Scatterheart

Scatterheart

Self-titled EP


By Morley Seaver


Imagine if you will, accidentally squeezing a tube of toothpaste too tightly and having the sticky mess erupt from its home with all the exuberance of a five year-old at Christmas. This almost approaches the energy that emanates from the debut record of Scatterheart, a Vancouver band led by the one and only…guitar whiz Doug Fury. Most will know Doug from his work with Bif Naked over the last decade as well as his other band The Almighty Truth.


Scatterheart is a decidedly poppier direction for Doug than his previous work. Most of this is due to the vocals of Jesse Enright, who from the few pictures I saw, reminds one of Perry Farrell. The band also includes bassist Wes Deboer and drummer Mike Southworth. The material on this record is aimed squarely at the radio and they should have no problem achieving that.


Five of the six songs on the mini-album all tread the same territory, punching holes in the speakers with their energetic rock…almost power-pop. Actually power-pop is not really the correct term but they’re on the lighter side of rock and the songs have a youthful flair and so if looks like a duck….


“Desire” is the first to elbow its way out of the CD to introduce itself to your ears. The infectious chorus should have your toes fluttering after a note or two and you’ll be playing air guitar with Mr. Fury in no time.


“Say It” and “New Foundation” (especially satisfying with its more aggressive guitar) keep things moving, with “Shadows” impressively stepping away from the other two with a bit more diverse song structure.


The highlight of the record is the one cut that stands apart from the rest musically. It’s “Soothe”, a ballad that effectively displays the songwriting prowess of the band. Enright is at his most endearing and the dynamics of the song work to showcase him properly. Very impressive song, this is! It’s back to the dancing for the final cut “Goodnight Angel” and it’s the only cut that disappoints slightly. The verses melodically speaking are a bit average, however the hooky chorus comes along for the rescue.


If this is just the beginning of Scatterheart, it’s inevitable that you’ll be hearing about them for a long time. They have the chops, the songs and the delivery to engage your ears. And I know their live show will be up to the task as well, having seen Mr. Fury many times. Scatter your heart to the winds over this record, people….Doug Fury and company will piece it back together for you.


Rating: 4 out of 5 - AntiMusic

SCATTERHEART
s/t EP
Independent

It's incredibly exciting when a modern rock band (unconsciously or not)
roots their songwriting muse in the classic power-pop soil of Rick
Springfield, the Knack, the Shoes, and such, but when they dose it with just
enough androgynous British glam-rock colorings (think David Bowie and
Jobriath Boone, circa 1972-73), one ends up with this crazy-like-a-fox
melding of Jane's Addiction alternative-psychedelia inside stunning
three-minute pop nuggets. Vancouver's Scatterheart probably never calculated
it that way, since they punch out their muscular rock songs with just enough
rough punk edges, but there it is - and it works like all hell here in this
six-song EP which truly does leave one gasping for more. Alas, it's not to
be; until Scatterheart (fronted by the charismatically Perry Farrelian
vocalist Jesse Enright and mobbed out by guitarist Doug Fury, bassist Wes
DeBoer, and drummer Michael Southworth) bless us with a full-length album,
the EP will just have to be played over and over again, until songs like
"New Foundation" and "Goodnight Angel" are branded deep into your brains and
you'll forget that you ever thought Mark McGrath was ever worth thinking
about, ever. Let's hope Enright & Co. tell us more that's on their minds.

-Ferdy Belland - Nerve Magazine

After the bricks have fallen and the lights turned off, I want to take a moment and step back in time and relive one of the best shows I have ever been to at Richard’s on Richards. Way back in June of 2009, when this beloved and historic venue was still kicking and screaming, fans lined up to get in and have a brew to witness something that can only be described as memorable. I don’t ever recall a show at Richard’s being this packed. On that night a local band by the name of Scatterheart utterly blew my mind with their amazing showmanship and tight instrumentals.
Comprised of lead vocalist and all around crazy person Jesse Enright, bassist Wes DeBoer, drummer Mike Southworth, and guitarist Doug Fury, Scatterheart is definitely a local band to watch out for. Already having toured with rock goddess Bif Naked, this past summer Scatterheart struck out on their lonesome and travelled all the way to Busan, Korea to play for 25,000 fans at the 10th Annual Busan International Rock Festival. Before any of these festivals and tours spawned upon this Vancouver based band, they played a sold out show at Richard’s and I was lucky enough to be invited out.
Their dynamic stage presence, combined with Enright’s eye catching feathers, left many people scratching and bobbing their heads, all the while screaming and dancing along to their catchy rock tunes. The feathers, I must admit, threw me off but I guess I just needed to get used to that colourful prop because it really added to the character Jesse was trying to portray. He reminded me of Jane’s Addiction frontman Perry Farrell, mainly because he had that rockstar squat going all night. I can’t imagine going down that low for such a long period of time, but hey I guess that’s what you have to do these days to impress the ladies (that and flock your feathers while squeaking out some mating call… mine is the ear piercing duck quack). And how can I forget about his little stunt where he raced along the balcony, jumped onto the bar, and pranced back on stage all the while singing. Now if that isn’t showmanship, then I don’t know what is.
But it wasn’t just Enright that sold me; it was the band as a whole. From choreographed dance moves – such as the one kneed rock out — to the impressive instrumentals, Scatterheart was just plain entertaining. With Christmas lights stringed across his drum set, Mike was nothing short of exceptional. He was crisp and precisely hitting the drums so hard that I thought the cymbals would explode. Doug was just as impressive, and I wouldn’t expect anything less from a former member of Bif Naked’s band. He’s one of those lead guitarists that could stand alone on stage and still entertain the crowd, sort of like Slash or Santana (but no gimmicks of course). I’m not too sure what it is about him, but he’s got that special quality that I can’t exactly pinpoint, but I know for a fact that he’s on his way to stardom. Wes kept it cool on bass and wasn’t outshined by any of his fellow band mates, as he worked his magical fingers and produced some heavy bass lines.
The highlight of the night, even though there were so many to choose from, had to be when Scatterheart played “Beautiful”. It was upbeat, melodic, and full of energy. I absolutely loved the palm muting, something I don’t hear enough of in modern rock songs (well if you go back to the early 90’s it was prevalent, but not so much these days). Of course, with Scatterheart it’s not just about the music. They had a bubble machine blowing throughout this performance, which amused the drunken crowd, and this sing-a-long track really left the audience wanting more.
I can honestly say that this was one of the best shows I have ever witnessed at Richard’s on Richards. - Ronatron

Back in July of this year Camrose Canadian writer Kelly Barrett had this to say about Vancouver based band Scatterheart, "The flavour is reminiscent of the '70's and '80's. Think Platinum Blonde meets Freddie Mercury with a little Bowie tossed in for good measure." Good start!!

It was a few months back when I reluctantly opted out of going to see a Bif Naked show. Bif is very talented and thought I may regret that decision. Well... I definitely did. However it wasn't because Bif put on a great show, sounded great and was hot as per usual. She was all of those things, however it was because I missed an opportunity to see a fantastic opening band. Scatterheart was the band everyone had to tell me about. People insisted on telling me how they were right up my alley and how I would have loved them. It didn't stop there. They told my how the music was great and the show was "like probably one of the best ever!" My roommate Jessie played me they're album and Ep and I thought it was fantastic. Initially my favorite song was "New Foundation". That being said there was a plethora of songs that were rivaling it. Be damned if I was going to miss them next time.
The following July the Jesse Enright (vox), Wes DeBoer (bass), Mike Southworth (Drums) and previously of Bif Naked himself Doug Fury (Geetar) came back to the Exchange to cover their fans in their brand of loverockrevolution by that I mean bubbles. Who doesn't like bubbles? If you weren't dripping in loverockrevolution by the end, there is something wrong with you. Scatterheart is a positive, high energy, rock n roll show that DEMANDS you be entertained. I think it was a success and if you had seen the smiles on everyone's faces I think you would agree. Not many band's can play Rush's "Closer to the Heart" or U2's "Pride (In The Name Of Love)" and make me enjoy it, and I did very much so. I almost enjoyed it as much as their originals. After an hour or so long set, a new t-shirt and many sneer pictures later the night had come to an end. I knew it wasn't going to be long or at least hoped before I would see the boys of Scatterheart again.

I could go on and on about how good they were at their instruments... and they were but it actually doesn't matter. This band is a show and they take the boat loads of talent and use it as a catalyst to form great music their charm and charisma leaving you wanting more. Whether or not it's Jesse's dance moves, Doug or Wes' rock faces or Mike's laughter at what is going around him, there will always be something that catches your eyes and ears at a Scatterheart show.

Sunday's show was no different. I got to hear soon to be hits "The Free" and "Shut Up" along with current hit "Beautiful". I saw some fantastic people in a "Dance-Off" and I got to sing along with one of my new favorite Canadian bands while they did a superb rendition of Queen's "Somebody to Love". This all while nursing a cold beer with some of my closest friends. It's been a long time since I have seen a show to this magnitude. Probably not since the days of Robin Black and the IRS. If you get a chance to see them, go! You won't be disappointed. They will graciously entertain your ass off. When they tell you Scatterheart loves you, they do. Love them back!

Cheers Rockers!! - SpunMagazine

By: Erin Fahy
October 28, 2009

I dare you to be angry while listening to Scatterheart’s latest album, The Masterplan. You simply can’t do it: its just happy, poppy rock’n’roll. Their self-described “love rock” takes cues from contemporaries like Panic at the Disco, the Killers and the Darkness, and possesses the soul of 60’s pop and the finesse of the 70’s with a heavy Queen influence.
Their flare for feathers and the dramatics is reminiscent of the great Freddie Mercury, but vocalist Jesse Enright definitely favours the Darkness’ Justin Hawkings. His personal style and huge feather shoulder pads put even Brandon Flowers’ to shame.

The band creates a unified and solid sound, while keeping it fresh. Standouts include the punk “Shut up” and the upbeat “Beautiful,” which I’ve listened to while prepping for a night out. I do wish for more hints of edge in their music, which could push this band over the top. I am curious to see how this music plays out on stage, considering I’ve heard rumours of bubbles, acrobatics and feathers everywhere. If their videos are just a taste of the live experience, I can’t wait! - TMS

Scatterheart - The Masterplan
by Patrick Jacobson
BC Musician Magazine April 2009

Finding a way to describe Scatterheart to someone who is unfamiliar with the band proves to be a difficult task. The band's vocalist, Jesse Enright, is a yoga instructor who wears multi-coloured feathered wings and a tight vest with no shirt and he challenges his audiences to dance competitions. His voice is somewhere between Perry Farrell's and Geddy Lee's and his handstands have become staples at Scatterheart's concerts. The band is drenched in pinstripes, flashes of colour, tight pants and bleached blonde hair. They make no attempt to hide their 80's influences and after hearing "The Masterplan," you may feel inspired to feather your hair, buy some checkered sneakers and practice the skank before attending a Scatterheart concert. Getting the picture yet?

It becomes apparent during the first listen of this album that the goal is FUN. Even the booklet that comes with the album depicts the band members' lighthearted sense of humor. Enright is perched like a gargoyle in one image while bassist Wes DeBoer appears to be turning into the Incredible Hulk in every photo. Once the fun begins, it's also obvious that the band has done their homework and that they have summoned past greats to inspire their art. "My Love" dances alongside David Bowie's "Modern Love" and "Shut Up" borrows from The Police's "Message In A Bottle". However, the album does well to stand on its own two legs and it's obvious that the band has worked hard to master their instruments and to define their image. Scatterheart is leading the charge for the Love Rock Revolution and they are determined to introduce the next generation of music fans to glam rock and power ballads.

"The Masterplan" is a party album. Like the ceti eels in Wrath of Khan, Scatterheart's songs burrow through their victims' ear canals to their brains, leaving them in a highly suggestive state. The album begs to be cranked up LOUD. After one viewing of the video for the first single, "Beautiful", you'll be nodding and smiling. You'll understand. Sometimes it's best not to re-invent the wheel. It's already round. It already works the way it's supposed to. Perhaps it's better to just have fun with it and let others enjoy it too.

www.scatterheart.ca
www.bcmusicianmag.com - BC Musician Magazine April 2009

Scatterheart CD release party
@ The Anza Club
March 6, 2009


Oh words! Why must you be so elusive sometimes? Your inadequacy becomes the cross i bear as i fish, fumble and grope for the proper articulation that will tell the tale of a musical bliss-out that rocked a packed Anza club last night as Scatterheart celebrated in style, the release of their first full length album, “The Masterplan”. And as if that weren't enough, those fun folks in Bike opened up the show with their weird and wonderfully energetic latin/reggae/meaty beaty indie groove-pop madness.
Something so good deserves more than the written word, but i can't very well turn back time to show you what i mean. Those who were lucky enough to get tickets before it sold out, grok in fullness my near inability to paint a perfect picture.
Ahh words. You ain't got nothing on experience.
But we have a reader to entertain, so let us work together and do the best we can, shall we?
Let's talk a little bit about Bike. They played a good strong set with a few new songs and a couple of old ones that fulfilled the task of getting the crowd pumped for what was to come next, those elegantly dressed lovely dudes in Scatterheart!
When they hit the stage the crowd was SO ready and so was the band as three of the four members stood poised, revving their instruments, building a fire with a few sparks of sound. And then it was on! Strutting out like the king peacock that he is, came front-man Jesse Enright to throw some gasoline on an already steadily building fire. Flamboyantly dressed in what has become his standard feather-heavy shoulder pads and a bird-like mask, Jesse looked like a svelte human sized parrot/owl hybrid and his mere presence brought happy cheers all around as the band kicked into Beautiful their first 'single' off the new CD. From there it was all pomp and swagger and rock and roll with the top down, all aboard the Scatterheart love-ship! Good crap, what a band! They are just so fucking tight it almost hurts and id be mighty surprised if they don't find some modicum of success with their big clean glam-rock wall of sound. Doug Fury's guitar work alone is enough to blow minds, but it's how they work as a band. They have it! A look that kills, a sound that thrills and a stage show that is nothing short of a spectacle. Now you might not think bubbles are very cool, or even effective, but when Jesse is stalking the stage all feathers a-flying and bassist Wes Deboors is looking fabulous in his white top hat and black suit, or when Doug's guitar wizardry is licking your face off and drummer Mike Southworth is keeping excellent time as it all comes together in a blur of true rock 'n roll down covered glory, somehow those little soap bubbles seem mandatory. As if to remind you that though they are indeed a serious band, in order to exist as such they need to keep it light, hence the feathers, bubbles, and references to cuddling in our underwear after the show. Jesus Christ, there was even a feather cannon! Albeit, a feather stuffed shop-vac set on blow instead of suck, but a feather cannon nonetheless. When these guys get huge and start playing the big stages i SO want to see a massive cannon shower the crowd with millions upon millions of red, green and black feathers like an AC/DC concert gone pear shaped. For those about to LOVE, we salute you!!
My my my, it was all just so dreamy! And yeah, maybe I do sound like a guy with a crush, but it kind of can’t be helped. I got to see 2 excellent bands create art so joyfully. I got to see friends, both old and new and I got to drift home with these words still ringing in my head, “Scatterheart loves you!”

~Nate Pike
- Nathan Pike

Buffalo Club for Scatterheart

Considering the heritage of band member Doug Fury, I was anticipating another sort of loud, energetic, testosteroney rock band. This is not what I got. Nosir. Fury was outfitted sharply in a British officer's type jacket, and was probably the most normally-dressed of the bunch. A bass player was wearing some silky sleeveless pink frock that, from the side, looked like some sort of dress, but from the front, was more of a Sgt. Pepper's type get-up. And then from out of nowhere, we were attacked by a parrot! No wait... it's the band's singer, wearing the tightest black pants this side of figure-skating, and something that looked like a set of black football shoulderpads that were festooned with feathers. Not just a few fluffs here and there - I mean a bonafide, multi-coloured, Las Vegas Showgirl style layered carnival of featherdom. It was at once fantastic and startling. Musically, they were somewhere between Scissor Sisters flamboyance and Babylon Zoo snarliness. For some reason, everyone I talk to is unable to remember Babylon Zoo. I guess they only had one hit that anyone would know about and most people probably tried to blank it out of their confused-mid-90s memories, but here's a refresher. Give it a second, the intro's kind of stupid but the chorus?? Anyone who was alive in the 90's and watched MuchMusic pretty much ever should have some recollection of "Spaceman." Anyhow, this was the highlight of the festival. Scatterheart made it worth it if nothing else. - Cord Mag

Scatterheart:

There aren't a lot of modern rock bands running around spouting an ethos of love, harmony and goodwill toward one another. In a market where the gloomy, aggresive or just plain aloof is king, you wouldn't think these kinds of happy cuddly ethics would be practiced with such shameless abandon. But Scatterheart is a different breed of band. Formed in late 2006, Doug Fury, Wes Deboer, Mike Southworth and Jesse Enright are a group of love-rock revolutionists that have their sights set on your heart and soul - and they won't let up until you're given into the good vibes.

"I wish there were more bands out there putting energy into having fun. I mean, we're a serious band but we're serious about having fun!" Jesse informs me as we sit down for a lunch and a chat at Cafe Deux Soleils on a sunny Monday afternoon. "it's about liking yourself," he continues, "You're not serving anybody by making yourself smaller than anyone else, so you may as well love yourself as much as you can and live large while doing so. We get up on stage and it's like an explosion of love and what I want people to get out of hte show is a bit of that self love."

Explosions of love? Self-Love? I'm starting to feel a bit funny.

"Love doesn't have to be some wimpy, smooshy thing. It's energy. It's movement. It's stronger than anything and I want people to feel empowered." Coming from anyone else I might think they were taking me for a ride or living by false pretense, but Jesse and I have a bond that's ten years strong, and I buy every word of it.

Scatterheart is a forward-moving hard driving vehicle with LA glam-rock sensibilities, complete with punchy shiny-serpentine guitar and soaring vocal dramatics. The beautiful theatrics and over-the-top showmanship are the typical with these love-rock peacocks, and with Jesse at the helm busting out headstands with his feathers asunder you really get the sense that you're part of a spectacle. A mad rocknroll cabaret of psychadelic amore, if you will.

"Remember the bad guys in The Road Warrior, all those bad-ass punk guys? Well imagine if they all took ecstasy and had a house party. We'd be their house band!"

I steer the conversation towards the future and what's coming up for the band, as I'm to understand a new album is almost in the can and looking at an end-of-August release, which can only mean some upcoming tour-dates for all you lucky love-hungry masses, and from where I'm sitting Jesse's excitement is palpable. "I think the recording of this new album has been a huge high point for me. Watching how we've grown as a band. Even seeing that we actually ARE a band that works really well together and that musically we get along well enough that it's at the point where I can' really remember who wrote what parts of the songs anymore. Everyone seems really happy and comfortable with their instruments. And so this new stuff, to me, is better than I ever imagined it to be. It's different that the EP, for sure, in that we've stripped down the sound quite a bit. That big massive rock guitar has been lessened and the vocals are more natural. It's so easy in the studio to over-layer and sort of hide behind studio wizardy, so the whole of the band just decided to make a less glossily produced album to see if we could woo people with just our natural sound without hiding behind anything."

Jesse assure me though, that the love and feathered wings are here to stay.

And so with all this talk of love and honoring yourself, feathers and good feelings, one might wonder how they pull off their crazy disco-punk-rock theatrics without attracting negative feedback. Personally I think people appreciate a band that is doing something a little more daring and gleefully shameless in its ethics and throwbacks to days long gone. And, well, they're a really talented and dynamic band. You can't help but NOT dig their bombastic celebratory offerings of love made music.

"I'm so tired of music that's supposed to be "cool" and musicians that act bored or careless about what they do. I think it's pretty badass to learn how to play your instrument well, or learn how to sing well. To actually craft a song that will stick in people's heads because you've injected real emotion, thought and feeling into it. To me that's much more daring than growing your hair long, plugging into your distortion pedal and playing "bad-ass" aggressive music."

Watch the skies kiddies, because a revolution is coming to town!

Nathan Pike - The Skinny