Wolfmother
Myles Heskett. Chris Ross. Andrew Stockdale. Ladies and jellyspoons - Wolfmother.
It’s a name that might strike fear in to the heart of a child, but should conjure up feelings of delight in any hard rock fan. Before 2004 however, such a beast did not exist, at least outside the confines of the boys’ Erkinsville garages. After years of jamming to themselves (we imagine in some kind of Bill and Ted meet Black Sabbath style), the wolf was unleashed on the public toward the beginning of that year, one which would later see the release of their debut, independently released EP, one which went on to sell tens of thousands of copies – impressive for a self propelled release.
Rockfeedback’s Joshua K got very excited about it (check ‘features’ below for his review), and wasn’t the only one. In fact, enough enthusiasm was elicited from the powers one requires (in this case, chaps like Modular and Island Records) that, after a six month tour of their native Australia and, intermittently, various other parts of our fair globe, the trio were packed off Los Angeles in May 2005 to record their debut LP with a Mr. David Sardy.
Sardy, previously responsible for work with everyone from rock outfits such as Helmet and the perpetually nude Red Hot Chilli Peppers to spaced out shoegazers Autolux, took the boys to Cherokee rehearsal studios in Hollywood (incidentally the same place Pink Floyd birthed ‘The Wall’) and the band eked out what would become ‘Wolfmother’, their raucous debut finally nailed at the legendary Sound City studio, the first walls to hear ‘Nevermind’ and Fleetwood Mac’s ‘Rumours’, also.
It’s fair to say that surrounding them with greatness paid off – the record went twice platinum at home, and their debuts on the shores of the US and the UK were both greeted rapturously by scenes in desperate need of a non tongue in cheek rock and roll injection. This week, perhaps that resulting album’s finest emission, ‘Woman’, gets its full UK single release. One couldn’t bang one’s head around to anything finer.
Lauren Gallagher caught up with Wolfmother in their Shepherds Bush hotel over a pizza last week. See how they did banter BY CLICKING HERE
OFFICIAL SITE: Impressively attired site containing wolf-tunes, wolf-pics, wolf-news and other howl worthy delights.
WOLFMUTHA DOTCODOTYOUKAY: Wolfmother’s United Kingdom home offers fans a chance to record their own interpretation of a video to current single ‘Woman’ – go on, muck about why don’t you.
WOLFSPACE: Even hard rocking macho rock types have a MySpace these days y’know. Nothing to be ashamed of. It’s free music, basically. And there’s nothing wrong with that.
ORIGINAL WOLFMOTHER FANSITE: Alarmingly up to date and dedicated labour of love, this – an Australia-based attempt (and success) at providing a Wolfmother fanatic everything they could require, inclusive of a vibrant forum, which is worth a browse.
MODULAR RECORDS: Fancy a peek at who Wolfmother share a roster with? Here’s your place. Interestingly, Modular admit to being drunk when first seeing the band, at their second ever show. Which, to us, sounds like loads of fun.
’WOMAN’ VIDEO: Marvel at the crumpled up paper effect employed on the video for the band’s rollicking new choon. One, two, three… oooh!
’DIMENSION’ EP REVIEWED: Joshua K awards Wolfmother’s debut effort with the coveted rockfeedback five star award, an accolade only reserved for things reminiscent of the Platonic form of true beauty.
LIVE AT CARGO : Lauren Gallagher catches a then largely unknown Wolfmother in London, and is instantly slayed.
CARLING WEEKEND FESTIVAL 2006: We reckon the main stage at Reading and Leeds is the perfect place to catch Wolfmother if you haven’t before. Check the line up to see who you’ll have to sit through if you want to catch ‘em down the front.