I saw former Wichita Falls weatherman John Cameron describe a humid, sticky day as “air you can wear” on social media recently, and it was another one of those today. It was over 100° and just sweltering, but it was concert night in Bud Daniel Park and Hellen Bach wouldn’t let the heat deter them.
I would describe Hellen Bach as a variety band that likes to rock a little, led by Larissa Brown on lead vocals. I particularly enjoyed Hellen Bach’s version of “Radioactive” by Imagine Dragons, and Larissa’s take on Alanis Morissette’s “You Oughta Know” made me think that sounds like her wheelhouse. “Zombie” by The Cranberries was also great. Larissa really excels when she has a song with a wide-open arrangement that allows her to unleash some improvisational runs.
Bass for Hellen Bach is handled by Shane Perry, and, I mean… he handles it. Hellen Bach performed “Hysteria” by Muse, which features an incredible bass line by Chris Wolstenholme (one of the best bassists on the planet) and Shane Perry spent four minutes wrestling it to the ground like a badass. I was impressed. ‘Nuff said.
Guitar for Hellen Bach comes courtesy of Randy Lamme, who not only handles six-string duties but provides a strong backing vocal presence on the mic. Randy was doing yeomans’ work up there in the heat and I could see through the viewfinder that his t-shirt was just soaked.
Randy also supplied a surprising skill spittin’ some rhyme when it was time for Hellen Bach to play some C&C Music Factory for the dancers in the crowd.
Perhaps it’s appropriate that I saved The Animal, Chris Hunt, drummer, for last. While Larissa Brown is up front commanding attention, Chris is in back like a wild man, lifting his sticks up high and crashing them down on his drums during some of Hellen Bach’s heavier rock numbers, while twirling his sticks and bobbing his head in whimsical fashion on dancier tracks. He stands up during quick breaks and tempo changes, then returns to his throne with a flourish without missing a beat. Chris is one of the more entertaining drummers I’ve seen in a long time.
Despite the heat, Chris played an impressive drum solo during the show that went on longer than I expected. I don’t know if Hellen Bach usually takes a break during their set, but they did on this night and it was probably a good thing.
I think the heat kept the crowd size down a little bit, too, but it was still a blast, and we even got a little golden hour sunlight right before sunset.
It was another successful concert in the park for the City of Wichita Falls, despite the heat, and I am definitely putting Hellen Bach on my list of artists to see again.
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All photos by the author, © FallstownFUSE.com
