Heartless Bastards @ Vintage Vinyl, St. Louis, MO

Words and pictures by Duane Clawson

What does it take to make it big time? When it happens for the Heartless Bastards, it will be from pure blood, sweat, and tears. The Heartless Bastards played almost every nook and cranny of St. Louis in a day’s time. They started their musical journey through STL at KDHX Studios with a live in-studio performance. Their next stop was at Vintage Vinyl for an all too short in-store appearance. Finally, the band wound down their busy day with a full, live production at the Firebird. After looking at the Heartless Bastard's website, one gets the impression that this sort of work ethic is commonplace for this band. A string of tour dates fill the band’s dance card through end of May with little time off.

The Heartless Bastards have been working the road, in one form or another, since 2003. The band currently consists of Erika Wennerstrom on guitar and vocals, Dave Colvin on drums, Jesse Ebagh on bass, and Mark Nathan on guitar. The band was founded in Dayton, Ohio. In 2007, Wennerstrom relocated to Austin, Texas and reformed the band with Ebagh and Colvin, who had performed on previous Heartless demos. Nathan was brought on to handle the band’s live sound duties but soon found his talents with a guitar were a welcome addition to the band. The band is currently touring in support of the impending album, Arrow, due out February 14th.

The in-store performance at Vintage Vinyl was the perfect tune up for for the band’s show at the Firebird. A small, Wednesday afternoon crowd of around 50 or so folks had the privilege of witnessing the bare bones of rock and roll of the Heartless Bastards. After some technical misadventures, the band played a short five-song set. The band was kind enough to perform “Parted Ways” from the soon to be released Arrow. “Parted Ways” is a powerful song with the guts of a Tom Pettyesque guitar and Wennerstrom explaining her life choices with conviction through powerful vocals. Thanks to Vintage Vinyl for providing another great in-store and much appreciation to Heartless Bastards for stopping by. Photos of the show are below: