Heartless Bastards

I only began listening to the Heartless Bastards a few months ago. I read about them in either a music blog or a magazine. Can't remember which. The first time I heard them I was blown away by Erika Wennerstrom's voice and how it somehow ran parallel with the guitar riffs one moment and boomed over them in an impressive display of dominance the next moment. Here she is, Erica:

Antone's April 17th 2010

This band really pulled in a crowd. We had a spot right up front, near the right side of the stage. The crowd was all around us leaving very little wiggle room. Unfortunately, the show was at Antone's which means the only place you can stand and experience good sound is smack dab in the middle of the floor. Not to the left, not to the right, and not too close to the stage. In my opinion, the sound at Antone's is shit.
After about half the show had gone by, we ended up giving our spot to a couple of hobbits, um...I mean smaller ladies, and heading towards the back so we could take in the sound. (I only called them hobbits because they were a). Short like hobbits and b). they were flirting with Dale.)

Here was my view:

Not bad.

Another thing about Antone's....if it is crowded it is very difficult to make your way to the bathroom if you are on the opposite side of the room. If you are on the side closer to the front door, it's easier to just leave the bar and go to the hookah bar next door to use their bathroom. Otherwise, you have to take a treacherous journey squeezing yourself like a contortionist as you move through the crowd. Modesty goes out the window when you find yourself pressing against guys and gals alike. You try to not make eye contact as your body slides against theirs. You may mutter "sorry...excuse me" but you are not there to chat. You need to move. After one trip to the restroom, I rejoined one and Dale only to have Dale point out that my top was unbuttoned. It happened in the crowd, somehow. Ugh.

Back to the show- do you ever notice the "super fan" when you are out at a show? You know the dude. He has parked his ass front and center and he screams and gets red in the face when the band comes out. He makes sure that the band knows the He knows the words to all of their songs. To prove it, he sings during the entire show and points to the band for emphasis.
That guy is awesome.



I am 100% dead serious. That guy is awesome. He loves the music, loves the band, and could give a shit about what anybody else thinks. He allows himself to get lost in the music and goes on a journey with the band. He is not there to look cool, or to say he saw so-and-so just to sound cool in conversation.

A hipster, he ain't.

That is all.

WAIT!!! No it's not. One more thing...Heartless Bastards new Album is called The Mountain. It's great! Let it be your summer soundtrack. You can buy it here.

That is all. (Fo' real)