Outpatients (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1982 in Westfield, Massachusetts, United States |
| Founder | Vis Helland, Scott Helland, Mike Kingsbury |
| Defunct | 1995 |
| Headquarters | Westfield, Massachusetts , United States |
| Products | Hardcore punk and metal music |
Outpatients was a hardcore and metal band from the United States, originating in Westfield, Massachusetts in 1982. The group was founded by brothers Vis Helland and Scott Helland, alongside drummer Mike Kingsbury. They became known for their dynamic and vigorous live shows.
Western Mass years (1982–1988)
Outpatients evolved from Vis Helland’s previous band, Mace. When Mace’s bassist enlisted in the U.S. Navy toward the end of 1982, Vis’ younger brother Scott, then 14 and co-founder of the hardcore outfit Deep Wound with Lou Barlow and J Mascis, stepped in. This lineup change prompted the band to adopt the name Outpatients. Rapidly establishing themselves within the hardcore circuit, they released The Basement Tape in February 1983, which gained international circulation and reached Maximumrocknroll's Top 20 list. The band also performed at prominent venues such as CBGB and featured on compilations like Bands That Could Be God. Their initial studio recordings were produced by Lou Giordano and Jimmy Dufour at Boston’s Radio Beat Studios. In 1984, they embarked on a tour with Battalion of Saints.
Musically and philosophically, Outpatients distanced themselves from rigid hardcore punk conventions, seeking to expand their sound as the genre became more limiting. Scott Helland introduced slap bass techniques rarely heard in hardcore music at that time, and by 1985 their style had shifted toward a diverse heavy metal influence.
In 1987, drummer Mike Kingsbury departed and was succeeded by Scot Bates. The band issued their debut full-length vinyl album, Free Association, in 1988.
NYC years (1989–1995)
Scot Bates exited the band in 1988. That summer, friends from New York City’s School of Violence (SOV)—signed to Death Records, a Metal Blade sublabel—lost their bassist. Vis and Scott relocated to New York to join SOV’s remaining members and complete their lineup. Following SOV’s breakup in 1990, Outpatients reassembled that same year. Mike Kingsbury moved to New York to resume drumming duties but was soon replaced again by Scot Bates. In 1991, they released the demo Life On The Outside and welcomed Marc Lichtenstein as a second guitarist. The band toured South America during 1992. Bates left once more at the end of that year. Early in 1993, they released the Test of Time CD, recorded at Don Fury Studios in Manhattan. Mike Smith then joined as drummer until Outpatients disbanded in 1995.
In 1996, Outpatients briefly reunited for a one-off performance in New York City with Mike Smith on drums.
Albums
- 1983 Outpatients: Basement Tape, Free Association Records
- 1985 Outpatients: Committed, Free Association Records
- 1986 Outpatients: Second Thought, Free Association Records
- 1988 Outpatients: Free Association, Free Association/Incas Records
- 1989 Outpatients: Two Song Free Demo, Free Association Records
- 1990 Outpatients: Unreported Outbreaks, Free Association Records
- 1990 Outpatients: Committed Two, Free Association Records
- 1990 Outpatients: Battle of the Giants split 7-inch w/ Black Market Baby
- 1991 Outpatients: Life on the Outside, Free Association Records
- 1993 Outpatients: Test of Time, Free Association Records
- 1995 Outpatients: Hardcore Outcasts Revisited 1982-1984, Free Association Records
- 1998 Outpatients: Outcasts II 1985-1995, Free Association Records
- 2001 Outpatients: Outpatients vs Dastupids split LP, Rave Up Records (Italy)
Compilation Albums
- 1983 Birth Defect Tape
- 1984 Empty Skulls cassette compilation by Skull Tapes
- 1984 Bands That Could Be God LP released by Homestead Records (features Deep Wound)
- 1985 Flipside Volume 2 Vinyl fanzine issued by Gasatanka Records
- 1998 Suburban Voice 15th Anniversary CD from Suburban Voice Records
- 2002 Shielded by Death Vol. 2 Western MA Punk ’79–’83 CD distributed by Dionysus Records
Members
Founding members:
- Vis Helland – Guitar, Vocals
- Scott Helland – Bass, Backing Vocals
- Mike Kingsbury – Drums, Backing Vocals
Later line-ups:
- Scot Bates – Drums (1987–1988, 1990–1993)
- Marc Lichtenstein – Guitar (1990–1993)
- Mike Smith – Drums (1993–1995)