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Helium3

Tomorrow, 8pm, The Cavern

While many local bands would be happy with a sold-out gig at The Cavern, Helium3 have higher ambitions. The band, which features three Cathay Pacific pilots, will launch their latest album there tomorrow and hope it becomes a global smash.

Helium3 have spent almost a year working with international music figures to ensure their 11-track release, Skindeep, is more than 'just another' Hong Kong indie album, says frontman Nick Flavell.

'This is not an album for Hong Kong ears only,' says Flavell (second from left). 'Our aim is to get radio play in many countries to show our songs can sit nicely in playlists which include big-name artists.'

Helium3 is the new name for established local act Skindeep, which comprises Flavell (vocals, keyboards), fellow airline captain Mike Smith (guitar, far left), first officer Dave Belcastro (bass, near right) and journalist Brendan Delfino (drums, second from right). The band were so committed to ensuring quality they secured the services of top British graphic designer and sound engineer Nathan Collins and industry veteran Jon Astley, the producer who's turned out albums for Eric Clapton, Tears for Fears and the Who.

'Nathan is one of the best in the biz in the UK at the moment and happens to be an old school friend of mine, so we got him to design the album cover,' says Flavell. 'And Jon, well we just called him and grovelled, played him the songs and he liked them, so he found some time in his schedule to master the album for us.'

The disc features pop-rock anthems with a melodic, modern feel, and has overtones of rock and dance.

The band focused on melody, says Flavell. 'We are not out to revolutionise the music industry with a bold new style, we just want people to find their own meaning in the songs and relate to the emotions expressed in the music.'

Helium3 recruited Canadian sound engineer Rob Porter to help record the tracks. Porter, who's worked with local indie act Audiotraffic and Eason Chan, helped hone the band's sound.

Flavell says the CD has already brought interest from a leading British producer and they're planning to market it internationally.

'That was pretty much our goal all along - a quality Hong Kong product which can go head-to-head with the best globally,' he says.

55 D'Aguilar St, Lan Kwai Fong, HK$120 (includes CD and one drink). Inquiries: 2121 8969

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