The Bleeding Hearts’ Beat
Since playing their first show together in April of 2003, there has been quite a buzz surrounding Raleigh rock band The Bleeding Hearts. Maybe it’s the huge guitar sound. Maybe it’s the catchiness of the tunes. Maybe it’s simply the way that good rock and roll should be played. Loud, proud, punked out, straight-up without chaser or no apologizes. The Bleeding Hearts succeed sonically where a bunch of bands fail trying to go for the seventies rock sound today. They are the real thing. The band resurrects the bluesy angst flavored vibe of bands like: The Rolling Stones, Thin Lizzy, Alice Cooper and the Sex Pistols, too name a few. Lead singer/guitarist Sam Madison, guitarist/vocalist Joe Yerry, bassist/vocalist Jim “Jimbo” Britt and new drummer Dave Bartholomew are almost finished with their new record (coming out soon on NC’s Abray Records) which, with a bit of luck, should propel the already ascending band to greater heights.While frontman Sam Madison is originally from North Carolina, where he gained notoriety in bands Big Dixie, Pit Boss, Bloodbath and Man Will Destroy Himself, Yerry, Jimbo and original drummer Scott Taylor came to Raleigh 10 years ago via upstate New York. The guys felt that they would have better chances trying their luck down south than trying to hit it big in the unforgiving New York City music scene. Has their gamble paid off? It’s starting to look that way. They have been crisscrossing the east coast for about four years now, leaving an ever growing legion of fans in their wake. The foursome plays everywhere from festivals to the dives in an effort to get their point across. Though there are a lot of other bands daringly exploring broader and more exotic sonic horizons, sometimes simplicity is the key to getting your point across. The Bleedings Hearts have made their point; Rock and Roll isn’t rocket science.
Tell us about how the Bleeding Hearts formed
S.M. “I knew them from just hanging out. They asked me one night if I wanted to get a band together. Man Will Destroy Himself had just broken up, so I was not playing with anyone, so I said sure. Three months later we were selling out shows and had a record deal. It was really quick and unexpected. The hype lasted about a year and a half. Luckily we made it through and are now, with the recent addition of Dave Bartholomew on drums, a really solid rock’n’roll band…no hype!”
What are your major musical influences?
S.M. “KISS, Cheap Tick, Ted Nugent, AC/DC, The Stones, late 70’s punk rock, early 80’s cock rock…ahhh the good stuff!”
Describe your sound
S.M. “Somewhere between The Dead Boys (Young, Loud and Snotty) and Def Leppard (High ‘n’ Dry)”
Are you all shopping for a deal?
S.M. “Yes, we’re always shopping for a deal. The last label didn’t do as much for us as they should have…currently in the studio working on the next album…sign us up!”
Can you share one funny story from the road with us?
S.M. “There is one that involves getting kicked out of a strip club somewhere in Ohio, breaking the door handle on the hotel room so that no one else could get in and having to pay for a new lock…not that funny!”
Have you played with any heavy hitters?
S.M. “Hmmmm, Velvet Revolver, Butch Walker, American Hi Fi, Walter Lure, and Richard Baccus.”
Describe your songwriting process.
S.M. “It varies, but typically I start with the music. I’ll have a riff in my head and I will play around with it until I have a verse line and a chorus. Then I try different melodies for the vocals and start forming the lyrics, usually trial and error. Sometimes I’ll match it with a cool title I have. I never rush the process. I typically have 5 or 6 partially finished songs knocking around. Something will inspire me to finish one…sometimes I’ll combine a couple into one song…those are often my favorites…the more parts, the better! Then I’ll bring it to the band and we put our “signature” on it, maybe re-arrange a bit until it’s what we want. The whole process can take a month or two, but once I bring it to the guys, we are usually playing it live the next weekend.”
Who is you favorite axe slinger Clapton or Page and why?
S.M. “I loved Clapton in Cream, but I’ve got to go with Page… he’s sloppy and nasty…and plays a Les Paul…”
When did the music bug first bite you?
S.M. “I come from a very musical family. My first memories are of listening to music. The Beatles were my nursery rhymes…”
What is one thing about the Bleeding Hearts that our readers may not know?
S.M. “We are all virgins…except for Dave…he’s married…that’s a lie…he’s one too…”
What is your opinion of the state of modern music?
S.M. “It’s actually looking pretty good right now. We lost a whole generation to hip hop and rap. But thankfully, the Jr High and High school kids are listening to rock and punk rock again. Things are looking up.”
Have far out of NC have you guys played?
S.M. “Boston…that was a hell of a drive home!”
www.thebleedinghearts.net
Cletus Johnston
