When We Were Wolves… Keeping you in the lupine

Showcase: When We Were Wolves

Published on November 13th, 2012 | Jonny Abrams

Bridgend rockers When We Were Wolves are set to release their new EP in January, so we fired some questions over to front man Mitchell Bock to find out more about them…

What’s the line-up of the band? How did you all meet, and how long has the band been going for?

Mitch – Vocals
Ben – Bass
Steve – Guitar
Rhod – Guitar
Josh – Drums

Some of the boys were in a band together before this and I practised in the same place as them with my old band. As I was leaving my old band I found out that they were looking for a new vocalist so we got together to jam some songs and then decided to start When We Were Wolves, so it was pretty much a case of being in the right place at the right time. We first started jamming in July 2011 and since then we have had four line-up changes but have ended up with all original members except our guitarist Steve who joined us in June 2012.

How would you describe your music, if pushed?

If pushed I would have to say that we are a blend of post-hardcore. We are always trying to push the boundaries of being pigeonholed and try to crossover a number of genres. So many exist these days that it is hard to know what you are. There are definitely heavy influences in the music but we also try to add big epic sections and melodic parts into our songs.

Where are you based, and what do you use to record with?

Three of the boys are from Bridgend, I’m from Newport and Steve lives in Hereford, but Bridgend is where the band calls home as some of our first gigs were played there and we have always felt at home there. We recorded our new EP at Bandit studios in Tetbury and used mostly our own gear.

The majority of the EP was recorded using a Gibson Les Paul guitar through an Engl Powerball head. For the bass we used a Fender Jazz and a Yamaha drum kit, that and a lot of Monster and some beers to keep the creative juices flowing!

Are you signed to a label? If so, how did you come to their attention?

We are not on a label no, this will be our first release so we have not had anything we have been able to send out to Record Labels just yet, but we are on Imperial Music management which is cool! We’ve been friends with our manager Sam for a long time now; we were working with her before she began her job with Imperial so when she told us about it we pretty much just went with her. We’ve also known Dean who runs Imperial Music for a while and he has really helped us in the past, so for us it was a no-brainer.

www.imperialmusic.co.uk

Is there a full album in the works? If so, what can you tell us about it? (Feel free to be as abstract as you like…)

It’s way too early for us to be doing an album just yet but we have just finished recording our first EP The More Things Change, The More We Stay The Same, which is due for release on the 14th January 2013, and we are all really happy with it! We would definitely go back to Bandit Studios with Jonny Renshaw (Devil Sold His Soul) when that time comes. He has made the first EP sound huge and we couldn’t be happier; so much heart has gone into this and that really comes across in the songs.

Where can we hear your music online?

The EP will be released 14th of January 2013 and it will be available to listen to online in all of the usual places (Spotify, iTunes, Facebook etc). We are doing a release show on the 11th January 2013 and we are going to give free EPs to everybody who come along so that’s your chance to hear it anywhere first.

Which have been your most exciting gigs and/or overall moments so far?

One gig that really comes to mind would be a charity show that we headlined in Narberth, Pembrokeshire and it was incredible. It was held in a big hall so we weren’t too sure what to expect but it was crazy, they know how to mosh for sure! After we played people were coming up to us just to say how much they enjoyed our set and took a real interest in us. We felt so good after that show because we are still starting out and it’s easy for people to not notice you and just see you as another name on a poster, so for people to hang around just to speak to us after was amazing.

Got any more coming up? (Gigs, that is…)

Our next show is in on the 23rd of November at Clwb Y Bont in Pontypridd with Blowgoat. We also have a run of shows coming up in early December and then we will take a few weeks off over Christmas before the EP release show at HoBoS in Bridgend on January 11th. After this we plan on spending the rest of 2013 touring hard in the UK, dates are being added all the time so it is best to keep checking our Facebook page for updates or follow us on Twitter.

www.facebook.com/whenwewerewolves1

Twitter: @W4_Official

Are there any obscure and/or up-and-coming acts that you’d like to recommend or give a shout-out to?

Sick Promotions is a must! I could sit and explain what they do but I wouldn’t do it justice, go check out their page (not for the faint hearted). As far as bands there are two that really stick out in my mind, the first being a band called Falling With Style; these boys are amazing, their music is so good and they are all top lads, the amazing thing about them is they are all so young! When I was their age I could just about play “Hot Cross Buns” on the recorder! Second I would have to say Continents (Victory Records), they are probably the most hardworking band we’ve met and truly deserve to be where they are, and again are all amazing people.

www.facebook.com/Sickpromotions
www.facebook.com/fallingwithstyle
www.facebook.com/continentsband

Finally, if you were forced to spend the rest of your days in solitary confinement, but were allowed to bring the entire works of five different artists along to tide you over, whose would you choose?

This is a really tough question for us as we have such a variety of favourites and there are so many great bands around these days. I think if we were pushed to make a decision we would say: A Day To Remember, Architects, While She Sleeps, Parkway Drive and Bullet For My Valentine.

When We Were Wolves, thank you.

When We Were Wolves are holding their EP release party at Hobo’s Music Venue, Bridgend on Friday the 11th of January 2013.

Entry is free and the band will also be giving copies of the EP away for free on the night.

Ages 16+ are welcome to attend.

Doors open at 7:00pm.

Event page: http://www.facebook.com/events/443299052375377/

Artists: when we were wolves

About the Author

Jonny Abrams Editor of Rocksucker and the website's founder, Jonny is passionate about the music he listens to, both good and bad, as well as interviewing his favourite musicians.