Super duper thanks to Krys Lilly (wife of bassist Keith) for these videos, one newer and one older, of The Heats:
Showing posts with label The Heats. Show all posts
Showing posts with label The Heats. Show all posts
Friday, December 14, 2007
Friday, August 03, 2007
Review: Steve Pearson and British Racing Green
Steve Pearson, of Seattle powerpop classics The Heats/Heaters, has been working in and around this genre in Seattle for neigh on 30 years. So, he deserves to be commended for his longevity and persistence if nothing else. Fortunately for all of us, he also deserves to be commended for his solid songwriting, as well. I just got my hands on the newest release by Steve Pearson and British Racing Green, titled "Impatient," and it's really quite great.
Steve's always had a Beatles fixation, and you can hear that on these recordings. But, I hear a ton of the Byrds and some of the Everly Brothers here, as well. The crazy thing is it really doesn't sound dated or like a period piece. It's a credit to Steve (and the whole band, in fact) that they're not simply churning out recreations of the past. While there are obvious rock-n-roll touchstones guiding them, it doesn't sound like they've been living in a cave somewhere for 40 years.
The disc is generally more strummy and jangly than it is rocking -- but "Complicated" rocks in a Eddie Cochran/Summertime Blues kind of way and "Still a Way" would have been perfectly at home on a Heats record. Steve's trademark endearingly nasal voice is right up front, joined frequently on harmony or co-lead vocals by Lucette Pearson (who I can only assume is his wife... anyone confirm?). The consistent description that comes to mind here is "catchy." Steve hasn't lost his knack for writing hummable melodies and memorable choruses.
Don't believe me? Take a listen to this mp3 of "Long Way To Heaven," the third track off of the disc. That's a solid pop tune right there. [Blogger's note: Steve has this available for download from his myspace page, so I feel okay about including the mp3 here, but you should still go buy this record]
While they seem more comfortable playing parties and outdoor festivals than typical Seattle rock clubs these days, the band is doing quite a few live shows. In fact, in the unlikely event that anyone happens to be reading this from Billings, Montana, they're playing in your town tomorrow night. But, they've been playing around Washington quite a bit this summer, and if you have a chance to catch them, I recommend you do it.
Steve Pearson and British Racing Green
Steve's always had a Beatles fixation, and you can hear that on these recordings. But, I hear a ton of the Byrds and some of the Everly Brothers here, as well. The crazy thing is it really doesn't sound dated or like a period piece. It's a credit to Steve (and the whole band, in fact) that they're not simply churning out recreations of the past. While there are obvious rock-n-roll touchstones guiding them, it doesn't sound like they've been living in a cave somewhere for 40 years.
The disc is generally more strummy and jangly than it is rocking -- but "Complicated" rocks in a Eddie Cochran/Summertime Blues kind of way and "Still a Way" would have been perfectly at home on a Heats record. Steve's trademark endearingly nasal voice is right up front, joined frequently on harmony or co-lead vocals by Lucette Pearson (who I can only assume is his wife... anyone confirm?). The consistent description that comes to mind here is "catchy." Steve hasn't lost his knack for writing hummable melodies and memorable choruses.
Don't believe me? Take a listen to this mp3 of "Long Way To Heaven," the third track off of the disc. That's a solid pop tune right there. [Blogger's note: Steve has this available for download from his myspace page, so I feel okay about including the mp3 here, but you should still go buy this record]
While they seem more comfortable playing parties and outdoor festivals than typical Seattle rock clubs these days, the band is doing quite a few live shows. In fact, in the unlikely event that anyone happens to be reading this from Billings, Montana, they're playing in your town tomorrow night. But, they've been playing around Washington quite a bit this summer, and if you have a chance to catch them, I recommend you do it.
Steve Pearson and British Racing Green
Sunday, June 17, 2007
The Heaters CD re-released
The Heaters, the classic Seattle 1970s/1980s powerpop act, just had their fabulous "Have An Idea" album re-released. It is a Japan-only release, but is available in the States via Not Lame. In fact, Bruce from Not Lame was quite jazzed about the re-release and had this to say about it:
I may have mentioned this already, because it's Sunday and I've been away from the blog for the weekend and perhaps have forgotten. But, Shake Some Action is going to be covering The Heaters' "She Belongs To Me" at the Seattle Powerpop Blog anniversary show on June 29 at the Sunset Tavern. We were just working on it this afternoon, and it sounds great. I can't wait to debut the cover!
2007 Japanese only reissue! Funny how things work...a month ago we were talking about The Heats and saying how sad it was this mini-classic power pop had never been properly released on CD. BOOM! It arrives...with 4 very good bonus trax tacked on! Never heard of The Heats? You are not alone as even many serious power pop fans have and the main reason why was that they were from Seattle and their sole album was strictly a regional release and was hard to find. Now, I found a copy in Boston 1981 and "Have An Idea" was something I played on my college radio songs all the time. Best way to enlighten yourself is not reading this, but clicking on the sound bites and start digging on the skinny tie awesomness of this long lost band.
What do they sound like? Well, you listened to what's below, right? *There* you go! Okay, well, they remind me of the first album from Paul Collins' Beat, the debut from 20/20, Midwestern power pop bands who only released 7" singles like Arlis and The Boys(Titan Records roster) and the first album from The Romantics. Yes, for the real power pop geek, Extremely Highly Recommended!
I may have mentioned this already, because it's Sunday and I've been away from the blog for the weekend and perhaps have forgotten. But, Shake Some Action is going to be covering The Heaters' "She Belongs To Me" at the Seattle Powerpop Blog anniversary show on June 29 at the Sunset Tavern. We were just working on it this afternoon, and it sounds great. I can't wait to debut the cover!
Friday, May 04, 2007
Review: The Heaters "Live & Live Again"
I got my greedy little hands on a copy of the double live album by the classic Seattle powerpop group The Heaters. I've written about the Heaters (also known as The Heats due to a lawsuit) on a number of occasions here, and did an interview with Steve Pearson not too long ago that was chock full of info. But, until this disc arrive, I didn't own any of their stuff.
The Heats/The Heaters were primarily active in the late 1970s and early 1980s and had tremendous regional success. They toured with Heart and The Knack and generally rocked the house around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. You can still get their studio recordings from that era via Chuckie Boy Records.
But, these two live disc gives you two separate glimpses into the band. The first contains about 70 minutes of music recorded between 1978 and 1981 in three different states (Washington, Oregon and Idaho). The second disc gives you around 75 minutes of music and was recorded at a 2001 reunion show at Waldo's in Kirkland. The disc set is available from Epilogue Records/the Lien Company for $20, which includes postage. You can find out where to send your dough on their website.
Both discs are ragged, sweaty, out-of-tune-in-the-right-way examples of their catchy, foot stompin' powerpop in a live setting. With The Heaters you get amped up songs about girls and parties, sung with harmonies and fervor. Stand outs from disc one ("Live") are "She Don't Mind" and "She Belongs To Me" (which you can also hear on their myspace page). But, you also get "bonus" tracks that are covers of The Kinks, The Who, The Yardbirds and more. The second disc ("Live Again") includes a number of the same songs from disc one along with a handful of additional tracks.
The Heaters rocked hard back in the day, and this disc gives those of us who were not around, not old enough, or not hip enough to have experienced it at the time a way to get a taste.
Blogger's update: I meant to mention that you can also get the disc in local stores and at amazon.com. Here's the album cover art:
The Heats/The Heaters were primarily active in the late 1970s and early 1980s and had tremendous regional success. They toured with Heart and The Knack and generally rocked the house around Seattle and the Pacific Northwest. You can still get their studio recordings from that era via Chuckie Boy Records.
But, these two live disc gives you two separate glimpses into the band. The first contains about 70 minutes of music recorded between 1978 and 1981 in three different states (Washington, Oregon and Idaho). The second disc gives you around 75 minutes of music and was recorded at a 2001 reunion show at Waldo's in Kirkland. The disc set is available from Epilogue Records/the Lien Company for $20, which includes postage. You can find out where to send your dough on their website.
Both discs are ragged, sweaty, out-of-tune-in-the-right-way examples of their catchy, foot stompin' powerpop in a live setting. With The Heaters you get amped up songs about girls and parties, sung with harmonies and fervor. Stand outs from disc one ("Live") are "She Don't Mind" and "She Belongs To Me" (which you can also hear on their myspace page). But, you also get "bonus" tracks that are covers of The Kinks, The Who, The Yardbirds and more. The second disc ("Live Again") includes a number of the same songs from disc one along with a handful of additional tracks.
The Heaters rocked hard back in the day, and this disc gives those of us who were not around, not old enough, or not hip enough to have experienced it at the time a way to get a taste.
Blogger's update: I meant to mention that you can also get the disc in local stores and at amazon.com. Here's the album cover art:
Wednesday, March 14, 2007
Steve Pearson interview
Steve Pearson was the voice and main songwriter behind The Heaters, also known due to legal issues as The Heats. The Heat[er]s were active in the Seattle music scene in the late 1970s and early 1980s (and have done some reunion shows in more recent years). They had a tremendous amount of success (see the photo below of them playing in a packed arena!) and released some great, great music that you should check out.
I was able to do an email interview with Steve Pearson about his time in The Heats and what's going on with him currently.
The Heats live in a setting that amply demonstrates their level of success!
1. As someone who has been around the Seattle music scene for quite sometime, what can you tell folks about powerpop in the area back in the early 1980s when The Heaters were first active?
In the late 70's early 80's Seattle was like you imagined "Swinging London" to be like. Everyone was looking for and finding their own unique and creative sound. There was an amazing amount of great music that came out in a very short time. Also there was a very cool sense of camaraderie between all the musicians - we knew we were involved in something special. The audiences knew this as well and supported us more than we could have hoped for.
In those days people did not think of themselves as "Power Pop", rather we felt we were anti-Kansas, Styx, Foreigner, etc. I Don't know about others, but I hated the generic, coporate rock of the 70's. I longed for the intense, simple stuff of the 60's. In a way all of us from that era were just re-creating the 60's. We had missed out by being too young.
2. Who were your favorite Seattle powerpop bands back then, and do you have any local favorites now?
The Cowboys, The Allies, The Girls, HIFI, No Cheese Please, The Pins, The Moberlys, Moving Parts and many more were our friends in those days. Many of these people are still dear friends. I loved what they were doing because it was original. Seattle had not seen an original band in a long time.
The only local band I've seen in forever is The Ones (Seattle). They are great but not Power Pop. More like Ramones on speed. I don't really follow any sort of modern music. I just think about my own stuff.
3. I've noticed you've created a myspace page recently. Have you found many of the current generation of powerpop bands reaching out to you either via myspace or in general?
Yes. This is a very recent thing. It's flattering and odd at the same time. It's hard to imagine that after all this time "The Heats" have become some sort of cult band. Obviously I like it.
4. What are your feelings about the current state of pop music in the Northwest and Seattle in particular?
At this point I have no opinion, but the times could be a-changin'.
5. Battles and Ballads garnered a lot of positive feedback in 2003. Is there a follow up to that record on the way, or is your focus primarily on British Racing Green (which looks to have a record out in 2007, right?)?
The new record will be a follow-up to "Battles & Ballads". The main difference being the songs are almost all just-written in the last year. The last record were songs from over ten years that had never been recorded or with "Count On Me' I wanted another try at it.
The new record will not have so many friends as guest artists. It will mostly be me and "British Racing Green". I hate naming bands after myself, but probably it will be "Steve Pearson and British Racing Green". The record will hopefully be out this year. BRG is Lucette Pearson, Tim Moore and Tony Contratto.
6. Over the past few decades making music that is generally in the powerpop vein, what's the most interesting thing that has happened to you?
"The Heats" virtual overnight success is still amazing to me. It absolutely came from nowhere. We thought we were good but didn't expect so many people to agree.
7. What is something that people don't know about you?
I'm very much an old-fashioned, blue collar type guy. I think dark and esoteric thoughts but try to live like "The Andy Griffith Show"
I was able to do an email interview with Steve Pearson about his time in The Heats and what's going on with him currently.
The Heats live in a setting that amply demonstrates their level of success!
1. As someone who has been around the Seattle music scene for quite sometime, what can you tell folks about powerpop in the area back in the early 1980s when The Heaters were first active?
In the late 70's early 80's Seattle was like you imagined "Swinging London" to be like. Everyone was looking for and finding their own unique and creative sound. There was an amazing amount of great music that came out in a very short time. Also there was a very cool sense of camaraderie between all the musicians - we knew we were involved in something special. The audiences knew this as well and supported us more than we could have hoped for.
In those days people did not think of themselves as "Power Pop", rather we felt we were anti-Kansas, Styx, Foreigner, etc. I Don't know about others, but I hated the generic, coporate rock of the 70's. I longed for the intense, simple stuff of the 60's. In a way all of us from that era were just re-creating the 60's. We had missed out by being too young.
2. Who were your favorite Seattle powerpop bands back then, and do you have any local favorites now?
The Cowboys, The Allies, The Girls, HIFI, No Cheese Please, The Pins, The Moberlys, Moving Parts and many more were our friends in those days. Many of these people are still dear friends. I loved what they were doing because it was original. Seattle had not seen an original band in a long time.
The only local band I've seen in forever is The Ones (Seattle). They are great but not Power Pop. More like Ramones on speed. I don't really follow any sort of modern music. I just think about my own stuff.
3. I've noticed you've created a myspace page recently. Have you found many of the current generation of powerpop bands reaching out to you either via myspace or in general?
Yes. This is a very recent thing. It's flattering and odd at the same time. It's hard to imagine that after all this time "The Heats" have become some sort of cult band. Obviously I like it.
4. What are your feelings about the current state of pop music in the Northwest and Seattle in particular?
At this point I have no opinion, but the times could be a-changin'.
5. Battles and Ballads garnered a lot of positive feedback in 2003. Is there a follow up to that record on the way, or is your focus primarily on British Racing Green (which looks to have a record out in 2007, right?)?
The new record will be a follow-up to "Battles & Ballads". The main difference being the songs are almost all just-written in the last year. The last record were songs from over ten years that had never been recorded or with "Count On Me' I wanted another try at it.
The new record will not have so many friends as guest artists. It will mostly be me and "British Racing Green". I hate naming bands after myself, but probably it will be "Steve Pearson and British Racing Green". The record will hopefully be out this year. BRG is Lucette Pearson, Tim Moore and Tony Contratto.
6. Over the past few decades making music that is generally in the powerpop vein, what's the most interesting thing that has happened to you?
"The Heats" virtual overnight success is still amazing to me. It absolutely came from nowhere. We thought we were good but didn't expect so many people to agree.
7. What is something that people don't know about you?
I'm very much an old-fashioned, blue collar type guy. I think dark and esoteric thoughts but try to live like "The Andy Griffith Show"
Thursday, July 20, 2006
Early Seattle Powerpop - The Heats
I have recently found myself scouring the web for information on 1970s and 1980s Seattle powerpop. I'd love to hear from anyone out there who has good information on bands of the time.
As a teaser, here is a sample of "I don't like your face" by The Heats (aka "The Heaters") who were a regional powerpop juggernaut during those years. Here's more from them on allmusic.
Also,take a gander at these pictures --
The Heats then... and more recently:
..... 
As a teaser, here is a sample of "I don't like your face" by The Heats (aka "The Heaters") who were a regional powerpop juggernaut during those years. Here's more from them on allmusic.
Also,take a gander at these pictures --
The Heats then... and more recently:
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