This time around we feature the vinyl collection of Ben Verellen, guitarist in the Seattle based band Helms Alee.
The first record I ever bought with my own money was…
My brother let me tag along to Fallout Records in Seattle (an hour from home) when I was 13. I bought the ‘No Spiritual Surrender’ 7″ by Inside Out. The packaging was full of stage dive live photos that all ended up in my Trapper Keeper.
The record that made me want to make music was…
Probably the Botch 7″ ‘Faction’. My brother sang in that band, “if he can do it, I should try!”
The record I’ve played more than any other is…
‘Duets with Spanish Guitar’ by Laurindo Almeida. I bought this at a thrift store when I was probably 17. I pretty much am still in love with singer Salli Terri from this record.
The record that always make me feel good is…
‘Roots of Chicha’ Vol 2. Try feeling down with this on. You can’t!
The record I turn to when I’m feeling down is…
Scott Walker ‘Scott 4’, when it’s time to get deep into that sad pit.
The record with my favorite cover art is…
I really like ‘Dark Side of the Moon’ for that. Stark and dark.
The strangest LP I own is…
I have a vinyl of test tones for calibration, that’s pretty weird I guess?
The rarest LP I own is…
Probably some hardcore record that some straight edge collector would pay some bucks for. I have an old Chain of Strength record on green vinyl. Cheesy lyrics but good to clean your kitchen to.
The last LP I bought was…
I think it was Steely Dan ‘Aja’. Wah wahh….
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Helms Alee’s latest album, Noctiluca, was released through Sargent House on April 26, 2019. You can download a copy here and pick up a CD or vinyl copy here.
https://helmsalee.bandcamp.com
https://twitter.com/helmsaleemusic
https://www.facebook.com/HelmsAlee
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