There is no mistaking the power of New York City’s
Helmet, the now-legendary heavy outfit fronted by its lone
original member, guitarist-vocalist Page Hamilton, and featuring a constantly
revolving cast of other members. This in-flux line-up has never been a problem
for Page, as I’ve seen Helmet three times now and his attack is still intact.
The band’s amazing set at Warped Tour a few years back soared skyward as the
band pummeled the kids along with the older punk fans (both older fans, and
fans of older punk) with its beautiful brutality. However, the band’s Water
Street Music Hall show this past Saturday
shook the walls, leaving the fairly large crowd nowhere to hide — we all needed
helmets.
It amazes me that even after all these years (the band formed in 1989),
Helmet stands alone in its “thinking man’s metal” proto-grunge, dropped-tune
mayhem. But honestly, Helmet is brilliant and untouchable. Opening the show was
a band to watch, Anchorage,
Nebraska, from Rochester
(I know, it’s confusing). Anchorage
is bringing back grunge’s disenfranchised sound and stance to clubs here in
town. It’s way raunchy and cool.
The John Cole Blues Band played to an oddly modest crowd at
the Dinosaur later that night. With my ears still ringing from Helmet’s
onslaught, I was soothed by Cole’s soulful voice and his terse, simple picking
style on his old Jazzmaster. He makes it sound so easy. I assure you, it is
not. Whereas a lot of blues players create flurries around the notes that
matter, cluttering them with flash and fluff, Cole trims the fat as he cooks —
but the sizzle remains. Phoenix, Arizona-based Tom Grills (brother of locally based slinger Steve Grills) joined Cole on stage for a
little back and forth and boogie. Again, it was cool.
This article appears in Aug 1-7, 2012.
