Wolfmother
Wolfmother | |
|---|---|
| Origin | Sydney, NSW |
| Genres | Hard rock, heavy metal |
| Years active | 2000 - present |
| Labels | Modular, Universal, Interscope, Island |
| Associated acts | Resin Dogs, The Slew, Xavier Rudd |
| Website | http://www.wolfmother.com |
| Members | Andrew Stockdale, Hamish Rosser, Alexx McConnell |
| Past members | Chris Ross, Myles Heskett, Dave Atkins, Aiden Nemeth, Will Rockwell-Scott, Elliott Hammond, Ian Peres, Vin Steele |
Band members
- Line-up
- Andrew Stockdale (vocals, guitar, bass)
- Hamish Rosser (drums)
- Alexx McConnell (bass)
- Former members
- Ian Peres (bass, keys) 2010 - 2018
- Vin Steele (guitar) 2012 - 2013, (drums) 2013 - 2015
- Elliott Hammond (keys, drums, harmonica) 2012 - 2013
- Will Rockwell-Scott (drums) 2010 - 2011
- Aidan Nemeth (guitar) 2009 - 2012
- Dave Atkins (drums) 2009 - 2010
- Myles Heskett (drums) 2000 - 2008
- Chris Ross (bass, keys) 2000 - 2008
Band information
Wolfmother formed in Sydney in 2000 and began playing a style of retro-influenced heavy psychedelia and stoner rock. After several years of low-key shows on the local scene, the band toured with Cut Copy in 2004 and released the self-titled debut EP that cracked the Top 40 at #35. Following overseas touring, Wolfmother began recording a full-length album in LA during 2005. Released on October 30 following the double A-side Mind's Eye/Woman (#29), the band's debut album (also titled Wolfmother) peaked at #3 and charted for a year and a half. Six of the band's songs made the Triple J Hottest 100 for 2005 and the group were named in eleven of Rolling Stone's readers' and critics' polls. Several of their tracks were subsequently used in international ad campaigns for companies like Apple, Peugeot and Mitsubishi and featured in games and films. After appearing at the Big Day Out, Wolfmother toured internationally, appearing at major festivals worldwide including Splendour, Download, Reading, Roskilde and Coachella. Joker & the Thief peaked at #8 on the singles chart and they won Best Album, Best Group and Best Breakthrough Artist at the ARIA Awards and Best Hard Rock Performance (for Woman) at the Grammys. They were also invited by Led Zeppelin to perform Communication Breakdown at that band's induction into the UK Music Hall of Fame in November. After a US tour in 2007, Wolfmother played the Sydney leg of Live Earth, after which they did not appear live again until Splendour in the Grass in July 2008. Chris Ross and Myles Heskett then left Wolfmother due to musical differences.
The group's new line-up - Stockdale, David Atkins, Aiden Nemeth and Ian Peres, was unveiled in February 2009 and recording began immediately on Cosmic Egg. The band played both Sound Relief shows in Melbourne and Sydney and at the NRL Grand Final in October. Cosmic Egg was released in October and peaked at #3. In January 2010 they supported AC/DC nationally and were set to tour Europe and feature at Download again in June but were forced to cancel due to illness. Meanwhile, Atkins had left the band in place of Will Rockwell-Scott. A European tour ensued in 2011 with rumours of a new album set for the end of the year. Song titles were revealed and a completion date was apparently released, but in February 2012 it was announced that Rockwell-Scott and Nemeth were gone with Hamish Rosser and Vin Steele replacing them. The album, tentatively titled Gatherings was then re-recorded with the new line-up and set for release in early 2013, almost two years after the initial release date.
On March 6, 2013, Stockdale announced that the forthcoming album would be released under his own name and that Wolfmother was no more. The band played its final show on April 28, when they opened for Aerosmith. Stockdale's album Keep Moving was released in June and a tour was booked, only for it to be cancelled in favour of a US tour under the Wolfmother name. This led to Stockdale announcing in July that the reports of Wolfmother's demise were lies - even though he had said so himself - and the band was now a three piece of himself, Peres and Steele, with Steele switching from guitar to drums. The third Wolfmother album New Crown was released digitally on March 23, 2014.
Wolfmother was re-released in 2015 to celebrate its tenth anniversary, with 20 extra tracks included. In February 2016 Victorious appeared and reached #17 on the ARIA chart. The album was recorded by Stockdale and Peres, with drums by Josh Freese and Joey Waronker. Nine Inch Nails and The Voidz drummer Alex Carapetis joined Wolfmother for a subsequent shows with Guns N Roses and Australian touring. Rosser rejoined in 2017 and since Peres departed in 2018, Wolfmother has consisted of Stockdale and Rosser with various touring members. Stockdale released a solo album in 2018. Rock n Roll Baby was released with little fanfare in 2019. In November 2021, sixth album Rock Out was released in conjunction with their announcement as headliners of 2022's Uncaged Festival.
Discography
Albums:
| 2005 | Wolfmother | Modular |
| 2009 | Cosmic Egg | Modular |
| 2014 | New Crown | Independent |
| 2016 | Victorious | UMe |
| 2019 | Rock N Roll Baby | Independent |
| 2021 | Rock Out | Independent |
Singles:
| 2005 | Mind's Eye | Modular |
| 2006 | White Unicorn | Modular |
| 2006 | Dimension | Modular |
| 2006 | Woman | Modular |
| 2006 | Love Train | Modular |
| 2006 | Joker & the Thief | Modular |
| 2009 | Back Round | Modular |
| 2009 | New Moon Rising | Modular |
| 2009 | White Feather | Modular |
| 2010 | Far Away | Modular |
| 2015 | Victorious | UMe |
| 2017 | Freedom is Mine | Independent |
| 2018 | Happy Wolfmother's Day | Independent |
| 2019 | Higher | Independent |
| 2019 | Chase the Feeling | Independent |
| 2020 | High On My Own Supply | Middle Man |
| 2021 | Rock Out | Independent |
| 2021 | Midnight Train | Independent |
EPs:
| 2004 | Wolfmother | Modular |
| 2006 | Dimensions | Modular |
| 2007 | Please Experience Wolfmother Live | Modular |