Heartless Bastards lead singer Erika Wennerstrom has the kind of voice that would stop a person dead in his tracks - the sheer depth of it belies the tiny frame of it's owner. That whiskey-tinged, sandpaper of a voice did just that, and had the San Francisco crowd wanting for more at the Independent last Tuesday.
Ohio's Heartless Bastards are not so much a typical, young, alt-rock band that usually blows through the Independent; rather, they are four passionate, serious, musicians that know how to rock out. As tiny as Wennerstom is, her voice - comparable to Chrissie Hynde or Kim Gordon - effortlessly maintained control of the band and crowd.
Wennerstrom's vocals were backed by Dave Colvin on drums, Mark Nathan on guitar, and Jesse Ebaugh on bass - all whose collective energy sucked in the entire crowd. Without a doubt, the Heartless Bastards brought a strong, high-energy performance of solid, well-crafted songs - it was a great night at the Indpendent.
Words and Pictures by Ujjwal Sarin
