Born from the seeds of discontent - either in their previous bands or in the current state of the NC music scene, The Bleeding Hearts set out with one goal - to have fun playing music. And that is exactly what they have done. “It has been a blast from day one”, says Sam Madison (lead singer and guitarist), “there were no expectations, no rock star attitudes or delusions of grandeur, we just wanted to play in a kick ass rock and roll band”. Though they have received a barrage of press and hype since their first show in April of ’03, The Bleeding Hearts are no “flash in the pan”. “The audience really seems to like our songs. It’s the joy of performing that comes across. That’s what people remember.” The line-up includes Joe Yerry (guitar, vocals), Jim Britt (bass, vocals), Scott Taylor (drums, vocals) and Sam Madison (vocals, guitar). Jim, Joe and Scott are all transplants from NY, but have lived in Raleigh for nearly ten years. They have been in several bands separately but had not played live in a few years. Sam is a veteran of the North Carolina music scene dating back to the early ‘80s. Some of his projects include Bloodmobile, Pit Boss, Big Dixie and Man Will Destroy Himself. The Bleeding Hearts sound is difficult to describe. More than any one style of music, they are an era of music, the late 70’s. They try to incorporate the guitar-pop of Cheap Trick, The Knack and The Cars; the hard rock of KISS, AC/DC and Ted Nugent; the punk sounds of The Ramones and Johnny Thunders with the sleaze and soul of mid-period Rolling Stones. The songs are upbeat and guitar oriented, often with sarcastic lyrics. Live, they are raw, aggressive and power-packed, with the flash and swagger of 70’s arena rock delivered with a punk rock edge.