The Heartless Bastards @ Stubb's

The opening track to The Heartless Bastards' Stairs and Elevators hits you with the untamed ferocity of a tropical typhoon, lead singer Erika Wennerstrom's voice the shrieking gale winds set aloft amidst the torrential thunderclap supplied by her band's driving bass line and wild drumming.

Stairs is the debut album from Fat Possum Records trio , a blues-tinged garage punk outfit from Ohio. They've the pomp and flourish of a 70s rock band, and in their songs are strains of Led Zeppelin, The Kinks, and the Drive-By Truckers.

The allure of the band is found largely in Wennerstrom's lyrical stylings and her passionate vocals, the latter whose subtle gravel texture layered beneath an unflinching, balls-out resonance just aches to be compared to decades-old rock icons. Our favorite quote heralds her as a "pretty young blond woman ... blessed with a gutsy and androgynous singing voice that's suggestive of Robert Plant, minus his girly frills."

The Heartless Bastards are in town through Wednesday, and will be playing two free shows at Stubb's. The fantastic Austin band For Those Who Know will be opening tonight, and Youngmond Grand tomorrow.

The Heartless Bastards
Tuesday, June 28 and Wednesday, June 29
Stubb's BBQ
FREE!