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THE HEART ATTACKS
by Lisa Sharer
Photos by Cassandre DeCorte
From the September 2006 issue of PRICK Magazine.
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 The Heart Attacks are (L-R) Paul, Brad, Chase, Tuk and Dave |
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Presenting an Atlanta favorite, The Heart Attacks. These boys aren't just hair and tight pants, they are also country gentlemen. That's if gentlemen is defined as cussing, drinking, party boys. They have only been together for a short three years and already they are touring with the likes of Rancid. Having been discovered by Rancid's front man Tim Armstrong, The Hearts Attacks have signed with Hellcat Records and their debut album, Hellbound and Heartless, will be hitting stores in October. This glam rock five-some will steal your girl's heart while you’re dancing to the beat and bumping shoulders with other soon to be single men.
Although an initial listen may find you thinking punk rock or rock and roll, The Heart Attacks prefer to think of themselves as a more diverse group. "It's like if Don Henley and ZZ Top met Joe Walsh and Huey Lewis along with Uncle Jesse and the Rippers; [all of which are] stuffed into a Christmas stocking," describes the band's lead guitarist Tuk. In all actuality they seem to be reminiscent of The New York Dolls' early '70s punk rock.
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 Chase a.k.a. Haircut on vocals |
 Dave on guitar |
 Tuk on guitar |
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While on tour, The Heart Attacks have been met with some hesitance. "Some people like us, it's a love or hate thing. There's no in between; they think it's awesome, or then there are the skinheads who want to beat us up because their girls want to fuck us or they think we're androgynous pieces of shit," Tuk laughs.
All in all, however, they've found a fairly good response, and surprisingly these southern boys have found the crowds to be much more enthusiastic in the north.
Most of their tours have been short and sweet. The Heart Attacks are always promoting a demo, an EP or just pushing themselves to find a niche in the music world. As luck would have it, they signed with a famous label due to their party habits and not necessarily their talent. "We pirated warped tour and met Tim Armstrong. We just hopped on the show [drove down on our] bus, and did crazy shit ... and he liked that. He liked us before he even heard the band," tells lead singer Chase (a.k.a. Haircut). "He partied with us first, and then he said 'I want to check you guys out.'" Their bus, otherwise known as Heart Attacks’ Pussy Playhouse, is where Tim Armstrong was introduced to the magic. After receiving one of their CDs and attending their show, The Heart Attacks had been officially signed to Hellcat Records.
Still young and a fairly new band, The Heart Attacks have been through many trials to get where they are today. The band pulled together and set up a fund for Paul and his lack of stylish clothing. "This raggedy [guy, Paul] was wearing a triple x 'Big Dogs Don't Bite Back' T-shirt, a fucking backwards PBR hat, and coming to shows with cut-off cargo pants. So we brought a trash bag full of hand-me-down clothes to him," Tuk explains as a tear rolls down his cheek (from laughter). They also tell of times when they have pulled money together in order to drag Brad along on tour. The one member furthering his education is met with full support by his band mates. They once bought him a science book so that he could study while on tour. Who says there's no heart in The Heart Attacks?
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Of course they have heart. In fact, a few of these boys sport hearts in their tattoos. Others, however, claim that they are "Heart Less," but how can you believe Tuk is heartless when the boy has an entire shin tattoo dedicated to his mother? Tattoos cover this band from shoulder to shoe, except for the lone Brad. A single tattoo on his shoulder warns all that he is "Too Tough to Die." After having been shot at school, it's hard to disagree with that statement.
The "Riff Raff," Chase is very proud of his single note tattoo. Probably the smallest tattoo on his body placed simply on his forefinger. He also has a fresh traditional tattoo on his upper right arm done by Matt Klawon.
Then, there's the pirate loving Problem Child (Dave), with the pirate ship and the traditional pirate girl adorning his left arm. His right shoulder is a cover up of a former tattoo that the other band members laughed and said, "it looked like a monkey on a surfboard." Now, he has the "Fast Times" tattoo that is common amongst all the members excluding Brad.
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 Chase and Paul |
 Paul on bass |
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Paul's fast times are causing him to become hell bound. He may have a pretty flower on his lower arm, but his other tattoos profess that he is the punk rockin' bass player that pumps rhythm for The Heart Attacks. His forearm displays a pirate ship heading straight for hell. While his shoulder exhibits the "Fast Times" tattoo that denotes his relationship to the band.
For the most part, The Heart Attacks have been inked in the Atlanta, Ga. area. Paul is a former employee of Timeless Tattoo, and for that reason much of the art they wear has been done by artists from Timeless. Although some of them are running out of room for body art, they are proud of every choice they've made. The best way to see their art is to catch them in concert when they come to your area. With many future plans to tour, everyone should be able to catch them very soon.
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 Tuk on guitar and Brad on drums |
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