The Helltons: Dead Wrong

Artist: The Helltons
Title: Dead Wrong
Format Reviewed: MP3
Format Released: October 2015 (10" Vinyl)
Reviewed By: Dan Stoten

It's not often we receive gritty pop-punk from France in our inbox here at The Punk Archive, so we were excited to give the new release from Paris four-piece The Helltons a listen. Having recently signed to Paper + Plastick and recently beginning a US tour, it's an exciting time for the band.

'Exciting', though isn't necessarily a word I'd use to describe Dead Wrong. However, this isn't a criticism in any way: what we have here is five tracks of pretty mellowed-out, downbeat indie-influenced pop-punk. It's not a helter-skelter, adrenaline-pumped record, but one which fuzzily and gently eases it's way into your affections.

I'm not going to lie: on first listen, I actually found the EP a little dull. However, on repeat listens, it began to grow on me considerably, to the point where I've been repeating it most of this evening. It's a very likeable record: one which doesn't get in your face in an aggressive way, but relies on the solid songwriting and fuzzier sound to pull the listeners' attention.

Intoxicated Brain is a great example of what you can expect from the EP. It starts with a moping, downbeat rhythm and vocal tone, with the soft production style really suiting the sound. There then comes a steady chorus with some perfectly pitched backing gang-vocals, and a perhaps surprising amount of melody. As I say, this isn't a choppy, edgy song at all: it's a mellow, gentle exploration of indie-soaked pop-punk: something you don't hear very often but certainly worth a go.

Sleeping In The Bathtub has slightly more structure to it, with faster drumming and more gritty vocal. To me, it sounded a little like a less throaty and less sharp version of Red City Radio: almost like the Oklahoma band but with the rougher corners smoothed off. It's not my favourite track on the EP, though, as I've come to really enjoy the more mellow style The Helltons display elsewhere, which, in my mind, they're better at.

We're Dead, for example, could be mistaken for a Menzingers' track on first listen. It's got that same downbeat style, morose vocals and the heavy usage of cymbals. It's brilliantly steady in rhythm, almost unrelentingly marching towards grey skies. Again, there's awesome backing gang vocal here and a simple, straight-up chorus. It's simple, easy to listen to and mellow.

And that's what The Helltons do best. Mellowed-out, downbeat indie-influenced pop-punk. I can't wait to see them at Fest...