T H E   H I S T O R Y   O F  -  K I L L I N G   H E I D I:

[This unofficial biography written in early 2000] When Ella and Jesse Hooper were only 13 and 15 years of age, they decided to enter the heat in Triple J's National Unearthing competition in 1996, with their song "Kettle" - Which was released on compilation cd 'Two Bent' as well as their song 'Morning'. They won the competition. They are now only 17 and 20. Raised in Violet Town Victoria, Jesse and Ella grew up with a very musical family, and loved writing songs and music. It soon developed into a partnership, and they began performing at small festivals in Violet Town. One of their first live gigs was at the 1996 Violet Town Arts Festival, where they played Kettle. At a Melbourne's Push Over Festival in 1998, record producer Paul Kosky from Wah Wah music, saw Ella and Jesse perform, and recognised their musical talent. They signed to Wah Wah Music in partnership with Roadshow Music Australia. Soon afterwards, their original rythym section, Aaron and Rowan [friends of Jesse's from school] departed and were replaced with two more very talented musicians - Adam Pedretti, an awesome drummer from Perth band NIL and Pencilneck, and Warren Jenkin- an excellent bass player who played extensively with Melbourne's finest musicians and performers. The band was then completed and soon became known as KILLING HEIDI. The band name came about through partly because of where Ella and Jesse grew up..."Heidi" being an expression of innocence and youth and the word "Killing" to provide a most interesting contrast. The name is linked to the killing of both innocence and stereotypes. Basically it means growing up, becoming a bit more 'real', and losing your innocence. Killing Heidi's first single 'Weir" went platinum in September 1999, and the band was presented with gold records on Hey Hey Its Saturday on November 14th. Since then, Killing Heidi have released three more singles; Mascara-reaching the number 1 spot, Live Without It- reaching number 5 on the charts, and Superman/Supergirl doing just as well. On March 6th 2000, their debut album "Reflector" was released in Australia going straight to the number 1 spot in the Aria and Alternative charts. Killing Heidi have recently signed a US record deal with 3:33 records (through Universal) in May of 2000. Along with Mascara and Weir, their debut Album 'Reflector' was released in the US in March 2001.