The names of the three bands that performed Saturday at the Record Bar are atrocious. Their music, however, was sometimes transcendent. Mangy monikers aside, Heartless Bastards, Bleach Bloodz and Sons of Great Dane thrilled a near-capacity crowd of about 250.
Photos by Bill Brownlee
Headliners Heartless Bastards resemble a blues act. Their version of the blues, however, has little in common with the Stevie Ray Vaughan-inspired boogie that's dominated the blues circuit in recent years. Heartless Bastards forsake conventional guitar solos. Instead, the Ohio-based band are part of the mystical blues tradition that includes practitioners ranging from Robert Johnson to Patti Smith. The piercing drawl of Erika Wennerstrom enhances the bluesy effect. Her voice slices through her band's high-volume din like a punk version of Lucinda Williams.
While the band boasts a catalog of stellar songs- the furious pop of "Out At Sea" and the introspective "Hold Your Head High" stood out Saturday- the emphasis of Heartless Bastards' live shows is an aggressive pursuit of ecstatically liberating moments. The hypnotically repetitive blues of R.L. Burnside and the heavy drone of Neil Young and Crazy Horse were evoked during their ninety-minute performance. Heartless Bastards didn't achieve a perfect groove every time they reached for one, but the effect was transportive when they succeeded.
Where Heartless Bastards aim for the intellect, Bleach Bloodz go straight for the jugular. The Kansas City-area band's gloriously primitive garage rock could hardly have been more fun. They sometimes resemble a Midwestern version of the New York Dolls, but they're at they're best during frenzied anthems reminiscent of the Standells and the Strangeloves. The only element missing from the Bleach Bloodz' otherwise terrific time machine was go-go dancers.
Sons of Great Dane, another of the area's most promising new acts, is also refreshingly unfashionable. The use of cowbell in their opening set, for instance, was entirely free of irony. They look remarkably like 1970-era Creedence Clearwater Revival, but their sound alternates between power pop and alternative country. Even as they continue to improve at a remarkable rate, Sons of Great Dane seem like a band in transition. It's as if they can't decide if they want to be Big Star or Son Volt when they grow up. Sons of Great Dane could be extraordinary if they find a way to be both.
| Bill Brownlee, Special to The Star
Sons of Great Dane was fantastic. One of the most refreshing bands I have heard in forever. They should be huge. I honestly thought they were a touring band while watching them.
Apparently the singer is playing acoustic at the end of the month at Beaumont Club (forgot the date, I just saw the flyer) but I am absolutely going to try and catch that. I kept thinking to myself how great some of these songs have to sound acoustic with the Big Star sound.
Heartless Bastards were great too. I wasn't really into Bleach Bloodz.
What a great show!
Posted by: HUM | April 11, 2010 at 06:21 PM
The Sons of Great Dane are playing with the Pedaljets on May 1, at the Record Bar. Huge. I love Kansas City.
Posted by: Tony Clifton | April 11, 2010 at 11:59 PM
The Sons of Great Dane and The Heartless Bastards were great. I will see them in concert again when I can. It's really great to learn about new local bands that have their act together.
The Bleach Bloodz on the other hand, just couldn't get into that. It was just too flamboyant and lacking to be paired with Danes and Bastards.
Posted by: Rachel | April 12, 2010 at 11:56 PM
what great kind of music, I really like this kind of music, I would like to have the chance of go to many of this concerts!22dd
Posted by: buy cialis | April 28, 2011 at 09:00 AM