Get to know these pint-sized punks because the rest of the world is catching on. The Helmets are a Californian heavy rock band consisting of four skater dudes that started jamming back in 2013 when they were 8 years old. That’s right, single digit 8.
The Helmets are: Bryan Ferretti (13) on lead vocals & guitar, Bastian Evans (12) singing back vocals & lead guitar, Kai Neukermans (12) on drums and Metallica Bassist Robert Trujillo’s son, Tye Trujillo (12) on bass. Tye comes by his talent (and amazing head of long flowing black hair) naturally. It’s in the DNA.
The Helmets with Stephanie Gilmore at Surfrider Malibu. Photo: Jerritt Clark
Check out the video of The Helmets performing with Stephanie Gilmore, here.
Tye and the boys started playing music in Evans’ garage, going straight from street skating with their helmets still on, hence the band’s name. Let’s make this clear – this isn’t a novelty act – these kids have legit chops as musicians. With a few years under their belts, they are now rocking big stages with original songs.
The boys’ fan club includes surfing rock stars and rocking surf stars like Perry Farrell, Anthony Kiedis, Kelly Slater and Greg Long. They have played major gigs like Lollapalooza Chicago and Chile, BottleRock Festival‘ in Napa—and most recently, Surfrider’s Two Coasts: One Ocean ticketed fundraiser in Little Dume, Malibu.
The Helmets with Robert Trujillo at Surfrider Malibu. Photo: Jerritt Clark
Rocking loud and head thrashing non-stop, The Helmets showed their support and dedication to raising funds for the protection and enjoyment of our world’s oceans, waves and beaches by headlining at Surfrider’s annual Two Coasts: One Ocean event. Their electrifying live set included original songs like Rising Machine, Ghost Rider and Thrash Doom and a face-melting cover of Led Zeppelin’s Black Dog. Featuring impromptu jam outs with Stephanie Gilmore and Dad/Robert Trujillo, the boys’ performance had everyone outta their seats.
Two Coasts: One Ocean in Malibu (supported by Volcom, Billabong, Patagonia, KROQ, Gucci, D’Angelico Guitars and Don Q Rum, among others) funded two critical efforts to expand Surfrider’s outreach and advocacy efforts to reduce ocean plastic pollution and protect the coast. For more information visit www.surfrider.org/two-coasts-one-ocean.
