The bands' story starts in Dayton, Ohio, where Wennerstrom found the name on a multiple choice video trivia game at a bar.
As a songwriting teenager during a time when Guided by Voices and Brainiac were packing local bars and three of the Breeders were still in town, Wennerstrom used to sneak into clubs to check out the scene. "I would just see those peopleβmy music heroesβhanging out at the bar like everyone else," she remembers. "I could see myself in them. It gave me inspiration to do my own thing."
After doing the usual business of playing local shows, the trio set out the following year on a regional tour. One of the first gigs of the trip took them to a bar in Akron, where the Black Keys' drummer Patrick Carney just happened to be one of only a handful of people in the audience. This chance encounter led Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards to Fat Possum Records, with whom they released their debut, Stairs and Elevators, in early 2005.
The band moved on with critical praise in their back pocket, including a four-and-a-half star review from Rolling Stone, which took note that, when Wennerstrom βopens her throat on Stairs and Elevators β¦ she sounds like sheβs wailing on the shoulders of giants; her sad and angry vocals channeling all the swagger and spit of a young Robert Plantβ
By whatever yardstick you care to measure, it was high time for Erika to get out of Dayton.
In true ascetic discipline, she moved to Austin, Texas in 2007 for a change of inspirational scenery and a new recording project. With the help of producer Mike McCarthy (Spoon, Trail of Dead), she assembled a group of musicians with whom she gave the songs life and uncovered yet another layer of Wennerstrom and the Heartless Bastards. Two of the new Bastards arenβt Texas ringers, but fellow Dayton brethren Dave Colvin on drums, and Jesse Ebaugh on bass, who actually played on the original demo that hooked Fat Possum, throw in one Austin native on guitar, Mark Nathan and youβve got a new unstoppable force that βTake the stage and literally knock everybody downβ β NY Times review of the Bastards SxSW record release performance.
The Decemberistsβ guitarist Chris Funk said, "It's been a few years since I've had a voice on repeat in my mind. This voice seems to arrive in my ears while sound checking, often before the shows on a pre-show play list and after shows too -- the songs are just perfect and the band has found their spots behind this incredible woman. A unique and enduring artist arrived into our world once again."
The album, entitled The Mountain, (released February 2009) delivers the powerful howl that fans expect from the Heartless Bastards, but also weaves in adventure with mandolins, banjos, strings and Erikaβs transcendent voice.
Brimming with confidence and creativity, The album Arrow (released February 2012) sees Heartless Bastards pushing their distinctive sound forward with their most eclectic, energetic collection thus far. The album β the Austin, Texas-based bandβs first release with Partisan Records β is marked as ever by singer/guitarist/songwriter Erika Wennerstromβs remarkable voice, at turns primal and pleading, heartfelt and heroic. Songs like βParted Waysβ and the searing βLow Low Lowβ expertly capture the Bastardsβ multi-dimensional rock in all its strength and spirit. Following upon the difficult introspection of 2009β²s acclaimed third album, The Mountain, Arrow stands as a powerhouse new beginning for Heartless Bastards.
βThe Mountain was me going through some things after being in a relationship for nine years,β Wennerstrom says. βThis album is kind of like me being comfortable again.β
Gates of Dawn
Heartless Bastards Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
The spell it has been broken
Went through the cold, cold wind of the eastern snow
Oh, there was a silence comfortable
There is nothing left to say, to say
Oh, we opened up the gates of dawn
Oh, what the heat that living size
Oh yeah, straight into the sun
I have awoken
The footsteps sound of thunder
I'm such a heavy load
Seven years of slumber
Oh, there was a silence comfortable
There is nothing left to say, to say
Oh, we opened up the gates of dawn
Oh yeah, through the gates of dawn
Oh, what the heat that living size
Oh yeah, straight into the sun
I go out to the sun
And I go on
Sky meets a city
[?] volcano
And I go down
Sky meets a city
Oh I, made it to the sun
Oh I, made it to the sun
Oh, underneath the million skies
Oh I, made it to the sun
The song "Gates of Dawn" by Heartless Bastards is a powerful masterpiece that delves into the concept of breaking free from the past and embracing a brighter future. The lyrics are filled with references to awakening, breaking spells, and moving towards the sun. The song's opening lines capture the spirit of the song, "I have awoken, The spell it has been broken, Went through the cold, cold wind of the eastern snow." These lines suggest that the singer has broken from a cycle of gloom and negativity and has moved towards the light of the sun. This journey was not easy, and it involved enduring harsh conditions symbolized by the cold winds of the east.
The chorus of the song has a recurring phrase, "We opened up the gates of dawn, oh yeah, through the gates of dawn." The metaphor of the gates of dawn suggests that the singer has opened up to new experiences and possibilities. This is further emphasized by the line, "Oh, what the heat that living size, oh yeah, straight into the sun." The use of the word "heat" and "living size" indicates the new vibrancy and vitality that the singer has embraced after breaking free from the past. Overall, "Gates of Dawn" is an inspiring song that celebrates the human spirit's resilience and the power of personal transformation.
Line by Line Meaning
I have awoken
The singer has woken up from a deep sleep
The spell it has been broken
The previous state of being under a spell has ended
Went through the cold, cold wind of the eastern snow
The singer has been through a harsh winter and overcome it
Oh, there was a silence comfortable
The previous silence was soothing and peaceful
There is nothing left to say, to say
There are no words left to describe the current situation
Oh, we opened up the gates of dawn
The singer and their companions have metaphorically opened the pathway to a new beginning
Oh yeah, through the gates of dawn
The singer and their companions have moved forward towards a new start
Oh, what the heat that living size
The experience of moving forward is intense and overwhelming
Oh yeah, straight into the sun
The singer and their companions are headed towards a brighter future
The footsteps sound of thunder
The sound of the singer's steps is powerful and loud
I'm such a heavy load
The singer feels weighed down by their struggles
Seven years of slumber
The singer has been in a state of hibernation for a long time
I go out to the sun
The singer is moving towards the sun metaphorically
And I go on
The singer is continuing with their journey
Sky meets a city
The surroundings are busy and bustling
[?] volcano
The singer is passing by a volcano which could represent a danger or a challenge
And I go down
The singer is descending from a height or a difficult situation
Oh I, made it to the sun
The singer has achieved their goal and reached their metaphorical destination
Oh, underneath the million skies
The surroundings are vast and endless
Oh I, made it to the sun
The singer has successfully overcome their challenges and reached their desired destination
Lyrics Β© REACH MUSIC PUBLISHING
Written by: ERIKA WENNERSTROM
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind
joe donnelly
So I heard of this band before now, but never really listened to them before. I work at sweetwater sound and packed an order going to them. It was awesome! you gained a new fan
I say shotgun, you say wedding [TFM]
There's so much about this band that is great, and they always make interesting videos
dicko195
love the song, video is fun. looking forward to the whole album
Peter D
From what I have read and heard(not there, you tube) they r awesome live. Listen to the, hear ya tapes by them. Not to many bands can sound just like there albums. They do. Just grit guts and rock!!!no one better right now.
Ryan Cownie
Hey yall just me, Ryan Cownie( professional actor, legendary comedian, delivery driver and overall just a real great positive guy) here. Thanks for all the comments and positive feedback! I'll be doing a Barnes and Nobel book signing all next year(2016-2019) so def check that out lol!
Gracie B.
Hey there! Really enjoyed this video and checked out your comedy b/c of this post. You are really funny. My type of humor. Thanks for posting too. Who knew you were so multi-talented? Perhaps you will deliver something to my door one day. ;) Truly wish you much success in all of your career paths.
Gracie B.
Love the song and the video. Thanks for making both, you heartless bastards! :)
M P
Caught you guys at SXSW and was a insta-fan! Tickets in hand for the mohawk.
Ibon Etxaiz
Thank's Heartless Bastards, your songs makes me happy
Sona Ghazaryan
I think it's about facing your demons. And the guy did it great!π