The Helgas

Til the Wheels Fall Off (Pelado)
by Ewan Wadharmi

On your days off, you put on your favorite comfortable jeans. They’re worn, abused, and fit perfect. But when they get too threadbare, it’s time for a change. The Helgas are the natural replacement for your overused Social Distortion discs, and they don’t even need breaking in. The straight-ahead no-bull punk rock slides on like an old friend. From the start of the simple but clever “Wrong, Wrong, Wrong” (which appears on Lollipop‘s #66 mp3 CD), you’re hooked. Then you’re singing it in the shower, in the car, and over the phone to your ex-girlfriend at 3 am. Gritty guitar work and patter-splatter drums drive through every chapter for a very consistent and enjoyable album. John’s singing is confident and tuneful, while Susanne’s support blends well. Her turn on lead is just and solid, making me wish there were two Helgas. I want to hear her more, but I don’t want to lose out on his work either. Let’s all just get a big house and live together forever.
(www.peladorecords.com)