Helmet is an American alternative metal band formed in New York City in 1989 by vocalist and guitarist Page Hamilton. The band has undergone numerous lineup changes, with Hamilton remaining the only constant member. Since 2010, the lineup 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) through Amphetamine Reptile Records, the band signed with Interscope Records and released three albums for the label, including "Meantime" (1992), which became their most commercially successful release. The albums "Betty" (1994) and "Aftertaste" (1997) also received attention, although they did not achieve the same level of commercial success as "Meantime". Helmet disbanded in 1998 before reforming in 2004. Since then, the band has released the albums "Size Matters" (2004), "Monochrome" (2006), "Seeing Eye Dog" (2010), "Dead to the World" (2016), and "Left" (2023).
Helmet was formed in early 1989 by Page Hamilton after his departure from the alternative rock band Band of Susans, with whom he had recorded two albums. Hamilton, who had moved to New York to study jazz guitar at the Manhattan School of Music, recruited bassist Henry Bogdan, guitarist Peter Mengede and drummer John Stanier to form the band's first official lineup. The band's name originated from a misunderstanding involving Mengede's then-wife, Reyne Cuccuro, who suggested the Germanic name "Helmuth". Hamilton interpreted the name as referring to protective headgear and chose the anglicised spelling "Helmet". Other names considered included "Cry Ruth", "Poly Orchids", "Tuna Lorenzo" and "Froth Albumen".
Helmet attracted the attention of Tom Hazelmyer, guitarist of Halo of Flies, and signed with his label Amphetamine Reptile Records. The band released their first single, "Born Annoying", in 1989, followed by their debut studio album "Strap It On" in 1990. The album achieved significant underground success and sold more than 40,000 copies.
Following the success of "Strap It On", Helmet attracted interest from major record labels. In 1992, the band signed with Interscope Records and released "Meantime" later that year. The album was certified gold in the United States in 1994 and became Helmet's highest-selling album, with worldwide sales exceeding two million copies. The band toured extensively during this period, performing in North America, South America, Europe and Asia.
In 1993, Peter Mengede left the band following a contractual dispute and was replaced by Rob Echeverria, formerly of the hardcore punk band Rest in Pieces. Helmet collaborated with House of Pain on the song "Just Another Victim" for the soundtrack of the film "Judgment Night". The band's third studio album, "Betty", was released in 1994 and reached number 45 on the Billboard 200 chart. In 1995, Helmet appeared in the film "The Jerky Boys: The Movie", performing a cover of Black Sabbath's "Symptom of the Universe". Echeverria left the band after touring in support of "Betty" to join Biohazard.
Helmet recorded "Aftertaste" as a three-piece, with Hamilton, Bogdan and Stanier. Released in 1997, the album included the single "Exactly What You Wanted", which received moderate radio airplay. Guitarist Chris Traynor joined the band for the subsequent tour. Following internal disagreements, Helmet performed their final show of the initial period in Italy on 10 December 1997 and officially disbanded in November 1998.
After the breakup, Hamilton relocated to Los Angeles and worked on various musical projects, including performing guitar on recordings by David Bowie and contributing to film soundtracks with composer Elliot Goldenthal. He also worked on projects such as the soundtrack albums for "In Dreams" (1999) and "Titus" (1999).
In 2003, Hamilton began developing new material with Chris Traynor and drummer John Tempesta. Following discussions with Interscope Records, Hamilton decided to continue recording under the Helmet name despite the absence of original members Henry Bogdan and John Stanier. The reunited version of Helmet released "Size Matters" in 2004, featuring Hamilton, Traynor and Tempesta. Traynor contributed guitar and bass parts on the album, while Frank Bello and later Jeremy Chatelain performed bass during the supporting tour. Tempesta left the band in 2006 to join The Cult.
Helmet signed with Warcon Enterprises in 2006 and released "Monochrome" later that year. The album was recorded and co-produced by Wharton Tiers, who had previously worked on "Strap It On" and "Meantime". After further lineup changes, Hamilton recruited drummer Kyle Stevenson and bassist Jon Fuller. Guitarist Jimmy Thompson joined the band in 2006 before being replaced by Dan Beeman in 2008.
Helmet released their seventh studio album, "Seeing Eye Dog", on 7 September 2010. In 2012, the band embarked on the European "Meantime" anniversary tour, performing the album in its entirety. Peter Mengede briefly reunited with the band during a performance in Brisbane, Australia, as part of the anniversary celebrations.
On 28 October 2016, Helmet released their eighth studio album, "Dead to the World". The band continued touring internationally, including shows celebrating their 30th anniversary in 2019. In 2020, the anniversary tour continued with performances in New Zealand and Australia.
In 2019, Helmet began working on material for their ninth studio album. The single "Holiday" was released in August 2023 as the lead single from the album "Left", which was released on 10 November 2023.
In 2024, Helmet announced a series of tours in the United States and Europe, including performances marking the 30th anniversary of "Betty". A planned US tour with Local H was cancelled, and replacement dates were scheduled for 2025 with support from Slomosa, War on Women and Effusion 35. A South American tour followed in April and May 2025 with support from Debrix.
Full Wikipedia article: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Helmet_(band)
Studio albums
Strap It On (1990)
Meantime (1992)
Betty (1994)
Aftertaste (1997)
Size Matters (2004)
Monochrome (2006)
Seeing Eye Dog (2010)
Dead to the World (2016)
Left (2023)
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…shrink me down again