The Exploding Hearts
The Exploding Hearts were a punk rock / power pop band which formed in Portland, Oregon, United States in 2001. The band comprised Adam Cox (vocals, guitar), Terry Six (guitar), Matt Fitzgerald (bass) and Jeremy Gage (drums). Despite critical acclaim for their album "Guitar Romantic" and their single "Modern Kicks", the band is probably best known for the tragic van accident in July 2003 which killed Cox, Fitzgerald and Gage, after which the band ceased to exist. Read Full BioThe Exploding Hearts were a punk rock / power pop band which formed in Portland, Oregon, United States in 2001. The band comprised Adam Cox (vocals, guitar), Terry Six (guitar), Matt Fitzgerald (bass) and Jeremy Gage (drums). Despite critical acclaim for their album "Guitar Romantic" and their single "Modern Kicks", the band is probably best known for the tragic van accident in July 2003 which killed Cox, Fitzgerald and Gage, after which the band ceased to exist.
During the early 2000s the band rose to prominence in the US Pacific Northwest punk / new wave scene with a combination of energetic live shows and extremely well received singles. The band drew their influence from early British punk bands like The Undertones, The Jam, The Boys and The Buzzcocks, as well as pop acts like Nick Lowe. The Exploding Hearts lead a revival of 70s power pop and new wave in the Seattle / Portland area along with bands like The Briefs and The Epoxies on the then-Seattle based Dirtnap Records.
On July 20th, 2003 the band was in an automotive accident which claimed the lives of three members. Their touring van flipped over on Interstate 5 just north of Eugene, Oregon while en route from San Francisco to Portland. Jeremy Gage (age 21) and Adam Cox (age 23) were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Matthew Fitzgerald (age 20), died at a hospital. Terry Six and band manager Rachelle Ramos both survived with minor injuries.
No attempts were made to carry on the band name after the accident, yet the band's music continued to gain popularity as word of mouth spread on the internet. Sole surviving member Terry Six went on to form The Nice Boys who are quite unlike the punk vibe of his former band and take on more of a 70s glam sensibility. In his current band, Six is the lead singer as well as the lead guitar player.
During the early 2000s the band rose to prominence in the US Pacific Northwest punk / new wave scene with a combination of energetic live shows and extremely well received singles. The band drew their influence from early British punk bands like The Undertones, The Jam, The Boys and The Buzzcocks, as well as pop acts like Nick Lowe. The Exploding Hearts lead a revival of 70s power pop and new wave in the Seattle / Portland area along with bands like The Briefs and The Epoxies on the then-Seattle based Dirtnap Records.
On July 20th, 2003 the band was in an automotive accident which claimed the lives of three members. Their touring van flipped over on Interstate 5 just north of Eugene, Oregon while en route from San Francisco to Portland. Jeremy Gage (age 21) and Adam Cox (age 23) were thrown from the vehicle and pronounced dead at the scene. The driver, Matthew Fitzgerald (age 20), died at a hospital. Terry Six and band manager Rachelle Ramos both survived with minor injuries.
No attempts were made to carry on the band name after the accident, yet the band's music continued to gain popularity as word of mouth spread on the internet. Sole surviving member Terry Six went on to form The Nice Boys who are quite unlike the punk vibe of his former band and take on more of a 70s glam sensibility. In his current band, Six is the lead singer as well as the lead guitar player.
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I'm a Pretender
The Exploding Hearts Lyrics
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my heart
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my foolish heart
21 and it ain't no fun
My life's going by but it's just begun
I'm searchin' and searchin' and i'm lookin' around
Ain't gonna cry cuz there's no one to be found
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my heart
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my foolish heart
Took ya down to the avenue
Weather was cool, so i bought you some food
But i got so nervous when you asked me to come home
Went in my house and spent the night all alone
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my heart
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my foolish heart
I know, when you're a pretender
Your mind's wild from the start
Just gimme one chance baby
Help me shadow my heart
Gimme one chance baby,
Help me shatter my heart
Just won't cry cuz my life's goin' by
I'll find someone before the day i die
Gimme a chance and show me what to do
Couple a minutes i'll be doin' it with you
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my heart
I'm a pretender at the game of love
Need somebody help me shatter my foolish heart
I'm a pretender (x6)
Stand up pretender
I'm a pretender at the game of love
I'm a pretender at the game of love
I'm a pretender at the game of love
I'm a pretender
Contributed by Sophie K. Suggest a correction in the comments below.
To comment on specific lyrics, highlight them
Yang Li
I'm a punk lover from China. When I first found this song at university, I was immediately attracted. Thinking they might be some unknown bands from the 80s, I started to dig for more information, I was surprised that they came from 2003, ain't all music after 00s are shit? Also then I knew about their tragedy..... I guess the good things are just not going to last.... Now 10 years has passed, I still enjoy this! I recommend "the Pretender" to many of my friends, I have it in my phone and my car, it reminds me how good the old punks are, how great my university years were.....
Emisilla Silla
good english, keep it up
THOTH
I love this song so much, but it hits me every time I hear him sing "lifes goin' by, but its just begun"
RIP Adam Cox, Jeremy Gage, Matt Fitzgerald. Your legacies will live on through your amazing music. Gone but never forgotten.
Zakk Anderson
I remember when I was 16 driving around in my car all spring, summer and fall...listening to this record. The exploding hearts is my all time favorite band.....23 now.
Chris Geonetta
these guys are amazing one of my favorite bands of the past decade and a half if only they were'nt taken from us so soon
MGM
King Louie wrote this riff, then passed it on to the Hearts, what a gift
Marek Konecny
This is absolutly amazing!!! Lyrics from the song -> unbelievable! <3
JettJaguar655
one of the most catchiest best songs ever!!!LongLiveTheExplodingHearts!! amazing!!!
lancelovecraft
I first heard this when I was 14 and thought the song was made for me. Now I'm 21 and can truly relate to the words. It's quite sad actually.
Jay Johnston
Awesome song, on repeat for days...