News and Such...
New CD in the works...
Careless Hearts have just completed the recording of our next full-length album, to be released later this year. Our good pal John Muller (The Mumlers, Doctor Nurse) did the recording for us, and we've just signed on with mixer/producer/songwriter/all-around badass Chris Stamey (Alejandro Escovedo, Whiskeytown, Le Tigre, Ben Folds, etc...) for the mixing, so needless to say we are very excited about the expected results. Stay tuned, amigos!
Debut CD Available NOW!
Come to one of our shows to get your own copy from us. You can also order one from CD Baby, or purchase the whole thing as a digital download at our MySpace page, on iTunes or OurTracks today!
What folks are saying about the band:
"Careless Hearts' self-titled debut has a lot to offer the country rock-loving masses, California and Nashville alike. Primarily a country band disguised as a rock outfit, the California-based ensemble covers a lot of ground, scratching out rowdy dance floor busters and just as easily swinging a ballad... they have the right kind of talent. " ...West Coast Performer magazine, 4.2007
"A GREAT band." ...Ray Randall, AmericanaRoots.com, 4.2007
"The San Jose-based Careless Hearts call themselves alt-country, but we say they're purveyors of good old-fashioned rock 'n' roll. The kind that'll have you singing along and tapping your foot before the end of the first chorus. The kind with more hooks than a convention of pirates at a bait-and-tackle shop. You'll be sucked in by the first line of the first chorus of the first song, a delightful three-and-a-half-minute number called "Chattering Teeth." Lead singer Paul Kimball alternately wails and whines (in a good way) while powerhouse drummer Craig Heitkam never lets up. Lyrical gems like "I'm shaking like a junkie in a film by Gus Van Sant" are the icing on this cake. They've also included a straight-up country ballad ("Old Ways Die Slow"), complete with a honky tonk and a cheating heart. But we're still calling these Hearts rock perfection." ...Performing Songwriter magazine, 3.2007
"Check out San Franscisco Bay Area twangers, Careless Hearts. Their self-titled debut is full of sad songs influenced by traditional country songbooks juxtaposed with rockin' twang channeling the likes of The Band, the Stones and more recently Two Tons of Steel"... Twangville.com, 2.15.2007
"Can't Tell a Man and Never to Return showcase the range of the country music spectrum influencing Careless Hearts. The first clearly has sprung, like a green sapling, directly from American roots music. You can almost hear the old Kentucky hills in the rhythm and the lyrics. The second is a story of isolation and tragedy, a very traditional American song theme, though here the sound is updated, relying more on the last two decades of alternative rock music than it does on the beginning of the last century."...Hardcore-Troubadours.com, 2.19.07
"Careless Hearts are an alt-country band winning hearts and minds from San Jose to San Francisco, and have just released their first CD. The songwriting on this CD is its first attention getter. They takes their listeners into places new and familiar, but rarely in expected ways. Their sound covers bases from Wilco to the Velvet Underground and points in between.
"Chattering Teeth," which kicks off the CD, tackles the nervous energy of situations that bring about clicking teeth and
knocking knees. "22 Filmore" wraps love lost into a local package by comparing it to the release of the air breaks on a well-known San Francisco
bus line. They have are other stories, some dark, some personal and some uplifting, and all for your entertainment pleasure. As HWS has said before,
these guys are single-handedly kicking the long dead carcass of South Bay twang back to life." ... HicksWithSticks.com, 11.16.2006
"Careless Hearts' music is a mostly upbeat blend of country and rock that should please fans of Rank and File or the Old 97's"... San Jose Mercury News, 10.06.06
"Careless Hearts could be compared to the Donny and Marie Show of the '70s: they give us that perfect blend of country AND rock 'n' roll entertainment, minus the skits." ...The Wave magazine, 1.25.2006
Past Shows:
SUNDAY April 20, 2008
Surfrider Foundation benefit, Los Gatos
Helping the clean surf cause on a sunny 4/20
FRIDAY March 28, 2008
South First Billiards, SJ, CA
(w/ Or, the Whale)
A pleasure to play with these fine folks from SF, it was.
FRIDAY March 7, 2008
The Caravan, SJ, CA
(w/ Axton Kincaid, Chris Jones)
Hoots and hollers, beers held aloft, and great playing by all, all night long. We were proud to be a part of it.
MONDAY March 3, 2008
Thee Parkside, SF, CA
(w/ Joe Buck (Yourself), The Pine Box Boys)
Not a bad way to start the week: twang freakout style!
SATURDAY January 26, 2008
The Blank Club, SJ, CA
(w/ Big Sandy and His Fly-Rite Boys, Red Meat)
The best night of music SJ has seen in years, and we were a part of it. This will be the one to beat.
SATURDAY January 5, 2008
Pioneer Saloon. Woodside, CA
(w/ The Robber Barons)
Derek and Paul as an acousitc duo on a rainy (but gorgeous) night
FRIDAY December 14, 2007
The Blank Club, SJ
(w/ Shawn Packer)
So nice to play for the hometown folks. Special treat: Derek and Eric spinning wax between sets...
SUNDAY November 4, 2007
KPIG FM, Freedom, CA; then, Thee Parkside, SF
(w/ DJ Sleepy John; then, w/ Chris Jones and David Serby)
Is it possible to have more fun on a Sunday? Good times on a great radio station, a mellow cruise up the coast, and then a country rockin' blowout with Chris Jones and David Serby, who's band took us, as Derek so accurately put it, to "riff school."
WEDNESAY October 17, 2007
The Caravan, SJ
(w/ Clay Wheels)
The mighty Caravan celebrates its 100th Punk Night, and we sneak on the bill last-minute to open up for local faves Clay Wheels: as good a Wednesday night as I can remember...
FRIDAY October 5, 2007
South First Billiards, SJ
(w/ Oceans of Fire, Manchester School)
Playing with Manchester School is always a good time, as is playing new live music venues in our home town. We (heart) San Jose!
SUNDAY September 23, 2007
Monster Drawing Rally, Eagle Rock, LA
(w/ Triple Chicken Foot, Sam Mellon and the Skylarks, Bucksworth)
Bowled away we were by this excellent benefit event for Outpost for the Arts: lots of great music and art, and a bunch of really cool folks to boot
SATURDAY September 22, 2007
Full Circle Brewing Co., Fresno
A small but excitable crowd, and some superb cream ale. Wait, maybe that's why they were so excitable... hmmm. Fresno, we won't forget ye.
SUNDAY August 26, 2007
Thee Parkside, SF
(w/ Chris Jones, Matthew O'Neill, AM Interstate)
A free "Twang Sunday" show at Thee Parkside, with kids in attendance, BBQ to chow, and Chris Jones singing with us on a Gram tune: sweet.
THURSDAY August 2, 2007
Naglee Park Garage, SJ
With Dave Ray, Bart Thurber and Kaila D'sa all taking turns with us, it was like our version of the Last Waltz, minus the band breaking up part. Immense goodness.
FRIDAY July 27, 2007
Caravan Lounge, SJ
Pretty girls danced and Derek channeled Jimi during our most rocking set to date
THURSDAY June 7, 2007
Naglee Park Garage Bistro, SJ
Belgian white on a summer night: outtasight!
THURSDAY May 10, 2007
Thee Parkside, SF
(w/ The Jenny Kerr Band, Crooked Roads)
Jenny ripped it up on banjo, harp, dobro and guitar: we did our part by setting the bar as high as we could for her
SUNDAY April 22, 2007
Hotel Utah, SF
(w/ Fred Odell, Bob Harp)
Starting with a gorgeous Frisco sunset, ending with new bassist Brian Michael fully in the fold
SATURDAY March 24, 2007
Johnny V's, San Jose
(w/ Fred Odell, Scotland Barr and the Slow Drags)
As much tunefullness and twang in one night as San Jose has seen in many a moon, and we were proud to be part of it
FRIDAY February 23, 2007
Moe's Alley, Santa Cruz
(w/ Reckless Kelly)
Our biggest show to date, and our first on the coast: hip shakin' and good times in abundance
WEDNESDAY February 21, 2007
The Knockout, SF
(w/ Fred Odell and the Broken Arrows)
A little rain, a little audience, but a big time in The City at our favorite joint
WEDNESDAY January 31, 2007
VooDoo Lounge, San Jose
(w/ The Pendletons, Wiggle Wagons)
Starting the year off with a night of real good music, real fine friends, and real POWER (Eric Powers, aka "Mr. San Jose") on the drums.
FRIDAY October 27, 2006
The Knockout, San Francisco
(w/ Fred Odell)
When headliner Wil Ridge cancelled we got a battlefield promotion to headliner, resulting in two great sets and lots of new friends.
FRIDAY October 20, 2006
The Blank Club, San Jose
(w/ Cacti Widders, The Muckruckers)
Great turnout, and Derek See playing slide with a Heineken...rowdy!
SATURDAY October 7, 2006
The Plough and Stars, San Francisco
(w/ Axton Kincaid, The Dave Hanley Band, The Rubberneckers)
A hell of a good time, many thanks to the fine people in Axton Kincaid
SATURDAY September 30, 2006
TurningWheels for Kids Benefit, San Jose
Doin' it for the kids, and introducing bassist Rob Miller to the folks.
FRIDAY August 4, 2006
Johnny V's, San Jose
(w/ Wiggle Wagons, Blind Rhyme)
A high-octane send-off for our very own Cobbler. Rock on, pard'ner.
THURSDAY July 27, 2006
Naglee Park Garage Bistro
A gorgeous night outdoors with our families and friends: outstanding!
THURSDAY July 6, 2006
Annie's Social Club, SF
(w/ Red Meat, Rosie Flores)
Veni, vedi, vici. Well, ok, maybe not vici, but it was a hoot nonetheless.
FRIDAY June 16, 2006
Johnny V's, San Jose
(w/ Sad Bastard Book Club, The Robber Barons)
Warm night, cold beer, and 25 bee stings about the neck and torso...
Tuesday, June 6, 2006
Cindy Chavez Election-night Bash
"Careless Hearts: Makin' Dems dance since 2005..."
FRIDAY June 2, 2006
The Blank Club, San Jose
(w/ Wiggle Wagons, Cacti Widders)
Was it the beautiful summer evening air, or was is the tequila? And does it matter?
SATURDAY May 13, 2006
The Quarter Note, Sunnyvale
(w/ Dave Gleason's Wasted Days, Wiggle Wagons)
Despite some persistent technical chaos, the smiles were broad and the reviews strong...
SATURDAY April. 28, 2006
The Knockout, SF
(w/ Red Meat)
Thanks to the fine folks at this fine bar for the very fine welcome.
FRIDAY April. 21, 2006
Johnny V's, San Jose
(w/ Axton Kinkaid, Tin Cat)
Well whaddya know, San Jose does know how to rock!
THURSDAY April 6, 2006
Annie's Social Club, SF
(w/ The Shitkickers, Whiskey Sunday)
"You guys would have made Hank Williams proud." Aw, shucks...
THURSDAY JAN. 26, 2006
Brookdale Lodge, Brookdale
(w/ Bastard Sons of Johnny Cash)
We saw dead people... and some VERY live ones, too.
SATURDAY DEC. 17, 2005
Johnny V's, San Jose
(w/ Sam Mellon and the Skylarks / Tincat)
An auspicious beginning...
