Outpatients, along with Deep Wound, was one of the seminal hardcore bands from Western MA. The band was formed in 1982 by brothers Vis and Scott Helland. They were known for their highly energetic and crazed live shows. "One of the most brutalizing live bands from the period" (Flipside) They played throughout the North East Coast, Canada and South America. They released several records and tapes including 2 classic demos "the Basement tape" and "Committed". Their 1983 Radio Beat studio sessions were released on the Hardcore Outcasts '82-'84 CD in 1995. It includes all the material from the Basement tape like "Light Blue", "Fight" and "Balloon Head". Their Outcasts II '85-'95 CD features the band's more metallic crossover sound with 15 songs from various releases in their last ten years. They played with some great bands of the period like Black Flag, GBH, Husker Du, SSD, Agnostic Front, Cro-mags, 7 Seconds, Melvins, C.O.C, Murphy's Law, Necros, Articles of Faith, Crucifix, Negative FX, D.Y.S, Battalion of Saints, Vatican Commando's, 76% Uncertain, Scream, Raven, Prong, Sorry, The Proletariat, Leeway, Gang Green, Sheer Terror, Bedlam, Mental Abuse, Reagan Youth, Dough Boys, The Dicks, The Mob, The Freeze, RKL, Raw Deal, School of Violence, Cancerous Growth, Verbal Assault, Seige and the list goes on... as well as cool Western Ma bands like Deep Wound, Da Stupids and No Preservatives! Outpatients CDs are available through www.scotthelland.com, though a limited quantity exists, so get 'em while you can. Yup, a cool part of hardcore history to check out!
Outpatients bass player, Scott Helland, now writes and plays guitar and percussion for the French Gypsy Neo Folk Duo The Gypsy Nomads, whose albums are listed on the left of this page.
Original Members:
Vis Helland - Vocals, Guitar
Scott Helland - Bass
Mike Kingsbury - Drums
Additional members:
Scot Bates - Drums `87-`93
Marc Lichtenstein - 2nd Guitar `91-`93
Mike Smith - Drums `94-`95
More info and music samples?!
Visit www.myspace.com/outpatientswmass
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