Mary Timony and Helium

Mary Timony [2007] The Shapes We Make [2005] Ex Hex [2002] The Golden Dove [2000] Mountains Helium [1997] The Magic City [1997] No Guitars EP [1995] Superball EP [1995] The Dirt of Luck [1994] Pirate Prude [1994] Pat's Trick 7" [1993] Hole In The Ground 7" [1992] The American Jean 7" The Spells [1999] The Age of Backwards EP Mind Science... [1996] Mind Science of the Mind Autoclave [1997] Autoclave [1991] Go Far 7"

I first saw Helium on MTV's 120 Minutes, the first video I saw was "XXX" off of Pirate Prude. It was really unlike anything I've seen or heard. The lyrics are all dark and f-ed up:

You got a candy red sports car
My heart is not a sports car
My heart is cab
Your love is a fad
And you're a drag

And now I feel good, I feel like candy
Go out on the street I wanna make some money
That was just a joke about the money
You're gonna pay me with your life

Helium - XXX

Helium - The American Jean

Somehow the next song I've listened from them is "the American Jean", which I've read is not really available on any format except for that one 7". The song is really catchy and sort of makes fun of American culture and their button-fly jeans (remember when those were really popular?)

So those take care of the two songs I've chosen from Helium.

Around 1999, Helium broke up.

I'll have to admit, I didn't follow Helium's singer, Mary Timony's solo work, but I did manage to catch her on the last tour for Ex Hex at the 7th Street Entry in Minneapolis. The venue is tiny and there was hardly anyone there.

The unfortunate thing is that I was only familiar with Helium's work, and I guess Timony doesn't want to be associated with her old material, so the concert consisted of nothing but her solo work.

Anyroad, I found out that she's on tour, so I'm posting the rest of her Summer tour date. If you live in these area, you should definitely check out a show.

Timony's new album is called The Shapes We Make and released under the name The Mary Timony Band on Kill Rock Stars label on May 8, 2007. You can find many of the backcatalogue on eMusic: Helium/Mary Timony as well as iTunes (although their selections seems very limited).

MARY TIMONY BAND TOUR DATES 06-06 Minneapolis, MN - Varsity Theatre %+ 06-08 Chicago, IL - Schubas %+ 06-10 Columbus, OH - Little Brothers % 06-11 Cleveland, OH - Grog Shop % 06-12 Buffalo, NY - Mohawk Place % 06-13 Cambridge, MA - Middle East Upstairs %+ 06-14 New York, NY - Mercury Lounge % 06-15 Brooklyn, NY - Don Pedro's 06-16 Philadelphia, PA - Johnny Brenda's %~ 06-17 Washington, DC - Black Cat Backstage % % with Welcome + with Great Northern ~ with Georgie James

Bonus: Check out Superball as well as other tracks on her audio page.

vu Links: www.marytimony.com