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Known and applauded in Charleston and the Carolinas over the last few years as a tight power-pop act, Part Time Heroes have actually been spending most of their time in Hollywood. Working feverishly on their new album with producer Kent Hertz at the Spiral Recording on Hollywood Boulevard in Los Angeles. Lead singer/songwriter Luke Cunningham (pictured at the studio), guitarist Mac Leaphart (formerly of Five Way Friday), and bassist Brent Pace have already tracked some tunes with both Hertz and top L.A. session drummer Ray Rich on the kit. They've even managed to gig out at the Viper Room, The Whiskey, and The Derby (check www.parttimeheroes.com). - Charleston City Paper
The boys are back in town.
After relocating to Charleston, spending several months writing new music and adjusting the line-up, the new Part Time Heroes are coming back home.
On Friday, Jan. 30, the Heroes, led by Winthrop alum Luke Cunningham, will bring their memorable brand of infectious melodic pop/rock to Amos' Southend in Charlotte, N.C.
The dedicated fan base they built up and then left behind will be eager to see the new Part Time Heroes, whose most notable change is the addition of former Five Way Friday guitarist, Rivers Pearce, and bassist Brent Pace. Even with the new members, the band feels it is as its best since its inception.
"There's a lot of enthusiasm with the band now," said Cunningham, in a recent press release. "The shows and new material have a new breath of intensity and I think our fans feel that as well."
This enthusiasm is evident on the bands' most recent record, "Elevator," which was released this past May. The first two singles from the record, 'Could Have Been Mine' and '16 Stories,' were immediately picked up by Charlotte modern rock station, 106.5, while their most recent song, "TV' is a top requested song on Charleston's alternative rock station, 96 Wave.
The biggest step forward for the band came in January, when they signed a management deal with the Burglund Group, based out of Los Angeles, Calif.
The band hopes this decision will be the one that hurtles the band from regional success to national acclaim; but for right now, the band is content with giving back to the community that helped get them this far.
The show at Amos' on Jan. 30 starts at 10 p.m., with local rockers Parallel opening up the evening. Tickets can be purchased at the door or reserved in advance by calling Amos' at 704-377-6974.
- Winthrop University Johnsonian
Until listening to the The Now or Never EP, Part Time Heroes newest release, I had nearly forgotten what an excellent vocalist Luke Cunningham really is.
On this EP, the Charleston rock band has managed to pick up where Southern rock favorites and (Part Time Heroes buddies) Five Way Friday left off when disbanding last year. Cunningham’s vocals stay steady and full throughout the CD, and the production is some of the best I have heard in local music this year-the CD retains quite a bit of realism (especially in the vocals) and escapes being pro-tooled to death. The excellent production, in combination with the band’s tight arrangements and incredibly catchy hooks, lends credence to the concept that radio will always have a place for our Southern songwriters/ rockers.
The opening track ‘Ida May, offers noticeable guitar work and is one of the more pop laden songs on the album, yet this band does that genre a good amount of justice. The band can also do ballads, essential for any rock and roll heart throbs. ‘To Hell with Heaven’ utilizes strings and sparse instrumentation to showcases what sounds like authentic emotion form Cunningham, and winds up being a very compelling tune.
The Now or Never EP is a testament to the staying power-and evolution-of the radio friendly rock born of the Carolinas. No longer confined to Hootie or Edwin McCain, the genre might face a second coming, and there is a good chance that Part Time Heroes will be there to see it all. - Charleston City Paper
"Part Time Heroes are proof positive that rock n roll is alive and well." - Southeastern Performer Magazine
"A fine example of sincerity in music." - Charleston Post and Courier
Discography
ALBUMS:
Worst Case Scenario-Album-Released 2003
Elevator-Album=Released 2004
The Now or Never EP-EP-Released 2005
COMPILATIONS & COMMERCIAL USAGE:
'Elevator'
Morisen Records-Underground Artists-2003
(#1 Dowloaded Song on Compilation)
'Elephant'
MLS Soccer Rocks Utah Benifit Compilation-2006
'Good Time'
Extreme Skiing Channel-'KIR Productions'-2006
'Shame'
Tandem Marketing National Website
http://www.go2tandem.com/
(Song used for Website Intro)
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--All three PTH records received airplay from various college stations on the East Coast, as well as regular play from top market stations such as 96WAVF (Charleston SC) and 106.5 WEND (Charlotte NC)
--Band is currently recording upcoming album at Spiral Recording ( www.spiralrecording.com ) in Hollywood CA with producer Kent Hertz. Hertz's credits include such artists as Godsmack,Rob Thomas, The Pink Spiders & The Black Eyed Peas.
FOR MP3's visit: WWW.MYSPACE.COM/PARTTIMEHEROES
Photos
Bio
Back roads. Dirt roads.Toll roads. Whatever road it takes to get there.
Name any highway that so much as grazes the Southern United States, and the members of Part Time Heroes can tell you the nearest truck stop, hotel, barbeque joint or local bar. Hailing from Charleston, South Carolina, the band has spent the better part of three years on the road, perfecting their live show in any town that had a stage. The result of which has earned them a dedicated fan base, the type of experience that you can't buy, and exposure to a side of life that subsequently breathes sincerity into their music.
Formed in 2003 by lead singer/songwriter Luke Cunningham, Part Time Heroes were merely a southern 'frat house rock band,' getting their start on the regional college circuit. Assembled by Cunningham and original member Scott Rankin, the band was originally put together to play 'just one' fraternity show at their college. The enthusiasm and response from that one show was evident to all four members when they left the stage that night. They all agreed that there was something musically there that could'nt be ignored.
Just three months later, Part Time Heroes were packing bars and music venues around the Carolinas, as dedicated friends and fans would come out in numbers to support the band. With a notable stage presence, genuine appeal, and a dedication to playing the music they called their own, PTH's songs were the type that you catch yourself humming days after the show. Thus, it's no surprise that their style of music took hold with college crowds and concert goers alike, thrusting PTH into the regional music spotlight, and out on the open road.
"Looking back, we had no idea what we were doing professionally," says front man Luke Cunningham. "All we knew was that we wanted to play the music that we wrote, and that we'd drive anywhere and any place to do it.
Named one of 'The Top 10 Acts in the Carolinas' by Charlotte's 'Creative Loafing Magazine', critics and fans alike couldn't help but note the band's approach to a changing musical landscape. Atlanta's Southeastern Performer Magazine' called PTH "proof that rock and roll is alive and well" as their hometown papers credited the band as "a fine example of sincerity in music." With help from regional radio, PTH soon found themselves opening for national acts like The Fray, the Gin Blossoms, Will Hoge, and Athenaeum, in many top East Coast markets.
In 2005, Part Time Heroes made the move to Los Angeles, California to work with producer Kent Hertz. Hertz, (whose credits include work with Godsmack, Rob Thomas, The Pink Spiders and Lauren Hill) is currently at the helm producing the group's new album at Spiral Recording in Hollywood. Bridging the genres of rock, pop, & singer/songwriter styles, the album is already taking shape as the group's best work yet, and a major step forward for Cunningham's songwriting.The record, which will also be pitched to publishing and label reps, is due out some time this Winter.
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