The Exploding Hearts

The Exploding Hearts

The Exploding Hearts. Left to right: Adam Cox, Jeremy Gage, Matt Fitzgerald, Terry Six
Background information
Origin Portland, Oregon, United States
Genres Punk rock, power pop
Years active 2001–2003
Labels Vinyl Warning, Pelado, Screaming Apple, Dirtnap
Associated acts The Nice Boys
Past members Adam Cox (deceased)
Matt Fitzgerald (deceased)
Terry Six
Jeremy Gage (deceased)
King Louie Bankston
Jim Evans
Matt Bunza

The Exploding Hearts were an influential American punk rock and power pop band formed in Portland, Oregon, United States, in 2001. The band was composed of vocalist/guitarist Adam Cox, bassist Matt Fitzgerald, guitarist Terry Six, and drummer Jeremy Gage.[1]

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.[1]

History

The band rose to prominence in the US Pacific Northwest scene shortly after they formed in 2001. The band drew influences from early British punk bands such as The Undertones, Buzzcocks, The Clash, The Jam, The Boys and The Only Ones, as well as power pop acts like Nick Lowe.[1]

The Exploding Hearts led a revival of 1970s-era power pop and new wave in the Seattle and Portland area along with bands like The Briefs and the Epoxies on the then-Seattle-based Dirtnap Records. Their combination of punk rock and power pop influenced melodies and their energetic live shows brought them attention on the West Coast and from magazines such as Maximumrocknroll and Shredding Paper, which featured them on their covers.[2] They released their debut studio album, Guitar Romantic, in April 2003.

July 2003 accident

On July 20, 2003, the band was headed home to Portland on Interstate 5 after having played 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.[2][3] The band disbanded in the aftermath of the accident.

A compilation album was released by Dirtnap Records in 2006. In 2009, their song "Modern Kicks" was listed as the 290th greatest song of the decade,[4] and their album Guitar Romantic deemed the 60th best album of the decade by Pitchfork Media.[5]

Post-Exploding Hearts projects

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.

Discography

Albums

Singles

Compilations

Demos

Their song "Your Shadow" is featured in the EA skateboarding video game Skate.

References

  1. 1 2 3 Wade Kergan (2003-07-20). "The Exploding Hearts | Biography & History". AllMusic. Retrieved 2015-09-30.
  2. 1 2 "Death in the Family - City - Portland Mercury". Portlandmercury.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  3. ↑ "Punknews.org - Adam Cox, Matt Fitzgerald, and Jeremy Gage of the Exploding Hearts". Punknews.org. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  4. ↑ "Pitchfork: Staff Lists: The Top 500 Tracks of the 2000s: 500-201". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
  5. ↑ "Pitchfork: Staff Lists: The Top 200 Albums of the 2000s: 100-51". Pitchfork.com. Retrieved 30 August 2010.
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