Help Yourself (prog rock, pub rock, country rock / UK)

Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s whose style developed from “American-flavoured country-rock… …to acid-drenched psych.”.

Years active: 1970–1973

History:

Help Yourself formed in London in 1970, originally as a backing band for singer-songwriter Malcolm Morley, who had left Sam Apple Pie and been signed as a solo act by Famepushers.

The band was assembled by John Eichler who, as well as working for Famepushers, was production manager at Strand Cosmetics, where he hired people either for 'musical ability' or 'strangeness'.

The eponymous debut album, Help Yourself, was recorded from late 1970 to early 1971. Malcolm Morley wrote all the songs on this album, which was recorded with another former Sam Apple Pie member Dave Charles, ex member of Monday Morning Glory Band, Richard Treece  and former Growth member Ken Whaley .

Their first album is rather mainstream progressive rock meets pub rock, despite some excellent songs including the excellent Deborah. Most of the musicianship on the album is raw and derivative (with exception of Richard Treece's guitar) and consequently the punters weren't at all interested. After its release, Whaley departed for Ducks Deluxe and was replaced by Paul Burton.

The album was recorded before the band had played a gig, having been signed to Liberty Records by Andrew Lauder, head of A&R. The band toured on the Downhome Rhythm Kings package with Brinsley Schwarz & Ernie Graham (ex Eire Apparent), who were all managed by Famepushers.

After the tour, Ken Whaley was fired, but no other bass player was recruited.

Help Yourself, Ernie Graham and his guitarist Jonathan “Jojo” Glemser, moved into Headley Grange in 1971, shortly after Led Zeppelin IV had been recorded there. 

The line up was amalgamated to include both Graham (who had just released his eponymous solo album backed by Help Yourself and Brinsley Schwarz) and Glemser, both of whom were guitarists, so Treece switched to bass. The band played the 1971 Glastonbury Festival. Sam Apple Pie having played the first Glastonbury in 1970. "Street Songs" a track that would later appear on the second album Strange Affair, was issued on a United Artists double album sampler All Good Clean Fun.

Strange Affair exhibited a strong US West Coast influence with greater musical improvisation and some fine moments like American Woman. Beware Of The Shadow continued in much the same vein. Listen out for their magnum opus, Reaffirmation, on this one.

 A tour was arranged to promote this album, so Help Yourself joined Man and Leicester band Gypsy, on a tour of Switzerland. The second album Strange Affair was recorded at the Grange, initially with Richard Treece still on bass, and adding his guitar parts later, until Paul Burton, a former Sam Apple Pie roadie, joined on bass, to complete the album. Strange Affair was released in early 1972, by which time both Graham and Glemser had left.

Personnel:

Malcolm Morley – keyboards,guitar, vocals (1970–1973 & 2002–2003)
Richard Treece – guitar, bass, vocals (1970–1973 & 2002–2003)
Dave Charles – drums, percussion, vocals (1970–1973)
Ken Whaley – bass (1970–1971, 1973 & 2002–2003)
Paul Burton – bass, guitar, vocals (1971–1973)
Jonathan "Jojo" Glemser – guitar (1971)
Ernie Graham – guitar, vocals (1971)
Kevin Spacey – drums (2002–2003)
Sean Tyla – guitar, vocals (1972 & 1973)

Deborah:

Reaffirmation:

Discography:

Albums:

Help Yourself (1971)

Strange Affair (1972)

Beware the Shadow (1972) 

The Return of Ken Whaley (1973) 

Happy Days (with the Flying Aces and Spiv) (1973) 

5 (8 unreleased 1973 recordings & 3 recorded in 2002/2003) (2004)

Live albums:

Christmas at the Patti (with Man, Ducks Deluxe, Flying Aces and others) (1973) 

The Amazing ZigZag Concert (2010) 

More info: http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Help_Yourself_(band)