O Pioneers

Wolverines

Diatribe: We’ll start with a pretty standard and painfully obvious interview question- how did Wolverines form?

Wolverines: Both Brandon and I were in a band together called Abort, Captain! that had a Joshua Fit for Battle kind of vibe. We eventually got tired of playing in it and realized we had more fun jamming before practice that we decided to quit and start Wolverines.

Diatribe: We here at Diatribe hail from Columbus, OH. I don’t know if you follow college football at all, but Ohio States biggest rival is the Michigan Wolverines. Is that where the name came from….or are you just big Weapon-X fans?

Wolverines: Initially we were going to name the band Swingsets. Then after speaking with a friend of mine he had mentioned naming his band wolverines. Knowing he'd never get this band started, I stole it from him. We found it to be more appropriate due to our enjoyment of comics as well as it being something neat visually as well.

Also according to Wikipedia the Wolverine has been given the nickname "Stink Cat" due to its pungent odor; which is also an appropriate for the two of us after a set.

Diatribe: What releases do you have under your belt? The cool kids need to know so they can immediately go out and buy them shortly after reading this.

Wolverines: Thus far official releases have been a split CD with our friends in The Sibling Project that came out August of last year as well as a recent split 7" with my other band, The Breathing. Unofficially, we've put out a cd-r demo in October of 2005 and we've been on a cassette compilation.

Diatribe: Any plans for a full length album in the near future?

Wolverines: Yes, we are starting on recording in August for a full-length entitled "Genosha". It will be 10 brand new songs. We're going to spend a lot of time recording it. I feel like it's a lot different than the old stuff, but I think people will like it better or just the same. I plan on putting out an instrumental version of the full-length out myself.

Diatribe: I’m a music nerd…can I get your influences, musical or otherwise?

Wolverines: Influences are hard, so I guess generally between the two of us it would be hip hop, punk, etc. and really wanting to play stuff that challenges us. For me personally, I’m really into the Deftones, Kind of Like Spitting, Mice Parade, Erykah Badu, GZA, and a lot of hip hop. Mostly I try to rip off all of these artists as much as I can, but it's difficult.
Lyrically the bulk of the stuff is emotionally and politically based, and the new record has some hints of Black Nationalism and more afro-centric references. Most of the songs are about things I think about, that bother me, with no particular subscription to a political group.

Diatribe: That is a pretty diverse list of influences. Now that I’ve heard what drives you creatively, what music can you not stand? Feel free to name names and talk shit. Don’t worry…we do it all the time.

Wolverines: I don't care for most indie stuff, or jock hardcore. I don't really care for bland jams, or music that perpetuates machismo, attitudes, etc. I think more than anything, I really, really, really hate most popularized rap. The whole 'dirty south' thing just sounds like tough guy hardcore to me, and it is really aggravating.

Diatribe: Despite your eclectic musical tastes, what album do you think people would be surprised to find in your collection?

Wolverines: Justin Timberlake's "Future Sex". Genesis "Foxtrot". Prince "Everything".

Diatribe: It’s really interesting to hear you mention hip hop influences. I myself am somewhat influenced by hip-hop as a percussionist. I find the cross-over experimental type of band is more progressive whether the secret ingredient is hip-hop, or even country/western. Two part question. Where would you like to see punk rock music head in the future? Where do you currently see it actually going overall?

Wolverines: I don't know, I don't really think about punk very much. I think my favorite DIY bands are more punk in the fact that they don't sound like every other band. I think most bands have gotten to the point where they're punk kids playing outside the realm of punk itself, and therefore it feels less forced and contrived and a lot more interesting things come of it. I'd like to think people will just keep opening things up more in more in terms of originality and experimenting. Ultimately, if bands smoke more weed, things will get more interesting.

Diatribe: Does the band have a particular mission statement, mantra, or catch phrase? If not can you make one on the spot to humor us. It’s a great marketing tool.

Wolverines: No mission statement. We really just want to jam and keep playing and challenging one another. Our slogan on our MySpace page is "two little guys playing big boy music" but being that we're both 6'5" and our music is really immature, I don't know if that fits.

Diatribe: Diatribe could probably use a variance of that slogan: “Two little guys talking big boy shit”, we’re both under 5’7”…but between the two of us have enough attitude to equal out to about five big guys. So, what’s the music scene like in Raleigh? Who are some of your favorite bands to play shows with?

Wolverines: I have no idea what Raleigh's like, there used to be a lot of fun shows there, but I’m clueless to what's happening now. Greensboro, on the other hand is awesome! We have a slew of fun bands around here. The college radio stations here are really active, and there are always new spaces and places to play. Favorites to play with are The Sibling Project (indie pop bro/sis duo and our tightest pals) as well as Tarantuloco. Favorite bands to see would be Des Ark.

Diatribe: Does that band have any rituals or customs you abide by on the road or before hitting the stage? Do either of you have any idiosyncratic little routines you have to run through?

Wolverines: We crack our knuckles before the set, and in between just about every other song. Other than that, I get drunk and Brandon...well, I like to imagine he does back flips

Diatribe: Let’s derail this conversation and get a bit more random. Outside of sharing the stage, does the band have any other extra curricular activities? Water polo or voyeurism?

Wolverines: I just started learning how to play Tennis. Typically though, my time is spent with other bands, reading, and drawing. I think those three things take up the bulk of my time. I'll be fixing my bike this summer and biking more and I plan on swimming as much as possible. I like water a lot.

Brandon likes to play video games, his birthday is coming up and it should be a Lazer Tag party! We’re amped!

Diatribe: My mother tried to teach me to play Tennis…it never took off. I did recently sustain a Wii Tennis injury however. Do you have any current plans for touring right now?

Wolverines: I took ten days off for tour time this summer, but Brandon ended up getting a job at this co-op, so I’m just going to read and see family. I think we are looking at something over the winter and the spring right now, and hopefully it's something we can make happen. All talk right now, but if it happens it will most definitely be with The Sibling Project.

Diatribe: How would you describe Wolverines sound to someone unfamiliar with your music?

Wolverines: I usually just lie to them, because I don't know what to say, really. My co-workers ask a lot and I just tell them we're a jazz duo, or that we rap. I don't ever know how to answer it. Lately, I’ve been telling friends we sound a lot more like the Deftones than we did in the past. I think that part's true, though.

Diatribe: Yeah, I can see that. What’s next for Wolverines?

Wolverines: Record "Genosha". Touring?! Playing more songs. Making more bad jokes. *Awkwarding up everyone around us.

Diatribe: Thanks for taking the time to do this with us. Anything you want say in closing? Any knowledge to bestow upon our readers?

Wolverines: Go listen to The Sibling Project and The Breathing…your parents will love it. If you visit Greensboro you can sweep my porch. Read books. Floss, or get someone to do it for you. Word ‘em up.