The Exploding Hearts were vocalist/guitarist Adam Cox, bassist Matt Fitzgerald, guitarist Terry Six, and drummer Jeremy Gage.
Shortly after the release of their debut studio album, Guitar Romantic, Cox, Fitzgerald, and Gage were killed in a car accident on July 20, 2003, after which the band ceased to exist.
The bands sound was born from power pop and new wave – punk drawing from the classic acts such as Buzzcocks, The Boys, The Only Ones. There was a brief groundswell of bands in the northwest part of the USA along with The Exploding Hearts The Briefs also rose to prominence from the same scene. The band signed to Dirtknap Records who released their debut album in 2003.
On July 20, 2003, the band was headed home to Portland on Interstate 5 after having played a show at the Bottom of the Hill in San Francisco. It is believed that Fitzgerald, who was driving, fell asleep and lost control of their van near Eugene, Oregon. Cox, 23, and Gage, 21, were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene and Fitzgerald, 20, died at a hospital. Guitarist Terry Six, 21, and manager Rachell Ramos, 35, sustained only minor injuries. The band disbanded in the aftermath of the accident having lost such vital members under such tragic circumstances. Man, these were just kids when this tragic accident happened with their whole lives in front of them.
A compilation album was released by Dirtnap Records in 2006. In 2009, their song “Modern Kicks” is a classic slab of punk rockin’ power pop and has since been covered by bands who just got what The Exploding Hearts were all about.
Terry Six joined former members of the Portland-based band The Riffs, Gabe Lageson, Colin Jarrell, Alan Mansfieldwent, and established the Portland-based power pop band, The Nice Boys. They released a 7″ single on Discourage Records entitled “You Won’t See Me Anymore” b/w “Lipstick Love” and a S/T full-length album on Birdman Records but that’s it no more music. it was such a shame as The Exploding Hearts had so much to offer but their star shone so brightly yet briefly. Play some ‘Guitar Romantics’ today and pay tribute.
The Cry! did a pretty decent cover of ‘Modern Kicks’ (remember them?) anyway enjoy some awesome power pop and remember The Exploding Hearts today of all days. there is also a rumour that a movie is in production on the band but as yet no details are available so we can neither confirm nor deny this as being a fact. There isn’t a huge resource of information on the band but there are two terrific albums and some youtube footage. Go check em out and if you can pick up a record you won’t regret it.
Recent Comments