Interview with Goddamn Wolves

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I credit my older brother for shaping my early exposure to and love of music. As a pre-teen, I recall listening to his Boston, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Cars, Jim Croce, and Stevie Wonder albums on repeat. That led to my college years and beyond getting into bands like Bad Brains, The Smiths, The Cult, Jeff Buckley, Screaming Females, Mannequin Pussy, The Beths, Truth Club, Whores, etc. I can’t imagine music not being such an integral part of my life. I suspect I’d be a miserable, angry jerk - or at least more of one.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I very much enjoy seeing music and other art forms live. In fact, I have come to believe that is by far the best way to experience all art - in person, in the moment. Otherwise, I like to spend time in the woods - mountain biking and hiking. Both of these are very meditative for me and I think that frees my mind for creative pursuits.

How long has your band been around? Also, please tell me about the dynamic of the band of what brought you all together.

I was in another local project, Love Udder, that was making loud, lo-fi rock - the music we wanted to hear and somewhat of a backlash to what I’d say is/was expected of people my age. I met Chris through a common friend at a jam session and in 2018, when the band he and Laura were in started to wane, they brought me in and we immediately clicked.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

We are based in Raleigh, NC which has a great local music scene supported by venues that cater to lots of styles and audiences. Having three large universities all within 30 minutes of one another and some great venues, we are a destination for great music festivals and touring bands.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Naming a band is one of the hardest things a band has to do. With many, many suggestions from each of us, nothing clicked until Laura suggested “Goddamn Wolves” - a line from the Throwing Muses song “Mania.” The three of us immediately loved it and that was it.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

We played a show at Ruby Deluxe in downtown Raleigh. We opened, followed by Roamck (Asheville, NC), and headlined by Sick Ride (Lafayette, LA). I loved this show. All three bands had a different but accessible sound - there was something for everyone. There was a great crowd and we had a lot of fun.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I love the sound and staff at The Pour House in Raleigh and The Pinhook in Durham. I would love to play at Motoroco in Durham.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Goddamn Wolves opening for Bully and headlined by Screaming Females

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Create the music that you want to hear and do it with people that you respect and trust as humans as much as musicians.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I think “Seven Days a Week” still stands out as one of our best songs. I think it accentuates the music/direction we are headed - melodic hooks combined with some raw rock energy. With that said, this answer seems to change with each new release, and I think that’s how it should be.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I love playing in general, but to pick a few of the standouts: “Seven Days a Week,” “Nowhere,” “Later Than You Think,” “Older, Slower” and “Doomed.” I’d guess “Older, Slower” and “Everything Real Is Free” are probably most requested.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Chris and Laura are the primary songwriters and lyricists. Aside from coming up with the drummings parts, at most I will suggest a phrase or a change to a progression or transition. And similarly, I am very open to changes to the drum parts that Chris and Laura suggest. It’s a super-collaborative environment and I think we all give one another a safe place to express and explore our creativity.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I think Chris and Laura are fantastic lyricists/poets. I wouldn’t say either is message oriented, but rather observational. I connect with the songs emotionally and I imagine others do as well.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

We have a four-song EP being released January 20th - The DOOM EP. I am very excited about these songs and I think they capture the band’s progression - as individual musicians and as a band.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

More live shows, more recordings, and more time spent on Laura and me convincing Chris we shouldn’t cover any Gordon Lightfoot songs.

What got you into music, and if you had not gotten into music what would you be doing today?

I credit my older brother for shaping my early exposure to and love of music. As a pre-teen, I recall listening to his Boston, Led Zeppelin, Pink Floyd, Cars, Jim Croce, and Stevie Wonder albums on repeat. That led to my college years and beyond getting into bands like Bad Brains, The Smiths, The Cult, Jeff Buckley, Screaming Females, Mannequin Pussy, The Beths, Truth Club, Whores, etc. I can’t imagine music not being such an integral part of my life. I suspect I’d be a miserable, angry jerk - or at least more of one.

What do you like to do when you are not playing music and how does that influence your creativity?

I very much enjoy seeing music and other art forms live. In fact, I have come to believe that is by far the best way to experience all art - in person, in the moment. Otherwise, I like to spend time in the woods - mountain biking and hiking. Both of these are very meditative for me and I think that frees my mind for creative pursuits.

How long has your band been around? Also, please tell me about the dynamic of the band of what brought you all together.

I was in another local project, Love Udder, that was making loud, lo-fi rock - the music we wanted to hear and somewhat of a backlash to what I’d say is/was expected of people my age. I met Chris through a common friend at a jam session and in 2018, when the band he and Laura were in started to wane, they brought me in and we immediately clicked.

Where are you based and how did that influence your music?

We are based in Raleigh, NC which has a great local music scene supported by venues that cater to lots of styles and audiences. Having three large universities all within 30 minutes of one another and some great venues, we are a destination for great music festivals and touring bands.

How did you come up with the name of your band and what does it mean to you?

Naming a band is one of the hardest things a band has to do. With many, many suggestions from each of us, nothing clicked until Laura suggested “Goddamn Wolves” - a line from the Throwing Muses song “Mania.” The three of us immediately loved it and that was it.

Tell me about your most memorable shows.

We played a show at Ruby Deluxe in downtown Raleigh. We opened, followed by Roamck (Asheville, NC), and headlined by Sick Ride (Lafayette, LA). I loved this show. All three bands had a different but accessible sound - there was something for everyone. There was a great crowd and we had a lot of fun.

What is your favorite venue to play at, and do you have any places you want to play that you have not already?

I love the sound and staff at The Pour House in Raleigh and The Pinhook in Durham. I would love to play at Motoroco in Durham.

If you could play any show with any lineup, who would be on the ticket?

Goddamn Wolves opening for Bully and headlined by Screaming Females

What is some advice that you would give to someone who is just getting into playing in a band and some advice that you would give to your younger self?

Create the music that you want to hear and do it with people that you respect and trust as humans as much as musicians.

Of your songs which one means the most to you and why?

I think “Seven Days a Week” still stands out as one of our best songs. I think it accentuates the music/direction we are headed - melodic hooks combined with some raw rock energy. With that said, this answer seems to change with each new release, and I think that’s how it should be.

Which songs are your favorite to play and which get requested the most?

I love playing in general, but to pick a few of the standouts: “Seven Days a Week,” “Nowhere,” “Later Than You Think,” “Older, Slower” and “Doomed.” I’d guess “Older, Slower” and “Everything Real Is Free” are probably most requested.

What is the creative process for the band, and what inspires you to write your music?

Chris and Laura are the primary songwriters and lyricists. Aside from coming up with the drummings parts, at most I will suggest a phrase or a change to a progression or transition. And similarly, I am very open to changes to the drum parts that Chris and Laura suggest. It’s a super-collaborative environment and I think we all give one another a safe place to express and explore our creativity.

What kinds of messages do you like to get across in your music?

I think Chris and Laura are fantastic lyricists/poets. I wouldn’t say either is message oriented, but rather observational. I connect with the songs emotionally and I imagine others do as well.

Do you have any new singles, videos, or albums out that you would like to tell me and your fans about?

We have a four-song EP being released January 20th - The DOOM EP. I am very excited about these songs and I think they capture the band’s progression - as individual musicians and as a band.

What are your plans for the future, and do you have anything that you want to spotlight that is coming up?

More live shows, more recordings, and more time spent on Laura and me convincing Chris we shouldn’t cover any Gordon Lightfoot songs.