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Mt. Helium

 
Artist: The Apex Theory
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The Apex Theory

Group Members:

Sammy J. Watson, David Hakopyan, Art Karamian, Andy Khachaturian

Similar Artists:

At the Drive-In, Sevendust, Boy Hits Car, Dredg, Pressure 4-5, Jawbox, Hoobastank, System of a Down, Linkin Park, Flaw, Jawbreaker, Onesidezero
See The Apex Theory Lyrics
  • Formed: 1999, Los Angeles, CA
  • Genres: Rock
  • Representative Albums: "Topsy Turvy

Biography

The Apex Theory came together because of an ethnic bond. Frontman Andy Khachaturian, guitarist Art Karamian, and bassist David Hakopyan are of Armenian descent. While growing up in the suburbs of Los Angeles, each of them was exposed to various genres of world music as well as pop music, jazz, and classical. Drummer Sammy J. Watson, who is not of Armenian background, grew up in Chimacum, WA, and hooked up with Khachaturian, Karamian, and Hakopyan after the Apex Theory failed to find a committed, determined drummer for the band. After one audition, Watson made the Apex Theory official in 1999, allowing the band to build a name around their infectious live shows in and around West Hollywood. They self-released the Extendemo EP in 2000 while major-label representatives chomped at the bit to sign the band. The Apex Theory wasn't exactly concerned with making it with a major label; they just wanted to play live. DreamWorks won them over, however, and the Apex Theory landed a deal in early 2001 and producer Don Gilmore (Linkin Park, Pearl Jam, Sugar Ray) signed on for their first proper EP, a self-titled effort issued later that year. A main-stage gig with Vans' Warped Tour established the Apex Theory's name among the ever-changing alt-metal/post-grunge reign, for their "heavy Mediterranean groove," a phrase coined by the band describing their music, was catching on. Debut single "Shhh...(Hope Diggy)" pushed them to co-headline the 2002 MTV2 tour with Andrew W.K., Pressure 4-5, and Lostprophets. In April of that year, the Apex Theory's first studio full-length album Topsy Turvy was released. They headed out on the road with 2002's Ozzfest tour in support of the record. ~ MacKenzie Wilson, All Music Guide
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Wikipedia: Mt. Helium
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Home > Library > Miscellaneous > Wikipedia
Mt. Helium
Also known as The Apex Theory
Origin Los Angeles, California, USA
Genres Alternative rock, progressive rock
Years active 1999 — present
Labels Dreamworks Records, TOYS.of.the.MASSES.
Associated acts System of a Down, VoKee
Members
Art Karamian
David Hakopyan
Sammy J. Watson
Former members
Ontronik Khachaturian

Mt. Helium is an American alternative rock band from Los Angeles, California, formerly known as The Apex Theory. The band has released two studio albums and three extended plays to date.

Contents

History

The Apex Theory was formed in 1999 by Armenian-American Los Angeles musicians Ontronik Khachaturian, Art Karamian and David Hakopyan. Drummer Sammy J. Watson joined the band after they were unable to find a committed drummer.[1] The band released their first extended play, Extendemo, in 2000. The following year, they signed with DreamWorks Records,[2] releasing their second EP, The Apex Theory on October 9, 2001.[1] The band performed at the main stage during the 2001 Warped Tour,[3][4] and as co-headliners at the 2002 MTV2 tour.[1]

On April 2, 2002, the band released their debut album, Topsy-Turvy. It peaked at #6 on the Billboard Heatseekers chart and #157 on the Billboard 200.[5] Months after the album's release, Khachaturian left the band,[2] and they began to audition new vocalists before deciding that Karamian would take over as the band's vocalist.[6][7] The band released an EP in 2004 entitled inthatskyissomethingwatching. After changing their name to Mt. Helium, the band released their second album, Faces as a digital download on June 3, 2008.[8]

Musical style

Former vocalist Ontronik Khachaturian described the band's sound as a "heavy Mediterranean groove".[1][9] Michigan Daily writer Sonya Sutherland wrote that "The Apex Theory combines a heavy drum support, melodic guitars and honey sweet vocals to provide an entertaining and emotional message."[9] The band's musical style was influenced by Mediterranean, Middle Eastern and Near Eastern music.[9]

The band has been associated with various genres, including funk rock,[4][10] nu metal[11][12] and progressive rock.[11][13] MTV News writer Jon Wiederhorn wrote that "the Apex Theory's multi-textured music [...] combines metal, prog-rock, Mediterranean music and even jazz. And the off-kilter rhythm, skittering drums, whirlpool guitars and aggressive vocals of 'Shhh ... (Hope Diggy)' are a perfect taster for the band's debut album".[14]

Band members

Current members

Former members

Discography

Studio albums

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f Wilson, MacKenzie. "Biography of The Apex Theory". Allmusic. http://allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&=11:d9foxql0ldje~T1. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  2. ^ a b Iannini, Tommaso (2003) "The Apex Theory" (in Italian) Nu metalGiuntipp. 22-23ISBN 8809030516 
  3. ^ MacDonald, Patrick (June 29, 2001). "Punk rock and extreme sports collide at Vans Warped Tour". The Seattle Times. http://community.seattletimes.nwsource.com/archive/?date=20010629&slug=vans29. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  4. ^ a b Burr, Ramiro (September 7, 2002). "Apex Theory set for Ozzfest Quartet mixes hard rock, funk". San Antonio Express-News. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=SAEC&p_theme=saec&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F5FA1A9991C7683&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  5. ^ "Charts and awards for Topsy Turvy". Allmusic. http://www.allmusic.com/cg/amg.dll?p=amg&sql=10:3vftxqe0ldte~T3. Retrieved 13 December 2008. 
  6. ^ a b "For The Record: Quick News On Limp Bizkit, Wes Borland, Apex Theory, Coal Chamber, Rival Schools, Kiss & More". MTV News. November 19 2002. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1458771/11192002/rival_schools.jhtml. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  7. ^ a b "For The Record: Quick News On Mary J. Blige, Guided By Voices, Kid Rock, Elephant Man, Metallica, Billy Joel & More". MTV News. April 26 2004. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1486602/20040426/blige_mary_j.jhtml. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  8. ^ "ASIN: B001A660KW". Amazon.com. http://www.amazon.com/dp/B001A660KW/. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  9. ^ a b c Sutherland, Sonya (November 12, 2001). "World music collides in Apex Theory". Michigan Daily. http://www.michigandaily.com/content/world-music-collides-apex-theory. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  10. ^ "Pop and Jazz Guide". The New York Times. July 19, 2002. http://query.nytimes.com/gst/fullpage.html?res=9A07E4D81039F93AA25754C0A9649C8B63. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  11. ^ a b Wood, Mikael (April 5, 2002). "THE APEX THEORY "Topsy-Turvy"". The Washington Post. http://www.highbeam.com/doc/1P2-356617.html. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  12. ^ "Review of Topsy-Turvy". The Phoenix. http://www.bostonphoenix.com/boston/music/otr/documents/02305305.htm. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  13. ^ "Adema emerges as Sno-Core favorite". The Deseret News. March 18, 2002. http://nl.newsbank.com/nl-search/we/Archives?p_product=NewsLibrary&p_multi=DSNB&d_place=DSNB&p_theme=newslibrary2&p_action=search&p_maxdocs=200&p_topdoc=1&p_text_direct-0=0F37F26AF8FDAC4A&p_field_direct-0=document_id&p_perpage=10&p_sort=YMD_date:D&s_trackval=GooglePM. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 
  14. ^ Wiederhorn, Jon (March 1 2002). "Apex Theory Offer 'Hope' To Metal — Diggy-Da". MTV News. http://www.mtv.com/news/articles/1452687/20020228/apex_theory.jhtml. Retrieved 15 December 2008. 


v • d • e
Mt. Helium
Art Karamian · Dave Hakopyn · Sammy J. Watson
Ontronik Khachaturian
Albums
EPs
Extendemo · The Apex Theory · Lightpost
Singles
"Shhh... (Hope Diggy)" · "Apossibly"
Related articles

This entry is from Wikipedia, the leading user-contributed encyclopedia. It may not have been reviewed by professional editors (see full disclaimer)

 
 
Learn More
Faces (Mt. Helium album)
The Apex Theory (EP)
Lightpost

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