Band of Heathens – Medicine Man

I found this band a few weeks ago, and they have stuck with me. This song I really like because it’s subtle and not in your face, but strong at the same time. A slow groove that hooked me in. Give it a try…you might like it. I think I’ve found a winner. I’m digging into more Texas bands. They have it going on there. 

The band was formed in Austin by Colin Brooks, Ed Jurdi, and Gordy Quist in 2005.  They were built around multiple singers and songwriters. The band’s name originated from a misprint in a local newspaper. The three original singer-songwriters used to perform separate sets at an Austin club called Momo’s on Wednesday nights, billing the show as “The Good Time Supper Club.” A local paper mistakenly listed the act as “The Heathens,” and the name stuck.  

Some songs are bombastic and kick down the door, but this song just walks in easily and uneasily at the same time. It rolls on slowly but with depth. They are doing what they do best, blending Southern rock blues with gospel harmonies.

Musically, this 2011 song breathes. The guitars don’t rush the song whatsoever; they flow like a twig on the shoulders of a mighty stream (Thank you, John Candy for that quote!). The rhythm section keeps things steady but loose, and the groove settles into your bones. You can hear a little of The Band and Little Feat in them, but nothing here feels copied. This is a band that understands dynamics, knowing when to turn up and when to let silence do the talking.

This is some great roots rock. Pour a drink, turn it up just enough, and let it do its work. Cognac or Brandy, anyone?

A BONUS song…Hurricane by The Band of Heathens.

Medicine Man

Across the land, I’m spoken of*Wise as a snake, tame as a doveJust like a wolf, in the sheep’s clothesShake the dust off, before I goI’m your medicine manI’m your medicine manI walk the land never seen beforeI’m on a mission, conquistadorI’ll be your slave, I’ll be your kingI’ll be what you want, be your everythingI’m your medicine manI’m your medicine manGot juju beads and a mojo drumGotta a whole lot more, where that come fromI’ll make a sign, I’ll cross your headMake you shake and dance, Gonna raise the deadI’m your medicine manI’m your medicine manI’ll take your pulse, I’ll fix your healthGive what you need, to save yourselfMight lose your house, might lose your homeBut I’ll give you back more than you have knownPut you in the black, gonna shake your bonesYour healer, your dealer, your only oneI’m your medicine manI’m your medicine man

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Author: Badfinger (Max)

Power Pop fan, Baseball, Beatles, Alternative music, old movies, and tv show fan. Also anything to do with pop culture in the 60s and 70s... I'm also a songwriter, bass and guitar player. Not the slightest bit interested in politics at all.

42 thoughts on “Band of Heathens – Medicine Man”

  1. Pingback: Band of Heathens – Medicine Man – MobsterTiger

  6. Yes, theres some Band and Little Feat stylings in there, and that little guitar solo does just enough. You know me and my lack (lick?) of guitar knowledge but that guitar has a Samantha Fish sound to it(?) I might not know what or what kind of guitar it is, but I know what I like.)

    And Bravo to the songwriters, I don’t think I’ve heard the word ‘conquistador’ since Procul Harum days.

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    1. Well…I am listening to Fish right now…it does have that tone obbverse so you more than you know. Not sure what type of guitar but they got close to the same tone. I’m listening to Bulletproof which resembles this song.

      Yes…I love when words like that are brought back. Not an easy one to fit in I wouldn’t think.

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      2. Now that is a good ear CB. I found this band with their name…I couldn’t resist this bands music…and that name. I was in a band called The Backsliders… we lived up to that billing. I’m listening to Levon’s version now.

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      2. Yes…you are up there with him believe me! I snuck this one by the both of you I think. Hurricane is the best known song…so…me being me…I had to go with this one.

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    1. Last night when I emailed you…I was going to say I had a song that you might like…something about it.
      Yea I’ve heard that from a lot of women…but I can’t say squat…because yea…can’t say I never chased the bad girls lol.

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      1. Hey barrooms depend on that kind of thing. That’s why the parking lots are always full when I drive by them. If people just wanted to find a quick getting drunk they’d buy a bottle and take it home.

        I think it’s pretty cool that Levon co-wrote the song. I tried to find a YouTube of him singing it but couldn’t.

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  11. Great find, Max. The Band of Heathens are all new to me. I really like both songs you called out here!

    It’s a bit peculiar how that local paper turned ” The Good Time Supper Club” into “The Heathens”, but hey, I guess it worked out nicely for the group, giving them their name! 🙂

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    1. Yea man…I googled underrated roots bands…and this one came up…I feel for it right there. I like how they don’t waste notes…they just play for the song. Yea I didn’t get that either but…I found that exact phrase in two different places…one of them Wiki…I was wondering that myself. Glad you liked it dude! I thought of you as well with this song…you and Lisa…

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  15. Intros for me here, and a couple of pretty interesting, straight-forward tunes. Definitely “rootsy” in vibe. I think Medicine Man might kick around in my brain for a while after this, Max!

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