Interview with Brian Vollmer (lead vocals)

Hi Brian. First, let me tell you this is a big honour to ask you some questions since I’m a big fan of what HELIX did back in the 80’s and early 90’s with Back For Another Taste which is one of my favorite hard rock album. It was unexpected for me to see a come-back after this break of more than a decade! What did you do during that time ?
Brian Vollmer: As you know, Paul Hackman, my writing & business partner was killed in a tragic van accident while returning from a western Canadian tour. I had written an album with Marc Ribbler from Brooklyn, N.Y. which was supposed to be a solo CD. When Paul died I was approached by my manager William Seip, who suggested that we release my solo album as a Helix album, and I agreed. In retrospect this was a bad decision ; not because the songs were bad but because it wasn’t a Helix CD. I was very disheartened after this and decided to pack it all in. I had a very successful teaching practise as well as several other things on the go at the time. Then in 1997 I decided to sell my own CDs through the internet. I started writing, recording, and releasing my own CDs independently, starting with the first Helix indie albums Breaking Loose and White Lace& Black Leather. From there I persuaded Dean Cameron of E.M.I. Canada to re-release the old cataloug back to me. I also released B-Sides (a collection of largely unreleased Helix tracks), When Pigs Fly (my solo CD), and Live ! In Buffalo, N.Y.. This year I’ve released Rockin’ in My Outer Space (our first complete studio CD since It’s a Businsess Doing Pleasure-1994), Never Trust Anyone Over 30 (my own 30th Anniversary CD composed primarily of Helix indie releases plus unreleased cuts), and a Helix History DVD entitled 30 Years of Helix : No Rest for the Wicked. Next week E.M.I. is releasing their 30th Anniversary CD entitled 30 Years of Helix : Rocking You for 30 Years and October 1st they will be releasing the DVD of the 30th Anniversary Show which was held July 17th at the Sanderson Centre in Brantford, Ontario. All these CDs and DVDs are available through www.planethelix.com, on Ebay, at live gigs, and through mail order companies.

I believe that not so many people know that you did two solo albums during the long break of Helix. I was personally aware of that just a few months ago. Can you tell us more about those cds ?
The When Pigs Fly CD was released in 1999. I had established a writing relationship with 3 guys from London, Ontario by the names of Tony Paleschi, Bill Gadd, and Rob Long, who were playing with me in a little weekend cover band. This was an important CD for me as it led to Rockin’ In My Outer Space. The other CD I think you’re referring to is the Buster Cherry CD by Cherry St. This wasn’t really a solo project but something I was hired to do. Cherry St. And Tom Mathers existed long before I came on the scene.

To be honest, I don’t like the new album as much as your 80’s releases, but I think this is a better – more rocking - release than It’s A Business Doing Pleasure which had really disappointed me. Are you satisfied with Rockin’ In My Outer Space ?
I’m very happy indeed with the new CD. It’s a return to our roots and the important thing for me is that is sounds like Helix again. We’re already getting airplay here in Canada and E.M.I. has expressed interest in picking up the disc.

Speaking about It’s A Business album, I was disappointed, but I don’t really think it’s a bad album either. This is just not HELIX for me. I always thought that the tragic death of Paul Hackman was the main explanation of the new orientation and the split of the band. Did you feel it that way too ?
No, actually that wasn’t it at all. Brent had already left the band by the time Paul had died. As the 90’s progressed and gigs became scarcer and scarcer, Fritz eventually moved to Florida. The last remaining member of the 80’s line-up besides myself was Daryl Gray. He quit in 2001 over business and musical differences.

I think there’s a big mystery about who’s is in HELIX aside you. Can you tell us who is in the current line up ?
First of all, let me say that a critisism I frequently hear about the band is « Oh ! They’re not the original line-up anymore », but many people do not know that the line-up of Fritz, Daryl, Brent, Paul, and myself were only together for about 4 years. Helix is 30 years old and over that time many members have come and gone and have all contributed to Helix in some shape or form. I like to compare Helix to a captain and his crew. The captain is only as good as the crew, but there’s still only one captain. I’ve been here from the very beginning and like it or not, things begin and end with me as far as Helix is concerned. I realized after Brent, Paul, and Fritz were gone that I would never find another three personalities that were quite the same, and so I didn’t try to. Today I surround myself with excellent musicians with positive attitudes. They are Rainer Weichmann (lead guitar), Cindy Wiechmann (accoustic guitar, background vocals, percussion), Archie Glen Gamble (drums), Jim Lawson (lead guitar), and Jeff Fountain (bass). When you come hear Helix nowadays these players make the songs sound like they originally did.

HELIX celebrates its 30th anniversary this year and I know there was a big event which took place this summer in your home province of Ontario. Can you tell us more about this concert ?
The 30th Anniversary Concert was held at The Sanderson Centre in Brantford, Ontario. It was indeed a special night with former members coming back to play.

Have you shot the show for an upcoming DVD ?
E.M.I. brought in Farmhouse Productions for the shoot, as well as the top mobile recording unit in Canada. We’re just in the mix-down phase right now. Tentative release is October 1st. Once again, I will have these for sale on the merchandise section of www.planethelix.com.

Since the new album coincides with the 30th anniversary of the band, I guess many fans would have dreamed to see something more special, like a reunion of the dream team of the 80’s with Brent Doerner, Greg ‘Fritz’ Hinz and Daryl Gray. Is it something you’ve tried to set ?
They were all there except Daryl.

I think the new album is more hard rock oriented than your previous release It’s A Business… which was pretty soft compared to your previous cds. Particularly the first couple of tracks of the cd. Have you tried to do something as near as possible of what HELIX was in its glory days ?
I never understand questions like this. When I write a song it’s an expression of how I feel. I never thought of what Helix was in 1984 and I don’t think about what Helix is today. I think doing so fucks you up as a writer because you start chasing what you think people want you to write instead of just letting it flow naturally. How could I ever write a song like « Young and Reckless » again ? It would sound so fake.

I think Rockin’ In My Outer Space is only released through your website yet. Have you been in touch with some labels before releasing this cd ?
Yes. E.M.I. Canada might be interested. I’ve also been selling it through my own distribution system which includes mail order companies and Ebay.

I saw you had done some shows this summer, where you played with ALICE COOPER, HEADPINS or KIM MITCHELL in Canada. What’s coming next with HELIX ?
We’re now starting to take bookings for the fall to coincide with the 30th Anniversary DVD release. I’m also involved with Orchestra London here in London, Ontario and I teach 50-60 vocal students/week. We’ll begin writing the new CD in September and I have a couple of ideas for some cover CDs that I might try out.

Finally, I have something a bit anecdotic to ask you. I heard that famous canadian actor Michael J. Fox did a casting for HELIX as a bass player back in the 70’s. Is it true ?! ;o)
I’m not really sure about this one. For awhile we had it on our website but I had it taken off. The rumor was that Fox was on the Letterman show and said he had auditioned for Helix and didn’t get the gig. This was reaffirmed by a write-up in the TV guide. However, since his autobiography came out people have told me that the band’s name wasn’t Helix but something very close. I tried to contact his agent but didn’t have much luck…

Would you like to add something else to the readers of Rockmeeting ?
Thanks for the opportunity to air my views.

Thanks for the time. I wish you the best.
Thanks. You too.

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© Rockmeeting.com - September 2004