Helmet for Hump Day Lunch – recorded at Ogden Theatre in Denver on November 28, 1998.
In keeping with our policy of giving you maximum exposure to your culture every day, no matter what, here is a dose of Alternative Metal by way of Helmet, as they sounded at the Ogden Theatre in Denver in 1994.
Helmet formed in 1989 by vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton. They have had numerous lineup changes with Hamilton as the only constant member. Since 2010, the band has consisted of Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case.
Helmet has released nine studio albums and two compilation albums. After releasing their debut album, Strap It On (1990), on Amphetamine Reptile, Helmet signed to Interscope Records and released three albums for the label, including the highly successful Meantime (1992). Their next two albums ― Betty (1994) and Aftertaste (1997) ― were also successful, but did not match the critical or popular acclaim of Meantime. Helmet broke up in 1998, but reformed in 2004, and has since released five more albums ― Size Matters (2004), Monochrome (2006), Seeing Eye Dog (2010), Dead to the World (2016), Left (2023), and their latest, Move On (2024).
Before Hamilton had settled on a name, the guitarist Peter Mengede’s then-wife Reyne Cuccuro suggested the Germanic name “Helmuth“. Hamilton misinterpreted her and mistakenly believed that she was referring to the form of protective gear. Hamilton then thought excitedly that Helmet had “sounded like a pretty cool name for a band” and opted for the Anglicized spelling. Other names taken in consideration were “Cry Ruth” and “Poly Orchids”, along with the more esoteric and obscure “Tuna Lorenzo” and “Froth Albumen”.
The New York Times called Helmet “a band that made important connections between indie-rock and metal.” Helmet have been cited as an influence by a number of key nu metal and industrial metal bands, including Limp Bizkit, Papa Roach, and Fear Factory. Musician Mike Patton has also cited Helmet as having a significant influence on his solo career; with original drummer John Stanier and Patton having played together in Tomahawk. Helmet is considered a major influence on nu-metal, with the band’s use of drop tuning influencing many in the genre. Hamilton, displeased with this connection, said in 2011 “it’s frustrating that people write [us] off because we’re affiliated with or credited with or discredited with creating nu-metal and rap metal or whatever the fuck it is, which we sound nothing like.” Despite this, Hamilton would later collaborate with nu metal bands Linkin Park and P.O.D.
Thanks Wikipedia for the rundown – if you’re not familiar, you are now – and if you are familiar, you’ve skipped this anyway.
Press Play and dive in.
