Heart Break Speed

Like many Chicago bands, Heartbreak Speed’s members hail from different cities and are influenced by many types of music, combining their skills and knowledge to create an original sound steeped in rock and punk. After getting their rock on in many different bands, they have come together to rise from their humble beginnings and accept their places in greatness.It was early in the spring of 2002 when Detroit native Rick Lane decided to leave Motown and take on Chicago. After fronting some of the more influential post punk/emo bands in the area (King For A Day, Roosevelt's Inaugural Parade) he decided to start writing his own songs. Combining everything he loved, from eighties pop to Motown to punk and math rock, he spent a year playing at any Chicago open mic night that he could find.In January of 2003 he was spotted by Smart Studio’s (Butch Vig, Madison, WI) producer Sean O’Keefe. Sean invited Rick to come to Smart and record a two-song demo with Matt Walker (Filter, Smashing Pumpkins, Cupcakes) on drums. With his acoustic songs translated into dynamic rock music, it was time to find a band.That summer Rick went to see local band The Starch Martins with Nic Bell on bass. Rick was impressed. He knew he wanted to work with him. As luck would have it, within a few months The Starch Martins were no more, and the duo joined forces.They began collaborating on songs, blending influences ranging from The Replacements and Shiner to Foo Fighters and Tool while they searched for the perfect drummer to compliment their unique style. They found Chicago south-sider Tim Cronin (Kill Switch, Enamor) on a musician’s message board. Tim brought a jazz based, hard hitting and creative style that brought the songs to a new level.From there on HBS has been on the fast track. Before they had even played their first show, one of their songs, Echoes, was showcased on local rock station Q101’s Cage Match, which pits newcomers against established bands. HBS defeated Jack Johnson and the Flaming Lips before being taken out by Kid Rock, but sometimes there is no accounting for taste.Since then HBS has performed at some of the city’s larger and more popular venues, including the Double Door, Subterranean and The Beat Kitchen with other well-established bands, including headlining for Epic Record’s Future Leaders of the World.