music

Nineties kids who religiously read the NME in the years immediately before it fully disappeared down the U-bend may or may not be surprised, not to mention strangely comforted, to see Welsh punk-pop band Helen Love still at it after all these years. Formed in Swansea in 1992 and fronted by Helen herself, the band staked out its Ramones-centric niche from the get-go, even going so far as to name their debut single Joey Ramoney, and consistently claiming to only listen to music by The Ramones.

In the three decades and change since they appeared Helen Love have perfected a sound and aesthetic that pivots on catchy melodies, fast-paced rhythms and playful lyrics that reference pop culture, love and youth rebellion. The great John Peel was a noted fan, and Love delightfully managed to collaborate with her hero before his death in 2001, duetting with Joey Ramone on BBC Radio 1 and providing backing vocals on his posthumously released solo album Don't Worry About Me.