Thanksgiving evening 1978 in cold basement huddled around a small space heater, Steve Pearson, Ken Deans, Don Short and Keith Lilly came together to explore the possibility of forming a band. 12 hours later as they emerged into the daylight The Heaters had become a band. The name inspired from their periodic worship at that small space heater during the night.
Soon they were playing the usual small clubs and high schools in the Seattle suburbs. The music consisted of a dozen originals, some obscure band covers, sprinkled with just enough current hits to get hired.
In the spring of '79 word started to get around that there was a great new band on the scene that was playing original music. They caught the attention of George Arthur (Rock Critic for the Seattle PI), he told the rest of the local critics about us and one evening they convened to see them at the Shire Tavern in West Seattle. Eric Lacitis (Columnist for the Seattle Time) was with them and approached the band about doing an article on them.
The life changing article came out and the band was on their way. Signing a management deal with Jon Kertzer and Kinnear (Heart's manager). In the fall of '79 they landed the opening slot for The Knack's My Sharona tour. In the midst of the tour, due to another band with the name The Heaters got signed to Arista records forcing a name change. After many different attempts at something completely different, they settled on The Heats. After the tour they went into the studio do create their first single, I Don't Like your Face / Ordinary Girls. I Don't Like Your Face soon became the bands anthem.
Summertime 1980 the band along with Heart Guitar/Keyboardist Howard Lease went into the legendary Kaye-Smith studios to record their iconic Have and Idea album. The Heats dominated the Pacific Northwest's airwaves and captivated fans in venues nationwide. Goldmine's John Borack named "Have an Idea" one of power pop's 50 most essential albums.
The band eventually went their separate ways and have from time to time reunited in various forms to play together. Today's line up brings a whole new chapter.
Original founding members Steve Pearson, Ken Deans, and Steve Pearson have been joined with the latest addition to the band, Jon Memolo. Jon, and east coast native and long time northwest resident has been a well-respected member to the PNW music scene for the last two decades.
Steve and Jon have been collaborating on song writing for a couple of years now and they are very proud and excited to say that they have gone into the studio and emerged with nine new songs and one of The Heats most loved songs, She Belongs to Me. Set to a late October release, the band is doing limited engagements.