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H Is for Hellgate

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

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)

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 edit

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) edit

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) edit

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 edit

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

References edit

  1. ^ a b "H Is for Hellgate | H Is for Hellgate". Hisforhellgate.bandcamp.com. 2007-02-15. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  2. ^ Cunningham, Jonathan (2009-06-23). "Seattle News and Events | Artopia: Upright and Grateful". Seattleweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
  3. ^ DJ Sharlese (28 September 2007). "H is for Hellgate and Levator". KEXP. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  4. ^ Markstrom, Serena (6 April 2007). "H is for Hellgate Plays Womenspace Benefit". Eugene Register-Guard. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  5. ^ a b Moorman, Trent (9 October 2008). "H is for Hellgate Make an Album". The Stranger. Archived from the original on 4 March 2016. Retrieved 15 September 2013.
  6. ^ "Come For the Peaks, Stay For the Valleys | H Is for Hellgate". Hisforhellgate.bandcamp.com. 2008-12-02. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  7. ^ Imaginary Dana (14 July 2009). "H is for Hellgate calling it quits, final show July 23". Three Imaginary Girls. Retrieved 6 April 2016.
  8. ^ "CG: h is for hellgate". Robert Christgau. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  9. ^ "Eighteen Individual Eyes, one great band at the Badlander « Nickell's Bag". Nickellbag.com. 2011-04-14. Archived from the original on 2013-12-27. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  10. ^ Article (2012-02-24). "Eugene Weekly : Music : 2.5.09". eugeneweekly.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  11. ^ "SeattleNoise: H is for Hellgate". Seattlepi.com. 2007-06-14. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  12. ^ "Music Reviews March 2007". Out There Magazine. March 2007. Retrieved 16 September 2013.
  13. ^ Three Imaginary Girls (2007-04-15). "H is for Hellgate". Threeimaginarygirls.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  14. ^ a b Seling, Megan (2008-12-05). "Tonight in Music: Blitzen Trapper, H Is for Hellgate, Chuckanut Drive, and more!". the Stranger. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  15. ^ Klepac, Christian (1 January 2009). "2008 Year in Review: Klepac on the Best Seattle Albums of 2008". Nada Mucho. Archived from the original on 25 January 2012. Retrieved 12 October 2013.
  16. ^ Three Imaginary Girls (2009-01-05). "Best of 2008: Top Northwest Releases of 2008 TIG Editorial Picks". Three Imaginary Girls. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  17. ^ Christgau, Robert (2009-02-01). "Consumer Guide: February 2009". MSN Music. Retrieved 2018-01-27.
  18. ^ Gadbow, Ali. "Come for the Peaks... Review". The Missoula Independent. Retrieved 2013-10-13.
  19. ^ "Review: Rock the Blues Away". Seattlemag.com. Retrieved 2013-10-13. {{cite journal}}: Cite journal requires |journal= (help)
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