Page 10 - ISSUE 19

PAGE 10 ROCKNATION ISSUE 19

Interview with Brian Vollmer from
HELIX by Tom Mathers.

For more band information visit:

www.planethelix.com

The biggest heavy metal band in Canadian history! With a catalogue of music that spans a history
of over 30 years. With 5 gold and 2 platinum albums under their belt and millions of records sold
around the world. Helix was formed in 1974 in Kitchener, Ontario, Canada. Helix have toured with
bands such as KISS, Aerosmith, Rush, Motley Crue, Alice Cooper, Whitesnake, Night Ranger, Heart,
Quiet Riot, W.A.S. P., Ian Gillan, and Motorhead among others.

Rocknation: Hello Brian Vollmer of HELIX and welcome to who produces The Tragically Hip, had arranged for me to meet
Rocknation. Your latest release was a Best of 1983-2012 CD. with the Who’s Army singer and talk to him about vocal lessons.
Please tell us how you picked the tracks and what new tracks I teach the old Italian method of singing called “Bel Canto” or
are on this? “Beautiful Voice”. We were to meet at a restaurant but I didn’t
Brian: I picked the tracks on how much I liked the songs want to get there too early...I was down in Toronto anyway
myself. I tried to also include the hits (Heavy Metal Love, Rock writing with Sean Kelly, and we had just ended off one of our 3
You, Deep Cuts the Knife, Wild in the Streets, etc). Many of the hour writing sessions. As I waited to go to my next appointment
previously released “Best of” Helix CDs were all composed of with the Who’s Army lead singer and was hanging out by the
songs from the Capitol/E.M.I catalogue, where as this CD picks front door of Sean’s house, we came up with the idea for ALL I
many songs from Helix’s extensive indie collection. Songs like WANT FOR CHRISTMAS IS THE LEAFS TO WIN THE CUP and
The Same Room, Danger Zone, The Animal Inside, Get Up! and basically wrote the song in 15 minutes. The song was recorded
Make ‘em Dance. a couple of weeks later and released September 1st/2012 to Ca-
Rocknation: Please tell us about the new track “All I Want for nadian radio. We immediately were interviewed by Scott Laugh-
Christmas is the Leafs to Win the Cup” and how the fans lin for Sirius/XM radio’s NHL Center Ice, TSN by Michael
reacted to it. Richards, Rudy Blair of 680 News in Toronto (with Canada’s
Brian: Sean Kelly and I had wanted to write a Maple Leaf’s song largest listening audience) and by Joe Warmington for the Sun
for a couple of years now. (we’re both fans). In November, TV News Network. Unfortunately, the NHL went on strike, but
2011, after we returned from playing in Sweden and Finland, I even so the video for the song is up over 12,000 hits on Youtube
was on a Canadian TV show called “Cover Me Canada” as the with no push whatsover...Unlike other “normal” releases by
mentor to Melanie Morgan. Melanie came in second to a band bands, this song will be a Christmas staple until the Maple Leafs
called “Who’s Army”. The producer of the show, Gavin Brown, win the Cup, which could be a long time away.