British VAN HALEN soundalikes. HELLANBACH came to the fore with a four track EP in 1980 that was let down by a horrendous production. Nevertheless, the 1980 Guardian EP 'Out To Get You' secured them a deal with Wallsend based Neat Records and a track, 'All Systems Go', on the 'One Take No Dubs' compilation EP. in 1982.

The band's critically acclaimed debut album ,'Now Hear This', released in 1983, featured an inspired cover of 'Everybody Wants To Be A Cat' , a song first featured in its original form on the soundtrack for the Disney animated movie 'The Aristocats'!

Drummer Steve Walker was replaced by MYTHRA's Barry Hopper following the release of the album and whilst a second album surfaced in 1984, 'The Big H', it wasn't as well received and the group subsequently disappeared. Guitarist Dave Patton was discovered to have joined GLENN HUGHES touring band in 1995. Bassist Kev Charlton subsequently worked with PHASSLAYNE frontman Micheal Maughan. Charlton joined the FIST reunion line-up in 2000.

During 2002 Essential Records issued a 2 CD retrospective entitled 'The Big H: The Hellanbach Anthology'. Barry Hopper united with Maurice Bates of MYTHRA in Rockabilly band THE BUCKETS.