Heartless Bastards

A few months ago Dave read a small review of the Heartless Bastards in Rolling Stone. We previewed the album, "Stairs and Elevators" on the iTunes Music Store and liked what we heard. We picked up the CD at Tower Records and found a new favorite band. Dave liked them so much he bought another copy and shipped it up to our friend Jill in San Francisco. She loved them as well.

The Heartless Bastards are a three piece band. Erika Wennerstrom is the lead vocalist and guitarist, who along with bassist, Mike Lamping, and drummer, Kevin Vaughn, belt out the most honest rock and roll I have heard.

We joined their mailing list and waited for them to tour Southern California. They played Spaceland in Los Angeles on Saturday, June 25th. Spaceland is a great club. We had never been there before and were not sure what to expect. It was a 21 and over club and they checked IDs carefully. Other than that it was a very laid back place. There was a small stage with tables around the walls, a bar and pool table and an enclosed area for smokers. California has strict smoking laws and the club did not allow you to go out once you were in. The club also had valet parking for $4 which is the way to go. There is parking in the surrounding streets, but only until 11 PM.

The first two bands were pretty good. The second band, Mother Superior, is an LA band and quite proficient musicians. It was not my favorite style of music but I could appreciate their craft. We brought our Heartless Bastards CD to see if we could get the band to sign it. My friend Jill, had seen them the night before in San Francisco. Jill had spoken to Erika and regretted not having her CD to get it signed. We bought another CD for Jill and two t-shirts and asked to Erika sign both discs. She was so gracious and sweet, thanking us for coming and seeming very excited to have people enjoy their music.

The set was amazing. Erika is a tiny woman with an Amazon's voice. She belts out her songs with such honest, raw emotion. I have read that she is shy and that showed in her stage presence. She kept her eyes closed through most of the set, as did Mike and Kevin. Kevin is an animal on the drums, beating them mercilessly. They played new material that is not on the album, so hopefully a new album is in the works when they finish touring.

The press on the Heartless Bastards is glowing and I can see why. I hope they make it big and I am so thankful that I got to see them in a small club and meet them. You can download a couple of MP3s from their Web site to preview the music. Then you should go buy the CD, you will love it.