31Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA:
A big day lockout for hit rockers <return
to top>
By CAMERON ADAMS.
THOUSANDS of Big Day Out punters were left frustrated when unable
to see top-selling Melbourne band Killing Heidi at yesterday's rock
festival.
Teenagers caused a near riot trying to enter the small indoor venue
where Killing Heidi, No. 1 in the charts this week with its hit
Mascara, had been booked to play before its recent burst of popularity.
Crowds crammed sardine-like around the cattle-shed-turned-indoor-stage
pushed, climbed on roofs and each other, and caused a human traffic
jam trying to get inside the venue.
"It's not fair, they should be on the big stage," one
upset fan said after organisers miscalculated the band's popularity.
Those inside saw singer Ella Hooper celebrate her 17th birthday
on stage, with the band performing a cover version of silverchair's
hit Tomorrow.
With a 42,000 capacity, moving around the showgrounds was often
like walking in quicksand as the venue struggled to cope with the
influx of punks, hippies, ferals, ravers and more piercings than
the bull parade the venue usually hosts.
Fans were treated to a mainly alternative musical diet, from the
f-word-littered set of American punk band Blink 182 to Perth rock
band Jebediah.
British folk singer Beth Orton introduced possibly the first mandolin
to the Big Day Out, while Aboriginal act Yothu Yindi and Latin percussion
band Ozomatli provided a respite from the noise. - SECT-News.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
Source: HERALD SUN 31/01/2000 P7
31Jan2000
- The
Killing Heidi Realm: KH - The Hottest new act at the BDO since Silverchair
<return to
top>
Killing Heidi Celebrate Their First BDO And A Birthday.
The Big Day Out Melbourne Showgrounds Sunday, January 30, 2000 "Wow!"
says Killing Heidi singer, Ella Hooper, as she looks out at the
early afternoon crowd from the Essential Stage at the Melbourne
leg of the Big Day Out. Wow, indeed. Music reviewers occasionally
exaggerate and say, 'the crowd was hanging from the rafters.' Well,
for Killing Heidi's set, they were! Two water pipes burst as the
crowd clambered for a vantage point as the hottest band in the land
delivered their brand of punky pop-rock songs. The rain did not
dampen the spirits of the crowd (to use another journalistic clichi)
who had come to see the band from Violet Town in country Victoria.
And, of course, it all seemed appropriate for a band who leapt into
the JJJ and the public's consciousness with a track called "Weir."
"I can just see them," one member of the crowd says, as
Killing Heidi kick into "Mascara," the band's second single,
which is at number one on the Australian charts - the first local
chart-topper in nearly three years. "All I can see is a lot
of hair." Ella beams: "You're rocking out there, aren't
you?" This is a big day for Ella. It's the first time she's
ever been to the Big Day Out. And, of course, her band is playing.
And it's also her seventeenth birthday. Her bandmates bring out
a cake with sparklers as the crowd sings Happy Birthday. "I
just got a present," Ella says, catching a gift thrown by a
member of the mosh pit. "This is too good!" If any confirmation
was needed, it came at the Big Day Out - the kids love Killing Heidi.
It's the biggest buzz at the Melbourne BDO since a similarly white-hot
silverchair set the RRR stage alight in 1995. Coincidentally, and
rather strangely, Killing Heidi unplug to do a version of silverchair's
breakthrough smash, Tomorrow. "See, we're a cover band!"
Ella jokes. But there's no doubt Killing Heidi have got their own
thing going on. Catchy songs and a compelling live act. Everything
points to a monstrous debut album.
(Reflector, due March 6)
30Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA: Killer
combo hits Brisbane <return
to top>
By Elissa Lawrence.
SUDDENLY, everyone wants a piece of teenage band sensation Killing
Heidi. The Victorian small-town success story have topped off an
amazing run to the top with two top 20 spots on Triple J's Hottest
100 annual music poll with the catchy songs Weir and Mascara. This
follows their breakthrough number one position on the Australian
music charts with Mascara, making them the first home-grown band
to do so since Savage Garden almost three years ago. The band, which
consists of Ella Hooper, 16, and her brother Jesse, 19, has gone
from strength to strength since deciding to make music together
in Violet Town, in Victoria's Goulburn Valley. Their big break came
when they were unearthed by Triple J and signed up by producer Paul
Kosky (Crowded House) on his own label Wah Wah Music. Mascara made
it to the top after a steady 14-week climb, while Weir recently
peaked at number six and hit platinum sales. Their first album Reflector,
which was recorded over eight months last year, has been widely
tipped to debut at number one. Killing Heidi will be in Brisbane
on Thursday to perform an acoustic set as part of an exclusive showcase
to celebrate the Music Live From The Panel CD, released through
Liberation Music. Mark Seymour (ex-Hunters and Collectors) will
also perform.
(C) 2000 Advertiser Newspapers Limited.
Source: SUNDAY MAIL (ADELAIDE) 30/01/2000 P62
30Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA: REVIEW - CDs
<return to
top>
By KATE PARSONS.
MASCARA, Killing Heidi (Wah Wah/Roadshow Music): This is one track
it will be impossible to ignore. With the huge success of Killing
Heidi's debut single Weir, Mascara, the follow-up, is sure to attract
equal attention. The four-piece, including talented brother-and-sister
combo Ella and Jesse Hooper, have again put their heart and soul
into their work and the result is a beautiful, melodic pop vibe
topped off by Ella's gorgeous lyrics. Also includes bonus tracks
of Leave Me Alone and Weir. 7/10
- SECT-Features.
(c) Nationwide News Proprietary Ltd, 2000.
30Jan2000
- TPA: Gig report 30.01.00
<return to
top>
Killing Heidi @ BIG DAY OUT Melbourne indoor venue
over full -5000 kids sang happy birthday to Ella -its all good from
here
27Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA: Making a killing
<return to
top>
KILLING Heidi this week become the first Australian band to top
the singles chart since Savage Garden in May 1997. Mascara originally
languished at the wrong end of the chart while their sleeper hit,
Weir, peaked at No. 6 and hogged radio waves. However, their record
company recently deleted Weir and packaged it on to the Mascara/Leave
Me Alone single, giving three A-sides for the price of one, and
have been rewarded with a chart-topper. All songs will feature on
their debut album, Reflector, out March 6. - SECT-Hit.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
Q-How
are you celebrating the first home-grown No. 1 in almost three years
with Mascara?
ELLA- As we speak I've got a glass of champagne in my hand, and
it's only 10am. We're very excited and very happy. We were thinking,
"Wow, we've gone Top 5. Even if it goes down from here, we'll
be happy", and it went to No. 1. I didn't realise how important
it is. It's pretty rare and it's hard to get there.
Is it weird seeing yourself in the Top 10?
Actually I just saw it on paper: Mascara, Killing Heidi, No. 1.
It is weird. I don't think it's your typical No. 1 single. I think
it's really good for a song like Mascara to be No. 1 at the moment
because there's a lack of people being diverse and creative with
their music.
Do you see your band as an antidote to teen acts such as Britney
Spears and Backstreet Boys?
That's how I feel. There's some cool things like Macy Gray [in the
charts] but I'm so happy to be competing against Britney Spears
and the Backstreet Boys and winning. It's such an honor to have
that place instead of them. A, we're Australian and B, we're not
your average run-of-the-mill pop band. We've got a bit of flair.
And we write our own songs and play our instruments.
Both singles took a long time to reach the Top 10. Do you feel
you really earned the success?
It's way better to have a steady climb - and a steady descent. Weir
was in the charts for ages and went platinum. For me it's more valuable
to have a stayer. Even if Mascara falls next week, my God, we've
had a No.1.
Was it hard to get rock songs on to commercial radio?
It was a real battle to get Mascara on to radio. Radio is such a
funny medium. It's meant to be the most easily accessible for listening
to music, but they play such a small portion of what is today's
Australian music. But once we got Mascara on (radio) then lots of
them, even the ones who had said at the start that it wouldn't get
played, suddenly love it.
What hopes have you got for the album Reflector?
I don't set myself goals. I just want lots of people to have it
as a CD they like to play.
Do you think your success has vindicated your choice to leave school?
I think so. I wouldn't care even if I had quit school and nothing
had happened, or it had fallen to bits. I don't think it's such
a heinous risk to quit school. I've got lots of friends who've never
been to school, or have had home school. My parents are pretty open-minded
people, I don't think it's the only way. The most interesting and
successful people I know quit school in Year 10.
Do you think you're a role model?
I don't know. That would be an honor, but it's not a conscious thing.
I'm not purposely trying to set an example, I'm just being who I
am. If people like that, it's flattering.
What's Mascara about?
I wrote it in the thick of high school, Year 9 or 10, when everyone
was obsessed by image and style. Going to school isn't really about
education, it's more a fashion parade and which group are you in,
the cool group, the bad group, this or that group. I wrote Mascara
about labels and how people take it too far: `I'm a goth, I'm sporty,
I'm a jock". Aren't you just a person?
What will you spend your first royalty cheque on?
I've just moved into my first house in Melbourne. I think my first
cheque will go on rent or furniture, stuff for my house.
Do you get recognised now?
If I'm in Melbourne I'm just one of many well-known people walking
around. If I'm in the country people think they have more of a right
to say, "Hey, aren't you that girl from that band?"
Do you miss home, Violet Town?
I miss it heaps, but I get back to Violet Town a fair bit. I get
really homesick for it.
What was the last record you bought?
To The Teeth by Ani DiFranco. I'm a huge fan. I'm going to see her
soon.
Which song do wish you'd written?
Stumbleine by the (Smashing) Pumpkins. I heard the new single. It
did nothing for me, which is sad. Maybe I'm biased. My favorite
era is Siamese Dream and Pisces Iscariot.
What was the first gig you saw?
Silverchair and Everclear in Melbourne Festival Hall. I think I
was 14. I thought silverchair were rocking. It was just before Freakshow.
The last gig was You Am I. They've been a favorite band of mine
for a long time.
What's the best rumor you've heard about yourself?
I'm not dating Daniel Johns. And there was one that I'm really 30
and it's all an act and I'm really a dwarf.
Mascara (Roadshow) out now. Reflector out March 6. Killing Heidi,
Big Day Out, Sunday. - SECT-Hit.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
Source: HERALD SUN 27/01/2000 P33
27Jan2000 - AUSTRALIA:
Aussie bands seriously hot <return
to top>
AUSTRALIAN artists dominated youth radio station Triple J's Hottest
100 for 1999.
In an awesome show of strength 50 home-grown bands were nominated
to the list, compared with 41 last year.
And local talent filled the top three spots.
Powderfinger was voted No. 1 for These Days, a song from the hit
Australian film Two Hands.
Victoria's power pop quartet Killing Heidi was No. 2 with its breakthrough
hit Weir, and The Tenants - a ska act from Orange - were a surprise
choice at No. 3.
More than 650,000 votes were logged in the annual listeners' poll,
compared with 518,000 last year.
THE TOP 10
1. Powderfinger - These Days
2. Killing Heidi - Weir
3. The Tenants - You S... Me
4. Fat Boy Slim - Praise You
5. Placebo - Every You Every Me
6. The Blood Hound Gang - The Bad Touch
7. Rage Against the Machine - Guerilla Radio
8. Limp Biscuit - Nookie
9. Pearl Jam - Last Kiss
10. Red Hot Chilli Peppers - Scar Tissue - SECT-News.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
Source: HERALD SUN 27/01/2000 P12
27Jan2000 - AUSTRALIA:
Ella's No 1 on the guest list - AUSTRALIA DAY 2000 <return
to top>
By DINO SCATENA.
ELLA Hooper is bright, articulate, talented and on Sunday she turns
17. Yesterday was Hooper's first Big Day Out.
The only thing making Hooper any different from the rest of the
50,000 (mostly) teenagers at the Homebush Showgrounds yesterday
is that her band's song Mascara is on top of the Australian music
charts.
"I've never been to a Big Day Out before and this time we're
playing," laughed Hooper. "I was always just too scared
I was going to get squashed and mashed in the mosh pit. All my friends
went. This is the best way to get an introduction to it."
A late addition to yesterday's 50-plus band line-up, Melbourne's
Killing Heidi - the outfit Hooper fronts with her brother Jesse
- proved a favourite among the young throng. Tucked away on one
of the event's smaller side stages in an early afternoon slot, Killing
Heidi drew an ecstatic crowd of about 5000 fans, with more spilling
outside the massive Munro Pavilion.
Topping off Killing Heidi's extraordinary week was hearing later
in the afternoon that their first top 10 hit, Weir, had been voted
second most popular song of 1999 by Triple J listeners.
Of course, Killing Heidi wasn't the only highlight of yesterday's
12-hour extravaganza.
Several thousand fans had started queuing outside the showgrounds
for the sold-out event hours before the gates opened at 10am.
While a strong contingent of Australia's most popular contemporary
acts entertained the crowd throughout the day across the event's
multi-stages, the evening featured some of the most influential
bands in the world.
They included The Chemical Brothers, Red Hot Chili Peppers, Nine
Inch Nails, Joe Strummer, Primal Scream and Beth Orton.
Despite the size of the crowd and the humid conditions, police had
reported no arrests as evening fell over the carnival setting. -
SECT-Local.
(c) Nationwide News Proprietary Ltd, 2000.
26Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA: Triple J Merrick and Rosso Hottest 100 Interview Transcript
<return to
top>
M+R: Speaking of bands that we unearthed here at Triple J. Who've
ya got in the front of the caravan beepin the horn? I've got Killing
Heidi Rosso!!!
(background noise ella and jesse yelling)
Ella:
Woohoo
M+R:
I've got Ella and Jesse here and how excited are you guys?
Ella:
Aww I don't know, I don't think I've ever been this excited before
M+R:
Number two, number two in the hottest 100, when you wrote Weir,
did you think there was any chance that you would go to number two
in Triple J's hottest 100?
Ella:
No!! I had no idea! Oh well you know, we hoped but oh my god, it's
so cool I'm just so stoked
Jesse:
It's it's just sublime, it's too good for words
M+R:
What do you do now? Like after you got number two in the hottest
100. Rosso and I missed this year, we were hoping for next year
Ella:
Aww you know it's tough, but yeah hehehe
Jesse:
M+R:
Yeah well we all did (Ella and Jesse laugh), well maybe not us all.
Now that you know, you've got such huge a prize, what do you do
afterwards, what are ya gonna do tonight?
Ella:
Aww ugh, I don't know
Jesse:
I think we hafta, have a couple of drinks and then try and right
a song we can get to number one, quite obviously
Ella:
Yeah, well that's the new challenge
M+R:
Aww go aussies
Ella:
Challenge grrrrr get ready
M+R:
Yeah, now, you guys must be stoked. Mascara's just gone number one
on the charts, you've had a massive year. When have you had a chance
to just sit back and go, "oh my god, what a massive year, what's
going on in our lives?"
Jesse:
Umm, hopefully tomorrow
Ella:
Yeah, yeah it's still coming, it's like when it all sinks in, I
don't wanna be doing anything you know dangerous, like I don't wanna
be out on a balcony or anything cos it's just gonna hit me so hard
I'll be like, oh dear, it's very major hah
M+R:
Obviously you're very excited and ahh, you've got BDO Saturday,
tell us the Big Day Out
Jesse:
Today was fantastic, definately one of the most psycho crowds we've
played to, it was fantastic
M+R:
I asked you that question because now I wanna know, you know, after
today is it gonna be like you know, before AND after?
Ella:
ooo it will be, it'll be like, oh do you remember what they were
like BEFORE they were number to in the hottest 100? (laughs all
round)
M+R:
Oh yes, the old Killing Heidi, yes before they became massive snobs
(laughs all round)
Ella:
Pre and post hehehe
M+R:
Guys can you introduce this song that came at number two in the
hottest 100 for 1999? Say who you are, tell us what it is
Jesse:
It's a song we wrote about a little reservoir not far from where
we live
Ella:
Where all my friends are listening to this program
M+R:
Say hi to them
Ella:
Hi girls!!! And guys if you're there you rock, have a swim in the
Weir for me, this Weir
Jesse:
Woohoo
M+R:
Killing Heidi number two on Triple J
~WEIR~
25Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA:
Killing Heidi spears No 1 spot <return
to top>
By PETER HOLDER and JO CASAMENTO.
POP chart success means many things to Killing Heidi, not least
of which being the fact that the band has kept Britney Spears out
of the number one spot.
Killing Heidi yesterday became the first local act in almost three
years to top the Australian singles chart with the single Mascara
reaching number one after a steady 14-week climb.
The last band to achieve the feat was Savage Garden in May 1997
with Truly Madly Deeply.
"We're very excited. I've got a glass of champagne in my hand
and it's only 10 in the morning," singer Ella Hooper, 16, said
yesterday.
The band's debut single, Weir, recently peaked at number six and
went platinum, and is still in the chart after 34 weeks.
Ella and her brother Jesse, 19, formed the band in the small regional
Victorian hamlet of Violet Town, near Mt Baw Baw, and were later
discovered by radio station Triple J.
They were signed by Roadshow Music, also home to Savage Garden.
- SECT-Features.
(c) Nationwide News Proprietary Ltd, 2000.
Source: DAILY TELEGRAPH (SYDNEY) 25/01/2000 P17
25Jan2000 - AUSTRALIA:
Killing them softly with Heidi's top single song <return
to top>
By Cameron Adams.
VICTORIAN rock band Killing Heidi is the first homegrown act to
top the Australian singles charts since Logan City's Savage Garden
almost three years ago. Its single Mascara this week shot to number
one after a steady 14-week climb to the top. The last Australian
single to top the charts was Savage Garden's Truly Madly Deeply
in May 1997. "We're very excited and very happy. I've got a
glass of champagne in my hand and it's only 10 in the morning,"
Killing Heidi singer Ella Hooper, 16, said yesterday. "I didn't
realise how important it is. It's pretty rare and it's hard to get
there. So many bands don't make it to number one." The band's
debut single, Weir, recently peaked at number six and went platinum,
and is still in the chart after 34 weeks. It was then repackaged
as a B side to Mascara, giving it an extra sales boost. Industry
insiders predict Killing Heidi's first album, Reflector, will debut
at number one, fuelled by increasingly popular live shows and singles
success. Ella and her brother Jesse, 19, formed the band in the
small town of Violet Town in north-east Victoria. After they were
discovered by radio station Triple J, the band was signed by Roadshow
Music, also home to Savage Garden who last week became the first
Australian band in almost two decades to have two number one singles
in the US. The band's single, I Knew I Loved You, topped the US
charts less than two years after its first chart-topping hit, Truly
Madly Deeply. - SECT-News.
(c) 2000 Queensland Newspapers Pty Ltd.
Source: COURIER MAIL (QUEENSLAND) 25/01/2000 P4
25Jan2000 - AUSTRALIA:
Band breaks drought <return
to top>
By CAMERON ADAMS, music writer.
VICTORIAN rock band Killing Heidi is the first home-grown act in
almost three years to be on top of the Australian singles chart.
The band's single, Mascara, this week made it to No. 1 after a steady
14-week climb.
The last Australian band to achieve the feat was Savage Garden in
May 1997 with Truly Madly Deeply.
"We're very excited and very happy," Killing Heidi singer
Ella Hooper, 16, said yesterday.
"I've got a glass of champagne in my hand and it's only 10
in the morning."
The band's debut single, Weir, recently peaked at six and went platinum,
and is still in the chart after 34 weeks. Industry insiders predict
the band's first album, Reflector, to be released on March 6, will
make its debut at No. 1, fuelled by their increasingly popular live
shows and the success of Weir and Mascara.
Ella and her brother Jesse, 19, formed the band in the small Victorian
town of Violet Town, near Shepparton, and were discovered by radio
station Triple J.
The Hoopers recently moved to Melbourne, where their band mates,
bassist Warren Jenkins and drummer Adam Pedretti, live. - SECT-News.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
Source: HERALD SUN 25/01/2000 P5
24Jan2000
- The
Killing Heidi Realm: Killing Heidi walks off as concert crowd hurls
cans <return
to top>
THE lead singer of top rock band Killing Heidi was
hit with cans of beer at Yarrawonga's Rockalonga Festival on Saturday
night.
Ella Hooper was hit in the shoulder and hip with cans of beer. Her
brother, Jesse, was also hit in the chest with a can of beer.
A shocked Ms Hooper pleaded repeatedly with fans to
stop throwing things on stage. When they refused to do so the band
walked off stage but returned after five minutes. But when it continued,
the band left the stage for good. Killing Heidi had almost finished
its set, at about 10pm, when the attacks occurred at the Yarrawonga
Showgrounds.
Insp Graeme Loison, of Echuca, who was on duty at
the Rockalonga Festival, said three cans had hit Ms Hooper. "They
immediately walked off stage after the beer cans had been thrown
at them," he said. "They thought that their safety was
at risk and walked off." Insp Loison said a small number of
intoxicated people threw the cans. "Some people over-indulged
in alcohol and played up a bit," he said. After the incident
police spoke to the Rockalonga Festival's organisers about possible
changes to the way alcohol is served at the Festival. "We're
discussing the possibility of serving plastic cups only," Insp
Loison said. He said despite the can-throwing incident, the
Rockalonga Festival was well run. "The majority of the crowd
was very well behaved and very supportive of the police presence."
"Ninety-nine point nine per cent of the crowd was very well
behaved," he said. "It's the same as always —
you get that 1 per cent spoiling it for the other 99 per cent."
Mr Mike Podolinsky, the Rockalonga Festival's publicity officer,
said it was only the second time he had seen a similar incident
in 30 years' association with the Rockalonga Festival and Cobram's
Peaches and Cream Festival. "It was an unfortunate sort of
situation," he said. But he stressed that the troublemakers
were only a small percentage of the 7000 to 8000 people at the event.
16Jan2000
- The Killing Heidi
Realm: Just the Fax <return
to top> Killing Heidi have taken Australia by storm,
playing infectious pop records with powerful inner strength.
The song Weir, and it's follow-up, Mascara, have comented
the songwriting talents of brother and sister Ella and Jesse Hooper
in many record collections.
Killing Heidi's debut album, Reflector, is due
out in Febuary.
Singer Ella Hooper managed to spare five minutes with
Streetwired to give us the guff. 1. What do you need for a perfect Sunday? - My friends, corn chips, sour cream, and a video. 2. How did you see in the millenium? - All night and day, raging in Sydney after the
'Rock the Millenium' concert. 3. How much success can you handle? - It depends on your definition of 'handle'.
Hopefully alot! 4. Best day musically in your life? - The day I heard my album finally finished,
and loved it. 5. What do you do to unwind? - Paint my toes and fingers, then sleep. 6. What are you listening to right now? - Slim Shady and P.J. Harvey. 7. If you could have dinner with any three people,
dead or alive, who would they be? - Bob Dylan, Billie Holiday, Shakespeare. 8. Who has been the biggest inspiration on your
music so far? - My mum and dads record collection. 9. Who would you most like to perform with? - Ani Di Franco - I wish!! 10. Best reason for living? - Life itself.
Killing Heidi play the Sydney Big Day Out on Wednesday,
January 26.
13Jan2000
- AUSTRALIA: the word
on the streets <return
to top>
THE line-up for this year's St Kilda Festival foreshore concert
has been announced. Performing on Sunday, February 13, will be Killing
Heidi, Deadstar, Professor Ratbaggy (featuring Paul Kelly), Julia
Darling, Rebecca's Empire, MetaBass, Violetine, Shihad and Soma
Rasa.
The concert will run from midday to 10.30pm on the St Kilda Beach
foreshore.
(C) 2000 Herald and Weekly Times Limited.
