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H is for Hellgate
OriginSeattle, Washington
GenresIndie pop
Years active2007 (2007)–2009 (2009)
LabelsStereotype Records, Scissor City Sound
MembersJamie Henkensiefken, also known as Jamie Hellgate and Jamie Aaron Aux (guitar/lead vocals), Ben Baier (bass guitar),[1] Jon Jacobson (drums)[2]
Past membersMarie Calderon (drums), and David Thomas (guitar/vocals)

H is for Hellgate was an indie pop band[3] based in Seattle, active from 2007 until breaking up in 2009.

History

[edit]

H is for Hellgate's frontwoman, Jamie Henkensiefken, moved to Seattle from Missoula, Montana in 2002.[4] The band released two studio albums during its 2 years of activity. The first was released on Stereotype Records and the second was released on Scissor City Sound. The band's name derives from a canyon in Missoula.[5] The first was self-titled and was released on February 15, 2007.[1] The second of these albums was entitled "Come for the Peaks, Stay for the Valleys" and was released on December 2, 2008 and produced by Mark Mercer.[6] Their first album was home recorded and their second was recorded at Avast! Recording Company.[5] The band broke up in July 2009, and played their last show on the 23rd of that month at Seattle's Comet Tavern.[7] Both their albums were reviewed by Robert Christgau.[8] Baier is also affiliated with another band, entitled We Wrote the Book on Connectors. Jamie is currently a member of another band, entitled Eighteen Individual Eyes.[9]

Critical reception

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The Eugene Weekly compared some of H Is for Hellgate's music to that of At the Drive-In, as well as Sleater-Kinney, and compared Henkensiefken's vocals to Alison Mosshart's.[10] The Seattle PI's Gene Stout wrote that their musical style was "A fascinating blend of folk, pop, indie rock, progressive rock and classical, with a hefty dose of riot grrrl energy."[11]

H is for Hellgate (2007)

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Out There Monthly reviewed their self-titled debut and wrote, "Jamie Henkensiefken’s undeniably loveable and soulful vocals, much like Jamie herself, are the bread and butter of H."[12] Another review of this album came from Three Imaginary Girls, which gave the album a 5.6 out of 10 and wrote "H is for Hellgate almost appears to be two separate bands. The first is a rock band that uses lots of different timing changes and is driven by guitars, primarily. This band reminds me of Silversun Pickups or Metric. The second H is for Hellgate is a vocal-based pop band in the vein of Death Cab for Cutie."[13] Megan Seling of the Stranger was less favorable in her assessment of the album, describing it as "less-than-memorable".[14]

Come for the Peaks, Stay for the Valleys (2008)

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Nada Mucho ranked Come for the Peaks, Stay for the Valleys as the 6th best Seattle album of 2008.[15] In addition, Three Imaginary Girls ranked the album as the 23rd best Northwest release of 2008.[16] When Robert Christgau reviewed this album, he wrote, "Woman tells her bitter truths, which her guitar elaborates, or is it challenges?"[17] Another positive review of their second album came from the Missoula Independent, who wrote that "each song is beautifully crafted" and compared Henkensiefken favorably to Liz Phair.[18] Seattle Magazine wrote that their second album "...showcases the band’s—and in particular, lead singer Jamie Henkensiefken’s—ability to move seamlessly between punk rants (think Sleater-Kinney), alt-folk ballads (à la Laura Veirs) and the tricky time signatures of prog rock (like The Dismemberment Plan). The surprising mix will keep your ears on their toes."[19] Megan Seling reviewed the album favorably in the Stranger, writing that "Hellgate's pounding drumming and wiry guitar work nod to turbulent '90s post-rock, but some songs ("Blood," for instance) come with a somber Pacific Northwest vibe. "Copernicus and Me" is dark and drilling; "Dusk at Devil's Tower" is one part Jawbox, one part Bikini Kill."[14]

Discography

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  • H Is for Hellgate (Stereotype, 2007)
  • Come For the Peaks, Stay For the Valleys (Scissor City Sound, 2008)

References

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  1. ^ a b "H Is for Hellgate | H Is for Hellgate". Hisforhellgate.bandcamp.com. February 15, 2007. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  2. ^ Cunningham, Jonathan (June 23, 2009). "Seattle News and Events | Artopia: Upright and Grateful". Seattleweekly.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ DJ Sharlese (September 28, 2007). "H is for Hellgate and Levator". KEXP. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  4. ^ Markstrom, Serena (April 6, 2007). "H is for Hellgate Plays Womenspace Benefit". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  5. ^ a b Moorman, Trent (October 9, 2008). "H is for Hellgate Make an Album". The Stranger. Archived from the original on March 4, 2016. Retrieved September 15, 2013.
  6. ^ "Come For the Peaks, Stay For the Valleys | H Is for Hellgate". Hisforhellgate.bandcamp.com. December 2, 2008. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  7. ^ Imaginary Dana (July 14, 2009). "H is for Hellgate calling it quits, final show July 23". Three Imaginary Girls. Retrieved April 6, 2016.
  8. ^ "CG: h is for hellgate". Robert Christgau. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  9. ^ "Eighteen Individual Eyes, one great band at the Badlander « Nickell's Bag". Nickellbag.com. April 14, 2011. Archived from the original on December 27, 2013. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  10. ^ Article (February 24, 2012). "Eugene Weekly : Music : 2.5.09". eugeneweekly.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  11. ^ "SeattleNoise: H is for Hellgate". Seattlepi.com. June 14, 2007. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  12. ^ "Music Reviews March 2007". Out There Magazine. March 2007. Retrieved September 16, 2013.
  13. ^ Three Imaginary Girls (April 15, 2007). "H is for Hellgate". Threeimaginarygirls.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  14. ^ a b Seling, Megan (December 5, 2008). "Tonight in Music: Blitzen Trapper, H Is for Hellgate, Chuckanut Drive, and more!". the Stranger. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  15. ^ Klepac, Christian (January 1, 2009). "2008 Year in Review: Klepac on the Best Seattle Albums of 2008". Nada Mucho. Archived from the original on January 25, 2012. Retrieved October 12, 2013.
  16. ^ Three Imaginary Girls (January 5, 2009). "Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 TIG Editorial Picks". Three Imaginary Girls. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  17. ^ Christgau, Robert (February 1, 2009). "Consumer Guide: February 2009". MSN Music. Retrieved January 27, 2018.
  18. ^ Gadbow, Ali. "Come for the Peaks... Review". The Missoula Independent. Retrieved October 13, 2013.
  19. ^ "Review: Rock the Blues Away". Seattlemag.com. Retrieved October 13, 2013. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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