I recently had the pleasure of talking with Helix vocalist Brian Vollmer. Helix is one of my personal favorite bands, so talking with him is like a dream come true for me, and I am honored.
Here is the interview;
- Hi Brian. First off I just want to let you know that this is really an honor for me, because I'm a huge Helix fan. Thank you for taking your time to do this.
1. What influenced you to become a musician? How did you first get into music?
I was a loner as a kid. It was the only thing I did half decent and the thing that got me attention.
2. How did Helix come together?
I was in a high school band that entered a battle of the band's contest in Kitchener, Ontario. It was through that that I met the other guys that would eventually form the original Helix Field Band.
3. Helix was formed in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada, in 1974. You guys released two albums with H&S Records, but didn't hit it "big" until '83. What was it like trying to make it as a band in the early days?
It was a hard life but one that all our friends envied. We were rock n' roll gypsies and what we didn't make dollar-wise we more than made up for with "fringe benefits", if you get my drift.
4. Helix signed with their first major label, Capitol Records, and released "No Rest For The Wicked" in 1983. Tell me about that time.
We were signed to the U.S. label, unheard of at the time. Much of this time period was a blurr. I remember all the interviews, gigs, etc. but have a hard time remembering them in chronological order. To tell you everything that was going on during this period I would have to write a book-oh shit, I did! It's called "Gimme an R!" and can be obtained through the Planet Helix website.
5. One of the most well known Helix songs, "Heavy Metal Love", came off of that album. What went into creating that song?
It was a catch phrase I heard my father say a million times while leaning on the fence talking to our neighbours.
6. And in 1984, Helix returned with their most successful album to date, "Walkin' On The Razor's Edge"...which reached #69 on the Billboard Album Charts. Tell me about that album.
The album was recorded in Toronto but mixed in Atlanta, Georgia by Rodney Mills, famous for his work with 38 Special. We really had no idea it would be the huge hit that it was. It led to major touring in the U.S. with Quiot Riot and Whitesnake through 20,000 seat halls in the U.S. It was one of the most exciting summers of my life.
7. What was it like dealing with the success and how did you guys handle it?
Drugs. Booze. Woman.
8. Over the years, Helix has been apart of many big tours. Out of all those which is the most memorable to you and why? Who did you like touring with the most?
Our first tour of the U.S. with Motorhead. It was our first real taste of the U.S. and playing with Motorhead was something I'll never forget. The person I liked touring with the most however was Alice Cooper. A real gentleman and someone I idolilzed growing up in rock.
9. How did the change of the music scene in the 90's effect you as an artist? What was it like during that time?
I nearly ended up on the street during this period of my life. I was divorced, working at minimum wage jobs, and even got beat up one night while working in a convenience store. I thought they were going to kill me. It was a low point in my life, but it was also a good time from the perspective that it helped make me a strong person.
10. What are a few of your absolute favorite Helix songs to play live?
Baby Likes to Ride. Wild in the Streets.
11. What is the most memorable moment of your career?
It hasn't happened yet.
12. In 2004, Helix returned with the first new recording in years, titled, "Rockin' In My Outer Space". What was it like during that time, and did you go about it any differently than with previous albums?
During the 90's I was looking for people to write with. I didn't have much success. The "Rockin' In My Outer Space" CD was written with a couple of guys I played with in a weekend cover band. I decided not to try to gear the music any certain way-I just wanted everyone to write. It was an extremely slow process. "Power" was a completely different scenerio. With my new writing partners , Steve Georgakopoulos and Gord Prior, the last CD was written in 3 get togethers!
13. Just last year, Helix released a new album, called, "The Power Of Rock N' Roll". Released on Perris Records. Tell me about that album.
This is our best CD since NO REST FOR THE WICKED in my opinion. I'm extremely proud of the writing and production on this disc. Fans and radio seem to be of the same opinion.
14. Also on "The Power Of Rock N' Roll", there was a song called, "The Past Is Back(To Kick Your Ass!)". Where did the idea for that song come from? And one of my favorite new Helix songs came from that too, "Get Up!". It's just great party anthem. If you could, tell me about that one too.
The "Past is Back" was a phrase I took from the Hairball Radio Show, which is a huge classic rock/metal show on the internet. Originally Sebastian Bach was supposed to sing on the track, but he had a problem with the word "past". As for "Get Up!": We wrote that song at our very first get together. The song smokes live and fans already know the words and sing along whenever we play it.
15. What's on the horizon for Helix? Tour plans?
Most bands nowadays do "fly-ins". They play a Thursday to Saturday, either festivals or casinos. They'll fly in on a Thursday morning and out on the Sunday. We have dates like this all summer, most notably The South Texas Rock Festival in Bourne, Texas on July 13th. There should be about 30,000 fans at this gig.
-Again thank you for doing this interview. I am truly honored. I wish you and Helix all the best in the future!
Check out the Official Helix website;
http://planethelix.com/
And their Myspace page;
http://www.myspace.com/helixonmyspace