Let's go back in time...It's November of 1978, and three long time friends (Ken Deans, Keith Lilly and Steve Pearson) have decided to 'do a band'. Thinking it would be pretty cool to have a second guitar player, Pearson introduces Don Short. All four hail from the Seattle's eastside, holding rehearsals in a freezing basement in Kenmore. By Spring '79 this foursome is known as The Heaters. Bursting into the local club scene, the group quickly becomes afavorite in the Seattle area with their danceable, original songs. It seems a week doesn't go by without press coverage, fan followings, and more and more prestigious gigs. They are paid top dollar, audiences LOVE them, and critics predict them to be the next big thing. They legally change their name to The Heats, as a band in California already released an album under The Heaters. Managed by Albatross Productions, the guys are sent out on the road to open for The Knack and Heart. While opening for Heart, they earn the honor of being the first rock band to perform at Radio City Music Hall. Everything is going well for the boys, but they have yet to be signed.
Their first recording experience a 45, "I Don't Like Your Face/Ordinary Girls" sells 18,000 copies in the Puget Sound area. "Have an Idea," the Heats first album, is produced by Howard Leese, a member of Heart. It sells 15,000 copies and is eventually named as "one of the top 50 power-pop albums of all time!!" by Goldmine.
Growing up near Seattle in the late 70's I had the opportunity to see The Heaters at the aforementioned Knack show as well as others and they "were THE hottest, funnest, catchy-friggin'-song-writinest' band in the West". Their album was not a let-down either. These incredibly catchy songs are as fresh today as they were then. I hope you enjoy this music as much as I do.
If you like "Have An Idea" get it here!!
The Heat(er)s - Have An Idea - 1979
2 comments:
Wowwy wow, this is terrific. Thank you ever so much.
reup?
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