The Helio Sequence
Ten years ago, Oregon rock duo the Helio Sequence was basking in the glow of their most successful album to date, Keep Your Eyes Ahead. The tenth anniversary of that breakthrough LP brings them to the Casbah on November 17, to promote an expanded edition that drops next month via Sub Pop. The two former music store clerks have only released a couple of full-lengths and a split 7-inch since Keep Your Eyes Ahead, partly due to keyboardist-drummer Benjamin Weikel’s busy schedule, which includes recording on multiple releases by Modest Mouse, with whom the duo has also toured. Singer-guitarist Brandon Summers was sidelined for a time with vocal cord damage, but their self-titled 2015 album nearly qualifies as a comeback, perfectly distilling their minimalist brand of first-draft, wall-o-keyboards rock and roll. This tour, however, appears to be all about the re-release of Keep Your Eyes Ahead, which includes the original ten songs as well as a second disc of demos, outtakes, and alternate tracks. Preview tracks streaming online include an acoustic version of “No Regrets,” and the Casbah date will feature a performance of the entire album.