Live review: Helter Skelter at Hal’s Tavern, Wollongong
By STEVE MASCORD
WHEN a band is headlining pubs and has a record deal, it’s easy to expect a lot of them.
There’s a temptation to forget that the Australian industry is small and bands with potential which would mature in obscurity in the United States before getting their chance at the big time are growing up in public here, subject to the glare of expectation and publicity.
Aside from Candy Harlots foundation Phil Lynch and Leno Dee (whose new haircut makes him look like an extra from Japanese TV show Monkey), Helter Skelter are a young band still finding their way. Tonight’s show presented enough evidence that they’re heading in the right direction – but also enough to suggest they’ve got a few miles to go.
Leno took over vocals from energetic Hayden Watt for “She Shines”, which also merits a place on a major label release. The funky guitar on “My Hell”, a Candy Harlots b-side, finally began to give the show some balance and authority, and an accomplished ditty called “Guilty” introduced Harlots favourite “Baby Drives Me Crazy”.
The encore, Iggy Pop’s “Cry For Love” – Helter Skelter’s current single on EMI – and KISS’s “Rock ‘n’ Roll All Nite” was searing but the fact remains that most of the band’s current original material pales by comparison.
A gig of two halves for sure, but none of Helter Skelter’s own songs yet compare with the Harlot’s “Danger” and “Sister’s Crazy” – perhaps why they were omitted when other tracks from the Five Wicked Ways opus were given an airing.
Helter Skelter are already reasonably accomplished showmen and more gigs will no doubt make them tighter. But more writing is what will make them better.
This review originally appeared in On The Street on March 22, 1994
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