The Purple Helmets was a fun and energetic side project that brought together a group of well-known musicians with a shared love for the raw excitement of 1960s garage rock and rhythm & blues. The band came together during breaks in the schedule of The Stranglers, giving bassist Jean-Jacques 'JJ' Burnel and keyboard player Dave Greenfield the chance to get back on stage and simply enjoy playing the songs that had inspired them in the first place. They were joined by guitarist John Ellis, who was still with The Vibrators at the time but would later spend a spell with The Stranglers, saxophonist Alex Gifford from the Stranglers' live horn section, and drummer Manny Elias, best known for his work with Tears for Fears.
Rather than concentrating on original material, The Purple Helmets celebrated the classic sounds of the British Invasion, garage rock and vintage R&B with a set packed full of well-loved covers. Their performances had a relaxed, party atmosphere, with the musicians clearly enjoying the chance to step away from their regular bands and revisit timeless songs by artists who had shaped their musical tastes.
That spirit was captured on their debut album, 'Ride Again', released in 1988 by New Rose Records. Recorded live at a party for friends and family, the album feels loose, spontaneous and full of energy, featuring spirited takes on classics such as "All Day and All of the Night", "Woolly Bully" and "Over Under Sideways Down". Instead of aiming for polished perfection, the recording preserves the atmosphere of a great night with a band playing purely for the fun of it.
Although 'Ride Again' has never been widely available and can be difficult to track down, it has earned a loyal following over the years. Fans of The Stranglers and anyone with a taste for gritty 1960s garage rock will find plenty to enjoy, as The Purple Helmets captured the excitement and infectious spirit of the music that first inspired its members to pick up their instruments.
