Seattle's phoenix, Unnatural Helpers, to release with Hardly Art
April 23rd, 2009
Unnatural Helpers are a giant spoonful of Seattle rocker stew. The end result of the heavy gravitational pull of like-minded musicians mixing and co-mingling with each other through the local scene. How the Helpers came to be as a static entity is a little bewildering…
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They are centered by drummer/singer Dean Whitmore who has been in one band incarnation after the next looking for the right chemistry. He has drummed with the likes of Welcome, Mars Accelerator and The Intelligence from which he has teased out bits and pieces as a stockpile of material and a template for what would eventually come to be.
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Early days of the Unnatural Helpers saw a revolving door of members including Lars Finberg, also of The Intelligence, and often band-mate Mike Wurn, among with other Seattle cornerstones such as guitarist Jesse Steinchen, the Lights’ PJ Rogalski, and Kinski’s Chris Martin. An album was released (self-titled), local press paid attention and a legion of fans formed but even still, this was not to be the final embodiment of the band.
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Incredibly today, an entirely new manifestation of the Unnatural Helpers has emerged playing more of the catchy, guitar-heavy punk that has thrilled NW music freaks. The line-up now includes Kimberly Morrison (Dutchess & the Duke) on bass, and Brian Standeford (Idle Times, Catheters, Tall Birds) Leo Gephardt (Catheters, Tall Birds) on guitars and of course Dean on durms/vocals.
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Recognising the explosive potential of this combination, local sprouting label, Hardly Art has gone a’courtin’ and slid quietly into bed with Unnatural Helpers to release a new full-legnth. The band is currently plotting out a plan for recording, and we will of course keep you informed as more concrete details come in. In the meantime continue past the break to hear some of what they’ve got to offer or check out their myspace
May 3rd, 2009 at 11:12 am
LB said:
Haven’t seen these guys live yet, but their sound has piqued my interest. Hardly Art just keeps improving their roster.
May 3rd, 2009 at 10:50 pm
Chris Morales said:
I cant agree more LB. Hardly Art is playing out some good hands. These recording have almost Replacements meets pixies characteristics with brilliant distortion on those guitars. I would love to see what someone like Steve Albini could do with this.
May 4th, 2009 at 6:38 pm
Chris Craig said:
Yep. They’re good. Almost an early post-punk B-52′s style vocal delivery with sinfully low-fi distortion. Agreed it needs Albini’s drum treatment i.e. Surfer Rosa era Pixies or In Utero Nirvana. Maybe the best stuff I’ve heard in a while. At least in terms of harder rock.
May 5th, 2009 at 11:26 am
chris morales said:
the surprising thing about Steve Albini is… he is not expensive and, if we likes the project, will record just about anything.
I have a lot of friends who have recorded with Steve. The guy is the last proper bastion for 2 inch reels with drum recordings.
September 15th, 2009 at 9:13 am
Seattle Subsonic » Monotonix, Black Eyes and Neck Ties & Unnatural Helpers to tear down Neumos and we have free tix!notonixtonixpersmono : Seattle's Music Blog said:
[...] . Up next is Seattle underground superband Unnatural Helpers. An ever evolving guitar-heavy punk consortium of our most talented musicians lead by Dean Whitmore. The music delivers full impressive sound for such incredibly minimalist, lo-fi riffs. The line-up currently includes Kimberly Morrison (Dutchess & the Duke) on bass, and Brian Standeford (Idle Times, Catheters, Tall Birds) Leo Gephardt (Catheters, Tall Birds) on guitars and of course Dean on durms/vocals. It’s like watching the all-star game of Seattle Music. See more of what we have to say about UH here. [...]
September 18th, 2009 at 12:26 pm
Seattle Subsonic » Monotonix, Unnatural Helpers & Black Eyes and Neckties at Neumos : Seattle's Music Blog said:
[...] . Up next is Seattle underground superband Unnatural Helpers. An ever evolving guitar-heavy punk consortium of our most talented musicians lead by Dean Whitmore. The music delivers full impressive sound for such incredibly minimalist, lo-fi riffs. The line-up currently includes Kimberly Morrison (Dutchess & the Duke) on bass, and Brian Standeford (Idle Times, Catheters, Tall Birds) Leo Gephardt (Catheters, Tall Birds) on guitars and of course Dean on durms/vocals. It’s like watching the all-star game of Seattle Music. See more of what we have to say about UH here. [...]
May 31st, 2011 at 11:55 am
Leo gephardt | Attackonhold said:
[...] Seattle Subsonic » Seattle’s phoenix, Unnatural Helpers, toThe line-up now includes Kimberly Morrison (Dutchess & the Duke) on bass, and Brian Standeford (Idle Times, Catheters, Tall Birds) Leo Gephardt (Catheters, Tall Birds) on guitars and of course Dean on durms/vocals. [...]