The Helio Sequence
Encyclopedia
The Helio Sequence is an American alternative rock band. They are a duo from Beaverton, OR, a suburb of Portland, OR signed to label Sub Pop
. Their music environments are optimistic and uplifting with a dash of psychedelic. The band was formed in 1999 in Beaverton, Oregon
, a suburb of Portland, Oregon
, and consists of Brandon Summers on Vocals/ Guitars and Benjamin Weikel on Drums/ Keyboards (who has also played for Modest Mouse
on Drums). The band produces an eccentric brand of indie rock mixed with electronic elements. To date, they have released two albums on Sub Pop, two on the Portland-based label Cavity Search
and a self-released EP. Their fourth album, entitled 'Keep Your Eyes Ahead
', was released on January 29, 2008, by Sub Pop.
The Helio Sequence toured with the British band Keane through the U.S.A. and in June, 2010 they were Keane's support act in several gigs through Great Britain during the British band's Night Train Tour
.
, Summers is responsible for the lyrics
, lead vocals, guitar, and shares production credits with Weikel. Prior to the release of their 2008 album Keep Your Eyes Ahead
, Summers lost his voice, but he regained it before their newest release. The band's sound evolved on Keep Your Eyes Ahead
, due in part to Summers damaging his vocal cords and then relearning to sing. On prior albums he can be heard also playing the harmonica
like on several tracks from their 2004 release, Love and Distance
.
Sub Pop
Sub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
. Their music environments are optimistic and uplifting with a dash of psychedelic. The band was formed in 1999 in Beaverton, Oregon
Beaverton, Oregon
Beaverton is a city in Washington County, Oregon, United States, seven miles west of Portland in the Tualatin River Valley.As of the 2010 census, the population is 90,267. This makes it the second-largest city in the county and Oregon's sixth-largest city...
, a suburb of Portland, Oregon
Portland, Oregon
Portland is a city located in the Pacific Northwest, near the confluence of the Willamette and Columbia rivers in the U.S. state of Oregon. As of the 2010 Census, it had a population of 583,776, making it the 29th most populous city in the United States...
, and consists of Brandon Summers on Vocals/ Guitars and Benjamin Weikel on Drums/ Keyboards (who has also played for Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse
Modest Mouse is an American indie rock band formed in 1993 in Issaquah, Washington, by singer/lyricist/guitarist Isaac Brock, drummer Jeremiah Green, and bassist Eric Judy. They are based in Portland, Oregon. Since their 1996 debut album, This Is a Long Drive for Someone with Nothing to Think...
on Drums). The band produces an eccentric brand of indie rock mixed with electronic elements. To date, they have released two albums on Sub Pop, two on the Portland-based label Cavity Search
Cavity Search Records
Cavity Search Records is a record label based in Portland, Oregon formed in 1992 by Christopher Cooper and Denny Swofford. Its roster includes such artists as The Helio Sequence and Pete Krebs, but is most notable for releasing Elliott Smith's debut album, Roman Candle.-Artists:*Atomic 61*Danny...
and a self-released EP. Their fourth album, entitled 'Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead is the fourth album from Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on January 29, 2008 by Sub Pop Records. The track "You Can Come To Me" samples sound effects from Super Mario Bros...
', was released on January 29, 2008, by Sub Pop.
The Helio Sequence toured with the British band Keane through the U.S.A. and in June, 2010 they were Keane's support act in several gigs through Great Britain during the British band's Night Train Tour
Night Train Tour
The Night Train Tour was the fourth tour given by the British Band Keane, following the launch of the EP Night Train.It started with a performance at The Fridge in Brixton, London and was followed with a series of sold-out shows in the English Forests. This was followed with shows at Festivals in...
.
Brandon Summers
According to the CD booklet of Helio Sequence's album from 2000, Com PlexCom Plex
Com Plex is the first full length album by indie rock band The Helio Sequence. It was released September 5, 2000 on Cavity Search Records...
, Summers is responsible for the lyrics
Lyrics
Lyrics are a set of words that make up a song. The writer of lyrics is a lyricist or lyrist. The meaning of lyrics can either be explicit or implicit. Some lyrics are abstract, almost unintelligible, and, in such cases, their explication emphasizes form, articulation, meter, and symmetry of...
, lead vocals, guitar, and shares production credits with Weikel. Prior to the release of their 2008 album Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead is the fourth album from Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on January 29, 2008 by Sub Pop Records. The track "You Can Come To Me" samples sound effects from Super Mario Bros...
, Summers lost his voice, but he regained it before their newest release. The band's sound evolved on Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead
Keep Your Eyes Ahead is the fourth album from Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on January 29, 2008 by Sub Pop Records. The track "You Can Come To Me" samples sound effects from Super Mario Bros...
, due in part to Summers damaging his vocal cords and then relearning to sing. On prior albums he can be heard also playing the harmonica
Harmonica
The harmonica, also called harp, French harp, blues harp, and mouth organ, is a free reed wind instrument used primarily in blues and American folk music, jazz, country, and rock and roll. It is played by blowing air into it or drawing air out by placing lips over individual holes or multiple holes...
like on several tracks from their 2004 release, Love and Distance
Love and Distance
Love and Distance is the third release from the Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on June 8, 2004 by Sub Pop Records.-Track listing:#"Harmonica Song" – 5:50#"Repeater" – 4:22#"Don't Look Away" – 4:11#"Let It Fall Apart" – 4:57...
.
Discography
- Accelerated Slow Motion Cinema (EP) (1999)
- Com PlexCom PlexCom Plex is the first full length album by indie rock band The Helio Sequence. It was released September 5, 2000 on Cavity Search Records...
(2000) - Young EffectualsYoung EffectualsYoung Effectuals is the second release from the Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on October 9, 2001 by Cavity Search Records...
(2001) - Love and DistanceLove and DistanceLove and Distance is the third release from the Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on June 8, 2004 by Sub Pop Records.-Track listing:#"Harmonica Song" – 5:50#"Repeater" – 4:22#"Don't Look Away" – 4:11#"Let It Fall Apart" – 4:57...
(2004) - Keep Your Eyes AheadKeep Your Eyes AheadKeep Your Eyes Ahead is the fourth album from Portland-based band The Helio Sequence. It was released on January 29, 2008 by Sub Pop Records. The track "You Can Come To Me" samples sound effects from Super Mario Bros...
(2008) - Heliomena "Converter" (split 7" with MenomenaMenomenaMenomena are an indie rock band from Portland, Oregon, United States; currently made up of Justin Harris, Danny Seim and more recently Joe Haege of 31Knots and Tu Fawning...
) (2010)
External links
- The Helio Sequence at Sub PopSub PopSub Pop is a record label founded in 1986 by Bruce Pavitt and Jonathan Poneman in Seattle, Washington. Sub Pop achieved fame in the late 1980s for first signing Nirvana, Soundgarden, Mudhoney and many other bands from the Seattle music scene...
- 2007 The Helio Sequence Interview at Bandega.com
- The Helio Sequence Interview at groundcontrolmag.com (2/2008)