{{Short description|English singer-songwriter (born 1971)}} {{Lead too short|date=October 2023}} {{Use British English|date=September 2013}} {{Use dmy dates|date=October 2020}} {{Infobox musical artist | name = Chris Helme | image = Chris Helme, August 2014.jpg | caption = Chris Helme performing at the Galtres Parklands Festival in August 2014 | birth_name = Christopher Alan Helme | birth_date = {{birth date and age|1971|7|22|df=y}} | birth_place = Howden, Yorkshire, England | origin = Osbaldwick, York, England | years_active = 1990–present | instrument = Vocals, guitar | genre = Folk, alternative rock, Britpop | occupation = Singer-songwriter | associated_acts = The Seahorses,<br> The Yards, Chutzpah,<br> Daisy Space/Genuine Moon Material | website = {{URL|http://www.chrishelme.co.uk}} }}
'''Christopher Alan Helme''' (born 22 July 1971) is an English singer-songwriter, best known as the former frontman for guitarist John Squire's post-Stone Roses band the Seahorses.
==History==
===Early days (1990–1996)=== Helme began singing and performing at the age of 19, and began playing in pubs and folk clubs in his native York with his first band Daisy Space/Genuine Moon Material<ref name="cultfound">{{cite web|url=http://www.cultfound.org/chrishelmeinterview1.html|title=Cultural Foundation - an interview with Chris Helme|publisher=cultfound.org|accessdate=14 January 2014|url-status=dead|archiveurl=https://web.archive.org/web/20131006033546/http://www.cultfound.org/chrishelmeinterview1.html|archivedate=6 October 2013}}</ref> before forming folk-jazz band Chutzpah in 1993.<ref>{{cite news|url=http://www.yorkpress.co.uk/news/1265435.print|title=Preview: Chutzpah!, The White Swan|work=The York Press|date=16 March 2007|accessdate=23 September 2012}}</ref> The band regularly gigged at the White Swan Pub in Goodramgate and the Fibbers venue, both in York, where Helme worked behind the bar.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.katienicholls.com/documents/MOJODiary.pdf |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713083841/http://www.katienicholls.com/documents/MOJODiary.pdf |url-status=dead |archive-date=13 July 2012 |title=IARY |access-date=21 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{Cite web |date=16 March 2007 |title=Preview: Chutzpah!, The White Swan, Goodramgate, York, March 20 |url=https://www.yorkpress.co.uk/leisure/music/1265435.preview-chutzpah-the-white-swan-goodramgate-york-march-20/ |access-date=3 May 2026 |website=The Press}}</ref> In 1995 the band busked across rural France<ref name="google">{{cite book|title=Breaking into Heaven: The Rise and Fall of the Stone Roses|author=Middles, M.|year=1999|publisher=Omnibus|isbn=9780711975460|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_DrjNhLl2YC|accessdate=14 January 2014}}</ref> before splitting up. The band went on to reform in 2007 for a one-off gig at The White Swan.
===The Seahorses (1996–1999)=== A friend of John Squire's long-time guitar technician Martin Herbet discovered Helme busking outside Woolworths department store in York's Coney Street.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_DrjNhLl2YC&q=Chris+Helme+Mick+Middles&pg=PA215 |title=Books.google.co.uk |isbn=9780711975460 |accessdate=25 September 2012|last1=Middles |first1=Mick |year=1999 |publisher=Omnibus }}</ref> Impressed by Helme's version of the Rolling Stones 1968 single, "No Expectations", he requested a demo tape and passed it on to Squire. Squire went to see Helme perform at Fibbers on 26 May and 16 June 1996.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_DrjNhLl2YC&q=helme+fibbers&pg=PA215 |title=The Gloria Estefan Collection: Piano/Vocal/Chords – Gloria Estefan – Google Books |isbn=9780711975460 |accessdate=21 September 2012|last1=Middles |first1=Mick |year=1999 |publisher=Omnibus }}</ref> Another gig was then arranged at the Manchester Roadhouse, where Squire invited Helme to join his new band, for which he had already recruited bassist Stuart Fletcher.<ref>{{cite book|url=https://books.google.com/books?id=Y_DrjNhLl2YC&q=helme+roadhouse&pg=PA216 |title=The Gloria Estefan Collection: Piano/Vocal/Chords – Gloria Estefan – Google Books |isbn=9780711975460 |accessdate=21 September 2012|last1=Middles |first1=Mick |year=1999 |publisher=Omnibus }}</ref>
Geffen Records, to whom Squire was still under contract following his departure from the Stone Roses, signed the band. The Seahorses released their debut album ''Do It Yourself'' in 1997. The album was produced by Tony Visconti and spawned three hit singles. "Love is the Law" reached no. 2 in the UK Singles Chart; "Blinded by the Sun" got to no. 7 and "Love Me and Leave Me" at no. 15. The stand-alone single "You Can Talk to Me", co-written by Squire and Helme peaked at no. 15.
In January 1999, after two years of intensive touring, including support slots to the Rolling Stones, U2 and Oasis, a press release sent to the ''NME'' announced the split of the Seahorses "due to John Squire's and lead singer Chris Helme's irreconcilable differences over the musical direction the band should take".<ref name="nme.com">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-seahorses/1003 |title=Seahorses Washed Up|publisher=Nme. Com |date=23 January 1999 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref>
Both Helme and Squire later gave conflicting reasons for the split. Helme claimed that "there was a personality clash during rehearsals. When he (Squire) came up with new stuff I didn't like his lyrics or tunes. I could have gone with it and made quite a lot of money, but I wasn't interested."<ref name="nme">{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-seahorses/3311 |title=Helme Doesn'T Spare The 'Horses!|publisher=Nme. Com |date=18 May 2000 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> Squire later commented on his reasons for ending the band that "I thought, 'This sounds shit, we don't deserve to be in this place.' The band sounded complacent. I don't suppose it was anyone's fault. Maybe it got far too much attention for very little effort in the early stages, because of what I'd done in the past."<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.john-squire.com/articles/nme2002-08-10.html |title=JSU – John Squire Unofficial |publisher=John Squire |date=10 August 2002 |accessdate=21 September 2012 |archive-date=4 October 2012 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121004181023/http://www.john-squire.com/articles/nme2002-08-10.html |url-status=dead }}</ref>
===Solo and The Yards (1999–2009)=== Following the Seahorses' early demise, Helme undertook a short solo tour across England which culminated with a gig at the London Improv Theatre. Backed by a newly formed band featuring members of York band, 'The Lo Beams', Fraser Smith of Shed Seven and fellow ex-Seahorse, Stuart Fletcher<ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-seahorses/1112 |title=To Helme And Back|publisher=Nme. Com |date=24 February 1999 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> performing material written whilst in the Seahorses. The gigs were confirmed just 11 days following the official announcement of the Seahorses' split.<ref name="nme.com"/><ref>{{cite web|url=https://www.nme.com/news/the-seahorses/1034 |title=Seahorse Resurfaces|publisher=Nme. Com |date=3 February 1999 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref>
Following these initial gigs, which the ''NME'' described as "fairly unambitious rock music",<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.nme.com/news/theseahorses/1112 |title=NME.com |website=NME |access-date=1 June 2009 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121016173001/http://www.nme.com/news/theseahorses/1112 |archive-date=16 October 2012 |url-status=dead }}</ref> Helme abandoned the band format and returned to his native York where he performed sporadic low-key solo acoustic shows. In 2000 Helme started working with session guitarist James Nisbet and began playing showcase gigs in London backed by a revolving cast of session musicians, which at one point featured drummer Toby Drummond, who temporarily replaced Andy Watts in the Seahorses. With a full band, Helme headlined his biggest gig to date as a solo artist, at the Theatre Royal in York in May 2000.<ref name="nme"/>
In 2001 a permanent backing band was assembled with Nisbet, drummer John Miller and Stuart Fletcher back on bass. With new management and PR, an official website was launched and a 3 track demo CD was serviced to the media.<ref name="john-squire">{{cite web|url=http://www.john-squire.com/discography/disco_ya.html|title=THE DEFINITIVE YARDS DISCOGRAPHY by Paul Stevens. The complete guide to Stone Roses records.|author=Paul Stevens|publisher=john-squire.com|accessdate=14 January 2014}}</ref> With the new band, Helme performed numerous London showcase gigs at the Ritz Hotel and undertook a short UK tour in November of that year.
Helme then went on to form the Yards with members of his solo backing band. Initially named Super Zero,<ref name="leedsmusicscene">{{cite web|url=http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/794/|title=Chris Helme – Joseph's Well – Live Gig Review 2002|author=Dave Butterfield|work=Leeds Music Scene |publisher=leedsmusicscene.net|accessdate=14 January 2014}}</ref> the band originally featured former Shed Seven guitarist Paul Banks who left before the release of their debut EP ''The Devil Is Alive and Well in D.C.'' in April 2003. The band released their self-titled debut album in 2005<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.contactmusic.com/pages/theyardsx22x03x05|title=The Yards Album Review|accessdate=23 September 2012|work=contactmusic.com}}</ref> and second album ''Imperial Measures'' in 2009 via their own label Industrial Erotica. The band split in November 2009 with members pursuing their own projects.
===Solo (2009 – present)=== Helme set up an independent record label, promo company and booking agency "Little Num Num Music" with fellow York musician Andy Gaines. It was on this label that Helme released his debut solo album, ''Ashes'', in May 2008. He toured the UK extensively to coincide with the release and followed up with a single, ''Pleased'', in 2010<ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.music-news.com/ShowReview.asp?nReviewID=6632&nType=2 |title=Chris Helme – Pleased |publisher=Music-News.com |date=29 January 2009 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> which was taken from his second album. In August 2012 Helme released second album ''The Rookery'' to positive reviews.<ref>{{cite web|url=http://louderthanwar.com/chris-helme-the-rookery-album-review/ |title=Chris Helme – The Rookery – album review |publisher=Louderthanwar.com |date=27 August 2012 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|url=http://www.dontpaniconline.com/magazine/music/review-chris-helme-the-rookery|title=Review, Chris Helme, The Rookery|accessdate=23 September 2012|work=Don't Panic|date=11 September 2012}}</ref><ref>{{cite web|author=James Horrigan |url=http://www.leedsmusicscene.net/article/17000/ |title=Chris Helme | The Rookery | CD Review |work=Leeds Music Scene |publisher=Leedsmusicscene.net |date=17 September 2012 |accessdate=21 September 2012}}</ref> Recorded in 11 days, the album was produced by Helme with Sam Forrest of Nine Black Alps. Helme continued to tour as a solo artist<ref>{{cite web|last1=Lay|first1=Sarah|title=Chris Helme: Derby – live review|url=http://louderthanwar.com/chris-helme-derby-live-review/|website=Louder Than War|date=24 March 2015 |accessdate=18 June 2015}}</ref> and with a full band. On 26 May 2022, Chris played an acoustic solo performance of ''Do It Yourself'' in its entirety at Bridlington Spa in East Yorkshire. The gig was played 25 years to the day since the original album release date of 26 May 1997.
In 2021, Helme, Nigel Clarke of Dodgy and Mark Morriss of the Bluetones formed a supergroup together named MCH, their combined surname initials. They toured in July 2021 and played at The Bowdon Rooms in Altrincham to show new material they had written. They initially planned to tour and create an album with Shed Seven,<ref>{{Cite web |date=12 July 2021 |title=Mark Morriss / Nigel Clark / Chris Helme / Neeve Zahra - Altrincham The Bowdon Rooms - 8th July 2021 |url=https://www.eventhestars.co.uk/2021/07/mark-morriss-nigel-clark-chris-helme.html |access-date=3 May 2026 |website=EVEN THE STARS}}</ref> although the group was short-lived, coinciding with the abuse allegations claimed against Morriss.<ref>{{Cite web |title=Bluetones frontman Mark Morriss denies allegations of physical and emotional abuse |url=https://www.theguardian.com/music/2021/nov/17/bluetones-frontman-mark-morriss-denies-allegations-of-physical-and-emotional-abuse |access-date=3 May 2026 |website=The Guardian}}</ref>
In 2024, a decade after his last release, Helme released his third solo album ''World Of My Own''<ref>{{Cite web |title=World Of My Own (Deluxe CD) |url=https://www.chrishelme.co.uk/newalbumpreorder/p/world-of-my-own-deluxe-cd |access-date=2025-09-10 |website=Chris Helme |language=en-GB}}</ref>''.'' The folk-rock album is a reflection on the decade prior, described as 'celebrating and questioning relationships, the distance and closeness that inhabit them and the events that pull [people] tighter together' by RGM.<ref>{{Cite web |last=Cain |first=Millie |date=2024-03-29 |title=WE REVIEW NEW ALBUM FROM CHRIS HELME -WORLD OF MY OWN {{!}} RGM : REYT GOOD MAGAZINE DISCOVER THE LATEST MUSIC NEWS, REVIEWS, AND INTERVIEWS FROM THE BEST NEW ARTISTS. |url=https://rgm.press/we-review-new-album-from-chris-helme-world-of-my-own/review/ |access-date=2025-09-10 |language=en-GB}}</ref>
== Solo discography == '''Albums''' * 2008 - ''Ashes'' * 2012 - ''The Rookery'' * 2024 - ''World of My Own'' '''Singles'''
* 2010 - "Pleased"
==References== {{reflist}}
==External links== *[http://www.chrishelme.co.uk Official website]
{{Authority control}}
{{DEFAULTSORT:Helme, Chris}} Category:1971 births Category:Living people Category:English male songwriters Category:English buskers Category:People from Howden Category:Britpop musicians Category:21st-century English singers Category:21st-century English male singers Category:Musicians from York Category:The Seahorses members