Raised As Wolves are a Sydney/Wollongong melodic punk-rock trio with razor-sharp hooks, uplifting melodies and a passionate live show.
Formed in 2013 and channeling the energy of '90s pop-punk, the band have grown consistently in recent years with their brand of guitar-driven rock rounded out by thunderous drums and infectious choruses.
With the release of their new two-track single 'Speech Therapy', we catch up with Raised As Wolves guitarist-vocalist Brad.
How did you three end up making music together?
Mason is my brother and we grew up in Mudgee until I was 15 then we moved to Ulladulla, and Joe is the younger brother of one of my best mates from when we moved there. Got jamming on old Grinspoon covers and sh.t like that when I was still the oldest at 15, now we are here. That was eight, nine years ago now, though I would say we started Wolves in 2013.
For each of you, what made you want to be in a band?
Brad: I don't know many people that enjoy music as much as we do, especially how fanatical we were about things back when we first started. I don't really know how to answer that question in a neat package. We'll all be playing in bands till we die; not necessarily in this band but in one form or another.
Mason: Mason is an island, don't bother asking him.
Joe: Being able to share a stage with like-minded musicians, being able to share music with friends and strangers
How did you enjoy playing support for Swedish punks No Fun At All on their recent tour?
That was cool. Quiet a unique venue, out in the sticks in Narrabeen. Felt like we were playing a coastal village pub, which is exactly what it was. But then like, 200 people turned up. We stuck out on the bill a little bit, but we like that because it forces people to take notice whether they like us or not. I think NFAA liked us, I don't know for sure. But they were bloody great and the crowd was very positive.
What else has the band been up to so far in 2018?
We have been relatively quiet as far as playing shows goes this year. A lot of writing and planning. We've all been getting stuck into our other jobs as well; I manage a bar in Wollongong, Joe teaches drums and Mason bartends and plays double bass in a jazz band. So that's taken up a lot of time, but we've not gone to sleep.
Tell us about your latest release, the 'Speech Therapy' two-track single?
We've been sitting on this track since late 2017, recorded it earlier this year. We're all pretty proud of it. We wrote this together when we were actively moving away from the sound we were previously associated with.
It's taken a lot of work to not be considered a '90s-influenced skate-punk band; we'll always have a soft spot for this one because it really signifies that. It's also very honest lyrically. I won't bore you with explaining it; listen to the song and you'll get it.
How is the band feeling about the upcoming launch show for the single?
Very keen to be back in Melbourne. We haven't played Melbourne for over a year and we've wanted to play The Tote for awhile. We've yet to make much of an impression in Melbourne and this is our fifth time down, so hopefully we're chipping away haha.
Do you have any special plans for the release show?
Not as such; if we can get drunk cheaply and play to a handful of people that will do just fine. We're playing with three other bands we've never played with, so that'll be nice to make some new mates hopefully.
Where else can people see you play?
We're also supporting Press Club at North Gong Hotel 25 November. Apart from that, we'll be back next year for more.
Any plans for summer?
We all work hospo [hospitality], so probably a lot of working and drinking. A couple of house shows around New Year's maybe. We'll get back to you after the silly season.
What's coming next from Raised As Wolves?
We've been doing a lot of writing and a lot of 'penciling in' for next year. Not sure exactly what is in store next year, but there is a lot of music in the works and we'd love really love to play to some new faces in places we've never been.
