Phantom Helmsmen
(consisting of John Carpender,
Tom Gerlach & Steve Gerlach) was one of the best-loved live bands to
come out of the Chicago area. They captured their sound on their debut album
lessons worth learning, and tracks on several popular compilation albums.
The single for "Don't" from the disc received widespread play throughout
the Midwest. The video for "Said And Done" was played on virtually every
music video program save for MTV.
Despite their growing
success the band broke up while demand for their shows and discs was increasing.
Lead guitarist Steve Gerlach left for The Amarillo Kings and later The
Bad Examples. Drummer John Carpender hooked up with Michael McDermott.
In early '95 this core of the Helmsmen re-united to form MysteryDriver
Occasionally, Phantom Helmsmen still play the rare gig together around Chicago.
A word to the wise is sufficient...
MysteryDriver's
acclaimed album on Whitehouse Records, Getting
Away With Murder, and their incendiary live shows have developed a growing
fanbase and created the demand for the Phantom Helmsmen's debut. Originally
released in 1992 on Hogleg Records (001), the album was re-released on Whitehouse
Records.
