SOUND MATTERS with Tom Leu

Entertaining Matters in Music & Entertainment

112: Brent “The Doctor” Doerner

July 29, 2021

Episode #112 – The Podcast: (also on SpotifyApple Podcasts, Amazon MusicGoogle PodcastsiHeartRadio, Stitcher, TuneIn Radio, & Spreaker)

 

Brent “The Doctor” Doerner from Helix

Brent “The Doctor” Doerner is a founding member and guitarist of the great Canadian rock band Helix. Brent spent over 18 years with the platinum selling band and appears on all of their classic albums from the 80’s and 90’s. Brent is a passionate songwriter, and today, along with his twin brother Brian (also a Helix alum) on drums, leads the band My Wicked Twin based out of Kitchener Ontario. This was a fun and insightful conversation with Brent going deep about Helix’s humble beginnings, coming up in the clubs in the 70’s, auditioning Michael J. Fox, getting signed to Capital records, tour stories from Helix’s heydays, meeting many of his hero’s on the road, his relationship with Helix frontman, Brian Vollmer, his approach to songwriting today, and much more…

Inside the Interview:

  • Genesis of the nickname “The Doctor”?
  • Songwriting in Helix and the “hair metal” formula pushed by Capital Records
  • Gold and Platinum albums
  • Club days gigging in Canada
  • Joining the “Helix Field Band”
  • Learning how to write original music
  • Tour stories with Black Sabbath, Kiss, Dio, Heart, etc.
  • Auditioning Michael J. Fox for Helix
  • Recording the No Rest for the Wicked album
  • Approach to guitar solos
  • The moments when Helix records first went Gold and Platinum
  • Almost dying on tour in Trinidad
  • “Rock You” video w/cameo from former porn star Traci Lords
  • “Mailbox money” and ongoing music royalties
  • My Wicked Twin (with Brent’s twin brother and drummer, Brian Doerner)
  • Approach to recording and writing music and lyrics today

Connect with Brent “The Doctor” Doerner:
Facebook: www.facebook.com/reddfilm
Facebook: www.facebook.com/groups/mywickedtwin

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Click below to listen to recent Sound Matters show episode:

“Highlights & Hits” Ep. 111
MTT038: Songs That Mention Other Artists
MTT039: Songs Artists Never or Rarely Play Live

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