Helix

#1237: Good Times Don’t Get Better Than This

RECORD STORE TALES 1237: Good Times Don’t Get Better Than This

Do you ever have a song that you really like, so you show it to your friends, in hopes that some will also dig it?  It’s nice when a song connects, but sometimes it is more memorable when it doesn’t.  Many times people say “Sure, it’s OK, not for me though.”  That’s easy to understand.  We’re all different.  What can really stick in the memory is any time a song you like elicits a violently negative reaction.

I’m thinking back to 2004.  I was working one afternoon with my full-timer, Kevin.  We rarely saw eye to eye on music.  He was into…I don’t know, I guess you’d say he was into “Indi” music?  He’ll hate me forever for not remembering anything about his musical tastes.  I remember a band called Death Cab For Cutie and I’ll always associate that name with Kevin.  What happened was, I was really enamored with the Helix documentary 30 Years Of Helix.  A very slick and well made DVD, I watched it many times that summer.  The end credits went to a Brian Vollmer solo song called “Good Times Don’t Get Better Than This”.  It’s an upbeat acoustic song from the Vollmer solo album When Pigs Fly.  I hadn’t played that album in ages and had forgotten all about the song, until I saw that DVD.  The song was in my head; stuck in a good way.

I put the song on a mix CD, one of my “integrity mixes” (which my old co-worker Kam called generally “quite great”).  One night I was playing the mix CD with Kevin, and asked him to listen to the Vollmer song.  There is a whistling part at the end that just killed me.

It was a dark time in my life and to find music that made me feel good and positive was rare.  Maybe that’s why Kevin just didn’t appreciate “Good Times Don’t Get Better Than This”.  For me, it allowed me to envision myself camping outdoors, by the fire, with the best friends, and playing a great song.  I hadn’t had that experience yet, but it seemed like a cool setting for a great song.

“What do you think?  Great eh?” I asked him

“That…was not good,” he told me bluntly.

“You don’t like it at all?” I asked.

“No, that was a terrible song!  It was so cheesey!  It sounded like bad campfire rock!”

I was shocked at just how much he hated it.  Genuinely shocked.  Crushed, even?  Maybe it was the campfire singalong quality, but that song was definitely not his thing.  I really hoped he’d appreciate it but you can’t force people to like things that they just don’t like.  After all, I didn’t like Death Cab For Cutie, and I definitely disliked that Franz Ferdinand they were always playing.

Funny these things that stick in our memories over 20 years later.  I can’t remember a single song from a mix CD that he made for me in ages past, but I remember that one song he hated.  Psychologists, have at it.

 

 

“Good Times Don’t Get Better Than This” lyrics

From When Pigs Fly (1999)

(Gadd, Palleschi, Vollmer, & Weir)

 

And I said hey!  I can’t complain,
I’m lucky to be here,
With all my friends, good times,
Don’t get better than this!

I’ve got a friend,
His name his Ed,
He accidentally lost his head,
You’ll never see him with a frown,
‘Cause he’s positive the negative will never get him down.

And he says hey!  I can’t complain,
I’m lucky to be here,
With all my friends, good times,
Don’t get better than this!

And then there’s Joe!
He sold his soul for rock and roll,
The devil made him do it,
Can’t you see?
He ain’t gettin’ rich, uh-uh,
But he gets around,
And there’s a winkle on his face for every road that he’s been down.

And he says hey!  I can’t complain,
I’m lucky to be here,
With all my friends, good times,
Don’t get better than this, ah!

(Whistling)

And I said hey!  I can’t complain,
I’m lucky to be here,
With all my friends, good times,
Don’t get better than this!
And I said hey!  I can’t complain, uh-uh!
I’m lucky to be here,
With all my friends, good times,
Don’t get better than this!
Well they don’t get better than this!

 

 

 

 

 

 

#1235: Revisiting Trillion Dollar Treats

RECORD STORE TALES #1235: Revisiting Trillion Dollar Treats

Three years ago, I wanted to replace my old Technics tape deck.  The belts were worn out and I don’t have the skill to replace them.  I headed over to Max the Axe’s Garage Sale, AKA “Trillion Dollar Treats” and bought a Kenwood.  That Kenwood lasted a couple years, but started to act up and crackle when playing tapes recently.  I decided to go back to  Trillion Dollar Treats and see what Maxie had for sale this time.  Max collects old tech, and he had three decks for me to look at.

Unfortunately, Max, our rock star superhero, is recovering from an augmentation.  His brand new titanium hip is causing him some pain, but we still managed to find a good tape deck in the collection.  Max also had some “not for sale” goodies that I just had to take pictures of, for the memories.

The new tape deck was the mission.  I own several things on tape that don’t exist on CD (though as reissues become more comprehensive, that list gets shorter every year).  I want to be able to play and archive my cassettes (and any new ones that I buy) without crackle.  As time goes on, there are fewer and fewer tracks that only exist on cassette, but I also seem to acquire more tapes as the years go on.  I still like the option to play them, and archive the tracks digitally.

Max had several decks, including a rack-mounted one, but I made my choice after only one quick demo.  I picked the Onkyo pictured below, and it does indeed sound great.  I am considering putting a Helix rarity that I own online, that has now been archived in better quality.  Of course, the issue there is, if I put it online, it’s no longer a rarity, is it?  Still, my Helix tape sounds better now than in the past 35 years of playing on other decks.

 

After purchasing my new deck, for which Max threw in two sealed Maxell blank tapes, I had a look around Trillion Dollar Treats to see what else Max had in his collection.  While not for sale, the below items tickled my fancy enough to share with you.

 

NEW!  As seen on TV!  Curl-A-Dog hot dog slicer.  Because who doesn’t need this?  Bonus 20 hot dog recipes, in case you’re cooking impaired.

 

Alterego Voice Decoder!  Three different vocal effects for you to use:  “Monster”, “Alien” and just an amplification.  Masks pictured but not included.

 

Light-Up Shoelaces!  For those who thought my Croclights were cool.

 

Electric Plane Launcher.  From Middlesex University!  I do wish I was better at folding paper airplanes.  Maybe that is a new hobby I should look into this summer.  This can launch them up to four meters!  But the warning states, this is NOT a toy.

 

Golf Selfie Clip.  I know Max does enjoy golfing, but now I expect selfies when his hip heals up.

 

Best of all… the Flying Bat.  Only takes 2 AA batteries.  I would like to see this baby take on my drone.

Even though all of these things are totally awesome and hilarious, Max did dig up one more thing that is not for sale… yet.

In storage, Max found an old reel to reel tape, a master recording of six songs.   It weathered the elements over the decades by remaining sealed in plastic.  The tape contains Max the Axe recordings, including versions of songs that we have never heard before, along with some familiar classics:  “Please Please”, “Magnum P.I.”, “6 Gun”, “Why Do You Talk” and “401”.

The tape appeared to be in good shape, but later that day, Max acquired a working reel to reel player, just to hear them and hopefully do a transfer.  Ultimately we hope these songs will be mastered for release.

It was a great morning spent with Max the Axe at Trillion Dollar Treats.  Stay tuned as there should be more music coming in the months ahead, from Max the Swingin’ Axe!  Stay tuned, for if we are lucky, more music is coming soon.

 

REVIEW: Helix – 50: The Best Of (2025 LP + CD set)

HELIX – 50: The Best Of (2025 Crown X CD/LP)

In 2024, Helix celebrated their 50th anniversary as a band.  In 2025, they marked it with a new compilation album, at least their 11th to date.  Much like the legendary Rush, they went with a simple title for this milestone:  Helix 50.

This was a frustrating set to finally buy.  All I wanted was the CD, which has three extra tracks on top of what the vinyl has.  I don’t know if the CD was ever available separately but I never found one.  Then I waited and waited for the CD/LP combo set to show up at one of my preferred retailers and it never did.  I decided to order it from the Helix store with some Christmas money, and it took a month to arrive.  Weirdly, it was “in stock” when I ordered it, but when I emailed to ask about my order after almost a month, I was told they were awaiting more signed stock.  Then, it arrived three days later at my house.  Brian Vollmer’s autograph is in silver pen on top.  (Gold pen would have looked amazing!)

This CD/LP combo of Helix 50 has a gorgeous looking record inside, but is bare-bones packaging-wise.  The set came with a Helix guitar pick and a turntable mat, but lacks the booklet and liner notes that a 50th anniversary compilation deserves.  (I’m always available to write guest liner notes, boys!)  It comes housed in a gatefold sleeve, with the CD tucked inside the front cover.  There are roughly 45 monochromatic photos in the inner sleeve, celebrating the classic era of the band.  The album itself consists of 11 tracks, plus three bonus from the 1993 It’s A Business Doing Pleasure album.  (The first of several mistakes on the liner notes:  the songs are credited to ‘It’s A Pleasure Doing Business (1993)’, but that re-issued title actually came out in 2024, while the original It’s A Business Doing Pleasure was 1993.)  Of the songs, here is how they break down:

  • Seven are re-recordings of classic hits from the EMI years 1983-1987.  Two of these are unplugged re-recordings.  Only “Rock You” is new.
  • One track is from 1990’s Back For Another Taste unaltered.
  • Another track is a single mix from Back For Another Taste, previously released on other compilations.
  • One song is from 2009’s Vagabond Bones, unaltered.
  • Four are from 1993’s It’s A Business Doing Pleasure.
  • One is a “Radio Remix” of 2025’s download-only single “Stand Up”.  (At least we think so – on the back cover it says “Radio Remix”, but in a misprint, on the label it simply says “Remastered”, not “Remix”.)

In some more mis-prints, on the back cover “Heavy Metal Love”, “Deep Cuts the Knife”, “Wild in the Streets” “Make Me Do Anything You Want”, “Dream On” and “The Kids Are All Shakin'” are listed as “2025” versions, but these appear to be the previously released 2006, 2010 and 2011 recordings.  Only “Rock You” appears to be a new 2025 version.  The other versions were only “remastered” in 2025.  Some of the remasters leave something to be desired.  “Good to the Last Drop” sounds blunted compared to other offerings of it.

According to the internet, “Rock You” includes three special guests: Phil X (Bon Jovi) on guitar, Todd Kerns (Slash) on guitar and Brent Fitz (Slash) on drums.  In a tragic omission, none of this information is included in the Helix 50 package.  The only way you’d know is by Googling it.

The acoustic songs have been released before.  Of these re-recordings, it is the power ballad “Deep Cuts The Knife” that packs the most punch.  They went to great effort to replicate the keyboards and backing vocals of the original.  The songs also stay faithful to the original Doerner/Hackman solos.  This acoustic version of “(Make You Do) Anything You Want” is breezy and lighter, and Brian Vollmer absolutely nails everything about the vocals.  It’s a different, slightly softer take on the old classic.  It must also be pointed out that bassist Daryl Gray is an articulate musician with chops, who always finds the right notes.  An under-appreciated bassist.

The remix of “Stand Up” is the first physical release of this standalone download-only single.  The new mix sounds muffled compared to the 2024 version, which is still unreleased on CD or vinyl.  It’s a good song with blazing guitars and a melodic chorus.

Standouts include “The Animal Inside” from Vagabond Bones, which snarls out of the gates.  The acoustic numbers offer subtlety, but there are too many soft moments that don’t really reflect the full gestault of 50 years of Helix.

There are no songs representing the legendary first two albums (Breaking Loose and White Lace & Black Leather) which really takes the bite out of the Helix 50 concept.  “Billy Oxygen” would have been more than welcome.  Only two songs come from the last 30 years of the band, a period in which Helix released plenty of great unrepresented albums and singles.  Notably missing from this period:  Standalone download singles “Brother From A Different Mother” and “Not My Circus, Not My Clowns” which should have been included as bonus tracks.  As of 2025, there is no physical release with those two songs.  Helix 50 easily could have been a double!

One final mis-print:  “The Kids Are All Shakin’ Unplugged (2025 Unplugged)”.  Not only is it actually the 2010 version, but “Unplugged” is printed twice.  Not quite a misprint, but it is weird that guest players Lee Aaron and Kim Mitchell are not credited on the back cover.  (A booklet with credits would fix this issue.)

The classy cover art, with the Helix 50 logo and sparks, is perfect to represent this golden anniversary.  The track listing offers less value to the fans who have been here for 50 years.  The band is limited by what versions of what songs they have access to, and vinyl is limited by run time, but the CD has room for at least five more songs.  Had the full length of the disc been utilized, a more well-rounded representation of the last 50 years of Helix could have been realized.  Ultimately, Helix 50 will please most casual fans who don’t have any Helix on vinyl (which is stunningly gorgeous in black and gold), but leaves a taste of disappointment for those of us who have been here the whole time.

3/5 stars

All About the 1974 Kiss Boogie Video! Oh, and Archie Gamble too! EXCLUSIVE!

Click here for the Gamble Ramble YouTube channel!

ATTENTION BLABBERMOUTH/SLEEZEROXX/EVERYONE!  In this video Glen “Archie” Gamble of Helix fame tells us all about the 1974 Canadian Kiss TV appearance on a show called Boogie that he knows for a fact exists and could be released soon.  Interview and possible lipsynched performance video.

Also, we talked to Archie about Helix and the Joys quite a bit.  In summation, here are some show highlights:

  1. Archie educates us on primate communication (question from Dr. K.)
  2. He explains why we likely won’t see a CD release of the Helix 30th Anniversary concert.
  3. He enjoyed stories from two special video stories from Dan Chartrand and Uncle Meat, who opened for Archie when he was in the Joys.
  4. Kiss Alive, or Alive II?
  5. Stories about Eric Singer, Gene Simmons and lap dancers.
  6. Feelings on Bun E. Carlos and Joey Kramer being sidelined in their bands.
  7. Playing the drums with dynamics.
  8. Why are The Warning the hot rising band these days.

Grant Arthur from Grant’s Rock Warehaus was co-host for this special episode.  Thanks for coming on Grant!  Grant riffed along with us and asked some pertinent questions.  Archie answered everything with grace.

Thanks for watching everyone, it was a lively comments section with some great questions (and jokes at Grant’s expense).  For Archie’s previous episode, click here!

 

NEXT WEEK:  Top Five Marillion Christmas Songs with Todd Evans and Bicyclelegs!

Archie’s Back on Grab A Stack of Rock! Round 2 with Archie Gamble

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 80:  Archie Gamble returns!

Click here for the Gamble Ramble YouTube channel!

Happy Friday!  Not only is Archie Gamble (Helix, the Joys, Buffalo Brothers) back for this episode, but we plan to have some fun.  We’ll be asking him the questions that we never got to ask last time, and of course, we’ll let Archie ramble!

Our special co-host tonight will be Grant Arthur from Grant’s Rock Warehaus.  Thanks for filling in, Grant!

Considering our first chat with Archie went almost two hours, this time we’ll be focused on fun.  Tales from the road, tales from the studio, and beyond!  Who’s been rocking Archie’s speakers lately besides The Warning?  Find out tonight…

 

Friday November 29 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

REVIEW: Vollmer – It’s A Pleasure Doing Business (2024 vinyl release)

VOLLMER – It’s A Pleasure Doing Business (2024 Helix Records vinyl reissue)

In 1993, Helix released one of their best, most unsung albums:  It’s a Business Doing Pleasure.  It featured a more acoustic-based side of Brian Vollmer’s writing, who penned the majority of the tunes with Marc Ribler as a solo project.  At the same time, Helix guitarist Paul Hackman was writing his own set of tunes for the next Helix album.  When Paul was tragically killed in a 1992 tour bus accident, Brian had no choice but to use his solo album as the next Helix record.  This never sat well with the frontman, who felt it did not represent the hard rockin’ down n’ dirty core of Helix.  Brian said in his book Gimme An R, that the album was “a huge mistake on my part, and I take full credit for the blunder. The really sad thing about it all was that I was really proud of all those songs on the album and they were wasted because they did not fit under the Helix name.”

I occasionally differ with Brian Vollmer’s opinions on such things.  I loved the album in 1993 and it still sounds brilliant today, and not at all dated to the time.  While Helix’s new sound came as a surprise, it was not an unpleasant surprise.  In an age when every band was getting heavier to compete with grunge, Vollmer took the opposite tack, and I loved him for it.  It’s a Business Doing Pleasure was a brilliant album, “Helix” or not.  A rose by any other name…

I can understand why Vollmer chose to reissue this album under his own name, seeing as it was intended to be from the start.  To differentiate from the original, he changed the title to It’s A Pleasure Doing Business, which unfortunately loses the wink-and-nod cleverness of the original title.

Vollmer also chose to axe and replace two songs.  The closing duo of “Sleepin’ in the Doghouse Again” and “Mad Mad World” are lost, which is a real shame.  “Doghouse” featured Kim Mitchell on lead guitar, though it was the hardest and most Helix-like of the tracks.  “Mad Mad World” was just melodic brilliance, with whistling!  Two crucial songs.  They are replaced here by new recordings.  “Still Got that Look in Your Eyes” is a previously unheard track, featuring Helix members Fritz Hinz and Daryl Gray.  “Hung Over But Still Hanging In” is not a new version of a Helix deep cut from Vagabond Bones.  This seems to be a completely new song with the same title.

There are some serious unrecognized tunes of brilliant melodic composition here.  “That Day Is Gonna Come” remains a Helix pinnacle of sorts, a passionate callback to the golden years with that delicious acoustic backing.  “Tug ‘o War” is a ballad that Brian and Greg Fraser once performed live in the MuchMusic studios, and a strong one at that.  “Look Me Straight in the Heart” is a duet with Lee Aaron, that used to open side two of the album.   Another ballad, but one that really should have been a hit.  You’d think Lee and Helix on one big ballad would have set Canadian radio on fire.  “Wrong Side of Bed” has some kick, and funny lyrics.  Side one closer “Can’t Even Afford to Die” is actually upbeat, and features some brilliant twangy soloing by Ribler.

“Still Got that Look in Your Eyes” is a really decent 80’s-sounding pop rocker.  It is an awkward fit on the album, because though it suits the poppy direction of It’s A Pleasure Doing Business, the keyboards differentiate it.  It’s also played by different musicians, which the subconscious mind of the Helix fan can pick up on.  Brian’s voice is a little lower, since 30 years passed between songs.  Good tune though, perhaps even great!  It will take some getting used to in this running order.

“Trust the Feeling” is another shoulda-been classic from the original album.  Though a ballad, this album didn’t really feel like it had too many of them.  It just felt like everything fit.  Ribler plays some very nice slide parts here.  “Love Is a Crazy Game”, though…what a ballad!  There’s a rock version of it on another Helix album, but this fully acoustic version of it is flawless.  Vollmer was in peak voice, and peak songwriting.  His vocals just speak, the way only great singers can do it.  There’s plenty of acoustic excitement with the guitars too.  No drums.  The album may have been a stripped back affair in terms of rock, but not in arrangement.  There is plenty going on with percussion, vocals and acoustics to occupy the ear.

“Misery Loves Company” is a solid country rocker from the original album.  More rock than country, but the twang is undeniable and nothing wrong with that.  It has a shout-along chorus that would still do well today, if Helix ever decide to bring this gem onto the stage.

The other new song, “Hung Over But Still Hanging In”, closes the album.  It seems like only the title was re-used from Vagabond Bones.  This is a nice drinking ballad, with a bit of a kick compared to the rest of the ballads.  It matches very closely the vibe of the original album, featuring Helix guitarist Mark Chichkan on guitar,

Here’s where the constructive criticism comes in.  The original album title and font on the cover were better.  This new zoomed-in cover with the Vollmer logo on it feels…off.  The original was a piece Hugh Syme art, and the new version was re-created by Brent Doerner.  It’s hard to improve perfection, and that’s not Doctor Doerner’s fault.  I wish this album had a big Helix logo on the front cover.  The original album never had the classic Helix logo.  Imagine if this did!  There is also a laissez-faire approach to capitalising the song titles on the back cover, but it’s a gatefold cover at least.

For 30 years, this was a Helix album.  It just doesn’t feel right filing it under “V”.  (However it’s my collection and I’ll file as I please!)  Since it was intended as a solo album back in 1992, it’s logical to do a reissue under the Vollmer name.  It makes sense to add new material.  Shuffling the running order for a pleasing listening experience on vinyl is fine, but losing two songs is unfortunate.  This reissue could have been a 5/5 star bang-on wish fulfilled.  So close to the mark!

4/5 stars

#1166: A Storage Solution for Certain Promo CD Singles [VIDEO]

RECORD STORE TALES #1166: A Storage Solution for Certain Promo CD Singles

I managed a CD store for 10 years.  Storage was always a commodity to me, then and now.  As a young guy living in a small bedroom in his parents’ house, I was running out of CD space fast.  Every slot counted.  An opportunity to save some slots, by replacing a 2 CD “fat” case with a slim one, was always valuable.

There are occasional promo CD singles that were cheap on packaging because, well, it was a free handout CD given to radio stations or stores to play.  Front covers were optional.  Sometimes, singles such as these were valuable to me, for the inclusion of edit versions or other mixes that may not have been on commercially available singles or albums.

There was one storage solution I came up with to save space in my collection, and logically file these singles in an interesting way.  Have a look at the short video below.

EXCLUSIVE: Glen “Archie” Gamble of Helix fame sets the record straight on Grab A Stack of Rock!

Thank you Glen “Archie” Gamble for an awesome Friday night Rock N’ Roll Extravaganza!

History made here Friday night on Grab A Stack of Rock!  Glen “Archie” Gamble of Helix fame joined us for almost 2.5 hours of stories and education.  And we’re still not done!  We will have Archie back to pick up where we left off.  Co-hosts Tim Durling and Doctor Kathryn were both blown away by Archie’s answers.

It’s hard to summarize a show like this, because several Wikipedia articles will need to be corrected, updated, and expanded after this show.

Highlights:

  • The story of how Archie introduced Brian Vollmer to the Trailer Park Boys, which of course led to Brian’s cameo on the DVD.
  • Why Archie wasn’t in that scene.
  • When Archie connected Brian Vollmer with Sean Kelly, who offered to join Helix on guitar or bass.  He eventually joined on bass.
  • How Archie got the Helix gig by playing at Brian’s wedding, and how that came about.  (Thanks to alcohol.)
  • What happened at the “blazing” tryout for the band.
  • The circumstances of replacing Randy Cooke for one gig with the Four Horsemen.
  • The lineup changes in Helix and the necessity behind some of them.
  • Archie’s opinion on certain bands who are out there playing with no original members.
  • What he contributed in the studio to albums such as Rockin’ In My Outer Space and Rockin’ You For 30 Years.
  • How Rockin’ In My Outer Space began its life as a Brian Vollmer solo album.
  • Thoughts on Van Halen (Hagar), Y&T, The Warning, Quiet Riot, The Guess Who, and many more.
  • Heartfelt appreciation for Greg “Fritz” Hinz.
  • Why he started YouTubing with the excellent Gamble Ramble channel.
  • What are rototoms and how do they work?
  • And even some education on primates.

This is a 2.5 hour education in rock and roll history.  Check it out, and give Archie a subscription on YouTube.  He WILL be back!

 

 

Glen “Archie” Gamble from Helix, the Joys, Buffalo Brothers and the Gamble Ramble on Grab A Stack of Rock LIVE

GRAB A STACK OF ROCK With Mike and the Mad Metal Man
Episode 78:  Ramblin’ with Glen “Archie” Gamble

Glen “Archie” Gamble is a professional drummer and now YouTuber, with the excellent channel the Gamble Ramble!  He has been a member of the Buffalo Brothers, Helix, and the Joys.  Tonight, we talk to Archie about his musical career and his years as a core member of the 90s-2000s era of Helix.  He appeared two Helix DVDs and several CDs, including the outstanding 30th Aniversary Concert.

Tonight, please join Tim Durling, Dr. Kathryn, Archie and myself for this special episode of Grab A Stack of Rock!  We will quiz Archie on his Helix memories, his thoughts on Van Halen, and much more.  This will be a live episode so if you tune in, maybe your question will be answered too!

All this and more on Grab A Stack of Rock, tonight!

Friday November 15 at 7:00 P.M. E.S.T. / 8:00 P.M. Atlantic.   Enjoy on YouTube or on Facebook!

 

Tim’s Vinyl Confessions: An Album in Review: Helix – Wild in the Streets

A few weeks ago, Tim & I tackled a classic Helix album on Tim’s Vinyl Confessions. Check out this 4:07 mini album review, in which we discuss the album and the rare Canadian glow in the dark cassette.

The album should have been bigger than it was, so hopefully we spread some appreciation in the video below.