Band of Heathens
The Band of Heathens are an American Rock and Roll band from Austin, Texas.
The three original principal songwriters - Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi and Gordy Quist - shared the bill at Momo's, an Austin club. Originally, each singer/songwriter performed his own set. However, they eventually started sharing the stage, and collaborating with bassist Seth Whitney. The Wednesday night series was billed as "The Good Time Supper Club". A misprint in a local paper billed the act as "The Heathens." Drummer John Chipman joined the band in 2007, and Keyboardist Trevor Nealon, who played in the studio during the recording of both "One Foot in the Ether" and "Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster's Son", joined the touring unit in 2011.
Their first recording, "Live from Momo's", recorded at the now closed club on West 6th Street in Austin brought the band national attention and they were voted "Best New Band" at the 2007 Austin Music Awards. Also notable is their version of "Ain't No More Cane", a traditional prison work song of the American south included on their "Live at Momo's" album. Following the Momo's release, the band released a second live recording, the CD/DVD "Live at Antone's" which was recorded at the venerable Austin club.
May 20, 2008 the band released their first, self titled, studio album. Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, and featuring notable guests Patty Griffin, Stephen Bruton, and Gurf Morlix, the record went to #1 on the AMA radio charts. In November 2008 the Americana Music Association announced the Top 100 Albums of the Americana Charts for 2008 and The Band of Heathens came in at No. 8, thus referencing the Band Of Heathens Album as the 8th most played record on the Americana Airplay Charts for 2008.[1]
In July 2009 BOH taped an Austin City Limits show that aired in the Fall of 2009. The year was especially significant for ACL in that Austin City Limits was celebrating its 35th anniversary year. The band's unique genesis and creativity were highlighted during the Austin City Limits interview conducted after their performance.[2] The TV performance showcased a set by both the Band Of Heathens and Elvis Costello. [3]
Following the Austin City Limits PBS show, the band also played on the German television live concert series Rockpalast on October 9, 2009, performing 14 songs, many from the albums "Band Of Heathens" and "One Foot In The Ether." [4]
In 2009, the band was nominated for a "New Emerging Artist" award by the Americana Music Association. In 2010, the band was again honored by the Americana Music Association as nominees for the "Best Duo/Group of the Year".[5]
In 2011, the band released their fifth album overall (third studio album) "Top Hat Crown & the Clapmaster's Son". The album was listed in the top 10 most played Americana Albums of 2011, marking the third album in a row to make the year end top 10 list. This album is also the last studio project featuring founding member Colin Brooks, who announced in November of that year that he was leaving the band to pursue other interests after six years.
[edit] Discography
The first two recordings were live - a live album at Momo's was recorded in 2006, and in 2007, "Live at Antone's" with a DVD/CD set was completed. In May 2008, the band released its first studio production simply titled "The Band of Heathens". Produced by Ray Wylie Hubbard, the album reached #1 on the Americana Charts and the EuroAmericana charts. What is significant however is that it was only the second independently released album to ever reach #1 on the Chart.[6][7] In September 2009 the band released the album "One Foot in the Ether" which again made it to number one on the Americana as well as the Euroamericana charts.
- Colin Brooks (solo)
- 2002: Chippin’ Away at the Promised Land
- 2005: Blood & Water
- Gordy Quist (solo)
- 2005: Songs Play Me
- 2007: Here Comes the Flood
- Ed Jurdi (solo)
- 1999: Ed Jurdi
- 2003: Longshores Drive
- The Band of Heathens
- 2006: Live from Momo’s
- 2007: Live at Antone’s (CD+DVD)
- 2008: The Band of Heathens', (first studio production)
- 2009: Live @ Blue Rose Christmas Party Germany 2008 (limited edition)
- 2009: One Foot In the Ether, (second studio production)
- 2011: Top Hat Crown & The Clapmaster's Son (third studio production)
- 2012: The Double Down - Live From Denver (CD+DVD)
[edit] References
- ^ Americana Airplay Charts 2008
- ^ "The Band of Heathens Interview". Austin City Limits. http://www.austincitylimits.org/component/seyret/?task=videodirectlink&id=191. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Austin City Limits". Video.pbs.org. http://video.pbs.org/program/1273976454/. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "The Band Of Heathens -". Wdr.de. http://www.wdr.de/tv/rockpalast/extra/videos/2009/1008/the_band_of_heathens.jsp. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Americana Music Association". Americanamusic.org. http://americanamusic.org/index.htm?inc=5&news_id=18300. Retrieved 2010-11-28.
- ^ "Americhttp://www.nashvillefm.eu/modules.php?name=Newsana Top 25: Albums". Nashville FM, Postbus 3520, 3003AM Rotterdam, Nederland. 8 September 2008. http://www.nashvillefm.eu/modules.php?name=News&file=categories&op=newindex&catid=18. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- ^ "Euro Americana Chart". September 2008. http://www.euroamericanachart.nl/. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- Howerton, Keith. "Review: The Band of Heathens - The Band of Heathens". Texas Music Times. http://www.texasmusictimes.com/articles/0805/band-of-heathens.php. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- Black, Kissy (2008-05-06). "The Band Of Heathens To Release Self-titled Studio Album May 20th, 2008". top40-charts.com. http://top40-charts.com/news.php?nid=40020. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- Cd Baby: The Band of Heathens - Live At Momo's
- Smith, Todd. "Band of Heathens On Top". sharkbitten.com. http://sharkbitten.com/2008/09/09/band-of-heathens-on-top/. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
- Henderson, Alex. "The Band of Heathens". Allmusic.com. http://www.allmusic.com/album/r1341628. Retrieved 2008-09-15.
[edit] External links
- [1] - Official website
- Official MySpace page
- One Foot in the Ether review CountryMusicPride.com
- [2] - Austin City Limits Interview
- [3] - NOMINEES ANNOUNCED FOR THE 9th ANNUAL AMERICANA HONORS & AWARDS SHOW
- [4] - Rockpalast TV performance
- Band of Heathens collection at the Internet Archive's live music archive
