“They take me back to my childhood,” explained 46-year-old Anthony Maspero when asked, “Why do you love Helmet?” We chatted for maybe a minute, and he told me that he first saw Helmet when he was 18 years old at the Sunken Gardens in San Antonio.
“What was the scene like back then?” I asked him.
“Oh man, it was amazing. The music was good, way better than it is today, obviously,” he answered, gesturing to the now vacated stage.
Helmet is an alternative metal, post-hardcore rock band from New York City. They were formed in 1989, and currently consist of vocalist and lead guitarist Page Hamilton, drummer Kyle Stevenson, guitarist Dan Beeman and bassist Dave Case.
On Sunday night, the legendary rock group took over Paper Tiger’s main stage. I have never seen a crowd as elated as this one was, nor a band as ecstatic. The energy in the air was pure adrenaline and euphoria, and it was evident that Helmet held a special place in the heart of every audience member, no matter their age.
“I love Helmet because they’re the band that I grew up with, due to my dad playing them all the time,” Liseth Rodriguez, a sophomore digital communication major at UTSA, said. “Helmet’s instrumentals and groove are unique compared to any other band,” they explained.
Other fans commented on Helmet’s musical talent as well. Fifteen-year-old Miles Rodriguez, who was found headbanging at the front of the stage and spinning in the mosh pit, shared after the show that he loves Helmet because “I like the way the drummer plays, I like the guitar tone and just how creative they are.”
Joe Serrano, a 35-year-old barista, said that they loved Helmet’s riffs. “You see these new bands now, they have riffs like Helmet,” Serrano explained.
Helmet has an extensive discography and played songs from their first album to their newest singles. About halfway through their set, the crowd was begging for more, shouting at the band with song requests. Lead singer Hamilton shouted, “I’m contractually obligated to play more,” and played more they did. Their set was almost two hours long, and honestly, if they played until 2 a.m., I guarantee that everyone in the crowd would have stayed until the end.
The word enthusiastic can never be enough to describe the audience that night. Looking at the notes I was taking on my phone during the show, I wrote, “I’ve never seen a crowd so happy to be here. It’s like a bunch of 12-year-olds at a One Direction concert.”
The mosh pit was energetic, and several fans told me that the pit was their favorite part of the night, especially during songs like “In The Meantime” and “Tic.”
A few people shared some advice with me to pass on to fellow college students. Serrano said, “Be cool, don’t be a square.” Fifty-five-year-old Matt Frawley, a merchandise manager who has been touring with Helmet since 2015, said, “Follow your passion. It doesn’t matter how much money you make, because there are going to be people that make a lot more money than you and people that make a lot less, so do what you love.”
Even if doing what you love consists of barking, shouting or slipping in beer at Paper Tiger on a Sunday night, take pride in it.
“These are all love songs,” exclaimed Hamilton during the set, and this article is my love song for Helmet, and the San Antonio music scene that welcomed them with open, sweaty arms.
