc8e0d696de94dbf8/tumblr_inline_n0yeayk84u1qbzv4w.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p>“Pleasure Center” works like a rollercoaster: At the start of <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>,the third album by Washington state trio Helms Alee, Ben Verellen’s electric guitar picks up speed by slowing down, its single note swelling into a carbuncle of feedback. The drums canter in, and the band clips along amicably enough—that is, at least, until they race temporarily into bursts of irascible distortion and screams. Helms Alee backs out, but only to rush in again. This back-and-forth continues across the song’s full three minutes. Bass builds and disappears. Guitars lash and abate. Momentum flashes and fades. It's also a thrill ride, where the song twists not only through parts but also turn through varied styles—a touch of stoner metal in the tumescent bass, of math-rock in the latticework guitar, of hardcore in the clinched vocals, of girl-group pop in the supporting harmonies. The song swivels so much that you can imagine the band drawing blueprints to build it. But the complexity does not limit the tune’s impact or approachability, making it a new feat of communion for Helms Alee.</p>
<p><a contents="Helms Alee" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> spent more than three years writing parts and songs for what became <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, meaning that they were at work on it before <i>Weatherhead </i>arrived in the summer of 2011. That makes sense, as <i>Weatherhead</i>, even more than Helms Alee’s 2008 debut, suggests a potpourri of unsettled ideas. There is bracing post-hardcore and primeval indie rock, soporific drift and phosphorescent post-rock. All of those elements weren’t split into songs of their own so much as crammed into the same space, like strangers compelled into roommate status. On those first two records, Helms Alee felt like an intriguing collective caught up in a particular post-everything moment, more focused on the possibilities than the power of what they were making.</p>
<p>You can still find the seams throughout <i>Sleepwalking Sailor</i>, their most aggressive but accessible album yet. Helms Alee doesn’t slough any of its previous interests wholesale, and each aspect of their musical personality is too distinct to camouflage with the rest. But the seams now crisscross in brilliantly unsuspected patterns, giving each element its space and the benefit of contrast. In spite of its moribund name, “Fetus.Carcass” starts rather softly, with Dana James’ Siouxsie Sioux-like coo stretched over a heavy rhythmic lumber. Twice during the song, though, Verellen barks over an italicized onslaught, a menacing shock spliced into the surgical reverie. The shifts are jarring, yes, but they fit well, presaged by ruptures in the meter and slowly evolving transitions. “Dangling Modifiers” is a delight of stylistic tension, revealed in a rather novel fashion. For most of the song, the band locks into one cycle, with a series of staccato guitar notes expertly wound between Hozoji Matheson-Margullis’ ever-roiling drums. The pattern shifts slightly, but even toward the end, when the drums slow and the guitars smear, the variation on the song’s only musical theme is clear. But the trio, though, seesaws between Verellen’s hoarse, doom-ready roar, and his best approximation of perfectly droll indie rock. The male-female antiphony of “Crystal Gale” hints at a Breeders outtake, especially when there’s only a simply strummed electric guitar supporting the harmonies. But when an enormous bass bleed delivers reinforcement, the band’s basic interests in heaviness and catchiness align for a minute of wonderful clarity. If that sort of seemingly unforced synthesis was the goal of Helms Alee’s first two records, <i>Sleepwalking Sailor </i>finally fulfills the ambition. </p>
<p>Halfway into “Pleasure Center”, during one of those accelerated moments, Verellen lets out the mightiest scream of the album. In real-time, it sounds like a tantrum—you know, a metal dude, snapping some metal-dude thing. But listen again and maybe again, and you’ll notice that he actually yells, “I want my MTV,” however disassembled the syllables may be. That playful feint encapsulates what’s best about Helms Alee on <i>Sleepwalking Sailor</i>: They cram a lot of unexpected assets into rather short songs, but that density no longer feels uncertain and unfocused. Not unlike SubRosa on last year’s <i>More Constant Than The Gods</i> or even Torche at their best,they’ve learned to combine their influences while largely hiding the effort required. That is, you first notice the thrill of the rollercoaster and only later pause to contemplate its mechanics. <br><br>(via <a contents="Pitchfork" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/albums/18857-helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/" target="_blank">Pitchfork</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076192014-02-11T10:10:00-08:002022-03-07T09:57:41-08:00Treble Zine reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/65f7b6d63a56dc7932a05f3658d87556/tumblr_inline_n0uq67n1an1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><a href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/073edb66f2e38773d024528e0de7e896/tumblr_inline_n0uq6i36XJ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p> </p>
<p>There are legions of bands — successful ones — that exist to preserve the metal status quo. They are descendants of a mighty legacy, heirs to a spiky, blood-drenched throne. In short, they are metal bands that aren’t interested in reaching any further than the metal community, itself. And that’s perfectly fine; you can’t always kick ass <i>and</i> please everyone. But Seattle trio <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> is not one of these bands. Not even close.</p>
<p>While Helms Alee is at heart a metal band, their methods are unconventional — even iconoclastic. On 2008’s <i>Night Terror</i> and 2011’s <a href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-weatherhead/"><i>Weatherhead</i></a>, each of which was released by the now inactive <a href="http://hydraheadlines.blogspot.com">Hydra Head</a>, the group yielded colossal and thunderous sounds through deceptively dense constructs. At their heaviest, in those rare moments when they get downright <i>sludgy</i>, there’s an undeniable melodic sensibility about Helms Alee’s music. Guitarist Ben Verellen, bassist Dana James and drummer Hozoji Margullis have intimate knowledge of how hooks work, and the dynamics behind atypical, albeit accessible melodies, all of which achieve a new-found sharpness on new album <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>.</a></p>
<p>Adorned by what is easily the best album cover of the year so far, depicting an angler fish with the band’s name spelled out in its teeth, <i>Sleepwalking Sailors </i>has a sense of fun and lightness about it, though not in any way that compromises the kind of impact the band creates. At times, it’s the heaviest the band has ever sounded, Verellen letting out some of his most ferocious bellows across the album’s 11 tracks. But the syncopated riffs that open “Pleasure Center,” which only lead up to an even punchier and more triumphant chorus, all but confirm this is anything but a metal album in any conventional sense.</p>
<p>Through the track titles of <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, Helms Alee show both their sense of humor and winking references to metal culture (“Slow Beef,” “Dodge the Lightning”), but make no mistake, the picture is far more complex than that. On the hypnotic and dirge-like “Pinniped,” the group hews closely to another mighty Washington trio: Unwound. And the mixture of spaciousness and brawn on “Heavy Worm Burden” draws parallels to the hook-driven post-hardcore of Chavez. (And I should probably pause here to mention that any band that brings to mind both Unwound and Chavez — regardless of genre — is a special one, indeed.)</p>
<p>The deeper that Helms Alee delve into challenging melodic territory, however, the more compelling <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i> grows. Both “Fetus. Carcass.” and “Slow Beef” explore greater atmospheric territory, in which both James and Margullis showcase their vocal skills, harmonizing beautifully in the former. But all of the band’s varied, seemingly contradictory elements converge in closing track “Dodge the Lightning,” blending harmony with brutality, heaviness with ethereality. It’s Helms Alee exploring the limits of what they can do, and then pulling the two extremes together from the center. That kind of collision, or at least a merger of sorts, is what makes Helms Alee a singular band. You can call them whatever you want — metal, post-hardcore, “rock” — but they’re much more interesting than that.<br><br>(via <a contents="Treble Zine" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://www.treblezine.com/reviews/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/" target="_blank">Treble Zine</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076172014-02-11T10:05:00-08:002015-03-17T13:03:04-07:00Echoes and Dust reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://echoesanddust.com/2014/02/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/8408db8fac7dc545d1518f6f491ea9f0/tumblr_inline_n0unkhrcA91ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f1868eed8f260df1cab46433de3de15f/tumblr_inline_n0uo948OGU1ryyjn7.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>As an editor <a href="http://echoesanddust.com/2014/02/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/">for this website</a> and quite fanatic music listener and reviewer, I get to listen to <i>a lot</i> of new releases on an almost daily basis. The more new music I get to listen to, the more I realize how important the first few minutes of a new release are. It tells a lot about what’s to come and in the worst case it makes me skip through a release a lot faster than the artist probably was hoping for. Fortunately, in the case of <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><b>Helm Alee</b></a>’s new release <i><a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>,</i> this is absolutely not the case. From the opening seconds it becomes instantly clear that <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> have done another outstanding job including them on their roster after the band was without a label when Hydra Head sadly went under.</p>
<p>This is Helm Alee’s third full-length release and interestingly the recording was largely funded by fans using the now almost ubiquitous crowd-funding option. Sargent House then heard the early mixes made by engineer Chris Common (drummer of <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/These_Arms_Are_Snakes">These Arms Are Snakes</a>, and previously worked as a engineer with bands such as <b>Palms</b>, <b>Pelican </b>and <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe">Chelsea Wolfe</a>) and the label decided to take the band on board and release <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>. A very wise move, demonstrating yet again Sargent House’s instinct for signing and releasing some of the most exciting bands and artists in the current alternative music business.</p>
<p>Talking about business, what’s the music like? Well, it’s bloody awesome! The press release mentions terms such as “pop”, “art rock”, “metal” and “punk”, which seems like a bit of a mixture of randomly picked genres, but they couldn’t be more right. After the brief feedback intro of opening track ‘Pleasure Center’, followed by some nice clean guitar notes played over Melvins-like pounding drums, the thickest and fuzziest distorted guitar hits you straight in between the ears! Whoa!</p>
<p>There is a huge post-punk meets grunge vibe going on here. Guitarist and vocalist Ben Verellen demonstrates nicely his guitar playing skills and vocal range, varying from beautifully clean singing to loud screaming and growling, and in the background the ladies making up the trio that is Helms Alee, drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and bassist Dana James, provide some hauntingly sounding screaming/singing.</p>
<p>The Melvins have definitely been a big influence to this three piece, in song structures as well as in drum rhythms, vocals and fuzziness. Listen for example how the next track ‘Tumescence’ kicks off. Though there is a lot of melody mixed in, provided by the beautiful female vocals and the guitar soloing going on in the background, reminding me a lot of Cave In around their <i>Jupiter</i> release. This melodic playing continues nicely on ‘Pinniped’, though there is always this comeback to the fuzzy sludgy sounding guitars and bass. The bridge/intermezzo part that starts around 2.5 minutes in is absolutely fantastic, with lots of nice melody and rhythmic changes, before the final part of this track repeatedly switches from melody to heavy as fuck distorted fuzz.</p>
<p>After the short track ‘Crystal Gale’ we almost hit a turning point on the album as the next two songs ‘New West’ and ‘Fetus. Carcass.’ have Dana James and Hozoji Matheson-Margullis’ vocals in a more central role, with minor parts for Ben’s shouting and growling, although he’s very clearly still present. I can’t help but think of Kim Deal and her time in the Pixies and the Breeders hearing these beautiful vocals.</p>
<p>As an ex-drummer I always find myself listening very closely to the drums on offer and what Sargent House releases always seem to have in common is outstanding drum work. Hozoji Matheson-Margullis is maybe not an outright energetic air drum inducing drum machine like Chris Wee or Dave Turncrantz, but she’s making great use of the whole kit with lots of fills and she demonstrates some great technical skills on numerous occasions, such as the subtle rhythm change at the end of ‘Slow Beef’ or the technical playing on ‘Dangling Modifiers’.</p>
<p>Honestly, there’s so much on offer here I can’t really go into the fine detail of every track or bar even. Just get this release and listen to it. Let it sink in, and listen to it again. And again and again and again. You’ll keep on finding different layers and different melodies.</p>
<p>I would like to draw the attention to the fantastic cover artwork as well, depicting some beautiful Sci-Fi horror scene, which more than justifies a vinyl pressing of this album. Now, make this reviewer happy and someone please get Helm Alee over to the UK, preferably Edinburgh or Glasgow, as I’ve heard some amazing things about their live shows!</p>
<p>Sargent House had a brilliant year last year having released only amazing releases and with <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i> they continue nicely where they left last year. Helms Alee is another diamond added to their roster, but one that has lost a lot of its rawness already and I have no doubt this release is one of many great releases we can expect this year from Sargent House.<br><br>(via <a contents="Echoes and Dust" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://echoesanddust.com/2014/02/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors/" target="_blank">Echoes and Dust</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076062014-02-09T09:55:00-08:002020-11-14T01:34:19-08:00Meat Mead Metal reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://meatmeadmetal.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/helms-alee-keep-things-punchy-interesting-and-all-inclusive-with-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/ae49218d5e77abb8b5d0fa0e0989a8aa/tumblr_inline_n0qw9tYyuE1s6a0gh.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><a href="http://meatmeadmetal.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/helms-alee-keep-things-punchy-interesting-and-all-inclusive-with-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/07b4f92f6adc3a068c4179a3b5dd95d9/tumblr_inline_n0qwa3N2O41s6a0gh.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://meatmeadmetal.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/helms-alee.jpg"><img src="//meatmeadmetal.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/helms-alee.jpg?w=560&h=373" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="helms alee" /></a><br>Seattle has plenty to be excited about these days, what with their professional tackle football team prevailing in the Super Bowl, a game highlighted by me blowing out a tire and damaging my car in the process while driving home during halftime. Remember how I said it’s been a bad week? So yeah, they’re all pretty happy right now, and rightfully so.<p>But there’s another reason Seattle folk should be excited, because yet another awesome band from that area is back with a new record, that being “Sleepwalking Sailors,” the third full-length from <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank"><b>Helms Alee</b></a>. Here’s a band that really should be better known by now, and maybe this great new 11-track record will get the job done. The band is heavy enough to appeal to a metal audience (they’re touring alongside <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com">Russian Circles</a> and KEN Mode, but sadly they won’t be on the version of the bill hitting my hometown), yet they also are melodic and approachable enough to appeal to fans of modern rock and roll and indie rock. I always found their records a lot of fun, and their sophomore album 2011 “Weatherhead” is on still in heavy rotation at my house today.</p><a href="http://meatmeadmetal.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/helms-alee-cover.jpg"><img src="//meatmeadmetal.files.wordpress.com/2014/02/helms-alee-cover.jpg?w=270&h=270" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="helms alee cover" /></a><br>The story of “<a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>” is pretty interesting. Helms Alee used to be on Hydra Head, the incredibly eclectic label founded by Aaron Turner responsible for releasing music by bands such as <b>Oxbow, ISIS, Torche, Cave In, Daughters, Jesu</b>, and plenty more. But Hydra Head announced they no longer would be releasing new music, so Helms Alee found they needed another label home. They started a Kickstarter campaign to fund the making of “Sleepwalking,” and eventually, Sargent House came into the picture and decided to release the album. That’s a big move for the band, as Sargent House has a pretty great reputation for putting out strong, adventurous music by artists including <b>Chelsea Wolfe, Boris, </b>and<b> Marriages</b>, and perhaps this is what will help them get into more ears and their records into way more homes. They totally deserve it, as they’ve been working hard and making great music for years.
<p>The band formed in 2007, combining Ben Verellen (<b>Harkonen, These Arms Are Snakes</b>) on bass and vocals, Dana James on guitars and vocals, and Hozoji Matheson-Margullis on drums and vocals. It’s an all-hands-on-deck approach, especially vocally (seeing as that everyone gets a chance), and that’s a formula they’ve always made work quite well. Their first full-length “Night Terror” dropped on Hydra Head a year after their formation, and their aforementioned “Weatherhead” arrived three years later, showing a band that had progressed dramatically as players and performers, but still had the weird, mathy quirks that helped make them special. They also offered up a few smaller releases last year, including splits with <b>Ladder Devils</b> and <b>Tacos!</b>, keeping them in their followers’ minds while we waited for their third full-length. Now, two years after their last long player, Helms Alee keep improving as a unit, and they’ve never sounded as good as they do on “Sleepwalking Soldiers.”</p>
<p>“Pleasure Center” opens with swollen feedback, liquidy riffs, and Verellen howling on vocals (he actually handles the bulk of the lead duties on the record). It’s a buzzing, gruff song, and it’s a blast of energy. “Tumescence” is sludgy and metallic, with lush backing vocals balancing out the meatier yowls, and the guitar work is really strong and razor sharp. “Pinniped” delves into 1990s-style rock, sort of in <b>the Breeders</b>’ wheelhouse, and it’s a nice chance for listeners to sing along with this sometimes-punchy, sometimes-breezy cut. This should go over well live. “Dangling Modifiers” follows on the same pathway, with a jumpy opening that settles into a bumpy melody, shoegaze guitars that spread over the terrain, and atmospheric treatment. “Heavy Worm Burden” is one of the more confrontational songs on the record, with guitar squall, vocals that are in your face, especially shouts such as, “Animal mind is not simple,” and a musical breakdown at the finish matches the complications mentioned in the lyrics. Strong cut.</p>
<p>“Crystal Gale” is a shorter song that feels more like an interlude (not to mention the cheeky title has to make you chuckle), and that moves into “New West,” that has gritty guitar work, plenty of melody, and vocals switching off among members (giving that all-inclusive feeling). Eventually the music rises up to flood levels, with the guitars bubbling and giving off fumes, and the band exploring its way through the cosmos. “Fetus.Carcass” is an interesting one, as Verellen steps back from the mic for part of the song, allowing more soulful singing to take center stage (I admit I’m not sure if it’s James or Matheson-Margullis on vocals), and throughout its run, it keeps changing its pace, personality, and colors. “Slow Beef” has a Western-style opening, a long intro that establishes the song, and suddenly a blow up as the drums go nuts, the song plods along and bruises, and keyboards bleed in to add more texture. “Animatronic Bionic” is proggy, catchy, and muddy, and it paves the way for closer “Dodge the Lightning,” a grindy, mucky, but eventually dreamy song that lets them stretch their muscles. The middle portion is damn-near pop territory, though that doesn’t last long as the song picks up intensity, howling vocals erupt, and the final moments of the track chug mercilessly.</p>
<p>It’s great to hear Helms Alee firing on all cylinders like they do on “Sleepwalking Soldiers,” and the benefit of having Sargent House behind them should only strengthen their position. These are songs that sound like they’ll translate pretty well live, and they’re full of energy, interesting turns, and explosive fun. Helms Alee still remain something of an undiscovered treasure, so hopefully that changes for them as more people discover this killer new record.</p>
<p>For more on the band, go here: <a href="https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee">https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee</a></p>
<p>To buy the album, go here: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/stores/">http://helmsalee.hellomerch.com</a></p>
<p>For more on the label, go here: <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">http://sargenthouse.com/</a><br><br>(via <a contents="Meat Mead Metal" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="http://meatmeadmetal.wordpress.com/2014/02/06/helms-alee-keep-things-punchy-interesting-and-all-inclusive-with-sleepwalking-sailors/" target="_blank">Meat Mead Metal</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076042014-02-04T09:55:00-08:002022-05-15T05:23:03-07:00Pitchfork posts full stream of Sleepwalking Sailor in advance of release<a href="http://pitchfork.com/advance/334-sleepwalking-sailors/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/f23f040e46e20ecf8a3c38445e2e6f4f/tumblr_inline_n0hortgblA1s6a0gh.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/bc7f03e29cad4cc5871e19f75bdb6c66/tumblr_inline_n0hosmKK4u1s6a0gh.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee">Helms Alee</a> "<a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>" album is now streaming in full a week before its release on February 11th via <a href="http://sargenthouse.com">Sargent House</a>. <a href="http://pitchfork.com/advance/334-sleepwalking-sailors/">Go to Pitchfork Advance to hear it HERE.</a><br><br>Helms Alee will be touring in support of the new album starting March 4th in Seattle with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/RussianCircles">Russian Circles</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kenmode">KEN Mode</a> - <a href="http://artistdata.com/helms-alee/shows">See ALL Helms Alee Dates HERE </a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36076032014-01-30T09:55:00-08:002020-12-12T23:40:19-08:00Seattle Weekly reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a href="http://www.seattleweekly.com/music/950846-129/helms-alee-takes-its-big-label"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/cde39c688e5a17773997f94faa72e2e0/tumblr_inline_n08r3dgW0m1s6a0gh.png" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.seattleweekly.com/music/950846-129/helms-alee-takes-its-big-label"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/1e587bf421a0668f3d1b4fb3bd896d6a/tumblr_inline_n08r3zNjIm1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.seattleweekly.com/music/950846-129/helms-alee-takes-its-big-label#img1" title=""><img src="//www.seattleweekly.com/csp/mediapool/sites/dt.common.streams.StreamServer.cls?STREAMOID=efTT6dr89Z9rpox3laqVXc%24daE2N3K4ZzOUsqbU5sYvyuDuNvb_lrww_WFRmWJD7WCsjLu883Ygn4B49Lvm9bPe2QeMKQdVeZmXF%249l%244uCZ8QDXhaHEp3rvzXRJFdy0KqPHLoMevcTLo3h8xh70Y6N_U_CryOsw6FTOdKL_jpQ-&CONTENTTYPE=image/jpeg" class="size_m justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p>In September of 2012, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>’s label at the time, Hydra Head Records, announced that as of the following December it would cease to put out any new records. While still maintaining the label’s 20 years worth of back catalogue would be the label’s focus, many bands were left without a home. Local outfit Helms Alee was one of them. Though without a label, new material continued to stack up. So after two records released on HydraHead (2008’s Night Terror and 2011’s Weatherhead) the band chose to crowdfunded its third release, <i><a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/">Sleepwalking Sailors</a></i>, and initially planned on a self-release. But after demos were recorded, the songs attracted the folks over at <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>.</p>
<p>With the help of engineer Chris Common (<a href="http://sargenthouse.com/These_Arms_Are_Snakes">These Arms Are Snakes</a>, Pelican, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chelsea_Wolfe">Chelsea Wolfe</a>) Sleepwalking Sailors was recorded on tape, the band choosing to embrace the limitations of analog rather than refining every detail in a modern Pro Tools set-ups. It was a wise decision. The song arrangements are tighter, and colossal sounding. The album is more aggressive than previous records, but retains the band’s ability to shift dynamics from beautiful to brutal. One minute you’re being pummeled by riffs, the next minute you’re hit with a three part vocal harmony by bassist Dana James, drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and guitarist Ben Verellen. While all three members shine here, it’s Matheson-Margullis’ drumming that really stands out. Tracks like “Dangling Modifiers” showcase her ability to play fast and heavy when needed, and restrained when it’s called for. Essentially, the essence of the band is perfected on Sleepwalking Sailors. It’s a masterpiece.</p>
<p>Helms Alee's Record release show is this Saturday, Feb. 1. With Sandrider, Bali Girls, Survival Knife. Neumos 925 East Pike St. 709-9442 neumos.com. 8 p.m. $10 Adv. 21 and over.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075672014-01-30T09:45:00-08:002020-12-13T00:17:22-08:00Bearded Gentlemen Music interview Helms Alee<a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2014/01/30/helms-alee-interview/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/db1e045a08e72feea32a12f084171dfc/tumblr_inline_n08p9xf2FK1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/4b14eb86a7f9c8e8c5a062d1aa8e8d1e/tumblr_inline_n08pa9Wep01qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>Simply put, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> are awesome. Throughout the course of their seven year existence, they have managed to embody a sound that is as melodic, heavy, and creative. <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors </i></a>is the band’s third and arguably best effort, and their first release for B.G.M.’s favorite label <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>. Though still early in the year <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>, has set the bar very high for heady heavy music in 2014. I spoke with guitarist and vocalist Ben Verellen about the record, their new label, the road, and the upcoming Superbowl.</p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120945620&color=00aabb" width="100%"></iframe>
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<p><b>1. How is the New Year treating you so far? Broken any resolutions yet?</b><br> <br>Immediately! I just spent my first vacation in about 6 years glued to my work email on the dumb phone. Hopeless.<br> <br><b>2. To all the readers of our site who have yet to experience you guys, how would you describe your music in five words or less?</b><br> <br>Loud aggressive melodic rock music</p>
<p><b>3. Hydra Head’s demise was a blow to the incredibly fertile ‘heavy but interesting’ music scene. How has your transition to Sargent House been?</b></p>
<p>Yeah, Hydrahead exposed some of the best music of my formative years, and they took a chance on my bands too. It’s a shame that their artistic ambition didn’t propel them into the kind of financial success that less adventurous labels enjoy, but their demise has birthed some new entities that are exciting like the Austerity Program’s new label, http://controlledburnrecords.com/, and Aaron Turner’s new label, http://sigerecords.blogspot.com/.</p>
<p>Sargent House is a unique label in their own right, we’re honored to have their support and it’s exciting to be in the mix of such a broad roster of killer oddball musical outfits. So far things are moving along smoothly and excitingly.</p>
<p><b>4. As a whole, would you consider Sleepwalking Sailors to be conceptual, or more just a collection of (awesome) tracks?</b></p>
<p>I don’t think there’s an intentional concept, but I feel like there’s some unspoken conceptual glue there just from spending as much time with each other over the last several years writing this music. The record feels cohesive to my brain.</p>
<p><b>5. Helms Alee’s music and image has always been nautically themed. Three albums into your career as a band, how has this theme evolved to remain relevant?</b></p>
<p>We used to sail around Seattle on this crappy sailboat I had and it got me into all these weird nautical terms. A few years ago I had to sell the boat so that’s died down some, but Hozi (Matheson Margullis, drums / vocals) started working as a fisherman, diving for geoducks for the Puyallup tribe. So she comes to practice w/ all these freaky stories about swimming with sea lions etc.. so I guess the idea sticks around one way or another. It’s just a source of imagery that we like.</p>
<p><b>6. In the past, you’ve described your songwriting process as a ‘patchwork’ of ideas brought to the table by each member of the band. How do you determine what ideas work together and which ones don’t?</b></p>
<p>We’re generally agree pretty automatically on what we like. Sometimes I’ll start playing some kind of riff and if no one reacts I’ll just quietly chuck it. But then Dana (James, bass / vocals) might start in on something that we all get eyes wide on. It’s pretty random how songs come together.</p><b><b><a href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Helms-Alee-Sleepwalking-Sailors.jpg"><img src="//beardedgentlemenmusic.com/wp-content/uploads/2014/01/Helms-Alee-Sleepwalking-Sailors-300x300.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="Helms Alee Sleepwalking Sailors" /></a></b></b><br><b>7. The cover art for Sleepwalking Sailors is extremely badass. How does it feel to see your band’s name written in the teeth of a terrifying sea monster?</b>
<p>Amazing!!!!!! Aaron John Gregory is a talented man. I love the concept of that painting.</p>
<p><b>8. Sleepwalking Sailors sounds amazing and feels like the record that solidifies the Helms Alee vibe as unique and vital. Three albums in, do you feel any pressure internally or externally to ‘break out’ to a larger audience?</b><br> <br>Wow, that rules of you to say. Our goals are pretty simple. We really want to just be able to make records and have adventures playing music for a long long time. It seems like getting older, responsibilities start to set in and it becomes harder to do things like tours and spend time making records on the drop of a dime, so a little more planning has to happen. We just want there to be enough people interested in our music that we can do things on our own terms.<br> <br><b>9. How did working with Chris Common influence the making of this record?</b><br> <br>Chris did an awesome job. He had a lot of patience with us, he was really receptive to our ideas, and put in a lot of hard work. We were grateful to have that kind of talent involved.<br> <br><b>10. There’s a song on the new album called “Slow Beef”. What the hell is slow beef?!</b><br> <br>Man… what the hell IS slow beef?<b> </b></p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/128902198&color=00aabb" width="100%"></iframe>
<p> </p>
<p><b>11. In a few weeks you guys are off on a run of the States with Russian Circles and KEN Mode, who both had a pretty big 2013. Are you excited? What’s your relationship like with those guys?</b></p>
<p>Super excited. We’ve toured with <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> before and had an incredible time. Goofy and talented musicians with their shit together….. perfect tour-mates. Growing up, Brian (Cook, bass player) was one of my big brother sort of figures. He played in <b>Botch </b>with my older brother, Dave (Verellen), so I’ve been kind of tagging along ever since. It’ll be fun to be on the road with him again. My old band, <b>Harkonen</b>, crossed paths with <b>KEN Mode </b>years ago, and we made friendly acquaintances then, it’s awesome to see the attention they’re getting. Their record is amazing.</p>
<p><strong>12. Touring gives you the chance to essentially live with your bandmates for an extended period of time. Prior to Helms Alee, you were a member of a number of groups comprised entirely of men. Now, it’s you and two women. Are there any essential differences between touring with a bunch of chicks as opposed to hitting the road with a bunch of dudes?</strong></p>
<p>You know how bands do stupid things like drive all night and day to play a show, eating at gas stations and taco bell.. the whole time? Not helms! Dana and Hoz have a different attitude about this kind of thing where they want to enjoy the whole thing and not torture ourselves for the “super gig” or whatever. It took some getting used to, but I really think that has a lot to do with the longevity of the band. I can’t say if that has anything to do with them being ladies, or just them being them, but it’s a different approach than in other bands I’ve done, and it seems to work for us anyways.</p>
<p><b> 13. The melodic components of Sleepwalking Sailors seem a lot more pronounced than on Night Terror or Weatherhead. Was this a conscious decision going into the writing of the record?</b></p>
<p>It’s funny, we think of it as the more aggressive of the 3 helms records. We always do this, where we look at a bunch of songs and say “oh, they’re all super dreamy and melodic. maybe we should write more rockers”, and then immediately someone else says “wait what about this short pissed off song and that heavy angry song, etc…” and then we realized there’s at least as much of that too.</p>
<p><b>14. Can we expect any killer pirate-themed music videos?</b></p>
<p>No plans yet, but I hope we can do some kind of visual stuff for this record.</p>
<p><b>15. In the wake of an era of over-produced music, many bands these days are choosing to record directly to tape, yourselves included. Do you feel as though this action is disciplinary, forcing you to focus on the level of songwriting? Or is this just the method you are more comfortable with?</b></p>
<p>It sounds cool, it means everyone has to be rehearsed and paying attention which lends urgency, and most of all it forces some humanity into the record which is something that is missing from a lot of modern records.</p>
<p><b>16. What’s upcoming in 2014 that you’re excited about that we should be excited about too?</b></p>
<p>It looks like it’s going to be a mess of new records and tours for us as well as a bunch of buddy bands I love. Not sure which ones are secret, so I’ll keep my mouth shut. But I’m gearing up for a good one. Oh…. and a Seahawks superbowl victory.</p>
<p> </p>
<p>Sleepwalking Sailors is out February 11th via Sargent House.<br><br>(via <a contents="Bearded Gentlemen Music" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://beardedgentlemenmusic.com/2014/01/30/helms-alee-interview/" target="_blank">Bearded Gentlemen Music</a>)</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075662014-01-30T09:40:00-08:002022-02-15T01:51:36-08:00The Sludgelord reviews Sleepwalking Sailors<a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2014/01/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album.html"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/2c005b3648929e49c5fcab54c906c7cc/tumblr_inline_n08ajsZTYD1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2014/01/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album.html"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/8fc784e95c45156257cedf02406f9a7c/tumblr_inline_n08akb4AKV1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>'s debut for <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee">Sargent House</a> is a complete monster of an album, full of melody and math. They strike a delicate balance of outrageous fuzz and clean post-rock that allow for an enormous pallet of sounds. Every song is layered expertly and shifts organically between savage riffs and delicate sound-scapes.<br><br>On <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a> Helms Alee have added to their bag of tricks, building off the dynamic and aggressive records <i>Weatherhead</i> and <i>Night Terror</i>. As usual, Matheson-Margullis lays out lots of toms, with a touch of double-kick here, extra rolls there. The vocals have more harmonized passages and layers. James' bass lines walk melodically, and Verellen's guitars sound dynamic and live. Everything has a little extra heat in it.</p>
<p>Pleasure Center starts the album off going from shoegaze-y guitars to thunderous double-kick drumming, with wonderfully layered vocals. Tumescence follows with some savage fuzz, tom-heavy rolling drums, and ends by showing off their expertise in head-banging maths. More loud-quiet-loud rocking comes next in Pinniped, starting with a crashing intro, falling into a rolling melodic passage, and a crushing end.</p>
<p>Jangling guitars start off Dangling Modifiers, joined by a heavy dose of toms, fuzzy bass and alternating screams with airy singing. Heavy Worm Burden has some of the busiest drum work on the album, leading to a heavy turn and melodic build that finishes the song. Crystal Gale is a short interlude before the heavy start of New West. Here, with the drums solo, the quality of the recording really shines. The drums are nicely resonant and live sounding, even when the rest of the band joins in. Nothing gets muddy, despite heavy doses of delay, vocals, and distortion.</p>
<p>Fetus Carcass brings more counting fun and head-banging riffs. Slow Beef evokes Mogwai with a build from atmospheric guitars to a bombastic end with touches of keyboards adding another layer in the mix. The penultimate track, Animatronic, is a brief, but superbly heavy tune. Dodge the Lightning finishes off the record by showing off a little bit of everything Helms does so well, with multiple vocal lines, rumbling bass, and dynamic guitars.</p>
<p>This is by far the best sounding record they've released. Every instrument and vocal line sits perfectly in the mix, the drums clear and live. Each sound distinct but unified, creating a colorful and layered aesthetic. The songwriting is superb, and as always there is a fun complexity to their rhythms while steadily grooving through odd-time. This is a gem of an album. Everyone should buy it as soon as they can.</p>
<p><a href="http://thesludgelord.blogspot.com/2014/01/helms-alee-sleepwalking-sailors-album.html">Written by Ben Bowman</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075652014-01-26T09:35:00-08:002020-12-12T23:33:14-08:00New KEXP Live Sessions<iframe frameborder="0" height="315" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/JnZhbMzG1bA?rel=0" width="500"></iframe>
<p>Thanks to Hannah Levin and everyone at KEXP.ORG for having us on.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075632014-01-14T09:35:00-08:002021-09-22T06:18:28-07:00Noisey premieres new track "Pleasure Center"<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/27258b2b35bbdc2f2ad90fbf52fb0933/tumblr_inline_mzcv01wbg91qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c9ef7af57a0b385ba2b0b6ec5f8d24e9/tumblr_inline_mzcv1sJqZk1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/24b4be15de3b0a1861454687ffcc0e3e/tumblr_inline_mzcv8fhR0V1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p>Ben Verellen manufactures gear <a href="http://www.verellenamplifiers.com/">under the family name</a>, so you know that he best make sure his own tone is the sickest. Those heads, with names like "Meat Smoke" and "Skyhammer", come with him on the road and into the studio, bringing beefy tone to <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> and Harkonen when he's away from the soldering iron.</p>
<p>Verellen's guitar tone is on point on the new <b>Helms Alee</b> track "Pleasure Center" streaming for the first time below. Melodic and thundering in the Torche-iest of ways, Helms Alee's doom-y riffs, post-hardcore and metal is the latest addition to the Sargent House roster which includes names like <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a>, <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://chelseawolfe.net" target="_blank">Chelsea Wolfe</a> and others. Look out for HA's new LP <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a> via the label on 2/11.</p>
<p>Stream "Pleasure Center" in full below, and pray for more Helms Alee dates in the near future.</p>
<p> </p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/128902198&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe>
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<p><b>HELMS ALEE ALBUM RELEASE SHOW</b></p>
<p>02/01 Seattle, WA @ Neumos w/ Sandrider, Bali Girls, Survival Knife</p>
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<p><b>RUSSIAN CIRCLES // HELMS ALEE // KEN MODE</b></p>
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<p>03/04 Seattle, WA @ Neumos *<br>03/05 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom *<br>03/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall *<br>03/09 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah *<br>03/10 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre *<br>03/12 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom *<br>03/13 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad *<br>03/14 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory *<br>03/15 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar *<br>03/16 Chicago, IL @ Metro *<br><br>* w/<a href="http://russiancirclesband.com">Russian Circles</a>, <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kenmode?fref=ts">KEN Mode</a></p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075272014-01-09T09:30:00-08:002015-03-17T12:29:00-07:00Helms Alee interviewed by Soundcrave Magazine<img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/fdff3583ba22569f571aebd3b0d05591/tumblr_inline_mz5fnuXhBb1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/8b235d1dcf200b11ad501a681350e8e9/tumblr_inline_mz5fo4lqxs1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><iframe frameborder="0" height="320" src="//www.youtube.com/embed/1bzRwCLIZDM?rel=0" width="500"></iframe><br><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> took time out to discuss their upcoming album <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/">Sleepwalking Sailors</a> with <a href="http://soundcravemagazine.com/helms-alee-interviewed-in-denver/">Soundcrave Magazine</a> in Denver from one of their two nights there playing with <b>The Sword</b>. Their interview skills are quite astonishing... as you will see and hear above. On <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1462862403941274/">February 1st t</a>hey will celebrate the release of the new record with a hometown show in Seattle at <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1462862403941274/">Neumo's</a> with local bad-asses and rad bands <a href="https://www.facebook.com/sandriderseattle">Sandrider</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/pages/Survival-Knife/202335756537516">Survival Knife</a> joining them for the evenings festivities brought to you by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/events/1462862403941274/">KEXP</a>. Special early treat they will have their new album on vinyl or cd available for purchase at the show, a whole ten days before it's official street date of February 11th. Then in March they will join up with new label mates <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com">Russian Circles</a> for a run of shows also joined by <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kenmode">KEN Mode</a> opening all shows. <br><br>Check out the first new track from Sleepwalking Sailors "Tumescense"<br><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120945620&color=ff6600&auto_play=false&show_artwork=true" width="100%"></iframe><br><br><a data-link-label="Shows" data-link-type="page" href="/shows" target="_blank">SEE ALL HELMS ALEE SHOW INFO HERE</a>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075252013-12-29T09:25:00-08:002023-12-10T11:19:25-08:00Philthy Mag interviews Ben Verellen<a href="http://www.philthymag.com/the-sweatiness-loudness-and-weirdness-of-helms-alee/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/c681077cc4f22bfc205c20146f6054d4/tumblr_inline_mxyu9cP3U91qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
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<p> </p><a href="http://www.philthymag.com/the-sweatiness-loudness-and-weirdness-of-helms-alee/"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/b08ca3fda5fcd97da6f1fd771b9207a9/tumblr_inline_mxyu4hizAu1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/e933e75bcae9f80fdcd64faf5ac34b5a/tumblr_inline_mxyu9rOCFQ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p> </p>
<p>Seattle trio <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> have spent the past six years writing and recording abrasively beautiful and avant-garde sounds that have been labeled with phrases such as “experimental metal” and “art rock,” although they would seem far more comfortable with their sound, inspired by the outermost fringes of ‘80s and ‘90s “popular” music (think <i>all</i> of the brilliantly heavy sounds of Lollapalooza rolled into one) being referred to as simply “rock.” It’s certainly a long-way from any traditional “rock” sounds of the ‘70s, ‘80s, or ‘90s, but they don’t seem to be a fan of arbitrarily and pretentiously named sub-genres. The band’s three members, Ben Verellen, Dana James, and Hozoji Matheson-margullis all contribute to Helms Alee equally and all refuse to be linked to or regarded as an homage to any particular scene in recent musical history. <a href="http://artistdata.com/helms-alee/shows">December 30th and 31st</a> they will be playing Denver, Colorado’s Bluebird Theater with <b>The Sword</b> and February 11th of 2014 will see the release of their third LP, <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>, on Sargent House. I recently got a chance to chat with guitarist Ben Verellen about the band’s past, present, and future. ** And just Announced tour dates with <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> and <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kenmode?fref=ts">KEN Mode</a> in March 2014.</p>
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<p><b>Izzy Cihak: </b>You’re about to release your third album, <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>. How do you feel as though the album compares to previous releases?</p>
<p><b>Ben Verellen:</b> It’s a little more aggressive sounding than both <i>Weatherhead</i> and <i>Night Terror</i> to my ears. Lots of epic vibes and the record has a natural flow to it that feels cohesive to me. We wrote it over about three years and we’re still mixing it up between the three of us, as far as who’s writing riffs, melodies, and words. So all that probably helped to keep the record diverse. We’re still a mixed bag.</p>
<p><b>IC:</b> So it’s pretty well known that you avoid being taken in by any present-day trends, so I have to ask, what are currently your most significant influences and inspirations, whether musical or just aspects of life and creating art?</p>
<p><b>BV:</b> I feel like we’re surrounded by inspired musicians and artists, so it’s easy to stay excited about music for me. I realize how hippy it sounds to say, but northwest living can definitely paint a mood sometimes. Right now it’s settling into wintertime here, so it’s time to hole up and make songs.</p>
<p><b>IC:</b> What do you feel is most important for fans and potential fans to know about Helms Alee?</p>
<p><b>BV:</b> Helms Alee is important to me and I can get excited about the idea of other people listening to our songs and deciding there’s something meaningful or important to them in there, but I don’t really know how to explain what about it is important. By the time these songs come out, it feels like someone else might as well have written them.</p>
<p><b>IC:</b> You’re signed to Sargent House, of which I’m quite a fan. What are your thoughts on the label? Any particular favorite label peers? I’m really into Bosnian Rainbows, Chelsea Wolfe, and Marriages.</p>
<p><b>BV:</b> It’s rad to be in the mix of such an eclectic bunch of artists. I like that the only real common thread between bands is that none of them fall too comfortably into a specific genre, but it’s a talented lot for sure. Feels right.</p>
<p><b>IC:</b> You’re going to be playing a few shows with The Sword later this month in Denver. What can be expected of the live experience?</p>
<p><b>BV:</b> A bunch of sweaty, loud, and weird. Excited to come back to Denver. We usually have a real good time there.</p>
<p><b>IC:</b> In addition to the release of your latest album, what are you most excited about in 2014? What does Helms Alee have in the works?</p>
<p><b>BV:</b> We have some tour plans scattered throughout the year. There will also be a couple of releases close on the heels of <i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>. We also have a growing mass of new material beyond that. Pushing forward.</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075262013-12-17T09:30:00-08:002021-12-13T18:15:49-08:00Helms Alee Announces Tour Dates & Album Release Show<a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Helms_Alee"><img src="https://31.media.tumblr.com/d937f5a970a78e6aa4df9dbf3754f639/tumblr_inline_mxywp6pKJf1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
<p> </p>
<p><a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> are pleased to announce some new tour dates with <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a> label mates <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://russiancirclesband.com" target="_blank">Russian Circles</a> starting on March 5, 2014 also with <a href="https://www.facebook.com/kenmode">KEN mode</a> on the bill. In addition to that tour Helms Alee will play a special two night engagement in Denver with The Sword on December 30 & 31st, 2013 to ring in the New Year. On February 1st in their hometown of Seattle they will be playing their own headlining Album release show at Neumo's to celebrate the release of <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/">Sleepwalking Sailors</a>. (They will have the album for sale early on that show too!) Official release date is on February 11, 2014 via Sargent House. <br><br><a href="http://artistdata.com/helms-alee/shows">See All HELMS ALEE Show Details HERE</a><br><br><b>HELMS ALEE LIVE</b><br>12/30/13 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater w/ <a href="http://swordofdoom.com/">The Sword </a><br>12/31/13 - Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater w/ <a href="http://swordofdoom.com/">The Sword</a><br>02/01/14 - Seattle, WA @ Neumo's<br>(Album Release Show w/ Sandrider, Survival Knife and more TBA)<br><br><b>RUSSIAN CIRCLES // HELMS ALEE // KEN mode 2014</b><br>03/04 Seattle, WA @ Neumo’s<br>03/05 Portland, OR @ Wonder Ballroom<br>03/07 San Francisco, CA @ Great American Music Hall<br>03/09 San Diego, CA @ The Casbah<br>03/10 Los Angeles, CA @ El Rey Theatre<br>03/12 Phoenix, AZ @ The Crescent Ballroom<br>03/13 Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>03/14 Oklahoma City, OK @ The Conservatory<br>03/15 Kansas City, MO @ The Record Bar<br>03/16 Chicago, IL @ Metro<br><br> </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36074832013-11-26T09:15:00-08:002017-01-16T06:29:28-08:00Pitchfork reviews "Tumescence" from upcoming Sleepwalking Sailors album<a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/16399-tumescence/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/2cf3d1ad87c845129794ca73f5f6e5da/tumblr_inline_mww1rs2zpP1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/00156e21d652a02bffb693c5319fe377/tumblr_inline_mww1u2f2uL1s6a0gh.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br>Seattle trio <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> doesn’t really do dead weight: bassist Dana James, guitarist Ben Verellen and drummer Hozoji Matheson-Margullis all split singing and songwriting duties, oftentimes in the course of a single tune. “<a contents="Tumescence" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/helms-alee-tumescence/s-dEJrb" target="_blank">Tumescence</a>”—the first cut off of their forthcoming third LP of wonderfully sticky pop-metal, Sleepwalking Sailors—thrives on the tension created by pushing these parts into a tight, three-minute space.
<p>The down-tempo opening is <a href="http://pitchfork.com/artists/2736-melvins/">Melvins</a>-level heavy, with serrated dude-yells roared over a thick, martial riff. But in the chorus, James steals the song from Verellen, her keening voice suggesting <a href="http://pitchfork.com/artists/7231-kim-deal/">Kim Deal</a> squaring up with fists. Verellen’s guitar rises to meet her, too, a piercing anti-riff tracing her voice upward through zigs and zags. The antiphonal seesaw two continues for the song’s length, leaving no room to take as much as a breath until the end, when the whole thing collapses beneath its own weight. Sleepwalking Sailors is out February 11 via <a href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Sargent House</a>.<br><br> </p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" scrolling="no" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120945620&color=ff5500&auto_play=false&hide_related=false&show_comments=true&show_user=true&show_reposts=false" width="100%"></iframe>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36075222013-11-26T09:10:00-08:002022-05-19T19:29:58-07:00Exclaim.ca debuts Sleepwalking Sailors album, new track<img src="//media.tumblr.com/55772cdb743c4e2090cae1853c3e3280/tumblr_inline_mww264HeNu1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/3aacec6cd5a4a6540873ce2f63830865/tumblr_inline_mww26jF0qV1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><br><img src="//media.tumblr.com/d7cf1475a6d5630d91608320bf2d2215/tumblr_inline_mww278gQtQ1qbzv4w.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p> </p>
<p>Two years after Seattle post-metal adventurists <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a> issued their <a href="http://exclaim.ca/Reviews/Metal/helms_alee-weatherhead"><i>Weatherhead</i></a> LP through Hydra Head, the band have announced their next set, <a href="http://helmsalee.bandcamp.com/album/"><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i></a>, which will arrive early 2014 through new label home <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>.<br><br>The 11-song outing hits stores February 11, and a press release notes that the group's third album offers up a "unique amalgam of metal, art rock, pop and punk," with touchstones including everything from Soundgarden to Gang of Four.<br><br>Guitarist/vocalist Ben Verellen explained in a statement that the songs took shape over the course of three and a half years before being tracked with engineer <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Chris_Common_-_Producer">Chris Common</a> (These Arms Are Snakes, Pelican, Chelsea Wolfe) in Seattle. The band had crowd-sourced funds to begin the recording sessions, laid directly to tape instead of Pro Tools, before being signed to Sargent House.<br><br>Though the release date is a few months off, the album's "Tumescence," driven by muck-dripping sludge riffs and a mix of throaty cries from Verellen and melodious vocals from bassist/vocalist Dana James and drummer/vocalist Hozoji Matheson-Margullis, can be heard below.</p><iframe frameborder="no" height="166" src="https://w.soundcloud.com/player/?url=https%3A//api.soundcloud.com/tracks/120945620" width="100%"></iframe><br><i>Sleepwalking Sailors</i>:<br>1. Pleasure Center<br>2. <a contents="Tumescence" data-link-label="" data-link-type="" href="https://soundcloud.com/sargent-house/helms-alee-tumescence/s-dEJrb" target="_blank">Tumescence</a> <br>3. Pinniped<br>4. 4 Dangling Modifiers<br>5. Heavy Worm Burden<br>6. Crystal Gale<br>7. New West<br>8. Fetus Carcass<br>9. Slow Beef V<br>10. Animatronic<br>11. Dodge The LightningHelms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36074822013-08-08T09:15:00-07:002022-03-19T05:14:11-07:00Pitchfork streams "Not Dot" from Helms Alee & Ladder Devils split<a href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/15843-helms-alee-not-dot/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/2cf3d1ad87c845129794ca73f5f6e5da/tumblr_inline_mr85gzsjAc1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a contents="" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/15843-helms-alee-not-dot/" target="_blank"><img src="//d10j3mvrs1suex.cloudfront.net/u/159390/c4298ddaf77b9603bc875a09e1921d5be7872cf4/original/screen-shot-2015-03-17-at-12-07-40-pm.png?1426619397" class="size_orig justify_none border_" /></a><br>“Not Dot” consumes <a data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://helmsalee.net" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Helms Alee</a>'s entire side of a forthcoming split with Philadelphia bruisers <a href="http://ladderdevils.tumblr.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Ladder Devils</a>, who manage to squeeze two tracks onto their half. The funny thing is, “Not Dot” sounds more like two separate songs, as its bewitching beginning and ending bookend a surprising hardcore burst that sits in the middle. Up front, Dana James, Hozoji Matheson-Margullis and Ben Verellen swing sweetly over sidewinding guitars and drums, circling beneath the melody like predators.
<p>Suddenly, the drums rip into a roil, while the guitar etches complicated figures above the tumult. Verellen’s howling now, his easygoing harmony suddenly gone. That is, at least until it returns, which it does when Helms Alee settles back into the same slippery groove that started the side. Though it’d be incorrect to call this a four-song split, it’s at least accurate to say it sounds that way. <a href="http://brutalpandarecords.com/" rel="nofollow" target="_blank">Brutal Panda</a> releases the record September 3.</p>(via <a contents="Pitchfork" data-link-label="" data-link-type="url" href="http://pitchfork.com/reviews/tracks/15843-helms-alee-not-dot/" target="_blank">Pitchfork</a>)Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36074792013-08-02T09:10:00-07:002022-03-24T06:53:22-07:00Helms Alee announces tour with Red Fang<img src="//media.tumblr.com/9d6cb86ec0ee53154aa98a7333928d74/tumblr_inline_mqxefohPnO1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p> </p>
<p><br><a href="helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> will be touring with <a href="http://redfang.net">Red Fang</a> in October.<br><br><b>RED FANG / HELMS ALEE 2013</b><br>10/9: Sacramento, CA @ Harlow’s<br>10/10: West Hollywood, CA @ The Troubadour<br>10/11: San Diego, CA @ Brick by Brick<br>10/12: Tucson, AZ @ The Rock<br>10/13: Albuquerque, NM @ Launchpad<br>10/14: Denver, CO @ Bluebird Theater<br>10/15: Salt Lake City, UT @ Urban Lounge<br>10/16: Boise, ID @ Neurolux<br>10/17: Spokane, WA @ The Center of Spokane<br>10/18: Bellingham, WA @ The Shakedown</p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36074132013-08-02T09:05:00-07:002022-07-14T07:51:13-07:00Helms Alee joins Sargent House<img src="//media.tumblr.com/9bbd1e1639ae81b06b07d78a4c08ff86/tumblr_inline_mqxbtlFWOF1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /><p></p><p><a href="helmsalee.net">Helms Alee</a> will now be managed by and will release their new album through <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/">Sargent House</a>. </p>Helms Aleetag:helmsalee.net,2005:Post/36074802013-07-02T09:10:00-07:002023-12-10T08:32:16-08:00Melvins name Helms Alee in their top 8 new bands that influence them<a href="http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/06/06/melvins-influences/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/8adc8346347dfeb5efc7c17186acf586/tumblr_inline_mnzkub91kt1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/06/06/melvins-influences/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/6be235fa7e19098f4b8756c041eac955/tumblr_inline_mnzkuibUhe1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a><br><a href="http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/06/06/melvins-influences/"><img src="//media.tumblr.com/9a8eb8cf05dcf717f3ead4d5e361d61c/tumblr_inline_mnzkvjzNZZ1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></a>
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<p>For thirty years, weirdo-metalers Buzz Osborne and Dale Crover of the <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/melvins/">Melvins</a> have been laying the groundwork for other bands and influencing countless musicians. Kurt Cobain, an early follower of the band, used Crover on the first <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/nirvana/">Nirvana</a> recordings. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/mastodon/">Mastodon</a> root their songs in the sludge-metal tone invented by the long running band, and even cover the Melvins’ jam, “The Bit” live. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/high-on-fire/">High on Fire</a>, who follow in the Melvins tradition of thick, powerful riffs, recorded a cover of the Melvins track “Oven.” Japanese sludge experimentalists <a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Boris">Boris</a> even named themselves after one of the Melvins heaviest drones. <a href="http://www.mtv.com/artists/fucked-up/">Fucked Up</a>’s Damian Abraham said “the Melvins were just a huge inspiration to us in the beginning” and name checked the band in the liner notes of <i>David Comes to Life</i>. That’s just the tip of the iceberg. But, the Melvins are constantly evolving, so the inspiration is not one-way street. Hive recently asked Osborne and Crover to name eight newer bands that are influencing <i><i>them.<br><br><a href="http://sargenthouse.com/Indian_Handcrafts">Helms Alee</a> made their list. </i></i></p><i><i><img src="//media.tumblr.com/a62d1c86b71f539df963577a989b96c3/tumblr_inline_mqxfisQ4Aq1qz4rgp.jpg" class="size_orig justify_inline border_" alt="image" /></i></i>
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<p><a href="http://www.mtvhive.com/2013/06/06/melvins-influences/">see full list here </a></p>Helms Alee