Not to be confused with the rockin backing band used by Austins own James McMurtry, these particular Heartless Bastards are a rockin trio from Ohio fronted by the equally ferocious singer-songwriter/guitarist Erika Wennerstrom. Wennerstrom and bassist Mike Lamping began performing together with three other musicians as the Heartless Bastards in Cincinnati in 2003, though the lineup was pared down to a trio (with new recruit Kevin Vaughn on drums) in time for their 2005 Fat Possum debut, Stairs and Elevators. Both that album and the following years All This Time were met with rave reviews for the Heartless Bastards emotionally volatile brand of soulful garage rock.