Today I am going to be moving past blog posts from our old spot into this one. I am doing this for archiving purposes as well as to give people new to the band a little bit of our past. Dig!
Monday, June 30, 2008
Sunday, June 29, 2008
The Austin Sound "Record Store" review 6/21/08
Austin Sound
The Dirty Hearts turn it up a notch on their upcoming sophomore album, Pigs, which will be released next month. Chances are that you might even be able to find the album online before it's available. Well, the Dirty Hearts have something to say about that.
Filmed at End of an Ear and around town, the video for lead single "Record Store" takes on the filesharing folks with a parable of its real-world equivalent. Don't think Frankie Medina and Calida don't understand the realities of digital era - after all, the thief in the video inevitably gets away, but with one helluva twist!
The video was made by Jose Jones, also responsible for Lomita's "Broken Boy" video. Catch the Dirty Hearts' cd release show at Emo's Lounge July 26.
Video: The Dirty Hearts: "Record Store"
The Dirty Hearts turn it up a notch on their upcoming sophomore album, Pigs, which will be released next month. Chances are that you might even be able to find the album online before it's available. Well, the Dirty Hearts have something to say about that.
Filmed at End of an Ear and around town, the video for lead single "Record Store" takes on the filesharing folks with a parable of its real-world equivalent. Don't think Frankie Medina and Calida don't understand the realities of digital era - after all, the thief in the video inevitably gets away, but with one helluva twist!
The video was made by Jose Jones, also responsible for Lomita's "Broken Boy" video. Catch the Dirty Hearts' cd release show at Emo's Lounge July 26.
Video: The Dirty Hearts: "Record Store"
Seattle Times digs "Record Store" Video! 6/18/08
By Marian LiuSeattle Times staff reporter
Check out some fun punk about stealing music by The Dirty Hearts. Here's their video "Record Store" — www. youtube. com/watch?v=9Zo9JWpS5A0.Shot at Friends of Sounds Records in Austin, Texas, the band used its own gear and posters for the set. And for the sake of the video, the Austin punk band even destroyed some vinyl in the store. Their album "Pigs" comes out July 22.http://seattletimes. nwsource. com/html/musicnightlife/aedispatch. html
Check out some fun punk about stealing music by The Dirty Hearts. Here's their video "Record Store" — www. youtube. com/watch?v=9Zo9JWpS5A0.Shot at Friends of Sounds Records in Austin, Texas, the band used its own gear and posters for the set. And for the sake of the video, the Austin punk band even destroyed some vinyl in the store. Their album "Pigs" comes out July 22.http://seattletimes. nwsource. com/html/musicnightlife/aedispatch. html
The Register-Guard "Record Store" Writeup 6/18/08
The closest the Dirty Hearts come to Eugene in their tour for the new CD "Pigs" is Portland on Sept. 11, but I thought this was an interesting idea for a song. This little indie video is pretty well done, obviously on the cheap, and the concept intrigued me.
The Austin band's frontman Frankie Medina explains in a news release that the concept behind the video "was not only to pay tribute to the record stores of the world, but also to poke fun at the idea of stealing music."
The Register-Guard
The Austin band's frontman Frankie Medina explains in a news release that the concept behind the video "was not only to pay tribute to the record stores of the world, but also to poke fun at the idea of stealing music."
The Register-Guard
Wired Mag 6/17/08
Video: The Dirty Hearts Fete Music Theft
By Scott Thill June 17, 2008 | 2:44:45 PMCategories: Music News, Videos
..Austin, TX garage thrashers The Dirty Hearts would love to make money making art. But they not only understand why fans would steal it, they made a music video about it for their Stooges-like single "Record Store," from their forthcoming July 22 effort Pigs.
"The concept was not only to pay tribute to the record stores of the world, but also to poke fun at the idea of stealing music," explains Dirty Hearts front man Frankie Medina. "In this particular case, the character is not downloading illegally but instead wants the highest quality so bad he is willing to go on a high speed chase to get it."
The video was directed by Jose Jones -- no relation, at last report, to the Pixies' Jose Jones from "Crackity Jones" -- and shot inside and outside Austin's Friends of Sounds Records. "As sinful as it sounds," Medina adds, "we even destroyed some vinyl for a scene that didn't make it."
While the video doesn't directly address illegal downloading, it does address the real-time version, following a music thief who pockets a disc of Pigs -- no relation, at last report, to the hyperpolitical 1977 Pink Floyd album of the same name -- and outruns a cop in a Raising Arizona-like foot chase. The fact that the thief gets away shows that while The Dirty Hearts consider their product valuable, they consider its production to be more important.
"Even though it would be nice to be rich," Medina says, "some of us do this foremost for the love of music."
By Scott Thill June 17, 2008 | 2:44:45 PMCategories: Music News, Videos
..Austin, TX garage thrashers The Dirty Hearts would love to make money making art. But they not only understand why fans would steal it, they made a music video about it for their Stooges-like single "Record Store," from their forthcoming July 22 effort Pigs.
"The concept was not only to pay tribute to the record stores of the world, but also to poke fun at the idea of stealing music," explains Dirty Hearts front man Frankie Medina. "In this particular case, the character is not downloading illegally but instead wants the highest quality so bad he is willing to go on a high speed chase to get it."
The video was directed by Jose Jones -- no relation, at last report, to the Pixies' Jose Jones from "Crackity Jones" -- and shot inside and outside Austin's Friends of Sounds Records. "As sinful as it sounds," Medina adds, "we even destroyed some vinyl for a scene that didn't make it."
While the video doesn't directly address illegal downloading, it does address the real-time version, following a music thief who pockets a disc of Pigs -- no relation, at last report, to the hyperpolitical 1977 Pink Floyd album of the same name -- and outruns a cop in a Raising Arizona-like foot chase. The fact that the thief gets away shows that while The Dirty Hearts consider their product valuable, they consider its production to be more important.
"Even though it would be nice to be rich," Medina says, "some of us do this foremost for the love of music."
New Video and Song - Record Store 6/17/08
Hello Boys & Girls, Just wanted to invite you to come on over and check out our new video for our song "Record Store" from our upcoming, July release. The video was shot in Austin, TX at a couple of our fave record stores. If you wanna be where we've been, then go caress the walls and vinyl at End of Ear and Friends Of Sound Records. You can view an empty beer bottle I drank from in a display case. Seriously!....Feel free to post the video or the song on your page and tell all your friends to spread the word. Gone Git it!
The Dirty Hearts mention on CMJ.com 6/12/08
Hello Boys and Girls, Just wanted to point out a short article about our new upcoming release "Pigs" at cmj. com.Also, at some point today we will be launching www. thedirtyhearts. com along with our first video single "Record Store". At last we'll have our own home! We love being on myspace. It's like living in a tiny apartment with a crap load of people. There are lots of swell people and only a few roaches. Oh and there's that guy with the cologne. At least with our own page we can finally walk around naked. You know what I'm talking about.We'll update you as soon as the video and site launch.
Socyermom Records/Video Shoot 5/07/08
We are proud to announce that we will be releasing our new album with Albuquerque's, Socyermom Records. Leonard Apodaca, the owner has been a friend of the band for awhile and we thought it was time we join forces against high gas prices, police brutality, illegal border crossings (from Canada) and…oh yeah, together releasing rock n roll record.In other good news, we shot a video for our new song "Record Store" with Austin's own JJ Castillo. He's a bad man. We checked out some early footage. It looks great! We almost look attractive. Almost…..We hope to be releasing the video in mid June.Regarding the new album "Pigs" release date, we will be dropping it on July 11th with a cd release at Emo's Lounge. This album rocks! I'll give you hint of what it sounds like. It's a soundtrack for sex, voodoo masses and grocery shopping.
SXSW Parties & The Austin Music Magazine 3/11/08
Well I guess I should go ahead and make it official and let you know that we had to make some changes and feel refreshed as a result. Well............We finally changed our underwear! You see we had a contest and it got really......Interesting. Besides this, everything is the same. We're still working toward getting out our new album tentatively entitled "Different Kinds of Pigs". Oh wait! Yes. There is one other new thing. The nice chap that is rocking the bass for The Dirty Hearts, Keith bought a bitchin new bass. Ok. I'm glad I got that off my chest.In other news, we will be performing two SXSW parties. We will first hit the stage tomorrow at 4:30 pm Trophy's Bar . Later on in the evening we will be playing The Chain Drive at 10:30 pm. Make sure to wear you leather buttless chaps for that one. Last on the list, check out the profile on us in the spring edition of Austin Music + Entertainment . I wore a cod piece with a special name on it in the photograph. I feel I've said what was on my mind. Now you are free to go. Run piggies run!
New Album last show 10/12/07
The Dirty Hearts would like to invite you to what is probably going to be our last show of 07. The show is this Thursday November 15th @ Emo's. (inside) with some really great Austin bands. The show starts at 10pm in this order The Boxing Lesson, The Action Is, The Dirty Hearts and Murdocks. The order doesn't particulary matter because this line up is solid from start to finish as far I'm concerned. So put on your rock n roll shit kickers and show us your love.
In other news The Dirty Hearts will be entering the Bubble Studio. in December to record the follow up to our 06 self-entitled release. I can tell you right now we are very excited about this collection of songs. We think you'll understand why when release it it in late February. The new release is tentatively titled "Chinese Democracy". Ha Ha Ha. I hope you got that one! We really don't know yet feel free to send us suggestions. We'd love to hear them. BTW "Shit Sandwhich" has already been suggested so you'll have to do better than that one.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces at the show! We'll keep you posted.
In other news The Dirty Hearts will be entering the Bubble Studio. in December to record the follow up to our 06 self-entitled release. I can tell you right now we are very excited about this collection of songs. We think you'll understand why when release it it in late February. The new release is tentatively titled "Chinese Democracy". Ha Ha Ha. I hope you got that one! We really don't know yet feel free to send us suggestions. We'd love to hear them. BTW "Shit Sandwhich" has already been suggested so you'll have to do better than that one.
Anyway, looking forward to seeing your beautiful faces at the show! We'll keep you posted.
The Andy Dick "Shit Show" 7/30/07
Just thought we would share one of our coolest experiences on our recent road trip. We we're invited to be on The Andy Dick Show, aka "The Shit Show" on Sirius radio. Our great friend (DJ) Christopher "The Minister", met us down at the Sirius studio along with Frank, producer of "The Ninja Cheerleaders" , movie to promote our Silver Lake Lounge Show. Going into the studio we weren't quite sure what to expect but we'd been warned. First, we squeeze tightly into the room and then entered the man, Andy Dick. Right from the get go he's got some funny ass shit to say. He immediately asked us if we thought he was gay. Surely, the man doesn't think we believe he might be straight. Either way we are unaffected by this as we love all races (I think bush said this once or twice). First on Andy's agenda was a story of a violent encounter with comedian John Lovitz. Allegedly, He jokingly told Lovitz he was going to put the Phil Hartman curse on him. Lovitz then rammed Dick (Andy) up against the wall. I guess this incident happened a day or so before. We heard an earful about it. Andy asked me if he looked like a witch and I told him I'd been accused myself so I understood and I really couldn't tell by looking at him. I told him maybe he should try casting some spells or something. This was pretty freaking funny. Anyway, after imbibing in some alcoholic beverages and making small talk for a bit more he asked me to pick up this old acoustic guitar and sing. Well I refused but he insisted. In fact, he said, "Nobody comes on my fucking show and doesn't sing live." I told him we had some tunes cued up from our cd but a lovely lady in a red dress handed me the guitar and said, "Please sing!" Well I couldn't really refuse a lady so I busted into our song "In Your Room", as this is the only song of ours I could arrange acoustically on the spot. I gotta tell you the performance went really well and the lady in red started backing me on vocals. This woman, by the way, turned out to be the late great James Brown's widow, Tomi Rae Brown. The woman can sing! Andy was pleased. After this we shot the shit some more and plugged our show and the movie. We then took a couple of pictures with Andy. As we're saying our goodbyes he tells our girls to get away from him because they are confusing his sexuality. Andy then stops Tomi Rae on her way out the door and tells her she looks hot and then tells everyone in the room "can you believe this woman made an 80 year old cum" Poor Tomi. It was hilarious though. This was our Andy Dick experience as best as I could remember it. I highly recommend "The Shit Show". Great talk radio. We will let you know if they replay the show. Thanks Andy and Christopher!
We on iTunes 12/03/06
You can now download the "New One" song featured on (KROX) The Next Big Thing and (KLBJ) ATX, Local Licks Show via iTunes. As a matter of fact, the whole album is available. You can click on this link: 
or visit our myspace page and link up from there. Find a way to put it in your Grandmas stocking. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!!
or visit our myspace page and link up from there. Find a way to put it in your Grandmas stocking. HAPPY HOLIDAYS!!! 
Austin Chronicle Favorite of 2006 1/10/07
Well, Well, Well.....
After all the blood, sweat and beers....somebody likes us.
The Dirty Hearts LP was mentioned as a 2006 favorite by (Austin Chronicle)Christopher Gray. The Austin Chronicle
We knew it was a good idea to get him a hooker for his birthday.
Thanks Chris!
After all the blood, sweat and beers....somebody likes us.
The Dirty Hearts LP was mentioned as a 2006 favorite by (Austin Chronicle)Christopher Gray. The Austin Chronicle
We knew it was a good idea to get him a hooker for his birthday.
Thanks Chris!
The Dirty Hearts LP Austin Chronicle Review 1/25/07
Texas Platters
BY CHRISTOPHER GRAY
The Dirty Hearts
The Dirty Hearts are either good at being bad or bad at being good, but good luck divining a definitive answer from their naughty New Wave. The local quartet's debut strikes such an alluring balance between contentment and catastrophe it's almost impossible not to get swept along, and its breakneck pace renders petty details like who did what to whom almost irrelevant. If you can catch them, there's some salient observations on modern relationships here, accentuated by taunting boy-girl vocals and disguised by sugary hooks that conceal their sharp edges until long after Romeo is bleeding. Try robotic love poem "The Body Song," Spoon-like "Style," and fluid "Take Her All Around" for starters, bearing in mind the Pixies' smirking specter is never very far away. If anything, this baker's dozen guitar-keyboard concoctions is a shade monochromatic, but so were the Thin Man movies, and they've held up just fine.
The Daily Texan Weekend Feature 2/02/07
The Dirty Hearts Hard work pays off as local punk band kicks off tour Friday at Hole in the Wall
By Patrick Caldwell
The Dirty Hearts, as the name implies, have paid their dues.
Since forming in 2005, the local foursome has spent their share of time in the trenches, performing in dive bars across Austin. And those months of slowly but surely earning a reputation as one of the city's most engaging rock acts is beginning to pay off. With a well-received self-titled LP warming the shelves at Waterloo Records and End of an Ear, songs getting airplay on KUT, KVRX and 101X, and their tour throughout the American Southwest kicking off at the Hole in the Wall this Friday, the Austin nightlife has clearly smiled upon the Dirty Hearts.
"One thing I love about doing those dive bar shows is that you don't know what's gonna happen. You could be walking out with your teeth in your hand," joked guitarist and lead singer Frankie Medina.
"Besides," he added, "the audiences have more personality. At some of the more dedicated music venues, it's like the crowds are trying to out-cool the band."
The sense of pride in their choice of venues serves the band well. After all, the sound of their self-titled effort sports plenty of gritty, hard-edged charm. Equal parts pop, punk and alternative rock, with clear influences including the likes of Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Ramones and The Clash, it manages occasional darkness while never betraying the band's ethos as identified by keyboard player and vocalist Calida: "We're a fun band."
"The key ingredients of the Dirty Hearts were rock 'n' roll with memorable hooks and bringing back the fun element," Medina agreed. "Because a lot of bands are just, 'whine whine whine, and I hate myself, and I wanna kill myself.' We love punk rock, but we're thinking early punk rock: The Ramones, The Stooges, The Clash, people who played filthy, harder rock 'n' roll but were always having fun with it."
Variety and accessibility coupled with a lack of pretension have the Dirty Heart's first album a local success, garnering healthy airplay on Austin radio and bringing out larger and larger crowds to the live shows.
"Now we don't have to just invite our friends anymore," Calida said.
That success has made the group's first tour a reality. They depart from Austin for a week of shows throughout Nevada, New Mexico and California — including homecoming shows for Medina and drummer James Sheeran, Santa Fe and Las Vegas natives, respectively. The tour will include a brief stop in Los Angeles to shoot the group's first video, for album opener "New One," currently planned to be filmed on the former set of "The West Wing."
"Yeah, we'll be shooting it in the Oval Office," Medina said. "We're not a political band, but of course when people see a band playing in the White House and singing 'I want a new one,' the audience is going to assume something right away. Hopefully, when they see the video and how playful we handle it, they're gonna see something different."
Despite the recent release of their first LP, the Dirty Hearts are already in the stages of working on their next album, with plans for a 2007 release. The band cites the desire to sustain momentum as the rationale for such a quick turnaround, as well as a fervent hope to not fall into the ruts that can sometimes plague initially popular local bands.
"I think it's important to follow up relatively quickly after a success. In a city with such massive overload of bands and things to do, people have short attention spans. So in order to survive and keep that momentum going, you need to introduce something new and something fresh," Sheeran said. "You don't want to sit on an album for two or three years and have audiences get bored with the songs and bored with the live show."
When their tour is behind them and their video released, the Dirty Hearts will be back in Austin, playing the same venues where they built their fanbase. From the sound of it, that suits them just fine.
"One thing that's sort of magic for any band is the dynamic between its members. And you can't just build that up from scratch. That chemistry has to come naturally," Medina said. "There are lots of great musicians who, for some reason or another, never find that other person who makes their sound work. We feel really lucky to have this opportunity with this band."
The Dirty Hearts will be playing at Hole in the Wall Friday at 9 p.m.
By Patrick Caldwell
The Dirty Hearts, as the name implies, have paid their dues.
Since forming in 2005, the local foursome has spent their share of time in the trenches, performing in dive bars across Austin. And those months of slowly but surely earning a reputation as one of the city's most engaging rock acts is beginning to pay off. With a well-received self-titled LP warming the shelves at Waterloo Records and End of an Ear, songs getting airplay on KUT, KVRX and 101X, and their tour throughout the American Southwest kicking off at the Hole in the Wall this Friday, the Austin nightlife has clearly smiled upon the Dirty Hearts.
"One thing I love about doing those dive bar shows is that you don't know what's gonna happen. You could be walking out with your teeth in your hand," joked guitarist and lead singer Frankie Medina.
"Besides," he added, "the audiences have more personality. At some of the more dedicated music venues, it's like the crowds are trying to out-cool the band."
The sense of pride in their choice of venues serves the band well. After all, the sound of their self-titled effort sports plenty of gritty, hard-edged charm. Equal parts pop, punk and alternative rock, with clear influences including the likes of Iggy Pop and The Stooges, The Ramones and The Clash, it manages occasional darkness while never betraying the band's ethos as identified by keyboard player and vocalist Calida: "We're a fun band."
"The key ingredients of the Dirty Hearts were rock 'n' roll with memorable hooks and bringing back the fun element," Medina agreed. "Because a lot of bands are just, 'whine whine whine, and I hate myself, and I wanna kill myself.' We love punk rock, but we're thinking early punk rock: The Ramones, The Stooges, The Clash, people who played filthy, harder rock 'n' roll but were always having fun with it."
Variety and accessibility coupled with a lack of pretension have the Dirty Heart's first album a local success, garnering healthy airplay on Austin radio and bringing out larger and larger crowds to the live shows.
"Now we don't have to just invite our friends anymore," Calida said.
That success has made the group's first tour a reality. They depart from Austin for a week of shows throughout Nevada, New Mexico and California — including homecoming shows for Medina and drummer James Sheeran, Santa Fe and Las Vegas natives, respectively. The tour will include a brief stop in Los Angeles to shoot the group's first video, for album opener "New One," currently planned to be filmed on the former set of "The West Wing."
"Yeah, we'll be shooting it in the Oval Office," Medina said. "We're not a political band, but of course when people see a band playing in the White House and singing 'I want a new one,' the audience is going to assume something right away. Hopefully, when they see the video and how playful we handle it, they're gonna see something different."
Despite the recent release of their first LP, the Dirty Hearts are already in the stages of working on their next album, with plans for a 2007 release. The band cites the desire to sustain momentum as the rationale for such a quick turnaround, as well as a fervent hope to not fall into the ruts that can sometimes plague initially popular local bands.
"I think it's important to follow up relatively quickly after a success. In a city with such massive overload of bands and things to do, people have short attention spans. So in order to survive and keep that momentum going, you need to introduce something new and something fresh," Sheeran said. "You don't want to sit on an album for two or three years and have audiences get bored with the songs and bored with the live show."
When their tour is behind them and their video released, the Dirty Hearts will be back in Austin, playing the same venues where they built their fanbase. From the sound of it, that suits them just fine.
"One thing that's sort of magic for any band is the dynamic between its members. And you can't just build that up from scratch. That chemistry has to come naturally," Medina said. "There are lots of great musicians who, for some reason or another, never find that other person who makes their sound work. We feel really lucky to have this opportunity with this band."
The Dirty Hearts will be playing at Hole in the Wall Friday at 9 p.m.
Music Video and Movie Soundtrack 2/13/07
We got back from a short tour (long ass-drive) and wanted to let you all in on some news. First of all, we shot a music video for our song "New One". As we get more details regarding the video will let you know. All we'll say for now is it was a full-blown production shot by X1FX and directed by Mark Larranaga. It was off the hook! This company recently shot the latest Janet Jackson video and has worked on many other big production movie/tv/video (Britney Spears, Kelly Clarkson, Will Smith) . We can't wait to share it with you!
Secondly, the band has been asked to contribute "The New One" song to a Hollywood movie production. Apparently, it will be the background music for some beautiful dancing women.
Secondly, the band has been asked to contribute "The New One" song to a Hollywood movie production. Apparently, it will be the background music for some beautiful dancing women.
CW Network & SXSW07 3/27/07
Just wanted to say our experience with SXSW07 was a great one. Our showcase and other shows were amazing. The band rocked. The other bands on the bill were kick ass and the The Stooges blew everyone away. As a result of our participation in SXSW, we were asked to represent Austin people and the events around town in a CW network promotion called "C What's Good". Our song "New One" is the song being used and the spot features a photo from one our live performances at one of our favorite clubs, "Trophy's Bar & Grill". This promotion will be airing for the next 10 months or so. Pretty fucking cool. We think so. Anyway, check it out! If you look hard enough you might even see that I've got a King Size Snickers bar in my pocket.
We Rock The Oval Office 4/13/07
Ok the cats out of the bag! Our video will be posted anyday now. Unless the CIA has something to say about it.....
For Immediate Release 4/13/07
Austin, TX band The Dirty Hearts rock the Oval Office
Washington, D.C. - While posing as a national news crew to cover a presidential address on stem cell research, an Austin band called The Dirty Hearts managed to sneak their instruments into the Oval Office and shoot the first ever Oval Office video for their song "New One". The Oval Office operation was led by director Mark Larranaga (Karma Kollective/Neurotica Pictures) who was thought to be covering the press conference. They were subsequently found and arrested by White House secret service, prompting a security lock down on the White House compound. The regular White House briefing was delayed until the area was secured. The band was released and charges were dropped after the personal intervention of Jenna Bush, a frequent visitor to the Austin music scene. President Bush met with the band and immediately announced a change in his position on stem cell research. He was quoted as saying "I support anything that might help mentally disadvantaged people like the Dirty Hearts live a normal life of normality." On April 27th The Dirty Hearts will be showing the video footage for the first time at The Mohawk followed by a performance. The show starts at 10pm with Stock Market Crash and The Burning Hotels. The Dirty Hearts will hit the stage at 12:30 followed by DJ Markus (Flashlight Party).
For Immediate Release 4/13/07
Austin, TX band The Dirty Hearts rock the Oval Office
Washington, D.C. - While posing as a national news crew to cover a presidential address on stem cell research, an Austin band called The Dirty Hearts managed to sneak their instruments into the Oval Office and shoot the first ever Oval Office video for their song "New One". The Oval Office operation was led by director Mark Larranaga (Karma Kollective/Neurotica Pictures) who was thought to be covering the press conference. They were subsequently found and arrested by White House secret service, prompting a security lock down on the White House compound. The regular White House briefing was delayed until the area was secured. The band was released and charges were dropped after the personal intervention of Jenna Bush, a frequent visitor to the Austin music scene. President Bush met with the band and immediately announced a change in his position on stem cell research. He was quoted as saying "I support anything that might help mentally disadvantaged people like the Dirty Hearts live a normal life of normality." On April 27th The Dirty Hearts will be showing the video footage for the first time at The Mohawk followed by a performance. The show starts at 10pm with Stock Market Crash and The Burning Hotels. The Dirty Hearts will hit the stage at 12:30 followed by DJ Markus (Flashlight Party).
Austin Radio 10/20/06
Radio Shows Featuring The Dirty Hearts
Tune in and Request!!!!!!
101.5 Andy Langer's The Next Big Thing Sundays 6:00pm-10:00pm
93.7 KLBJ Local Licks Tuesdays 10:30pm-12:00am
91.7 Koop Around the Town Sounds Fridays 3:30-4:30
90.5 KUT Music with Laurie Gallarado Fridays 11:00pm-Sat.3:00am
Tune in and Request!!!!!!
101.5 Andy Langer's The Next Big Thing Sundays 6:00pm-10:00pm
93.7 KLBJ Local Licks Tuesdays 10:30pm-12:00am
91.7 Koop Around the Town Sounds Fridays 3:30-4:30
90.5 KUT Music with Laurie Gallarado Fridays 11:00pm-Sat.3:00am
Review by Austin Sound 10/17/06
Our new cd reviewed by Austin Sound
Not to judge an album by its cover, but it's worth mentioning that the picture of Frankie Medina and Calida on the inside of the Dirty Hearts' self-titled debut release is damn sexy, and smacks of more than just a little cheap motel grit. But then that seems to be the line that group is working throughout the album. From the opening riffs on the first track "New One," there's a definite raw surge of energy in the sound that is coupled with a palpable sensuousness. Calida's sultriness mixes in with Medina's blitzkrieg of punched-out verses to keep the song torn with indecision. There's a strutting beat that kicks lyrics like "You look so beautiful / Walkin' down Congress suckin' on a red bull / I see them stop and stare / Everybody wants some, I've already vacationed there" into high gear, and the song ends with the Calida's intentionally perky and cloying call out of "Hey Frankie!" and the singer's dismissive and indifferent response "Oh no, not you again / It's just so boring. / I think I'll just put on / My old shirt."
"New One," especially with its abrupt ending, works perfectly in playing off of the dynamic between the core duo of the group. The songs are at their best when they're exploiting that play between Calida's and Medina's vocals, as in "The Body Song" or "Take Her All Around." But just as "New One" leaves us with the feeling that Frankie is bound to settle once again with the admittedly sexy girl that he nonetheless detests, the album also seems unwilling to commit to either its second-wave punk tendencies or its more mainstream alternative fallout. Not that the result isn't sometimes spot-on perfect (and you can tell the songs must be explosive when performed live), but you get the sense through much of the album's second half that the Dirty Hearts aren't quite willing to make the push in either direction. Like the picture on inside cover, it's seedy and sordid enough to hint at that classic degenerate punk edge, but also doesn't really seem to want to go there.
Despite this somewhat ambivalent pull, most of the tracks still work extremely well between those two veins. In fact, if taken individually, the songs are often exceptional - in no small part due to the group's ability to create some of the most readily addictive choruses around. "Take Her All Around," for example, is the farthest removed from the rest of the album with its more pop-styled sound, but it is also one of the best cuts. And then the group is just as likely throw in garage blasts like "Sinner's Safari," howls reminiscent of the Offspring like on "Play Dead," or synthesized flourishes like "The Body Song." Figuring out exactly where the Dirty Hearts are trying to go is perplexing, and maybe, as with most debut albums, even they aren't exactly sure yet. But it seems that they could easily excel down any path they choose. Of course, they may just as easily determine to keep defying those expectations around every corner, but as a definite band worth keeping an eye on, they could nail something pretty damn spectacular with either a little more dirt or a little more heart. - Doug Freeman
Not to judge an album by its cover, but it's worth mentioning that the picture of Frankie Medina and Calida on the inside of the Dirty Hearts' self-titled debut release is damn sexy, and smacks of more than just a little cheap motel grit. But then that seems to be the line that group is working throughout the album. From the opening riffs on the first track "New One," there's a definite raw surge of energy in the sound that is coupled with a palpable sensuousness. Calida's sultriness mixes in with Medina's blitzkrieg of punched-out verses to keep the song torn with indecision. There's a strutting beat that kicks lyrics like "You look so beautiful / Walkin' down Congress suckin' on a red bull / I see them stop and stare / Everybody wants some, I've already vacationed there" into high gear, and the song ends with the Calida's intentionally perky and cloying call out of "Hey Frankie!" and the singer's dismissive and indifferent response "Oh no, not you again / It's just so boring. / I think I'll just put on / My old shirt."
"New One," especially with its abrupt ending, works perfectly in playing off of the dynamic between the core duo of the group. The songs are at their best when they're exploiting that play between Calida's and Medina's vocals, as in "The Body Song" or "Take Her All Around." But just as "New One" leaves us with the feeling that Frankie is bound to settle once again with the admittedly sexy girl that he nonetheless detests, the album also seems unwilling to commit to either its second-wave punk tendencies or its more mainstream alternative fallout. Not that the result isn't sometimes spot-on perfect (and you can tell the songs must be explosive when performed live), but you get the sense through much of the album's second half that the Dirty Hearts aren't quite willing to make the push in either direction. Like the picture on inside cover, it's seedy and sordid enough to hint at that classic degenerate punk edge, but also doesn't really seem to want to go there.
Despite this somewhat ambivalent pull, most of the tracks still work extremely well between those two veins. In fact, if taken individually, the songs are often exceptional - in no small part due to the group's ability to create some of the most readily addictive choruses around. "Take Her All Around," for example, is the farthest removed from the rest of the album with its more pop-styled sound, but it is also one of the best cuts. And then the group is just as likely throw in garage blasts like "Sinner's Safari," howls reminiscent of the Offspring like on "Play Dead," or synthesized flourishes like "The Body Song." Figuring out exactly where the Dirty Hearts are trying to go is perplexing, and maybe, as with most debut albums, even they aren't exactly sure yet. But it seems that they could easily excel down any path they choose. Of course, they may just as easily determine to keep defying those expectations around every corner, but as a definite band worth keeping an eye on, they could nail something pretty damn spectacular with either a little more dirt or a little more heart. - Doug Freeman
Green Chili 8/17/05
Gone to New Mexico to eat green chile, we will be back ready to rock for our Halloween CD RELEASE party OCT. 29th. Come dressed to impress!
Friday, June 27, 2008
Revelation 1:1
Hello, my name is Frankie and I'm the singer/guitar player for The Dirty Hearts. I'm going to be one of the people who will be filling you in with all things regarding the band as well other topics we feel the need to share with you. As some of you may know we are based in Austin, TX and I suppose should be classified under "rock". We like to think of ourselves as a rock-n-roll band but have been called punk, cow punk, post punk, garage, new wave and pop. We really don't mind any of these labels as most our our favorite bands come from these genres. Oh, I guess that would be my cue to name a few. Speaking for myself, I would name PJ Harvey, The Pixies, Sonic Youth and X. I could go on and but since music will be one of the major topics in our blog I'm sure I'll name several others in time.
Regarding my band, we are gearing up for the release of our latest album "Pigs". In the next few days I'll be updating the blog with some of the early reviews for the LP. Also, just over a week ago we released our new video for the album opener "Record Store". Check it out at http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9Zo9JWpS5A0 until I we post it here.
While writing this first entry, I got summoned away to rescue a baby bird in the back yard. I caught the little guy/girl for fear that my neighbors dog would feast on him/her. I put the chick in a box high on a tree to see if the mother will feed it until it can fly. Anyway, this may be symbolic of our blog. Let's hope it flys!
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