A Brief On Going History...
Louis Helmsley formed Helmsley in late 1999 and was intended to be a solo project as the band's previous proved to be dead ends. Free from the weight of playing just covers in the old bands pre '99, Louis pushed to go record an album worth of originals he had either written or co written with friends. With the help of long time friend and lead guitarist Rob Vidic and co writer Paul Jones, PROMISE ME was produced in one day in April 2000. 10 tracks. After that, LH played a few gigs as a solo artist in the Prahan area.
Pumped with the recording, LH continued to write more tunes with Paul Jones. By now Bass guitarist Damian Ritossa had entered the scene and was helping out now and again. LH had asked him to play Bass on the next recording. Shelly Houghton had also been asked to help with backing vocals. By Jan 2001, JUST ANOTHER NIGHT was produced over two days. 10 tracks. Rob had come in to play lead on the title track and help with hand claps on another.
LH and Damian played the odd gig here and there with Rob on drums every now and again. By now, Damian's friend and lead guitarist Chris Welstead had shown interest in joining. LH, Damo and Rob did a gig at the Moorabbin Art Centre not long after that before Rob left the scene. Chris was hired.
With new songs being written by the three, Helmsley was a proper band for the first time. They played at BBQ's and wherever they were wanted. Helmsley managed to get a regular weekly gig at Madolinies in Mordialloc. During this time, Helmsley's third album was completed in two days. TAKE ME AWAY in 2002. 9 tracks. They played at the Bayside Food & Wine festival that year. Helmsley continued to play solidly. By now, Damo was showing signs of losing interest and within months, left the band. Gavin Luxa was hired as drummer and LH, Chris and Gav continued to gig every Thursday and jam every Sunday. Not long after, Chris was preparing for a trip to Europe. Plans were made to write more tunes and record again but by then Chris had left. LH and Gav continued to jam and tried to pick up new muso's but to no avail. LH then walked away and became solo once again.
Some success came his way. In years to come, LH played gigs in Warrnanbool, Seymour and many other gatherings and festivals. He continued writing to the point where he missed recording and 5 years had slipped by. Rob had returned into the picture enough that the two began jamming again. Before long, they began writing again. Not long after that, they had an album's worth of good new material. The excitement was growing.
After looking around for muso's, LH picked up a drummer. Andrew Benbow was from the country and had met LH previous. He liked the idea and joined.
Not long after the jams begun, L.H befriended a muso/producer/graphic designer named Dean Morris. He was interested in recording Helmsley's next album. After hanging out with Dean and hearing what he had done, L.H hired him on the spot.
Recording of the 'Better Dayz' album commenced on Sunday, 17th Febuary '08.
The band recorded solidly for about 6 months. At times patients would lower and tempers would rise. Members would call in saying they wouldn't be in for a few days to cool off. Once the recording part was complete, the start of the mixing process would begin before they all agreed to break for a bit and resume soon.
As the band have jobs and try and maintain a social life, the completion of the album would be pushed back again and again to the point where no one knew if it would ever be released. A rough copy of the album was put to CD but only for evaluation purposes and definatly not for proper release.
In the end, the album was completed by another friend/producer/musician. James Thompson.
Sadly though, the band disbanded in August '09 as LH shot off overseas for an around the world trip for three months before coming back to Australia and moving down the Great Ocean Road.
LH still plans to continue his music as a solo artist. But if the guys are keen to travel down the coast now and again to play and record, the band will live on.
A final gig was played at 'The Rainbow Hotel' in Fitzroy. 8th July. The venue rocked for 2 hours as the band played popular covers as well as their originals. The place was packed and all cheered as the band finished the night with Steve Miller's 'The Joker'.
Finally on Thursday 6th August, Helmsley's 4th album 'BETTER DAYZ' saw the light of day and was released after more than a year and a half in the making.
Since returning from overseas, LH has slowely resumed his music. Starting with a live performance on the 18th of June at the Kirkstall Pub. He has since done more shows with more in the not to distant future. Check the Gig Guide for information.
While preparing a return to the live scene, LH has released a 2 disc album 'ALTERNATIVE DAYZ'. It's basically an anthology album containing different version of songs from the 'BETTER DAYZ' album released last year. Also available for the first time is a live DVD of LH performing 6 songs at the Seymour Festival in 2004.
After spending months working on new tracks, an album is confirmed. Helmsley's 6th album will be released Jan, 1st. 2011. The self produced album is titled 'WEEKEND REVOLVER'.
Not long after the release of 'WEEKEND REVOLVER', LH & fellow musician friend Lachie Smith from 'THE WRONG EVERYONES' had a few jam sessions and wrote the latest HELMSLEY single 'MINOR KEY VOICES'.
L.H kept busy with gigs here, there & everywhere. Idea's for a new album is in the works.
As 2011 drew to a close, L.H scored a gig for New Years at the Mt Noorat pub. It was a good show to bring in the new year. L.H is now booked there for 4 shows between Jan and June 2012.
Another venue LH is playing at is Izzy's Resaurant & bar in Koroit. Keep an eye on the Gig Guide, LH may be appearing more & more this year. Including Rowans Lane Winery.
LH is now playing permanantly every Sunday @ The Vic in Warrnambool, 4.30pm-7.30pm. Check the gig guide for details. New album by Helmsley is released 23rd July 2012. Titled 'EVOLUTION'. It's the best tracks from the first four albums from 2000 - 2009. A good way to see if Helmsley music is for you.
Also released on the same day 'LIVE @ ROWANS LANE WINERY'. A three track live disc.
On the 28th November, LH appeared on the Warrnambool radio show "Volcanic Rock" where he chated with host Garry Dalton as well as played 3 trax. The Tom Petty classic "I Won't Back Down", the new original to appear on the up & coming Helmsley album "Party" as well as the classic original from Helmsley's 2009 Better Dayz album "The Klass". Besides the usual Sunday evening gig at The Vic, LH is doing Thursday nights at The Seanchai Irish Pub in Warrnambool for January.
LH will commence recording his 10th album. The album should be out by mid to late 2014.
As of January 22nd 2014, LH signed on to perform at the Wunta Festival in Warrnambool. He will take the stage at Lake Pertobe on Sunday 2nd February at 11am for a 45 minute stint.
In early March, LH released a single for the up & coming album 'Musical Harmony'. The single titled 'The Wind' is an indication as to the direction LH is taking for his first solo album. Check it out from the main page or from 'THE VAULT'.