Helium: Biography

• Overview
• Discography
• Biography
• Related Artists

• Videos
• Photos
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• Fan Sites

• Gorky's Zygotic Mynci
• The Apples in Stereo
• PJ Harvey
• Guided by Voices
• Cat Power
• Syrup USA
• Pavement

• J Mascis
• The Breeders
• Pixies
• Sonic Youth

• Keren Ann
• Olivelawn
• Wet Confetti
• Pit Er Pat
• Hearts of Palm UK
• The Mysterious Poufs

• Mind Science of the Mind
• Autoclave
• Shelf Life
• Polvo
• Mary Timony
• The 6ths
• Libraness

Formed:

Jan 1, 1992 in Boston, MA

Genres:

Rock Music, Alternative Rock Music

Decades Active:

1990's

Artistic Quality

Low

Cultural Impact

Low

Ratings Guide

Helium is essentially the project of Mary Timony, formerly of the girl punk band Autoclave. Helium formed in 1992 with Brian Dunton on bass and Shawn King Devlin and started releasing 7"s like 1993's The American Jean. 1994 saw the band release the Pirate Prude EP, an interesting but somewhat inaccessible exercise in mixing radical feminism with punk rock. The Dirt of Luck, released in 1995, was an improvement and embellishment of the sound laid forth in Pirate Prude: Heavy, sluggish guitars, spooky keyboards, and Timony's breathy alto laid over an understated rhythm section. That year, Polvo's Ash Bowie also joined the lineup, replacing Dunton on bass. In 1997, the group returned with the No Guitars EP. Helium is a challenging listen but also a rewarding one.

- Heather Phares, All Music Guide