Outpatients (band)

Outpatients
Outpatients performing at Halley in Buenos Aires, Argentina 1992. Left to right: Marc Lichtenstein, Vis Helland, and Scott Helland
Background information
Origin	Westfield, Massachusetts
Genres	Alternative metal, Hardcore punk, thrash metal, progressive metal
Years active	1982–1995
Labels	Free Association, Exotic Aquatic, Incas
Associated acts	Deep Wound, Frenchy and the Punk, School of Violence
Website	www.outpatientsband.com
Past members	Vis Helland, Scott Helland, Mike Kingsbury, Scot Bates, Marc Licntenstein, Mike Smith

Outpatients was an American hardcore/metal band formed in Westfield, Massachusetts in 1982 by brothers Vis Helland and Scott Helland with drummer Mike Kingsbury, and is considered to be among the first western mass hardcore bands to cross over to a thrash metal sound, and to tour outside the United States. Outpatients were known for their highly energetic live stage shows while maintaining a tight musical performance. The group’s sound, imagery and themes have been referenced and borrowed by numerous subsequent bands.

The group formed from the ashes of Vis’ first group, "Mace", formed in 1980. When Mace’s bassist left for the navy late 1982, he was quickly replaced by Vis' 14-year-old brother, Scott (who’d formed the hardcore group Deep Wound in 1982 with Lou Barlow and J Mascis), The band’s name was changed to “Outpatients’ and quickly made waves in the hardcore scene gaining rave reviews almost immediately. February 5, 1983 they released “The Basement Tape” which circulated in the underground worldwide, and made Maximumrocknroll's Top 20. Also this year was the first of many New york City shows at the legendary CBGB. They appeared on several Compilations including the now sought after “Bands That Could Be God” Compilation This included tracks from their first studio recording which was done with legendary punk producer Lou Giordano and Jimmy Dufour at Radio Beat Studios in Boston. Outpatients toured with Battalion of Saints in 1984 and appeared on the “Flipside Vol. 2” compilation. Musically, lyrically and ideologically, Outpatients never fully committed to the hardcore punk genre opting to allow themselves to progress musically. The band felt that hardcore was becoming too restrictive in general despite its non-conformist themes. Scott was amongst the first bassists in the area to incorporate slap bass into hardcore and metal and by 1985 the band’s sound had crossed over from hardcore to their own eclectic form of heavy metal. In 1987 Mike Kingsbury left and was replaced by Scot Bates. In 1988 the band released “Free Association” its first full-length album on vinyl.