Help Yourself (band)

Help Yourself, known to their fans as "The Helps", were an English rock band of the early 1970s. Originally formed as a backing band for Malcolm Morley, they evolved into a pub rock band with psychedelic-influences. Releasing four studio albums before their break-up, and one 31 years later, they are possibly best known for the number of notable musicians that passed through their ranks.

Help Yourself formed in London in 1970, originally as a backing band for singer-songwriter Malcolm Morley, who had 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'.^{[citation needed]}

The eponymous debut album, Help Yourself, was recorded from late 1970 to early 1971. Malcolm Morley (vocals, guitars, keyboards) wrote all the songs on this album, which was recorded with former Sam Apple Pie member Dave Charles (drums, percussion, vocals), ex member of Monday Morning Glory Band, Richard Treece (lead guitar, harmonica, vocals) and former Growth member Ken Whaley (bass).

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.^{[citation needed]} After the tour, Ken Whaley departed but no other bass player was recruited to replace him.

Help Yourself, Ernie Graham (vocals, guitar) 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. "Street Songs", from their first album, was issued on a United Artists double album sampler All Good Clean Fun. 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 Rockfield Studios, initially with Richard Treece still on bass, and adding his guitar parts later, until Paul Burton, their then Road Manager and former Sam Apple Pie roadie, joined on bass, guitar and vocals, to complete the album. Strange Affair was released in early 1972, by which time both Graham and Glemser had also departed.

The new line-up of Morley, Treece, Charles and Burton appeared on their first Peel Session in April 1972 and recorded the next album Beware The Shadow almost immediately. Sean Tyla, who had been the band's roadie, helped with some of the songwriting during this period, notably "American Mother," and "All Electric Fur Trapper" on "Strange Affair" which was based on a fairy tale he had written. Shortly after completing the album, the band left Headley Grange, Tyla moved in with ex member Ken Whaley, and they formed Ducks Deluxe.

Just as the Helps were due to start a tour to promote Beware The Shadow, Morley suffered a bout of depression ("The Shadow" referred to in the album title). Rather than cancel the tour, Deke Leonard, who had just been fired by Man, stood in. Leonard stayed with the band after Morley had recovered, whilst Help Yourself backed Leonard on his first solo album Iceberg

In December 1972, Help Yourself with Leonard and B. J. Cole, played at Man's Christmas Party. The double 10" album, Christmas at the Patti recorded at this concert, contains far more of their performance (24’) than their hosts (11’30’’). Ducks Deluxe also played this concert, but Whaley had already left.