The Hecks

Chicago-based group the Hecks started out making a clanging, dissonant brand of experimental art rock reminiscent of Sonic Youth and Wire. However, by the release of their second album, 2019's My Star, they had drastically reconstructed their sound into a mutant blend of jittery new wave and synth-heavy funk. Guitarists Andy Mosiman and Zach Hebert formed the Hecks in 2012. They issued a self-titled cassette EP, and their debut single "Trust and Order" was put out by Moniker Records in 2013. After several years of playing shows around Chicago and occasionally elsewhere in the Midwest, the Hecks released their self-titled debut full-length, consisting of tracks ranging from scorched noise-drone pieces to jangly, hook-filled tunes, on Trouble in Mind in 2016. Guitarist Dave Vettraino, who recorded the album, joined the band shortly afterward. The Hecks initially recorded tracks for their second album in 2017. After keyboard player Jeff Graupner became the group's fourth member, they reworked the material to accommodate his playing, eventually scrapping the earlier sessions and rebuilding the songs entirely. The resulting full-length, My Star, appeared in 2019. ~ Paul Simpson