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Helen Love | |
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Background information | |
Genres | Pop punk, bubblegum pop, dance-rock, happy hardcore |
Years active | 1992–present |
Labels | Damaged Goods (1993–1997; 2001–2002) Ché Trading (1997–2000) Elefant Records (2005–2015) Alcopop! Records (2015–present) |
Members | Helen Love Sheena Ricardo Autobahn |
Past members | Roxy Mark Corrine Beth |
Helen Love are an indie band from Wales whose music is a combination of punk rock, bubblegum pop and disco dance music. The band was formed in 1992 by Helen Love (vocals, guitar) with Sheena (guitar, keyboards), Roxy (bass, drum machine), and Mark (keyboards). [1] Current members are Helen, Sheena and Ricardo Autobahn. [2]
Helen Love released only singles and EPs until 2000, when their debut studio album Love and Glitter, Hot Days and Music was released. They have since released three more studio albums, It's My Club and I'll Play What I Want To (2007, Elefant) and Day-Glo Dreams (2013, Elefant), and Smash Hits (2016, Alcopop! Records). [3] Damaged Goods released three compilations of tracks from the band's early singles and EPs, entitled Radio Hits (1994), Radio Hits 2 (1997) and Radio Hits 3 (2002).
The band have released recordings on many labels, including Damaged Goods, Che Trading, Sympathy for the Record Industry, Wurlizter Jukebox, Invicta Hi-Fi and Elefant Records. They are currently signed to Alcopop! records. [4]
The band was formed in 1992 by Helen Love (vocals, guitar) with Sheena (guitar, keyboards), Roxy (bass, drum machine), and Mark (keyboards). [1] Current members are Helen, Sheena and Ricardo Autobahn. [2]
The main thematic elements in their oeuvre are Joey Ramone, summer days and bubblegum music.[ citation needed ] Love claims only to listen to the music of the Ramones.[ citation needed ]
Helen Love released the album, It's My Club and I'll Play What I Want To, in the first week of November 2007 on Elefant Records in Spain and February 2008 in the UK.[ citation needed ]
Their lead singer also provided vocal tracks from "We Love You" for covers of their song, "Better Set Your Phasers to Stun", by American synthpop band Hyperbubble on their 2009 eponymous EP. The latter song later appeared on that band's Live in London album.[ citation needed ]
In 2013 they released the album Day-Glo Dreams. They supported this with their first gig since 2001 at the Indietracks festival, and then in November played at 100 Club for Damaged Goods 25th anniversary.[ citation needed ]
While none of their singles have reached the UK Top 40, Helen Love have developed a devoted cult following in indie circles, particularly at indie discos, with songs including "Long Live The UK Music Scene", "Shifty Disco Girl", "Does Your Heart Go Boom?", "We Love You", "Girl About Town", "Punk Boy" and "Debbie Loves Joey".
They recorded a session for John Peel in October 1997, and had three songs in his Festive Fifty. [5]
Their songs have also been covered by Ash, [1] The Queers, Katz and Tullycraft.
The band contributed a specially written song for the DVD release of Dave Gorman's Googlewhack Adventure . Gorman, a fan of the band, had previously played Helen Love songs to his audiences before he went on stage. Another big fan is Phill Jupitus, for whom the band composed the theme song for his Breakfast Show on BBC 6 Music.
Helen Love's second single was titled "(Sheena's In Love With) Joey Ramoney", a tribute to the band's favourite singer. A play on the Ramones' song "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker", the single was brought to Joey's attention by the UK branch of the Ramones fan club. [6] Joey subsequently invited the band to New York to play a gig. [6] [7]
Joey introduced the band's Evening Session on Radio 1, and duetted with Helen on the album version of "Punk Boy".
Helen provided backing vocals on the Joey Ramone album Don't Worry About Me , singing on the track "Mr. Punchy".
Year | Title | Tracks | Label | Cat. no. | Format/Notes |
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1994 | Radio Hits | Formula One Racing Girls Riding Hi Joey Ramoney Greatest Fan Punk Boy 1 Punk Boy 2 Love; Kiss; Run; Sing; Shout; Jump! Rollercoasting Rockaway Beach for Me, Heartbreak Hotel For You Summer Pop Radio So Hot Golden Summer | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD51 | CD and 1000 yellow glitter vinyl Compilation of the first three singles and the Summer Pop Punk Pop EP |
1997 | Radio Hits 2 | Bubblegum Let's Go Ahead of the Race Diet Coke Girl Beat Him Up Super Boy Super Girl Matthew Kaplan Superstar Il Fait Beau (unlisted on LP sleeve/label) We Love You Girl About Town We Love You (2) | DAMGOOD117 | CD and 1000 green glitter vinyl Compilation of the four 1995 singles, plus one previously unreleased track | |
2000 | Love & Glitter, Hot Days and Music | Shifty Disco Girl Jump Up and Down Atomic Beat Boy Who Stole The Starz 2000MPHgirl Love and Glitter, Hot Days and Musik Does Your Heart Go BOOOOOOOMM HappyHardCore BigBigKiss MC5 Punk Boy (with Joey Ramone) Better Set Your Phasers To Stun | Ché Trading | CHE87 | CD only |
2001 | Love & Glitter, Hot Days and Musik (Damaged Goods reissue) | As above, plus the following bonus tracks: Automatic Disco Club MC5 BigBigKiss Jump Up and Down | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD202 | CD + LP Bonus tracks taken from a 1999 New York radio session |
2002 | Radio Hits 3 | Does Your Heart Go Boom So In Love With You Yeah Yeah We're Helen Love Put Your Foot on the Fuzzbox, Baby Long Live The UK Music Scene Sunburst Super Kay Great in Formula One Shifty Disco Girl King of Kung Fu Leader of the Pack Jump Up and Down Atomic Beat Boy Big Pink Candyfloss Haircut Does Your Heart Go Boom (Cuban Boys "Emma Peel" Remix) Number One Fantastic Day | DAMGOOD203 | CD + LP Compilation of the Ché singles | |
2007 | It's My Club And I'll Play What I Want To | It's My Club Debbie loves Joey Dance on (Solid Gold) You Better Learn Karate The 1910 Fruitgum Company Transistor Radio (Radio) Jet First Boyfriend Rodney's English Disco Honolulu Superstar Garageband Queen Of The Discobeat Staying IN A New Squad Attacking Formation Junkshop Discothèque Saturday... NITE!!! | Elefant Records | ER-1129 | CD + LP |
2013 | Day-Glo Dreams | We Are All The Lo-Fi Kids Day-Glo Dreams Shy Girl My Imagination Spin Those Records Our Mum And Dad Atomic Don't Forget About This Town J.Pop You And Stacy Teenage Soap Opera | ER-1180 | CD + LP | |
2016 | Smash Hits | First Girl from Wales in New York We've Got a Formula One Team Thank You Polystyrene You Can't Beat a Boy Who Loves the Ramones Mario Kart Grand Prix Spaceboy! Yes We're in a Band That We Love Long Live the Modern Lovers Sheila B. Devotion No Hit Radio Belle of St. Mark Stardust and Glitter | Alcopop! | CD + LP | |
2020 | Power On [8] | Hold Your Hand Debbie Take Control Of The Stereo Jackie From The Estate Dead In My Head Top Of The Pop Chart Sandra Dee Power ON The MUSIC No 1 Star Leader Of The Band Wear Your Hair Long On My Own Summer POP | |||
2022 | This is my World | My Seaside Town Billy Liar |
Year | Single | B-side | Label | Cat. no. | Format/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1993 | Formula One Racing Girls | Riding Hi | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD18 | 7" only - 500 pink, black, then 250 red (reissue) |
Joey Ramoney | Greatest Fan | DAMGOOD27 | 7" only 500 green vinyl | ||
Happiest Time of the Year | Where's Me F*cking Presents (by Wat Tyler) | DAMPUD33 1/3 | split single; 7" greeny vinyl only | ||
1994 | Punk Boy | Punk Boy 2 | DAMGOOD38 | 7" only 500 pale blue, then black vinyl | |
1995 | Bubblegum | Let's Go | DAMGOOD61 | 7" 500 pink, then black vinyl | |
Ahead of the Race | Diet Coke Girl | DAMGOOD80 | CD + 7" 500 white, then black vinyl | ||
Beat Him Up | Super Boy Super Girl + Matthew Kaplan Superstar (cd only) | DAMGOOD89 | CD + 7" 500 pale blue, then black vinyl | ||
We Love You | Girl about town + We Love You (2) + Punk Boy | DAMGOOD95 | CD + 7" white + orange vinyl | ||
1997 | Does Your Heart Go Boom | So in Love with You + Yeah Yeah We're Helen Love + Put Yr Foot on the Fuzzbox Baby | Ché Trading | CHE72 | CD + 7" bubblegum pink vinyl, UK No. 71 [9] |
1998 | Long Live the UK Music Scene | Sunburst Super Kay + Great in Formula One | CHE82 | CD + 7", UK No. 65 [9] | |
2000 | Shifty Disco Girl | King of Kung Fu + Leader of the Pack | CHE89 | CD + 7" | |
Jump Up and Down Atomic Beat Boy | Big Pink Candyfloss Haircut | CHE90 | CD + 7" - double A-side | ||
2001 | Merry Christmas (I Don't Wanna Fight) | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD206 | One-sided 7" only. A cover of a Ramones song. | |
2004 | Debbie Loves Joey | Free download from helenlove.com | |||
2005 | Long Hot Summer | Long Hot Summer 2 Helen Love on 45 (a medley of Helen Love hits) | Invicta Hi-Fi | LIQ029 | CD + translucent orange 7" |
2006 | Junk Shop Discothèque | Debbie Loves Joey (Kid Karate remix) Shut Your Mouth | Elefant Records | ER-249 (vinyl) ER-363 (cd) | CD + baby pink 7" + Download |
2007 | It's My Club | Boots On + Jennifer Hanley | ER-370 | CD + Download | |
2009 | Calm Down Dad | John Peel Roadshow + Candeelips | ER-267 | Orange 7" + Download | |
2012 | And The Salvation Army Band Plays | And The Salvation Army Band Plays (Disco Mix) | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD410 | 7" + Download. With Ricardo Autobahn |
2013 | New Boy In Town | Television Generation | DAMGOOD423 | 7" Picture Disc | |
Atomic | A Giant Kiss + Judy Don't Dance | Elefant Records | ER-D028 | Download | |
Hark The Herald Angels Sing | ER-D034 | Free download from elefant.com | |||
2014 | Pogo Pogo | Make Up, Break Up + Red Light + Julie's Got A New 7 Inch Single | ER-328 | Red 7" + Download | |
Pogo Pogo (Ricardo Autobahn Italo Disco Remix) | ER-D047 | Free download from elefant.com | |||
Where Dylan Thomas Talks To Me | ER-D051 | Free download from elefant.com | |||
2015 | You Can't Beat a Boy Who Loves the Ramones | You Can't Beat a Boy Who Loves the Ramones (Ricardo Autobahn 80s Remix) | POST/POP Records | PXP035 (Cassette) | Cassette + Download |
The Townhall Band | Alcopop! Records | Download | |||
2016 | A Boy From Wales Called Gareth Bale | Download | |||
2018 | Double Denim | Square clear 7" | |||
Year | Title | Tracks | Label | Cat. no. | Format/Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1994 | Summer Pop Punk Pop EP | Love; Kiss; Run; Sing; Shout; Jump! Rollercoasting Rockaway Beach for Me, Heartbreak Hotel For You Summer Pop Radio So Hot Golden Summer | Damaged Goods | DAMGOOD42 | 10" only 500 pink vinyl |
2000 | [Helen Love vs The Cuban Boys] Does Your Heart Go Boom remixes | "Emma Peel" "Tea Leoni" "John Peel" "Juliette Binoche" | Ché Trading | CHE88 | one-sided 12" only. |
2005 | The Bubblegum Killers EP | Debbie Loves Joey Saturday Night Kicks A Boy Like You Better Pop Your Bubblegum [cd only] (The Continuing Adventures of) The Girl About Town wigwambam [cd only] | Sympathy for the Record Industry | SFTRI751 | CD + bubblegum pink 7" |
Jeffrey Ross Hyman, known professionally as Joey Ramone, was an American singer, songwriter, and the lead vocalist and founding member of the punk rock band Ramones. Having co-founded the Ramones with Johnny Ramone and Dee Dee Ramone in 1974, his image, voice, and tenure with the Ramones made him a countercultural icon.
Rocket to Russia is the third studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, and was released on November 4, 1977, through Sire Records. It is the band's last album to feature original drummer Tommy Ramone, who left the band in 1978 to focus on production. The album's origins date back to the summer of 1977, when "Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" was released as a single. That summer was known as the peak of the punk rock genre since many punk bands were offered recording contracts. The album's recording began in August 1977, and the band had a considerably larger budget with Sire allowing them between $25,000 and $30,000; much of this money went toward the album's production rather than recording.
Ramones is the debut studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released on April 23, 1976, by Sire Records. After Hit Parader editor Lisa Robinson saw the band at a gig in New York City, she wrote several articles about the group and asked Danny Fields to be their manager. Fields agreed and convinced Craig Leon to produce Ramones, and the band recorded a demo for prospective record labels. Leon persuaded Sire president Seymour Stein to listen to the band perform, and he later offered the band a recording contract. The Ramones began recording in January 1976, needing only seven days and $6,400 to record the album.
End of the Century is the fifth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released on February 4, 1980, through Sire Records. The album was the band's first to be produced by Phil Spector, though he had offered the band his assistance earlier in their career. With Spector fully producing the album, it was the first release that excluded original member Tommy Ramone, who had left the band in 1978 but had produced their previous album Road to Ruin. Spector used more advanced standards of engineering, such as high-quality overdubbing and echo chambers. These painstaking methods caused conflict between the band and Spector since the Ramones were accustomed to a quicker recording process. Spector emphasized the production value as well, working with a budget of around $200,000, far exceeding their earlier album sessions.
Pleasant Dreams is the sixth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released on July 20, 1981, through Sire Records. While the band members wanted Steve Lillywhite to produce, Sire chose Graham Gouldman in an attempt to gain popularity through a well-known producer. The recording process brought about many conflicts between band members, most notably the strife between Joey Ramone and Johnny Ramone, due to Johnny starting a relationship with Joey's girlfriend. There were also disputes about the overall direction of the album, with Johnny leaning towards hard rock and Joey towards pop punk. Ultimately, the album incorporated high production values and varying musical styles, straying from traditional punk rock on songs such as "We Want the Airwaves", "She's a Sensation" and "Come On Now". It is the first Ramones album not to feature any cover songs.
Leave Home is the second studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released on January 10, 1977, through Sire Records, with the expanded CD being released through Rhino Entertainment on June 19, 2001. Songs on the album were written immediately after the band's first album's writing process, which demonstrated the band's progression. The album had a higher production value than their debut Ramones and featured faster tempos. The front photo was taken by Moshe Brakha and the back cover, which would become the band's logo, was designed by Arturo Vega. The album spawned three singles, but only one succeeded in charting. It was also promoted with several tour dates in the United States and Europe.
Halfway to Sanity is the 10th studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, and their last album to feature drummer Richie Ramone. It was produced by Daniel Rey and released on September 15, 1987, by Sire Records. Recording sessions began that April at Intergalactic Studios in New York City, with the band recording instruments before vocals in order to learn songs more quickly. It fared well on charts outside the United States, but peaked at No. 172 on the Billboard 200.
Too Tough to Die is the eighth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones. It was released on October 1, 1984, and is the first Ramones record to feature Richie Ramone on drums. With ex-member Tommy Ramone producing, the recording process was similar to that of the band's 1976 self-titled debut album. Likewise, the record's style—both lyrically and compositionally—saw the band returning to their roots. The photograph on the album cover, which features silhouettes of the band members, resulted from a "lucky accident" after photographer George DuBose's camera malfunctioned.
Mondo Bizarro is the twelfth studio album by American punk rock band Ramones, released on September 1, 1992, by Radioactive Records. It is the first studio album to feature their new bassist, C.J. Ramone, who replaced original member Dee Dee Ramone. The album was re-released in the UK by the Captain Oi! record label on August 10, 2004, with the band's cover of the Spider-Man theme song included as a bonus track.
Animal Boy is the ninth studio album by the American punk rock band Ramones, released through Sire Records on May 19, 1986. Due to conflicts within the group, the album features less of lead singer Joey Ramone, both in performing and writing, and less performing from guitarist Johnny Ramone. Bassist Dee Dee Ramone wrote and sang more on this album than on previous albums, and Richie Ramone became the first drummer to write songs for the band since Tommy Ramone, the band's original drummer. Richie also wrote for Too Tough To Die (1984). The album spawned four singles, all of which charted on the UK Singles Chart, as well as other charts. In addition to singles, the band promoted their album using a music video for "Something to Believe In", which parodied the contemporary benefit concerts Live Aid and Hands Across America.
"Rockaway Beach" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, released in 1977 from the band's third studio album Rocket to Russia. The song was written by bassist Dee Dee Ramone in the style of the Beach Boys and early surf rock bands. The song is about Rockaway Beach in Queens, where Dee Dee liked to spend time. Guitarist Johnny Ramone claimed that Dee Dee was "the only real beachgoer" in the group. Released in 1977, it was the Ramones' highest-charting single in their career, peaking at number 66 on the Billboard Hot 100.
Ramones Mania is the first greatest hits album by the American punk rock band the Ramones. It was released on May 31, 1988 through Sire Records and consists of 30 Ramones songs, including some single versions, a single B-side and one previously unreleased take.
"Sheena Is a Punk Rocker" is a song by American punk rock band Ramones, released in 1977 through Sire Records. Written by front man and lead vocalist Joey Ramone it appears on the band's third studio album Rocket to Russia (1977). The song is well known for its early 1960s influence of surf rock and bubblegum pop that influenced Joey; it has since remained one of the band's most popular songs.
Gabba is a London-based British tribute band performing ABBA songs in the stripped down punk style of the Ramones, a style of pop punk they dubbed discopunk and claim to have invented. They formed in 1996 and took their name in 1999. They have released one album as of 2006.
Greatest Hits Live is the third live album by the punk rock band the Ramones. It was released in 1996 on Radioactive Records.
John Matthews, better known by his stage name Ricardo Autobahn, is an English producer, songwriter and musician. He is also known in collaborations with Daz Sampson as in Rikki & Daz and the projects like Barndance Boys, Cuban Boys, and his current project Spray.
"Poison Heart" is a song by the punk rock band Ramones. Written by Dee Dee Ramone, who had retired as their longtime bassist in 1989 but still wrote songs for the band. "Poison Heart" was included on the 1992 album Mondo Bizarro and was also released as a single. The song was given to the band by Dee Dee in exchange for bailing him out of jail and has a slower tempo than typical Ramones songs.
Youth Gone Mad featuring Dee Dee Ramone is a collaboration studio album by the American punk band the Youth Gone Mad featuring Ramones bassist Dee Dee Ramone. It was released on December 31, 2002. This is known to contain Dee Dee's final studio recordings before his death in June 2002. Originally issued as a 12" picture disc LP by tREND iS dEAD! records, the vinyl featured paintings by Dee Dee and Youth Gone Mad frontman Paul Kostabi on both sides and the insert. The album was remastered and released on compact disc by the same record label in 2003. A standard vinyl LP edition with different artwork was released in Germany by Wanker Records, also in 2003.
The Ramones were an American punk rock band formed in the New York City neighborhood Forest Hills, Queens in 1974. Known for helping establish the punk movement in the United States and elsewhere, the Ramones are often cited as the first true punk rock band. Although they never achieved significant commercial success, the band is seen today as highly influential in punk culture.
Better Set Your Phasers to Stun is a 2009 EP by the American synthpop/electropop group Hyperbubble. The recording was in collaboration with the Welsh band Helen Love. The title tracks cover Love's 2000 song with the Star Trek reference. The cover art furnished images of the series' signature phaser weapon.