The Band of Heathens

Live at Antone’s

Eschewing the studio once again for their follow-up to 2006’s Live From Momo’s, Band of Heathens remain an oddly defined cadre of Austin songwriters. Though 11 of the 15 songs appear on solo efforts from Gordy Quist, Colin Brooks, and Ed Jurdi, and three retread the Momo’s set, here the Heathens emerge more solidified as a quintet, each writer’s distinctive style bending to the force of the whole. Brooks’ scruffy blues-jam impulses merge with Jurdi’s country soul and Quist’s expert balladry for a Southern-rock fusion, announced with the Little Feat nod in “Unsleeping Eye.” The sexual kick of “Cornbread” and lonesome pull of “Quarters and Dimes” highlight the group’s scope, while traditional “Ain’t No More Cane” works toward the Band, and the Quist/Jurdi penned “Jackson Station” rolls slow-fried blues over Chip Dolan’s keyboards. An accompanying DVD of the candlelit set further evinces the Heathens’ effortless chemistry and, with at least 100 more clubs in town, an epic discography in waiting.

***.5

This article appears in February 8 • 2008.

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Doug Freeman has been writing for the Austin Chronicle since 2007, covering the arts and music scene in the city. He is originally from Virginia and earned his Masters Degree from the University of Texas. He is also co-editor of The Austin Chronicle Music Anthology, published by UT Press.