Killer Hearts are a blood-soaked, leather clad, electrifying Rock N Roll band based out of Houston, Texas. Formed in 2015 and led by brothers Brandon Barger on guitar and Jerrie Boy Barger on vocals, Killer Hearts have been spreading their Southern Sleaze all over the US for the better part of the last decade.
Starting out as a punk/psych/garage band called The Wrong Ones, the Barger brothers have been playing music together for 20 years. Brandon Barger has also been the lead guitarist for Heavy Metal band, Night Cobra since 2019 and has played guitar for many other Texas punk, Rock N Roll and Metal bands like The Guillotines, The Cops, BBQT, Denim Demons, Leather Church, Die Fast and Liberty & Justice.
Drawing influences from the proto-punk and early Glam Rock of the 70's while adding in some riffage and guitar work reminiscent of early heavy metal, and NWOBHM, Killer Hearts' sound is a sonic explosion of intensity, disparity and pure Rock N Roll rawness.
Throughout some line-up changes over the years, the Barger brothers have remained as the core song writers of the band, and have now cemented a solid line-up with Domokos Benzcedi aka Starchilde7 (Future Blondes, Rusted Shut) on bass and Hector Tenario (Wülfsköl, The Takes) on drums and are ready to hit the road again. The new full length album, "Unchained & Bloodstained" due to be released on Screaming Crow Records on October 24, 2025, contains 10 tracks of the hardest, bloodiest, nastiest, darkest, heart-breaking Rock N Roll Killer Hearts have offered up to date.
-Interview- (10/30/25)
1. How did you get started with music and how did you develop your sound?
I started playing bass when I was 12. My older brother Jerrie had a bass guitar in his room and my friend Anthony from school asked me if I had any instruments at home, he was a drummer and wanted to jam. So I grabbed the bass and started learning songs on it. Jerrie had a great collection of Punk CDs so I was listening to all the classics, Misfits, Ramones, Dead Kennedys, Dead Boys, The Exploited etc etc. I then took up drums around 14 because our band needed a drummer. I started playing guitar at 16 because I realized it was my favorite instrument. I had all the punk stuff down already so I naturally progressed to hard rock and heavy metal. I started learning Motorhead, Ozzy Osbourne, AC/DC and Deep Purple songs. Kinda developed my guitar style now from the mixture of all that stuff.
2. What do you want people to take away from your music?
I'd want people to take away excitement, empowerment and the feeling that anything is possible.
3. How would you describe your sound to the average listener?
Rock N Roll as it's meant to be. Raw, powerful, loud, unapologetic, yet still with catchy hooks without compromising intensity.
4. Who are three bands you’d like to tour with?
Nowadays I'd say, The Hives, my buddies Killer Kin, and AC/DC!
5. What's your thoughts on AI generated music?
I don't support it. I couldn't imagine how AI made music isn't taking away from actual artists who really focus on their craft and put their heart and souls into their music.
6. What’s your take on the current state of Rock?
It's a constant ebb and flow isn't it? Things are cyclical and music trends come and go every so many years. I think it's a bit hard to obtain a big platform, with the over saturation of bands, but at the same time everyone can be self made. I think there's some great stuff out there, but also alot of industry plants or nepotism bands.
7. What’s the current music scene like there in Texas?
Texas has always had a pretty strong music scene, especially the underground. Some cities are better than others, but it's pretty consistent for heavy metal, punk and hardcore.
8. What’s your take on the royalties that streaming services pay out to artists?
I've never gotten a good check from streaming services haha! I think that side of the industry can be pretty messed up, paying artists fractions of a cent per stream. I know even big artists complain about streaming sites. We make our money on merch and touring.
9. What’s next for Killer Hearts?
Our new album "Unchained & Bloodstained" is out now, available through Screaming Crow Records or Killer Hearts Band Camp. We have some Texas shows throughout November and maybe some East Coast dates in Winter/Spring.
10. Any shoutouts?
Sure. I'd like to thank Eric Corbin at Screaming Crow Records for getting behind us and putting this record out. I'm really proud of it. Shout out to Ramzi Beshara at Central Sound Recording, Jack Control at Enormous Door Mastering, and all the band members that played on the album. Also s/o to Killer Kin, Nico Bones and CityWeapons.
