The Band of Heathens, an Austin-based group, played the best set I came across during my five nights in town (at SXSW 2009)."  - Jim Fusilli, Wall Street Journal
 
"With their wealth of wonderful tunes, it's easy to see why Texas music great Ray Wylie Hubbard signed on to produce this fabulous first effort."   - Michael Berick, No Depression
 
"Their music balances between studio-slick and devil-may-care sloppiness, with equal parts southern rock, '50's R&B, and Louisiana swamp-rock with a punkish swagger, they conjure a post-modern roots rock...This debut may establish the band as the next big thing from Austin." - Vintage Guitar Magazine, The Hit List
 
"Most bands are lucky to have one good songwriter in the group and super lucky to have two. This band has three poets who can deliver at the top of anyone's lyrical game. They all three are songwriting treasures… one of the best Americana records ever made." - Keith Howerton, Texas Music Times
 
"This is real spit and sawdust Southern rock with tremendously gritty vocals and scything guitars."
- David Knowles, Maverick Magazine
 
"The Band of Heathens make the transition from live recordings to the studio pleasingly well on this 2008 release." - Alex Henderson, All Music Guide
 
Touring behind current album One Foot in the Ether, Austin band is on the road all summer and fall, with appearance at Lollapalooza
 
AUSTIN, Texas — While the Band of Heathens’ new song “Free Again” will keep fans happily humming and tapping, it will probably raise some eyebrows as well. The track — available for free on the band’s web site on July 15 — references the Gulf of Mexico oil spill. “It’s sure to be the feel-good hit of the summer,” quips band member Ed Jurdi. “Imagine the Silver Surfer making his way through Brian Wilson’s brain and ending up on summer holiday in the Gulf of Mexico. That’s the loose plot of the tune.”
 
In between tour segments, the band took a couple of days in the studio to record some new material. The two-day session yielded three songs showcasing the group’s wide musical horizons. In a move that that echoes the hallmark of the Heathens’ independent spirit, they’ve decided to release one song from those sessions as a free track to fans.
 
“A big belief of the band is that we shouldn’t put limitations on when we release material,” says Jurdi. “We are always available and open to the creative muse. If we’re working on something that feels good, the next logical step is to share it with people who have helped us create our own little space in this weird and woolly time.”
 
The Band of Heathens’ One Foot in the Ether made it to #1 on the Americana airplay charts as did its eponymous predecessor. For the second year in a row they are nominated for Americana Music Honors & Awards – this year for “Best Group,” last year for “Best Emerging Artist.” The band appeared on PBS’ Austin City Limits program last November on a bill with Elvis Costello. In the past year they have toured ceaselessly hitting such festivals as Lollapalooza, Austin City Limits and Wakarusa. Maverick magazine called One Foot in the Ether album “a quality album from a quality group,” adding, “If you haven’t caught up with this group, why not?”
 
“Free Again” takes the view that as long as there’s gas in the tank, food in the fridge and America’s Got Talent on TV, we’re good, right? From the lyrics: “Flip the channel, turn the dial, watch tomorrow going on today. We go sinking further down the mess that we have made. Just asking for forgiveness ’cause we all know that Jesus saves.” Someone somewhere, the song hopes, has figured it out and will fix it and put it back together again.
 
So sit back and enjoy the summer, bring the family and enjoy the sand. If a few tar balls wash up on the beach, not to worry.
 
As much as the Band of Heathens would love to join the ranks of beach-goers, they remain on tour all summer and into the fall.