The Jaded Hearts Club

Lore & Background

The Jaded Hearts Club was formed by Jamie Davis for his 40th birthday party in 2018. Initially planning to hire a covers band, Davis decided it would be cheaper to ask his musician friends to perform instead. The band debuted under the name Dr. Pepper's Jaded Hearts Club Band, a reference to the Beatles' Sgt. Pepper's Lonely Hearts Club Band. Matt Bellamy described the band's start as 'a karaoke joke,' but they continued because they enjoyed themselves and felt other bands were not playing traditional rock and roll.

In 2018, the band performed at the South by Southwest festival in Austin, in bars in Chicago and Los Angeles, and at a Teenage Cancer Trust show at the Royal Albert Hall. Their lineup changed depending on availability, with guest appearances by Dominic Howard, Chris Wolstenholme, Ilan Rubin, and Chris Cester. Paul McCartney joined them for a 2018 event for his daughter Stella McCartney. In 2019, the band performed a charity show at the 100 Club, where the lineup settled.

On November 13, 2020, the Jaded Hearts Club released their debut album, You've Always Been Here, a collection of covers of classic rock-and-roll and Motown songs. The album was produced by Matt Bellamy and recorded in his studio shortly before the COVID-19 lockdowns. It received mixed reviews, with critics describing it as a 'carefree celebration' and 'well-intentioned but often unlistenable dad-rock.'

Reader's Guide

The Jaded Hearts Club represents a modern supergroup dedicated to preserving and performing classic rock-and-roll and Motown covers. Formed from a casual birthday party idea, the band brought together musicians from notable acts such as Muse, Jet, the Rascals, and the Zutons. Their significance lies in their commitment to playing traditional rock and roll with real instruments, eschewing modern technology and gizmos, as Matt Bellamy noted. The band's 2020 album, You've Always Been Here, received mixed reviews, highlighting a divide between critics who appreciated its carefree spirit and those who found it unlistenable. Despite this, the group's live performances, including a notable appearance with Paul McCartney, underscore their role as a celebratory covers act that honors the songwriting of past eras. Their legacy is tied to their ability to bring together established musicians for a shared love of classic rock, even if their recorded output did not achieve universal acclaim.

Did You Know?

• Paul McCartney joined the Jaded Hearts Club for a 2018 event for his daughter Stella McCartney.
• Their debut album, You've Always Been Here, was recorded shortly before the COVID-19 lockdowns.