Killing Heidi
Encyclopedia
Killing Heidi were an Australian rock
band from Violet Town, Victoria
. The band, which has been on hiatus since 2006, are best known for their multi-platinum album Reflector
, released in 2000
.
and her older brother guitarist Jesse Hooper. They grew up in Violet Town, a small Victorian country town, with a population of approximately 2,000 where their parents worked as music and drama teachers.
They started jamming together at home; Ella singing while Jesse played the guitar. They played an acoustic gig together at the Violet Town Arts Festival in 1996, when Ella was 13 years old.
Bent Records label owner and local record studio owner, Jamie Durrant, offered them some time in a studio with a couple of schoolmates as the rhythm section. They submitted these recordings into the Triple J
Unearthed competition in 1996 and the track "Kettle" won the competition for their area of rural Victoria. "Kettle" was written by Ella Hooper; Brian Walton and Jesse Hooper added some guitar parts later.
The name "Killing Heidi" came from the band members generating two lists before their first gig; one filled with "soft" words, one with "harsh" words. Killing was chosen as the harsh, Heidi the soft. According to the band, the name basically means "the end of innocence".
Producer Paul Kosky
who had worked with Crowded House
, Rage Against the Machine
, Kate Ceberano
, and The Clouds was looking for a band to manage and sign to his new recording label Wah Wah Music. He decided to check out live performance by Killing Heidi. He helped the develop the young band over the next two years working on songwriting, song structure and overall direction of the music. He was a mentor and offered the recording experience and production style that became the bands sound. He became the manager of the band and arranged a contract with Roadshow Music (who had a contract with Savage Garden
) for his label, Killing Heidi had also acquired a new rhythm section (which Kosky sourced and introduced to Killing Heidi) with Adam Pedretti on drums and Warren Jenkin on bass. They recorded the rest of the first album in 1998.
" was released in August 1999 and reached #6 on the ARIA charts
(and Platinum sales) by the end of 1999. The second single "Mascara", about self-image and individuality, was released in December 1999 and reached the top of the Australian charts on 30 January 2000, which was Ella's 17th birthday. - it stayed at #1 for three weeks, also achieving Platinum status.
The band's debut album Reflector
was released in early 2000 and debuted at #1, quickly becoming the fastest-selling album in Australian music history. The album spent seven weeks at #1 on the ARIA charts, and spawned two further singles: "Live Without It
" and "Superman Supergirl".
Reflector eventually sold over 350,000 albums in Australia, earning 5x platinum status and Killing Heidi won four ARIA Music Awards
in October 2000.
The band's momentum halted when a cyst was found on Hooper's vocal cords and she underwent an operation in 2001. Her voice was slow to recover, which "destroyed any confidence [Ella Hooper] had in her voice."
The band recorded its second album Present
, despite Hooper's continuing problems with her vocal cords. This album was not as successful as its predecessor, selling only 50,000 copies and failing to make the top ten of the Australian album charts. It spawned two singles - "Heavensent
" which reached the top 30 in early 2002 and "Outside Of Me
" which reached a peak of #12 later in 2002; a third song from the album, "Ammyl", was released to radio in 2003 but was never released as a commercial single.
In 2002 manager Paul Kosky and the band split in an ending characterized as "acrimonious"; the split "almost spelt the end" for the band, and left Kosky feeling that he was the scapegoat
blamed for the problems with the second album.
Chris Robinson bought out Kosky's share of their partnership and became the band's new manager.
recording their next album.
The first single from the band's third album was "I Am", released on 12 July 2004. Debuting at #16 on the Australia
n singles charts, it spent three months in the Top 50 charts but only reaching Gold sales. It also features on the Australian version of the Spider-Man 2
soundtrack.
In late August 2004, Killing Heidi released their third studio album. Self-titled as Killing Heidi
, the album featured a less styled and more sonically expressive sound. It debuted at #7 on the charts, again only reaching gold and then fell out of the charts relatively quickly.
In September 2004, the second single from the album, "Calm Down
" was released, though it made only moderate impact, peaking at #23. Early 2005 saw a third song from the album, "Running Underwater" released to radio, but like "Ammyl" in 2003, it was not released as a commercial single and received very little radio airplay.
Later in 2005, Killing Heidi left Sony BMG.
page:
No details were included about the plans of bassist Warren Jenkin.
Australian rock
Australian rock, sometimes called OZ Rock is used to describe the various rock and many pop bands and solo artists from Australia. Australia has a rich history of rock music and an appreciation of the roots of various rock genres, usually originating in the United States but also Britain, Ireland,...
band from Violet Town, Victoria
Victoria (Australia)
Victoria is the second most populous state in Australia. Geographically the smallest mainland state, Victoria is bordered by New South Wales, South Australia, and Tasmania on Boundary Islet to the north, west and south respectively....
. The band, which has been on hiatus since 2006, are best known for their multi-platinum album Reflector
Reflector (Killing Heidi album)
Reflector is the debut album of Australian band Killing Heidi, released in 2000.-Album information:The album was an enormous success, propelling the band to prominence and eventually spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA charts...
, released in 2000
2000 in music
See also:* 2000 in music Record labels established in 2000-Events:*January – Gary Glitter is released from jail, two months before his sentence for sexual offences ends.*January 1**John Tavener is knighted in the New Year's Honours List....
.
Early years (1996–1999)
The nucleus of Killing Heidi is singer/songwriter Ella HooperElla Hooper
Ella Keighery Hooper is an Australian rock music singer-songwriter. Hooper is the lead singer of Killing Heidi, which she has fronted, with her older brother Jesse Hooper, since its formation in 1996...
and her older brother guitarist Jesse Hooper. They grew up in Violet Town, a small Victorian country town, with a population of approximately 2,000 where their parents worked as music and drama teachers.
They started jamming together at home; Ella singing while Jesse played the guitar. They played an acoustic gig together at the Violet Town Arts Festival in 1996, when Ella was 13 years old.
Bent Records label owner and local record studio owner, Jamie Durrant, offered them some time in a studio with a couple of schoolmates as the rhythm section. They submitted these recordings into the Triple J
Triple J
triple j is a nationally networked Australian radio station intended to appeal to listeners between the ages of 18 and 30. The government-funded station is a division of the Australian Broadcasting Corporation...
Unearthed competition in 1996 and the track "Kettle" won the competition for their area of rural Victoria. "Kettle" was written by Ella Hooper; Brian Walton and Jesse Hooper added some guitar parts later.
The name "Killing Heidi" came from the band members generating two lists before their first gig; one filled with "soft" words, one with "harsh" words. Killing was chosen as the harsh, Heidi the soft. According to the band, the name basically means "the end of innocence".
Producer Paul Kosky
Paul Kosky
Paul Kosky is a long-standing, music industry professional based in Melbourne Australia who has worked with some of the biggest names in Australia, the US and the UK....
who had worked with Crowded House
Crowded House
Crowded House are a rock band, formed in Melbourne, Australia and led by New Zealand singer-songwriter Neil Finn. Finn is the primary songwriter and creative director of the band, having led it through several incarnations, drawing members from New Zealand , Australia and the United States...
, Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine
Rage Against the Machine is an American rock band from Los Angeles, California. Formed in 1991, the group's line-up consists of vocalist Zack de la Rocha, bassist and backing vocalist Tim Commerford, guitarist Tom Morello and drummer Brad Wilk...
, Kate Ceberano
Kate Ceberano
Kate Ceberano is an Australian singer. She achieved success in the soul, jazz and pop genres as well as in her brief forays into musicals with Jesus Christ Superstar and film...
, and The Clouds was looking for a band to manage and sign to his new recording label Wah Wah Music. He decided to check out live performance by Killing Heidi. He helped the develop the young band over the next two years working on songwriting, song structure and overall direction of the music. He was a mentor and offered the recording experience and production style that became the bands sound. He became the manager of the band and arranged a contract with Roadshow Music (who had a contract with Savage Garden
Savage Garden
Savage Garden were an Australian pop rock performance and songwriting duo. Darren Hayes and Daniel Jones formed the group in Brisbane, Queensland in 1994...
) for his label, Killing Heidi had also acquired a new rhythm section (which Kosky sourced and introduced to Killing Heidi) with Adam Pedretti on drums and Warren Jenkin on bass. They recorded the rest of the first album in 1998.
Commercial success
Killing Heidi's first single "WeirWeir (song)
"Weir" was the first single by Australian band Killing Heidi. The song became a teen anthem in Australia in the year of its release, and remains the band's best-known single....
" was released in August 1999 and reached #6 on the ARIA charts
ARIA Charts
The ARIA charts are the main Australian music sales charts, issued weekly by the Australian Recording Industry Association. The charts are a record of the highest selling singles and albums in various genres in Australia. ARIA commenced compiling its own charts in-house from the week ending 26 June...
(and Platinum sales) by the end of 1999. The second single "Mascara", about self-image and individuality, was released in December 1999 and reached the top of the Australian charts on 30 January 2000, which was Ella's 17th birthday. - it stayed at #1 for three weeks, also achieving Platinum status.
The band's debut album Reflector
Reflector (Killing Heidi album)
Reflector is the debut album of Australian band Killing Heidi, released in 2000.-Album information:The album was an enormous success, propelling the band to prominence and eventually spending seven weeks at No. 1 on the ARIA charts...
was released in early 2000 and debuted at #1, quickly becoming the fastest-selling album in Australian music history. The album spent seven weeks at #1 on the ARIA charts, and spawned two further singles: "Live Without It
Live Without It
"Live Without It" is a song by Killing Heidi, released as the third single from their debut album Reflector.-Track listing:Yellow cover# "Live Without It"# "Teen Angst Unrequited Love Song" # "Pins and Needles" Purple cover...
" and "Superman Supergirl".
Reflector eventually sold over 350,000 albums in Australia, earning 5x platinum status and Killing Heidi won four ARIA Music Awards
ARIA Music Awards
The Australian Recording Industry Association Music Awards is an annual series of awards nights celebrating the Australian music industry, put on by the Australian Recording Industry Association...
in October 2000.
The band's momentum halted when a cyst was found on Hooper's vocal cords and she underwent an operation in 2001. Her voice was slow to recover, which "destroyed any confidence [Ella Hooper] had in her voice."
The band recorded its second album Present
Present (Killing Heidi album)
Present is the second studio album by the Australian band Killing Heidi, released in Australia on 25 October 2002 . It succeeded the group's enormously successful debut album, 2000's Reflector....
, despite Hooper's continuing problems with her vocal cords. This album was not as successful as its predecessor, selling only 50,000 copies and failing to make the top ten of the Australian album charts. It spawned two singles - "Heavensent
Heavensent
"Heavensent" is the first single released from ARIA Award-winning band Killing Heidi's second album Present.-Track listing:CD single# "Heavensent" # "Heavensent" # "Up & Down"...
" which reached the top 30 in early 2002 and "Outside Of Me
Outside of Me
"Outside of Me" is the sixth single by Australian band Killing Heidi. It is the second and final single released from their second album Present...
" which reached a peak of #12 later in 2002; a third song from the album, "Ammyl", was released to radio in 2003 but was never released as a commercial single.
In 2002 manager Paul Kosky and the band split in an ending characterized as "acrimonious"; the split "almost spelt the end" for the band, and left Kosky feeling that he was the scapegoat
Scapegoat
Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any party for unmerited negative treatment or blame. Scapegoating may be conducted by individuals against individuals , individuals against groups , groups against individuals , and groups against groups Scapegoating is the practice of singling out any...
blamed for the problems with the second album.
Chris Robinson bought out Kosky's share of their partnership and became the band's new manager.
Self-titled album
In late 2003, the band spent three months in Los AngelesLos Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
recording their next album.
The first single from the band's third album was "I Am", released on 12 July 2004. Debuting at #16 on the Australia
Australia
Australia , officially the Commonwealth of Australia, is a country in the Southern Hemisphere comprising the mainland of the Australian continent, the island of Tasmania, and numerous smaller islands in the Indian and Pacific Oceans. It is the world's sixth-largest country by total area...
n singles charts, it spent three months in the Top 50 charts but only reaching Gold sales. It also features on the Australian version of the Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2
Spider-Man 2 is a 2004 American superhero film directed by Sam Raimi, written by Alvin Sargent and developed by Alfred Gough, Miles Millar, and Michael Chabon. It is the second film in the Spider-Man film franchise based on the fictional Marvel Comics character Spider-Man...
soundtrack.
In late August 2004, Killing Heidi released their third studio album. Self-titled as Killing Heidi
Killing Heidi (album)
Killing Heidi is the third album by Australian rock band Killing Heidi, released by Columbia Records in Australia on 30 August 2004...
, the album featured a less styled and more sonically expressive sound. It debuted at #7 on the charts, again only reaching gold and then fell out of the charts relatively quickly.
In September 2004, the second single from the album, "Calm Down
Calm Down (song)
"Calm Down" is Killing Heidi's eighth single released and the second single from their third self-titled album Killing Heidi. The song was the #1 most added song to Australian radio during the week of its release. Lead singer Ella Hooper said of the song, "it's about [having] a big crush [on...
" was released, though it made only moderate impact, peaking at #23. Early 2005 saw a third song from the album, "Running Underwater" released to radio, but like "Ammyl" in 2003, it was not released as a commercial single and received very little radio airplay.
Later in 2005, Killing Heidi left Sony BMG.
Hiatus (2006–present)
In mid-2006, rumours began to surface in the media of the possibility of Killing Heidi breaking up. The reports continued for several weeks, with articles in some magazines and newspapers claiming the band had already split. The band clarified the situation in a blog entry on their MySpaceMySpace
Myspace is a social networking service owned by Specific Media LLC and pop star Justin Timberlake. Myspace launched in August 2003 and is headquartered in Beverly Hills, California. In August 2011, Myspace had 33.1 million unique U.S. visitors....
page:
- oh the waiting... oh the waiting.... ok, hi everyone. Here is the news: We are taking a break from killing heidi for a while but do not see this as a break up! It is us needing to try something else for a little while cos its all we've done for 9 years now. Killing Heidi will be playing some shows in the next 6 months so if you really want to you can get to these shows. I will post the dates as they are confirmed. Ella and Jesse are working on a new as yet unnamed project and will be playing in vic and nsw trying out new material and playing a few oldies too. Pedro is rocking with the very loud and very talented "Monster Truck Extravaganza" (see our top friends for a link to their myspace) so check them out when they start doing shows soon. Hopefully you guys will like what we all get up to over the next little while!!! There have been requests to change the new traks to downloads so i will look into that too!!! Thanks everyone for your continued support, we love playing for you guys and look forward to seeing on the road again soon!!!
No details were included about the plans of bassist Warren Jenkin.
Awards
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Album of the Year for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Best Group for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Breakthrough Artist - Album for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Best Rock Album for "Reflector"
Nominations
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Album of the Year for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Best Group for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Breakthrough Artist - Album for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Best Rock Album for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Single of the Year for "Mascara"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Highest Selling Album for "Reflector"
- 2000 ARIA Awards, Best Cover Art (by Paul Kosky) for "Reflector"
- 2001 ARIA Awards, Best Group for "Superman/Supergirl"
- 2001 ARIA Awards, Producer of the Year (Paul Kosky) for "Superman/Supergirl"
- 2002 ARIA Awards, Best Independent Release for "Heavensent"