ARTIST FEATURE: Wolfmother
- Posted on January 18, 2007 10:18 PM
- 1 comment
By Katie Spain
Imagine it. You're in the Australian desert (don't ask why... you just are).
Heat smacks your sunburnt cheeks and the air is as thick as whipped cream. Lord what you'd give for a cold beer, or at least a sip of water. Suddenly, three walking microphones appear on the horizon. As they walk towards you the sound of Led Zep fills the outback air. Has the heat finally overcome you? Is this what they call a mirage?
Fear not desert walkers, street walkers and heavy music fans. The three Led Zep alikes with big hair are no apparition. They're Aussie band Wolfmother and they've taken more than the Australian outback by storm. In 2005, Wolfmother won both the J Award and the listener's choice Album of the Year. A record six of the tracks made it into the Triple J Hottest 100, 2005. trust me, in Oyz that means big business and a lot of fans.
The quiet spoken lads from Australia are often hailed as the modern day answer to melodic rock. And yes, we've heard it all before... there's a lot of Jimi Hendrix and Led Zeppelin's influence in there too. And hey, that's a good thing right?
It seems the Aussies aren't just good at sending young ones across the ocean to fill antipodean pub chains. They also pump out soime damn fine music and these boys with their wailing lyrics, oitch perfect tone and heavy riffs are no exception. Their tell-tale laid back Australian attitude is a welcome addition to the narky, drug induced diva behavior of some of Europe's bands. Kind of makes you remember the days when the music was the most important thing. Not the magazine deals that go with it.
These guys are all about the instruments and what they can do with them... live. That's why the music industry loves them. From the old school rockers to pimple faced school kids. There's a heavily respected non commercial alternative music scene in Oz too. They don't just spread Vegemite folks, news on a hot new band rides the underground current right out into the 'sticks'. My dad was playing Wolfmother out on the boat as he pulled in crayfish way before they'd broken the UK scene.
You see, growing up as an Aussie kid can be a bloody ordeal. Sure, you've got perfect waves, hot sand, ever present rays (no Steve Irwin jokes please) and a free time obsessed culture to soak up. None of this 'no work no play' jargon the English serve up with their jellied eels.
But, an outdoor obsessed nation has its drawbacks. If you're not a star on the football field or a surfboard isn't your preferred mode of transport you can start to feel a bit alienated. Or, shock horror - even uncool. The kids on motorbikes and in top sports teams got the girls and the rest of them were picked last. Sound familiar? Yeah, me too.
But, there is one hope. One Everest of social skills that can put you above and beyond the beer swilling jocks. Musos. So simple, so sexy, and so cool they don't even care if anyone's noticing. If you can pick up a plectrum or a pair of drumsticks and work musical magic you're saved. For me, Wolfmother epitomse that and more. The little kids that got picked last, grew up quick and stuck the finger up at the cool kids when the world wanted to hear more.
I'll be there in person when they hit London. Who knows, maybe they'll make time for a fellow Aussie who rode dirt bikes not Harleys and wore hand-me-downs not Dolce. One thing's for sure... when I'm at the front of the mosh pit, with the other old school music lovers at my side I won't give a flying fluff whether the person at my side is 'cool' or not.
Be there for the UK gigs in February.
Comments (1)
Hollie Monster
I have seen these guys at last years Big Day Out in Adelaide, Australia.. The best band i have ever seen live.. I hate it when you go see someone live and they sound nothing like their CD's.. but these guys are the real thing.. amazing sound and even if you're not into this kind of music (crazy if you arent but..) you're guaranteed to enjoy it anyway.. cant speak highly enough bout them.. havent written a bad song, impossible to produce a bad sound..
Posted on January 28, 2007 5:48 PM
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