Wolfsbane (band)
Encyclopedia
Wolfsbane are an English
heavy metal
band. Formed in 1984, the band remained active until lead singer Blaze Bayley
went on to join Iron Maiden
in 1994. After a couple of reunion shows in 2007 and 2009, Wolfsbane officially reunited in June 2010. To date, Wolfsbane have released three studio albums (a fourth
is due in January 2012), one live album, two compilation albums, two EPs and three demos.
, England
. They signed to Def American records, and Rick Rubin
produced their first album, Live Fast, Die Fast
, released in 1989.
Prior to this they had recorded three demos entitled Wolfsbane (1985), Dancin' Dirty (1987) and Wasted but Dangerous (1988). This last one, recorded at Square Dance Studios, Derby, U.K.
, illustrates the band in its youngest, rawest state . They were the supporting act for Iron Maiden
's UK division of their No Prayer on the Road
tour in 1990. Wolfsbane's second release, an EP titled All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place
, was released the same year. The band's second full studio album Down Fall the Good Guys
, was released in 1991, giving them their only UK Chart entry
with their single "Ezy" charting at #68.
Being an English band, signed to an American
record label did not work out well for them. Def American dropped Wolfsbane as they felt that the band were not selling well enough. This did not stop the band from being voted as the UK
's best unsigned act in 1993. The same year, the band released a live album, Massive Noise Injection
, through the Bronze Company
label.
The band released their third studio album, often considered to be the band's best work, the self-titled Wolfsbane
, in 1994, again on the Bronze Company label. A limited edition of this album included the EP Everything Else. However, when Bruce Dickinson
left Iron Maiden
, Blaze Bayley
got the audition as their new singer and left Wolfsbane later on that year. Wolfsbane disbanded as a result.
to form the band Stretch in 1995. They released a 6-track mini-album World of Stretch on the Cottage Industry label.
Wolfsbane had a loyal fan base which they referred to as the HMS (Howling Mad Shitheads) which adorned many of the band's t-shirts.
in December 2007. Their next tour came in December 2009 supporting The Quireboys
on their 'A Little Bit of What You Fancy 20th Anniversary Tour'.
Jason Edwards is currently a record producer, having most recently produced and mixed the self titled Wildhearts album
and the new Blaze Bayley album. He is also one of three guitarists in Ginger & The Sonic Circus
(project of Ginger, songwriter/frontman of the Wildhearts, and plays guitar for The God Damn Whores, alongside 'Random' Jon Poole
(formerly of Cardiacs
, previously stand-in bassist for The Wildhearts and also in the Sonic Circus), Denzel (also of the Sonic Circus), and Robochrist.
During Blaze Bayley's tour in support of his then new album, Promise and Terror
, tensions rose within the band. In the end of May 2010, both manager Anna Di Laurenzi and drummer Larry Paterson left the band to join Sinocence who had been the support band on the first leg of the tour. A couple of weeks later, in early June, Wolfsbane announced that they would be reuniting full-time and release a new album in 2011.
On March 12, 2011, it was announced that Wolfsbane would release their new EP, Did It for the Money, on April 9. They played a headline show at the Borderline in London on the same day the new EP was released (April 9, 2011). This was followed by a tour supporting Saxon
, in April 2011.
On October 7, 2011, it was announced that Wolfsbane would release their new album in January 2012. Titled Wolfsbane Save the World
, it will be available on the band's official website as well as via the merchandise stand on the band's upcoming tour.
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
heavy metal
Heavy metal music
Heavy metal is a genre of rock music that developed in the late 1960s and early 1970s, largely in the Midlands of the United Kingdom and the United States...
band. Formed in 1984, the band remained active until lead singer Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley is an English singer and songwriter. He has been the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994, and nowadays since their recent reunion. Blaze is however world-known for having been the lead singer of British metal band Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999...
went on to join Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
in 1994. After a couple of reunion shows in 2007 and 2009, Wolfsbane officially reunited in June 2010. To date, Wolfsbane have released three studio albums (a fourth
Wolfsbane Save the World
Wolfsbane Save the World is an upcoming fourth studio album by the British heavy metal band Wolfsbane, which will be released in January 2012. This will be the first album of new material that Wolfsbane have released since their self-titled album in 1994, although they did record one new song for...
is due in January 2012), one live album, two compilation albums, two EPs and three demos.
Career (1984-1994)
Wolfsbane were formed in 1984 in TamworthTamworth
Tamworth is a town and local government district in Staffordshire, England, located north-east of Birmingham city centre and north-west of London. The town takes its name from the River Tame, which flows through the town, as does the River Anker...
, England
England
England is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. It shares land borders with Scotland to the north and Wales to the west; the Irish Sea is to the north west, the Celtic Sea to the south west, with the North Sea to the east and the English Channel to the south separating it from continental...
. They signed to Def American records, and Rick Rubin
Rick Rubin
Frederick Jay "Rick" Rubin is an American record producer and the co-president of Columbia Records. Along with Russell Simmons, Rubin was the co-founder of Def Jam Records and also established American Recordings...
produced their first album, Live Fast, Die Fast
Live Fast, Die Fast
Live Fast, Die Fast: Wicked Tales of Booze, Birds and Bad Language is the debut album by heavy metal band, Wolfsbane. The album was released in 1989 and produced by Rick Rubin for his label Def American.- Track listing :# "Man Hunt" - 2:54# "Shakin'" - 3:41# "Killing Machine" - 2:55# "Fell Out of...
, released in 1989.
Prior to this they had recorded three demos entitled Wolfsbane (1985), Dancin' Dirty (1987) and Wasted but Dangerous (1988). This last one, recorded at Square Dance Studios, Derby, U.K.
Derby
Derby , is a city and unitary authority in the East Midlands region of England. It lies upon the banks of the River Derwent and is located in the south of the ceremonial county of Derbyshire. In the 2001 census, the population of the city was 233,700, whilst that of the Derby Urban Area was 229,407...
, illustrates the band in its youngest, rawest state . They were the supporting act for Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
's UK division of their No Prayer on the Road
No Prayer On The Road
No Prayer on the Road is a concert tour by the British Heavy Metal Band Iron Maiden in support of their album No Prayer for the Dying. It is the first tour to feature Janick Gers, who replaced leaving guitarist Adrian Smith.- Opening bands :...
tour in 1990. Wolfsbane's second release, an EP titled All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place
All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place
All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place is a mini-album by the band Wolfsbane released in 1990. The song "Kathy Wilson" was inspired by the 1953 sci-fi film Invaders From Mars, and features lines from the film voiced by Blaze Bayley.Many of the songs would become firm fan...
, was released the same year. The band's second full studio album Down Fall the Good Guys
Down Fall the Good Guys
Down Fall The Good Guys is the second full length album by the band Wolfsbane. Two singles were released from the album, "Ezy", which got to number 68, and "After Midnight", which did not chart...
, was released in 1991, giving them their only UK Chart entry
UK Singles Chart
The UK Singles Chart is compiled by The Official Charts Company on behalf of the British record-industry. The full chart contains the top selling 200 singles in the United Kingdom based upon combined record sales and download numbers, though some media outlets only list the Top 40 or the Top 75 ...
with their single "Ezy" charting at #68.
Being an English band, signed to an American
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
record label did not work out well for them. Def American dropped Wolfsbane as they felt that the band were not selling well enough. This did not stop the band from being voted as the UK
United Kingdom
The United Kingdom of Great Britain and Northern IrelandIn the United Kingdom and Dependencies, other languages have been officially recognised as legitimate autochthonous languages under the European Charter for Regional or Minority Languages...
's best unsigned act in 1993. The same year, the band released a live album, Massive Noise Injection
Massive Noise Injection
Massive Noise Injection is a live album by the band Wolfsbane recorded at The Marquee, London on 20 February 1993.- Track listing :# "Protect & Survive" - 3:47# "Load Me Down" - 3:02# "Black Lagoon" - 4:54# "Rope & Ride" - 4:08# "Kathy Wilson" - 4:21...
, through the Bronze Company
Bronze Records
Bronze Records is an independent English record label set up in 1971 by record producer Gerry Bron, and based in Chalk Farm, London.Bron had been producing Uriah Heep for Vertigo Records, and he set up this new label for future Uriah Heep releases, along with Juicy Lucy, Richard Barnes and Colosseum...
label.
The band released their third studio album, often considered to be the band's best work, the self-titled Wolfsbane
Wolfsbane (album)
Wolfsbane was the 1994 third eponymous album from British heavy metal band Wolfsbane. Not long after the album's release, vocalist Blaze Bayley took over Bruce Dickinson's position as the lead vocalist for Iron Maiden...
, in 1994, again on the Bronze Company label. A limited edition of this album included the EP Everything Else. However, when Bruce Dickinson
Bruce Dickinson
Paul Bruce Dickinson is an English singer, songwriter, airline pilot, fencer, broadcaster, author, screenwriter, actor and marketing director, best known as the lead vocalist of the heavy metal band Iron Maiden....
left Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden
Iron Maiden are an English heavy metal band from Leyton in east London, formed in 1975 by bassist and primary songwriter Steve Harris. Since their inception, the band's discography has grown to include a total of thirty-six albums: fifteen studio albums; eleven live albums; four EPs; and six...
, Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley
Blaze Bayley is an English singer and songwriter. He has been the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994, and nowadays since their recent reunion. Blaze is however world-known for having been the lead singer of British metal band Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999...
got the audition as their new singer and left Wolfsbane later on that year. Wolfsbane disbanded as a result.
Post-breakup (1994-2007)
Jason Edwards, Jeff Hately, and Steve 'Danger' Ellett, the remaining members of Wolfsbane, joined with Jez SpencerJez Spencer
Jez Spencer was a rock band, a project of Spencer Gibb, son of Robin Gibb of the Bee Gees, prior to the formation of 54 Seconds....
to form the band Stretch in 1995. They released a 6-track mini-album World of Stretch on the Cottage Industry label.
Wolfsbane had a loyal fan base which they referred to as the HMS (Howling Mad Shitheads) which adorned many of the band's t-shirts.
One off shows and reunion (2007-present)
On September 9, 2007, Wolfsbane reformed for a one off short set at the Rock of Ages Festival in Tamworth. This was followed by their first UK tour in 13 years, with the band playing five dates as support for the The WildheartsThe Wildhearts
The Wildhearts are a British rock group originally formed in Newcastle upon Tyne, England. The band's sound is a mixture of hard rock and melodic pop music, often described in the music press as combining influences as diverse as The Beatles and 1980s-era Metallica...
in December 2007. Their next tour came in December 2009 supporting The Quireboys
The Quireboys
The Quireboys are an English hard rock band formed in 1984 in London, England, with strong ties to Newcastle. When the band formed they were originally known as The Queerboys and later as the London Quireboys in the United States....
on their 'A Little Bit of What You Fancy 20th Anniversary Tour'.
Jason Edwards is currently a record producer, having most recently produced and mixed the self titled Wildhearts album
The Wildhearts (album)
The Wildhearts is the sixth album by the eponymous band. The first single was "The Sweetest Song" released two weeks before the album...
and the new Blaze Bayley album. He is also one of three guitarists in Ginger & The Sonic Circus
Ginger & The Sonic Circus
Ginger & The Sonic Circus is a collective of friends and musicians led by The Wildhearts frontman Ginger .Ginger formed the band following the 2005 split of The Wildhearts with guitarist/ producer Jason Edwards and Jon Poole , they were soon joined by Conny Bloom and Vickie Perks Ginger & The...
(project of Ginger, songwriter/frontman of the Wildhearts, and plays guitar for The God Damn Whores, alongside 'Random' Jon Poole
Jon Poole
Jon Poole is a British multi-instrumentalist singer and songwriter best known for his work as guitarist for Cardiacs and as bass player for The Wildhearts .Poole is the frontman and main performer of God Damn Whores, and has also worked with the...
(formerly of Cardiacs
Cardiacs
Cardiacs are an English alternative rock/psychedelic pop band formed in 1977 and led by Tim Smith. Noted for their complex, varied and intense compositional style and for their eccentric, theatrical stage shows, they have been hailed as an influence by bands as diverse as Blur, Faith No More and...
, previously stand-in bassist for The Wildhearts and also in the Sonic Circus), Denzel (also of the Sonic Circus), and Robochrist.
During Blaze Bayley's tour in support of his then new album, Promise and Terror
Promise and Terror
Promise and Terror is the fifth and last studio album by English heavy metal band Blaze Bayley, released in 2010. It is the second studio album released by the band since they changed their name from Blaze...
, tensions rose within the band. In the end of May 2010, both manager Anna Di Laurenzi and drummer Larry Paterson left the band to join Sinocence who had been the support band on the first leg of the tour. A couple of weeks later, in early June, Wolfsbane announced that they would be reuniting full-time and release a new album in 2011.
On March 12, 2011, it was announced that Wolfsbane would release their new EP, Did It for the Money, on April 9. They played a headline show at the Borderline in London on the same day the new EP was released (April 9, 2011). This was followed by a tour supporting Saxon
Saxon (band)
Saxon are an English heavy metal band, formed in 1976 in Barnsley, Yorkshire. As front-runners of the New Wave of British Heavy Metal, they had 8 UK Top 40 albums in the 1980s including 4 UK Top 10 albums. Saxon also had numerous singles in the Top 20 singles chart...
, in April 2011.
On October 7, 2011, it was announced that Wolfsbane would release their new album in January 2012. Titled Wolfsbane Save the World
Wolfsbane Save the World
Wolfsbane Save the World is an upcoming fourth studio album by the British heavy metal band Wolfsbane, which will be released in January 2012. This will be the first album of new material that Wolfsbane have released since their self-titled album in 1994, although they did record one new song for...
, it will be available on the band's official website as well as via the merchandise stand on the band's upcoming tour.
Members
- Blaze BayleyBlaze BayleyBlaze Bayley is an English singer and songwriter. He has been the lead singer of Wolfsbane from 1984 to 1994, and nowadays since their recent reunion. Blaze is however world-known for having been the lead singer of British metal band Iron Maiden from 1994 to 1999...
- vocalsSingingSinging is the act of producing musical sounds with the voice, and augments regular speech by the use of both tonality and rhythm. One who sings is called a singer or vocalist. Singers perform music known as songs that can be sung either with or without accompaniment by musical instruments... - Jason Edwards - guitarGuitarThe guitar is a plucked string instrument, usually played with fingers or a pick. The guitar consists of a body with a rigid neck to which the strings, generally six in number, are attached. Guitars are traditionally constructed of various woods and strung with animal gut or, more recently, with...
- Jeff Hateley - bassBass guitarThe bass guitar is a stringed instrument played primarily with the fingers or thumb , or by using a pick....
- Steve "Danger" Ellett - drumsDrum kitA drum kit is a collection of drums, cymbals and often other percussion instruments, such as cowbells, wood blocks, triangles, chimes, or tambourines, arranged for convenient playing by a single person ....
Studio albums
- Live Fast, Die FastLive Fast, Die FastLive Fast, Die Fast: Wicked Tales of Booze, Birds and Bad Language is the debut album by heavy metal band, Wolfsbane. The album was released in 1989 and produced by Rick Rubin for his label Def American.- Track listing :# "Man Hunt" - 2:54# "Shakin'" - 3:41# "Killing Machine" - 2:55# "Fell Out of...
(1989) - Down Fall the Good GuysDown Fall the Good GuysDown Fall The Good Guys is the second full length album by the band Wolfsbane. Two singles were released from the album, "Ezy", which got to number 68, and "After Midnight", which did not chart...
(1991) - WolfsbaneWolfsbane (album)Wolfsbane was the 1994 third eponymous album from British heavy metal band Wolfsbane. Not long after the album's release, vocalist Blaze Bayley took over Bruce Dickinson's position as the lead vocalist for Iron Maiden...
(1994) - Wolfsbane Save the WorldWolfsbane Save the WorldWolfsbane Save the World is an upcoming fourth studio album by the British heavy metal band Wolfsbane, which will be released in January 2012. This will be the first album of new material that Wolfsbane have released since their self-titled album in 1994, although they did record one new song for...
(2012)
Compilation albums
- Lifestyles of the Broke and ObscureLifestyles of the Broke and ObscureLifestyles of the Broke and Obscure is a compilation album by the band Wolfsbane consisting of the albums Wolfsbane and Massive Noise Injection .- Track listing :Disc One: Wolfsbane# "Wings" - 4.21...
(2001) - Howling Mad Shitheads (The Best of Wolfsbane) (2009)
EPs
- All Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's PlaceAll Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's PlaceAll Hell's Breaking Loose Down at Little Kathy Wilson's Place is a mini-album by the band Wolfsbane released in 1990. The song "Kathy Wilson" was inspired by the 1953 sci-fi film Invaders From Mars, and features lines from the film voiced by Blaze Bayley.Many of the songs would become firm fan...
(1990) - Did It For the Money (2011)
- Everything Else (1994)
Demos
- Wolfsbane (1985)
- Dancin' Dirty (1987)
- Wasted But Dangerous (1988)
External links
- [ Allmusic artist page]
- Official Wolfsbane website