This is the second of three Band of Heathens videos I recorded at the Club Congress on the 17th of August. Since I was not there to record the whole show, but rather to enjoy the show while taking a few photos and videos, I could have been more attentive to the photography.This is the second of two posts on the Heathens appearance at Club Congress.
“Look at Miss Ohio” is one of my favorite Band of Heathens songs. Gordy Quist sounds a little like The Woodlands nature, Hayes Carll, without as much country.
The Band of Heathens (BOH) has been touring the western United States and fortunately for some of us didn’t just pass through on their way to El Paso from L.A. Last night (Tuesday, August 17, 2010) they played at the Club Congress in the historical Hotel Congress in downtown Tucson. The Club Congress web site had this to say about BOH: “Originally conceived as a loosely-knit collective showcasing four of Austin’s best up-and-coming artists, The Band Of Heathens is quickly becoming one of the most exciting new acts in American Music. We’re super stoked to have them here at Club Congress, for the sheer fact that we know this show is gonna ROCK.”
It was only a week ago that we learned that the BOH would be playing here, and having just moved here from The Woodlands, Texas, we couldn’t believe this great Texas band was going to be here. From the short time we have been here, we feel it’s fair to say that Tucson is a music town; even so, most in Tucson missed a great opportunity to see and hear some of the best Americana music around. (Don’t you just love that catchall genre?) No doubt, the word will get around and hopefully the next time they are traveling I-10 they will stop again.
The band shared with the audience that they get up at 5:30 a.m. to get to Tucson from L.A., not knowing that Arizona is on Mountain Standard Time, rather than Mountain Daylight Saving Time, arriving at the Club Congress an hour earlier than planned. We too were early to the show, not knowing the announced 8:00 p.m. start time was not when the live music would start, but when the club would open, so we set down to have a beer in the bar off the from the club. Noticing Heathen, Colin Brooks walk by outside the bar, I took the opportunity to go talk to him, reminding him that we had first met in 2002 at Ken & Mary’s Blues Project house concert in Porter, Texas – “ . . . you look familiar,” he replied. We had the kind of conversation people have when you run into old acquaintances around the world.
After our conversation, I noticed that there were only four bar tables with chairs in the club, so since it was still before 8:00 p.m., Joy and I grabbed a table, meanwhile wondering why no one was there for well-call and ticket sales. Long story short, the warm-up band came in for a sound check and left, not coming back till 9:00 p.m. The BOH came on around 10:00 p.m. From a playlist a mostly originals with a few covered songs the BOH were tight and driven. The sound was great! When people see them live, it’s no wonder they have been receiving all the recognitions and nominations they have – a class act.
