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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... Roseburg shooting victim describes gunman's rampage ... Habitat for Humanity volunteers raise walls and hope for Medford family ... Gold Hill residents say city dawdled as streets flooded ... LIVE MUSIC Page Hamilton comes home One of the stops on rock band Helmet's 2015 Betty Tour of the U.S. is at Howiee's on Front in Medford — hometown of front man and lead guitarist Page Hamilton. Comment By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted May. 5, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated May 6, 2015 at 10:29 AM By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted May. 5, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated May 6, 2015 at 10:29 AM » Social News One of the stops on rock band Helmet's 2015 Betty Tour of the U.S. is at Howiee's on Front in Medford — hometown of front man and lead guitarist Page Hamilton. "I was born in Portland and raised in Medford," Hamilton says. "I'm excited to be playing back home for the very first time." His band's Betty Tour — celebrating the 20th anniversary of the 1994 release on Interscope Records — experienced such success in Europe last year that Anderson decided to bring it to the U.S. Just as they did overseas, Hamilton, along with guitarist Dan Beeman, bassist Dave Case and drummer Kyle Stevenson, will play "Betty" in its entirety — including hit songs "Wilma's Rainbow" and "Milquetoast" — then finish with a second set of music that spans Helmet's repertoire. The show starts at 8 p.m. Thursday, May 7, at Howiee's, 16 N. Front St. Tickets cost $20 and can be purchased online at helmetmusic.com or at the door. Hamilton didn't pick up a guitar until his last year at Medford Senior High School, he says. He graduated in 1978, then moved on to earn a degree in music at the University of Oregon. He didn't waste any time choosing a career in music. In '82, he headed to New York City to study jazz guitar at the Manhattan School of Music. During that time, he worked with avant-garde composer Glenn Branca's guitar orchestra and joined New York City noise rockers Band of Susans. Fresh out of graduate school, Hamilton and Band of Susans toured with English rock band Wire. Hamilton was asked to join Wire when guitarist Bruce Gilbert left. Wire's music made a remarkable impression on Hamilton's guitar playing. "Bruce's sound was extremely high-gain and overdriven," Hamilton says during a live interview on Seattle's KEXP. "His sound is kind of sludgy. The band did cool things like move notes against chords, really simple but ingenious and beautiful. Between Glenn Branca and Wire, I was hooked. They were a huge influence on my songwriting." Hamilton brought Wire's precision to Helmet, forming the band in 1989 with Henry Bogdan, Peter Mengede and John Stanier. The band initially signed to Amphetamine Reptile Records, releasing a number of singles and one album, "Strap It On," in 1991. After signing with Interscope, Helmet released "Meantime" (1992), "Betty" (1994), "Aftertaste" (1997) and "Size Matters" (2004). "Meantime" is Helmet's principal commercial success, with hits "Unsung" and "In the Meantime." It was certified gold by the Recording Industry Association of America. "Betty" explored new sonic territories that incorporated elements of jazz and blues into Helmet's “thinking-man’s metal.” Hamilton reformed Helmet in 2004 with a new lineup, releasing "Monochrome" in 2006 on Warcon and "Seeing Eye Dog" in 2010 on Work Song. Hamilton's jazz guitar training lends atypical time signatures to Helmet's music. He and Beeman will play in 3/4 while drummer Stevenson plays 4/4. The band will play 7/8 while keeping the music in that groove that appeals to rock fans who may not have an ear for jazz. By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune MailTribune.com By Laurie Heuston Mail Tribune Posted May. 5, 2015 at 9:00 AM Updated May 6, 2015 at 10:29 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... 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