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| Biography |
Heath Haynes – Lead
Vocals, Acoustic/Electric & 12-String Guitars/Percussion
Ward Harrison - Lead Guitar, Vocals, Keyboards
Kris Krull - Drums, Vocals
Randy Mendicino - Bass
A band like Heath Haynes and the Crying Shames is a catchy shot of
rock and roll fired across the bow of image-conscious, processed
pop. The Richmond, Virginia quartet has been creating passionate,
original, infectious rock music since its formation in 2001. Its
debut EP Five Deep is a no-frills statement of purpose. From the
delicate roots rock of "Katarina" to the raw garage
stylings on "Can't Stop It," the release offers a
tantalizing glimpse of what's in store for listeners on the group's
debut album, the appropriately named Spring Release.
Spring Release picks up the momentum that Five Deep carries with it.
The mid-tempo soul of "Carry You Home" showcases Heath's
down-to-earth singing, while the jangle hook of "Shot My
Heart" offers percussive punch and perfectly placed harmony
vocals. The impossibly catchy "Complicated Girl" is an ode
to that girl who "brings everybody down/when she comes
around" and draws inspiration from the best of 60s pop. The
raucous "Get You Off" proves why it's become a live
favorite, providing a frenetic counterpoint to the witty barroom
country of "12 Steps Away." Spring Release successfully
captures the sound that's been turning heads and blowing speakers up
and down the East Coast.
Although just a few years old as a group, Heath Haynes and the
Crying Shames have already shared a stage with the Supersuckers,
Scott Miller & The Commonwealth, The Silos, Jonathan Richman,
Dragstrip Syndicate and Supagroup. When you see Heath, Randy, Kris
and Ward live, you're likely to hear covers by groups like The
Action and The Creation complementing energetic originals. The band
is considered by many to be a modern version of The Replacements or
the V-Roys, and influences include The Rolling Stones, The Kinks,
Cheap Trick, The Sonics and early Who. Put simply, the group
combines everything that is fun about rock and roll into a heady,
original mix.
With stellar songwriting skills and a tight sound, Heath Haynes and
the Crying Shames provide a melodic, power pop alternative to the
cookie-cutter sounds currently in overabundance on the radio. And
it's the little touches-the hook, the harmony vocals, the short but
powerful guitar solo-that add up so perfectly for a band that sets
out to write good pop songs.
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