Wolfmother

Wolfmother is a hard rock band from Sydney, Australia, active since 2003. The group is best known for a sound that spans hard rock, alternative rock, blues rock and psychedelic rock.

Formation and early releases

The band forms around Andrew Stockdale on guitar and vocals, Chris Ross on bass and keyboards, and Myles Heskett on drums. Under that line-up, Wolfmother releases one studio album, Wolfmother, and six singles. The most successful of these is “Joker and the Thief”, which reaches number eight in Australia. The group also releases a self-titled EP on Modular Recordings.

In 2004, Wolfmother appears at major Australian events including Homebake and the Big Day Out. In 2005, the band records its debut album in Los Angeles with producer Dave Sardy. The album is released in October 2005.

Awards and recognition

Wolfmother wins a Grammy Award and receives several Australian Recording Industry Association awards in 2006, taking Best Breakthrough Album, Best Rock Album and Best Group.

Line-up changes and later work

Chris Ross and Myles Heskett leave the band in August 2008, after the group headlines Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay. Andrew Stockdale continues with new members, first appearing in secret gigs under the name Whitefeather from February 2009. The later line-up includes Dave Atkins on drums, Ian Peres on bass and organ, and Aidan Nemeth on guitar. Their album Cosmic Egg is released in 2009. Dave Atkins later leaves and is temporarily replaced by Will Rockwell-Scott.