Wunderhorse are an English rock band formed by frontman and songwriter Jacob Slater.[1]
Wunderhorse | |
|---|---|
| Origin | England |
| Genres | Indie rock · Americana · psychedelic rock · grunge |
| Labels | Communion Music |
| Spinoff of | Dead Pretties |
| Members | Jacob Slater Jamie Staples Pete Woodin Harry Fowler |
| Past members | Oscar Browne |
History edit
Jacob Slater left home at age 17 and lived in London for five years.[1][2] He was previously the frontman of punk trio Dead Pretties before the groups disbandment in 2017.[1] After the Dead Pretties broke up, Slater moved to Cornwall, where he found odd jobs as a laborer and worked as a surfing instructor while continuing to write music.[2][3] During this time Slater also landed an acting role, playing drummer Paul Cook in Pistol, a six-part miniseries about the Sex Pistols directed by Danny Boyle.[4][2] Slater has cited Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Frank On Tap and Elliott Smith as musical influences.[1][3]
Slater began Wunderhorse as a solo project during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later joined with drummer Jamie Staples, guitarist Harry Fowler, and bassist Pete Woodin to form the current band.[5][6][7] Guitarist Oscar Browne recorded with the band but later left the group.[8][9]
Wunderhorse's debut album Cub was released 7 October 2022 by Communion Music,[10] and was produced by Kevin Jones and Pete Woodin.[11]
Cub was named one of the best albums of 2022 by NME,[12] Riot,[13] and Far Out.[14] Critics described the album as "a warming blues/garage/indie fire... an album best enjoyed in its entirety and at high volume",[7] "some of the most well-crafted and interesting rock songs of this decade",[15] "a brilliant catalogue of teenage life - ill-fated love, drugs, self-destruction, depression as well as youthful joy - all to a rousing soundtrack that harks back to the 1990s",[2] and "melodic reflection from a man growing into himself".[3]
Asked about the band's name, Slater told Hero: "There's this old TV show from the 50s or 60s called Champion the Wonder Horse... I started using the name as a joke and it was one of those things that stuck".[8]
In 2022, Wunderhorse toured as a supporting act for other bands, opening for Irish punk band Fontaines D.C.,[4][2] Pixies,[2] Foals,[4] and fellow UK singer-songwriter Sam Fender.[4] In spring 2023, Wunderhorse toured the United States, with concert dates in several cities. They also played at Glastonbury Festival 2023 on the Woodsies and BBC Introducing stages.[16][17][18]
References edit
- ^ a b c d "Wunderhorse: the storytelling songwriter on his debut album 'Cub'". Rolling Stone UK. 4 October 2022.
- ^ a b c d e f Trewhela, Lee (19 November 2022). "Jacob's rise from surf instructor to 'the new Sam Fender'". CornwallLive.
- ^ a b c Richards, Will (6 October 2022). "Wunderhorse – 'Cub' review: teenage punk evolves into a rock'n'roll troubadour". NME.
- ^ a b c d Rogers, Becky (10 October 2022). "Wunderhorse: punk-turned-Americana songwriter beloved by Fontaines D.C." NME.
- ^ "Cub by Wunderhorse". 7 October 2022 – via music.apple.com.
- ^ Concerts, Raymond Romanski (29 May 2023). "Fontaines D.C. and Wunderhorse at the Stone Pony: A Proper Post-Punk Party". The Aquarian.
- ^ a b James, Luke (9 October 2022). "Review | Wunderhorse - Cub". Clunk Magazine.
- ^ a b "Wunderhorse's Jacob Slater on simmering down but certainly not softening up". Hero.
- ^ Smith·Interview·, Jessie (30 April 2022). "Wunderhorse catches up with an old friend".
- ^ "Wunderhorse". Communion Music.
- ^ "Wunderhorse Releases Debut Album "Cub": Streaming". pm studio world wide news.
- ^ "The 25 best debut albums of 2022". NME. 12 December 2022.
- ^ "RIOT's Albums of the Year 2022". 11 January 2023.
- ^ "The 50 best albums of 2022". faroutmagazine.co.uk. 11 December 2022.
- ^ "Review: Wunderhorse - Cub | Sputnikmusic". www.sputnikmusic.com.
- ^ "Event. Wunderhorse". johnnybrendas.com. Retrieved 31 May 2023.
- ^ "Wunderhorse 6/1/23 Schubas". www.audacy.com. 5 March 2021.
- ^ "Wunderhorse Gigography, Tour History & Past Concerts – Songkick". www.songkick.com. 27 May 2023.
This article needs additional or more specific categories. (May 2023) |