John Helmer
Encyclopedia
John Helmer is a former musician and part-time writer best known for contributing lyrics for Marillion
.
-based ska punk
band The Piranhas
, best known for their 1980 top ten hit "Tom Hark". Helmer formed The Piranhas with 'Boring' Bob Grover while attending Sussex University, where he obtained a degree in English Literature. After The Piranhas split in 1981, Helmer formed a "cabaret busking group" called Pookiesnackenburger with Nick Dwyer, formerly with Nicky and the Dots. They had a Spinal Tap
-like series on Channel Four TV and also appeared in a Heineken
commercial. Pookiesnackenburger finally evolved into the dance troupe Stomp
.
(1988), whose complex lyrics had been a signature feature of Marillion
's music, the band was uncertain whether any successor would be able to write lyrics on a similar level. EMI
put them in touch with Helmer at this point. They eventually found Steve Hogarth
, who already had experience in writing lyrics for his previous project How We Live
. Still, Helmer went on to contribute to Marillion albums over the next decade. He also wrote most lyrics for Carnival of Souls
, a 1996 album by Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery
's side project The Wishing Tree
.
As of 1999, Helmer held a day job as a marketing manager for a Brighton-based internet company.
Current Musical Activity
Currently working on new material with Bob Grover, Owen Kellett (bass) and Steve Burnaby Davies (drums)from Brighton band 'Dates'
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
.
With The Piranhas
From 1977 to 1981, "Johnny" Helmer was a guitarist and vocalist in the BrightonBrighton
Brighton is the major part of the city of Brighton and Hove in East Sussex, England on the south coast of Great Britain...
-based ska punk
Ska punk
Ska punk is a fusion music genre that combines ska and punk rock. It achieved its highest level of commercial success in the United States in the late 1990s. Ska-core is a subgenre of ska punk, blending ska with hardcore punk.The characteristics of ska punk vary, due to the fusion of contrasting...
band The Piranhas
The Piranhas
The Piranhas were a ska-influenced punk band from Brighton.- Career :They were formed in 1977, and were originally part of the Brighton punk scene, first coming to prominence when DJ John Peel started playing their single "I Don't Want My Body" on his BBC Radio 1 programme, but achieved their...
, best known for their 1980 top ten hit "Tom Hark". Helmer formed The Piranhas with 'Boring' Bob Grover while attending Sussex University, where he obtained a degree in English Literature. After The Piranhas split in 1981, Helmer formed a "cabaret busking group" called Pookiesnackenburger with Nick Dwyer, formerly with Nicky and the Dots. They had a Spinal Tap
Spinal Tap (band)
Spinal Tap is a parody heavy metal band that first appeared on a failed 1979 ABC TV sketch comedy pilot called "The T.V. Show", starring Rob Reiner...
-like series on Channel Four TV and also appeared in a Heineken
Heineken
Heineken is a Dutch beer which has been brewed by Heineken International since 1873. It is available in a 4.6% alcohol variety in countries such as Ireland. It is the flagship product of the Heineken company and is made of purified water, malted barley, hops, and yeast. In 1886 H...
commercial. Pookiesnackenburger finally evolved into the dance troupe Stomp
Stomp (dance troupe)
Stomp is a percussion group that uses the body and ordinary objects to create a physical theatre performance.-History and performances:...
.
With Marillion
After the departure of FishFish (singer)
Derek William Dick, better known as Fish, is a Scottish progressive rock singer, lyricist and occasional actor, best known as the former lead singer of Marillion.-Biography:...
(1988), whose complex lyrics had been a signature feature of Marillion
Marillion
Marillion are a British rock band, formed in Aylesbury, England in 1979. Their recorded studio output comprises sixteen albums generally regarded in two distinct eras, delineated by the departure of original vocalist & frontman Fish in late 1988, and the subsequent arrival of replacement Steve...
's music, the band was uncertain whether any successor would be able to write lyrics on a similar level. EMI
EMI
The EMI Group, also known as EMI Music or simply EMI, is a multinational music company headquartered in London, United Kingdom. It is the fourth-largest business group and family of record labels in the recording industry and one of the "big four" record companies. EMI Group also has a major...
put them in touch with Helmer at this point. They eventually found Steve Hogarth
Steve Hogarth
Steve Hogarth also known as "h", is the lead vocalist and occasional keyboardist/guitarist with the British rock band Marillion. Hogarth was formerly a keyboard player and co-lead vocalist with The Europeans and vocalist with How We Live...
, who already had experience in writing lyrics for his previous project How We Live
How We Live
How We Live was a project between Steve Hogarth and Colin Woore, respectively the keyboard player and guitarist previously of the New Wave band The Europeans. They released one album, Dry Land, in 1987 with Hogarth on vocals, before Hogarth replaced Fish as Marillion's vocalist in 1989...
. Still, Helmer went on to contribute to Marillion albums over the next decade. He also wrote most lyrics for Carnival of Souls
Carnival of Souls (The Wishing Tree album)
Carnival of Souls is the title of the first album by The Wishing Tree, a project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and singer Hannah Stobart. It was originally released in 1996 on Steve Rothery's short-lived label Dorian Music and was re-released in 2001 on Marillion's label Racket Records...
, a 1996 album by Marillion guitarist Steve Rothery
Steve Rothery
Steve Rothery is the guitarist of the English rock band Marillion. He was born in Brampton, South Yorkshire, England. From the age of six he lived in Whitby, North Yorkshire.-Biography:...
's side project The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree
The Wishing Tree is an acoustic music project by Marillion's guitarist Steve Rothery and British vocalist Hannah Stobart. Their debut album, Carnival of Souls, was released in 1996 and a second album, Ostara, was released 23 March 2009.-History:...
.
As a writer
In 1999, Helmer published a novel titled Mother Tongue.As of 1999, Helmer held a day job as a marketing manager for a Brighton-based internet company.
Current Musical Activity
Currently working on new material with Bob Grover, Owen Kellett (bass) and Steve Burnaby Davies (drums)from Brighton band 'Dates'