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Heartless Bastards
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Heartless Bastards

Hometown: Austin, TX
Tags: female vocalists, indie rock, garage rock

Formed in Dayton, Ohio, six years ago and signed to Fat Possum Records soon after on the recommendation of Patrick Carney of the Black Keys, the Heartless Bastards may be the meanest-sounding, female-fronted dirty blues band in America. Erika Wennerstrom’s voice is an instrument every bit as snarling and jagged as her guitar, and her songs — hammered home by the rhythm section of drummer Dave Colvin and bassist Jesse Ebaugh — pack a vicious punch, too. The Heartless Bastards scored heady critical acclaim with their first two albums of emotionally volatile garage rock, 2005’s Stairs and Elevators and the following year’s All This Time, but this year’s The Mountain — recorded in Wennerstrom’s new hometown of Austin with Spoon/Patty Griffin producer Mike McCarthy — is the band’s most compelling release to date. Prepare to be awed — and pummeled without mercy.

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  • Buzz Bands LA

    Buzz Bands LA on Heartless Bastards

    about 1 month ago

    Here are your Tuesday show options: ► Flume , the nom de tune of Sydney, Australia's Harley Streten, brings his electro constructs to the Echoplex, supported by Para One and Dauwd. That's his video for "Sleepless," above. ► It's an electro night at the Satellite too, with Ghastly — the nom de tune of David Crow — heading up a lineup that includes Draemings and Swan. ► Heartless Bastards bring their bluesy roar to the Troubadour, supported by Nashville's Jonny Fritz at the Troubadour more here

  • TheOwlMag

    TheOwlMag on Heartless Bastards

    4 months ago

    Heartless Bastards The Mountain [Fat Possum]

    Erika Wennerstrom is an explosive soul, raw and giving it all for the sake of Rock ‘n’ Roll. She sings, “It’s hard to get ahead when the center is bleeding…” and there’s no denying her struggle. The Mountain, as the title suggests, should be strong and virile, but there doesn’t seem to be any shortage of pain. And on “Nothing Seems the Same” there are hints that something’s just not right, and could easily fall apart. But, with delicate moments of optimism, such as “Hold Your Head High” the Heartless Bastards correct their wavering hope on a slow, steadfast barroom rocker – taking on a more resistant tone.

    Wennerstrom’s wicked vocals propel an otherwise steady staple of southern blues rock from the outer swamp lands and into the world’s city centers. And while the final product isn’t pioneering, the Heartless Bastards do remind us that blues-rock still has something important to say. With Wennestrom’s intimate lyrics and rough and weary vocals leading the way, the Heartless Bastards have only their internal barriers to overcome – in their pursuit of the Rock ‘n’ Roll promise land.

    more at theowlmag.com

  • TheOwlMag

    TheOwlMag on Heartless Bastards

    4 months ago

    Heartless Bastards Arrow [Partisan Records]

    I often gravitate to lady singers with deep, sultry, sometimes-hoarse voices. I’ve been anticipating getting my hands on the Heartless Bastards’, Arrow, for review ever since I caught wind of “Only For You” from KCRW’s music blog. Hearing Erika Wennestrom’s gorgeous voice is elating. Especially on such a velvety song made even more enrapturing by the combination of Wennestrom’s vocals and an aching guitar. In “Marathon,” the grit in Erika’s tone, paints a picture for me of long, tiring days of a weary traveler ready to go home. “Parted Ways” is rock and roll bliss. Arrow is a medley of songs that will have you cranking it up and tuning all else out.

    While there have been a few versions of the band, at the core is Wennerstrom. Over the years she has artfully tweaked the valves of the band, always trying to achieve auditory harmony. One can only hope that Wennerstrom won’t feel the need to change the current lineup for a while, because I’d love to be stuck with these Bastards a little longer. It’s serendipitous that a band named Heartless Bastards, would be releasing an album on Valentines day of all days, but these bastards are liars, because they’re all heart.

    more at theowlmag.com

  • Buzz Bands LA

    Buzz Bands LA on Heartless Bastards

    7 months ago

    Around town tonight: ► Belter Erika Wennerstrom and Heartless Bastards hit the Echoplex behind their new album "Arrows," with David Vandervelde and Brian Lopez supporting. ► The Far West bring their twangy stylings to the Echo, with Jackson Tanner and Geronimo Getty opening. ► Bronze Swagger bring their funky psych-pop to the Bootleg Bar, heading up a big local lineup that includes Escalator Hill, Dylan Trees and Song Preservation Society. Also: more here

  • CultureMap Austin

    CultureMap Austin on Heartless Bastards

    over 1 year ago

    Led by sometimes sultry front woman Wennerstrom, Heartless Bastards’ sound is solid rock n’ roll. Her gravelly vocals fuel the fire for Heartless Bastards’ unique 4-piece sound: no tricky licks here, but you’ll find soulful, whining electric guitar along the way. more at CultureMap Austin

  • covertcuriosity on Heartless Bastards

    over 2 years ago

    Things Jenny Lewis has done: A Jello commercial The Twilight Zone Baywatch Golden Girls Growing Pains Just the Ten of Us Roseanne Mr. more at blogspot.com

  • covertcuriosity on Heartless Bastards

    over 2 years ago

    Sean Moeller, the creative force behind Daytrotter, is without a doubt one of the best music writers I have ever met, much less had the pleasure of sharing a cold beer with. more at blogspot.com

  • covertcuriosity on Heartless Bastards

    over 2 years ago

    The Akron, Ohio record label Audio Eagle (launched by Pat Carney of The Black Keys) has released a new compilation of songs from bands all across Ohio. more at blogspot.com

  • allmusic

    allmusic on Heartless Bastards

    over 4 years ago

    The Heartless Bastards are a power trio whose members have taken a no-frills approach to life and music. more at www.allmusic.com

  • CokeMachine

    CokeMachine on Heartless Bastards

    over 4 years ago

    Heartless Bastards have followed exactly none of their peers, neither the Black Keys’ reactionary path toward purity nor Liars’ didactic catapult toward guttural infinity nor anything between. If Stairs and Elevators, the Bastards’ 2005 debut, was noteworthy for its lived-in authenticity, for Erika Wonnerstrom’s quivering howls, and for its deft tunefulness, then All this Time finds the band sacrificing all of that album’s appeal at the altar of unabashedly populist songwriting. more at www.cokemachineglow.com

  • StylusMagazine

    StylusMagazine on Heartless Bastards

    over 4 years ago

    Most of the songs pack light for the trip, with fairly simple yet meaningful guitar melodies and textures. more at www.stylusmagazine.com

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