Heartless Bastards prep for The Mountain

By Alex Young on October 9th, 2008

Cincinnati’s Heartless Bastards sure have quite the history. Since forming in 2003, Erika Wennerstrom’s personal project has slowly evolved into one of the hardest hitting garage bands currently around and now boasts a resume that features some high-profile fans and two critically acclaimed albums.

But sometime last year, Wennerstorm offered her best Barack Obama impression and decided some change was needed. She hit the reset button, moved down to the music capital of the world, Austin, Texas, and hooked up with producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon). Two new members, bassist Jesse Ebaugh and drummer Dave Colvin were added to round out the lineup, and together Heartless Bastards have since come up with their latest studio endeavor, The Mountain. Scheduled for release on January 20th via Fat Possum Records, the band’s third full-length album will be headed by its title track, of which an unmastered version is currently available on the band’s MySpace page.

However, before the trio can celebrate the album’s release, Wennerstrom and Co. have some obligations on the road to take care of. The dates will see the band, joined by Bill Elm on lap steel and Zy O.Lyn on violin, replicate much of the rock fury exhibited at the recently held Austin City Limits in a number of the country’s more intimate venues.

Heartless Bastards 2008 Tour Dates:
10/10 - New York, NY @ Bowery Ballroom ^
10/11 - Brooklyn, NY @ Music Hall of Williamsburg ^
10/13 - Washington, DC @ Black Cat ^
10/14 - Carrboro, NC @ Cat’s Cradle *
10/15 - Atlanta, GA @ The 5 Spot *
10/16 - Nashville, TN @ Exit/In *
10/17 - Oxford, MS @ Proud Larry’s *
10/18 - New Orleans, LA @ D.B.A. New Orleans
11/03 - Santa Fe, NM @ Santa Fe Brewing Co.
11/04 - Phoenix, AZ @ Rhythm Room
11/05 - San Diego, CA @ Beauty Bar
11/07 - Los Angeles, CA @ Spaceland #
11/08 - San Francisco, CA @ The Independent #
11/10 - Portland, OR @ Doug Fir Lounge #
11/11 - Seattle, WA @ The Tractor #
11/14 - Minneapolis, MN @ 400 Bar
11/15 - Madison, WI @ High Noon Saloon
11/16 - Iowa City, IA @ The Picador
11/18 - Omaha, NE @ Waiting Room
11/19 - Lawrence, KS @ The Bottleneck
11/21 - Dallas, TX @ House of Blues
11/22 - Austin, TX @ Stubb’s