Band of the Week #298 - Heart Attack Man
This week's Band of the Week is American punk-rock band Heart Attack Man - who have just released their new album 'Joy Ride The Pale Horse'.
Exploring our existential fate, Heart Attack Man ponder not just death, but life in between the crunch of palm-muted pop-punk guitar chords and snappy hooks you just can’t shake. As such, the Cleveland, OH trio—Eric Egan [vocals, guitar], Adam Paduch [drums], and Ty Sickels [guitar]—stare down fate with an ear-to-ear smile on their fourth full-length LP, Joyride the Pale Horse [Many Hats Distribution].
They took a moment to talk to us about how the album came together.
Hey there Heart Attack Man, how are you? So your album is out now – how does it feel to have it out there?
It feels great and we’re all very proud of it. It feels especially rewarding to have taken some time off the road to get even more into album mode and locking in the way we did, which we now felt was worth it.
It is called ‘Joy Ride the Pale Horse’ – what is the meaning behind that?
It’s an allegory for the delicate balance between life and death and the many different ways any of us can view/respond to the concept of death. It’s an unavoidable part of life, but the ways that we engage with it can vary wildly.
Where was it recorded? Any behind the scenes stories you are willing to share with us?
It was recorded in Hopatcong, NJ and produced by Brett Romnes; who we’ve worked with on previous releases. He understands our band very closely and this was our favorite time in the studio. On one of the planned days off that we had, I went to a bunch of garage sales in the area and found a pretty neat old velvet painting of a clown.
What are the key influences behind the album?
Musically, each song has its own influence. It’s kind of all over the place, but in a way that I think still makes sense and tells an interesting story. Two bands I found a great deal of inspiration from were Failure and Motion City Soundtrack. The main objective with the album was to have the energy be consistently high and not feel the need to ebb and flow the energy just because we have in the past.
If the album could be a soundtrack to any film – which one and why?
The Minecraft Movie. I haven’t seen it but it seems awesome.
Do you have a favourite lyric on the album? If so, which one and why?
“We’re all suspended in between what life is worth and what it means” from Lay Down And Die. It’s a line that hits hard for me and succinctly captures so much of the essence of the album. Not to toot my own horn, but I’ve always prided myself on my lyrics, and I’m glad that I haven’t run out of things to say and talk about on this album.
Now the album is out there – what next for you?
Touring as much as we can, writing even more new music, and livin la vida loca as the Romans say.
