1. Funk Ass Jam
2. Ten Past Ten
3. Say you Say Love
4. Delusions
5. I Don’t Wanna Have To Lose You
6. Hey
7. Honest with You

Helter Skelter’s first song Funk Ass Jam was pretty much just that, a funk ass jam. A cruisey feel of rhythm and blues and some southern soul. Helter Skelter’s lead singer had been delayed, probably finishing up at happy hour down the pub, so the band started without him. The keyboardist took on the honours for a couple of songs after advising the audience to drink more before Ten Past Ten so we wouldn’t miss not having a lover. So we drank. Now that’s the blues - depression and sadness shared. A woeful lament about being alone at nights followed in the vein of Jimmy Reed’s Cry Before I Go. These are skilful musicians who know their stuff and can create the classic feel of the blues - only the mouth harp was missing - with some tongue-in-cheek lyrics to keep you amused. From really early blues artists like Bessie Smith to later John Lee Hooker and blues-rock revivalists in the 80's-90's and now (the Black Crowes, etc), there always seemed that touch of wry humour and self-deprecation in the lyrics. Adds balance to the drama, I guess.

Helter Skelter themselves seemed to be having a great time up on stage. I’m not educated enough to comment on the blues styles and traditions this band draws upon so you’d have to ask them about Mississippi Delta blues, Memphis blues, Chicago blues, electric blues, Swamp blues, California blues and Texas rock blues. I expect they’re a bit of everything.

The 4-piece became a 5-piece when the tardy guitarist/ singer Vince arrived offering the formal apology of ‘Yeah, I fucked up.’ Say You Say Love was a beautiful blues-rock mix with a ‘70’s-80’s purist U.S. Mid-West heartland, or even Californian, guitar rock vibe about it. There’s definitely no ‘red-neck’ conservative stuff mixed up in there- just the feel of now-mythic America, wide spaces, fun and free.

With another guitar added, the overall sound on Delusions was not only denser but altogether different in style. Vocals were fast and half-shouted, lyrics a bit offbeat and the sound definitely alternative but managing still to have rock elements.

I Don’t Wanna Have To Lose You was a beautiful song. Keyboardist Adrian’s more melodic vocal delivery suited the sincerity of the lyrics and the sound had a southern rock feel with exhilarating blues rock guitar work.

Lots of good ol’ fashioned rock ‘Yeah! Yeah! Yeahs’ on Hey and three loud guitars made you want to get on a Harley and ride forever through beautiful badlands, stopping at truckstops for beer, of course. I think the spirit of Steppenwolf biker music but mixed with sweeter, cooler, smarter Tom Petty and the Chili Peppers’ quieter moments. (Though, if you did attempt to find this kind of free America today, cops would probably pull you over, Tazer you and shoot you in the stomach.)

Set closer Honest With You was a return to a purer blues rock sound and featured some mean keyboard playing. This is when the audience really started jumpin’ and jivin’- with twirls n’ all. Now, y’all come back real soon now. Caleb, stop messin’ with them hogs, y’hear?

Helter Skelter’s music is excellent stuff. It seems they have very carefully selected their influences from everything cool about alternative rock, which all started with the blues. They have created their own eclectic new music that is all theirs, but the ghosts of past blues and rock artists and the echoes of their great times haunt this place too. It's both comforting to have reminders of these great traditions, alive and celebrated in bands like Helter Skelter, but heartwrenching to think of the real history that’s slipped away forever. BTW, why is this band named after a Beatles’ song?

Not two minutes after Helter Skelter left the stage, the UG’s usual suspects and diehard followers seemed in a rush to get the fuck out of The Cavern before the venues’ Saturday night cover band hit the stage with their Beyonce, Christina and Robbie renditions. As one erudite chap said, “I don’t even want to hear the originals, let alone covers of them.” And especially not after being spoilt by the likes of Pick Pak Zhai, The Ember, Bone Table and Helter Skelter. There’s just no comparison.
Isobel S. Saunders

Quote from Helter Skelter: "Underground is some parts good, some parts a little worse... but its 100% heart, soul and all about the music... now that kicks ass!"

Website: http://welcome.to/helterskelter