Hellen Bach: Impervious to the Heat
Wichita Falls band withstands 115-degree heat index on 4th of July
Some bands might be reluctant to embrace the reputation that they’re impervious to the heat. However, if your band has been to hell and back, as Hellen Bach’s name playfully implies, then performing with a 115-degree heat index is all in a day’s work. The long-running Wichita Falls four-piece did the job on the 4th of July, 2024 at the Freedom Fest, and didn’t blink.
For theFUSE, Hellen Bach is developing something of a reputation as warriors of the scorching summer days we know so well. The first time we saw them perform was at a gig in Bud Daniel Park on a similarly blistering day.
Like that gig, this day saw Hellen Bach put on their typical energetic show, with guitarist Randy Lamm and bassist Shane Perry pacing the stage, Larissa Brown dancing and singing, and a drum solo from “Animal” Chris Hunt.
When asked how she handled the heat, Larissa said “I was thrilled my eyebrows stayed in place and nothing melted off. The sun was in my eyes the whole time, but I could hear the crowd having a good time.”
We asked bassist Shane Perry if there were any complications due to the heat. “Not really,” he said. “We all hydrated pretty well before the show. I mean, it wasn't pleasant, but getting to play a show like that is well worth a little discomfort!”
In the parlance of the great songwriter Lou Gramm, Perry confessed he’s a little hot-blooded “So the heat doesn't really get to me much,” he said.
Despite the band’s resistance to the heat, the effects were real. We witnessed the arrival of the medical cart at the beer tent, and watched as EMTs wheeled out an older gentleman who’d been brought into the shaded tent minutes earlier by his family. Later, as we stood next to a security guard on the lawn, we heard two separate parties ask him for a medical assist in only ten minutes’ time.
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In the end it was an amazing show from Hellen Bach, and their set was the perfect introduction to AC/DC tribute Back in Black and the fireworks show which closed the night. “I was honored to do the show at the MPEC,” Larissa said. “I'm grateful to Danny Ahern for the opportunity to play there. My new life goal is to play a big outdoor gig in cooler weather someday,” she said. “A girl can dream.”
Did you enjoy the 4th in the Falls Freedom Fest? Tells us about it in the comments.
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Thank you! We had a blast- even if it was in the heat!