From: djm@progress.COM (Dave McMahon)
Subject: Re: HELMET(re: Godflesh expectations 
Organization: Progress Software Corp.
Date: Tue, 21 Jul 1992 16:39:34 GMT

dmanning@odin.unomaha.edu (David Manning) writes:

>aakhan@wsuhub.uc.twsu.edu writes:

>Not to sound pompous, but maybe you're missing the point. Helmet *is*      
>noisecore (or whatever you want to call it), but it's structured, analytical.
>You can tell Page Hamilton and friends are devotees of the Glen Branca and
>Robert Fripp -- and that's good! Obviously, this style doesn't work for 
>everyone, but it works for Helmet. Godflesh, for example, isn't about
>precision, but power, noise, and 'loose' emotion. Helmet is *accurate*.

>Take another listen, but focus on the precision. How do you take three 
>guitars and make them that integrated? It's fantastic. :-)

For any of you into Helmet, you should know why Page is as *accurate* as he is.
Page was in a little known band from NY that's been around for years called
*Band of Susans*.  He worked with Robert Poss, the bands main writer, for a
few years (maybe longer) and developed his powerful style of noise held 
VERY tightly together with a collage of guitars so sharp you'd think you're
listening to a symphony.  It's intense and beautiful work from the hands of 
Page and the influence of Bob Poss and *Band of Susans*.

I saw *Band of Susans* play here in Boston with the Mekons at the end of May.
I met Bob that night after listening in awe as his band delivered a non-stop
orgasm of intricate noise.  Less grungy than Helmet, *Band of Susans* surrounds
you with well placed, "structured" noise that tickles your entire body until
you just can't help but grin ear to ear as the deep underlying melodies consume
you.  Brilliance, sheer, brilliance.

As a fan of Helmet for over a year now, and after seeing *Band of Susans* and
their obvious influence on Page and the band, I was very much looking forward to
seeing Helmet on July 14th.  An ALL AGES show in which the median age was 16.
There was MUCH thrashing and stage diving as one would imagine, but I found
myself a relatively calm place up against the stage off to one side.

Better than I expected.  If you like a GOOD noise band, you'll be VERY 
impressed by Helmet.  Granted, there are elements of Helmet that would lead 
some to belive that they're trying for that 'Nirvana' thang, but none the less,
they're still a tight band that delivers a finly honed wall of grungy, bouncy
noise.

I talked with Page for a little while after the show.  I've heard interviews
where he has praised Bob Poss for all his help and influence over the years,
and I wanted to hear it straight from the horses mouth.  Page is not only a very
competent performer and artist but a genuine person. In talking with Page about 
his history when he was in *Band of Susans*, Page had nothing but praise
for Bob Poss and *Band of Susans*.  As a matter of fact, he mentioned that
Helmet might tour with *Band of Susans* next time around.  That will be a joy.

*Band of Susans* is one of the most publicly under-rated bands I know of.  
Request them on your radio and buy them at your record stores!

Damn, I wish I could write better.  Band of Susans and Helmet deserve a much
better review.  Anybody else have any comments?

later
dave.
--
|~) | |  /   | |   -FOR FUHRER '92-    || "Most of my heroes don't appear on no
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