Wolverines Interview

Wolverines Interview

The Wolverines are:
Darcy Le Year: on vocals, lead guitar and harmonies
Chris Doyle: on keyboards, vocals and harmonies
John Clinton: on drums, vocals and harmonies

Multi talented and Multi-Award winning, these boys have been recognised both for their performance and recording expertise.

Since forming in 1994 the Wolverines have introduced audiences all around Australia & NZ to their unique blend of tongue-in-cheek humour, hard-hitting, rock-your-sox-off Wolverines Music as well as the gentle art of having a fantastic time! These "likeable rogues" are seasoned performers who have combined to produce an act that is uniquely visual, extremely musical and totally entertaining.

"Occasional Course Language" captures the essence of a Wolverines Show... loads of fun and irreverence, with a beautiful ballad and the odd classic thrown in.

The Wolverines 5th CD, Good Times also released at Tamworth (2006) was voted Best Album at 2007 Peoples' Choice Awards. Produced by the highly acclaimed Nashville musician & producer, Louie Shelton,Good Times is a benchmark recording for the Wolverines. Darcy, Chris and John can be justifiably proud of this one. Hailed as their "best ever" album, the praise is flowing. Good Times has something for everybody.
The first single, Angel Eyes, reached no 1 on the Country Tracks Chart and won Best Song (Peoples' Choice Awards) & 2 nd single Up & Done Died reached no 3 on the Country Top 100. With Good Times the Wolverines won Best Group - National Country Music Awards at Whittlesea, Victoria.

Their 4th album Making Tracks (released on ACMEC label, April 2004), has provided an abundance of material for their live performances. Proud to be Australian, That's The Price Of Love, Living On The Right Side Of Town, The Greatest Lie Ever Told and the cheeky Don't Look Now (Mama's Got Her Boobs Out) all hits with the crowds.

Making Tracks had a hard act to follow after their previous album, the 2002 ACMEC release Wolverines and Roses, (featuring the hit single 65 Roses and the exceptional I Had A Dream), still recording high sales figures.

Released prior to Wolverines and Roses hit single 65 Roses went GOLD in September 2001. Sellingover 35,000 copies, this single raised the awareness and much needed research funds for Cystic Fibrosis. 65 Roses was also released in NZ and reached #1 on the Charts, and again went GOLD!

Their first two albums Gonna Ride All Night Long and Feel the Need to Ride were both recorded in Nashville Tennessee, and are still selling well on the ABC Music Label.

A Wolverines show is truly an experience....
Their musical style is hard to define.....ardent supporters would say, it's simple....it's Wolverines Music , however others might say that Rock'n'Country probably comes closest, but they provide a range of music, from Kick-ass Texan Boogie through to soft, bluesy ballads, not to mention their treatment of some of the best-known retro-classics and the sometimes less-than-tactful alternatives to a few of our most revered Australian classics.

You won't see the Wolverines hiding in a dressing room out the back somewhere stroking their egos and getting up dutch courage - oh no! When they are not actually on stage, they are meeting, greeting and getting to know their audience on an individual level.... the Wolverines are renowned for their genuine friendliness....

Interview with John Clinton

Question: Can you talk about the track 65 Roses?

John Clinton: We felt that it was a good thing to be able to help raise awareness and much needed research funds for Cystic Fibrosis sufferers. The Wolverines donated all artist royalties to Cystic Fibrosis research..... The single 65 Roses climbed the charts and sold over 35,000 copies, earning the band a Gold Record and later a Gold Guitar award at Tamworth.


Question: What should audiences expect to hear you play at your upcoming gigs?

John Clinton: We've recorded well over 100 songs so each show is different, but favourites such as Howl at the Moon, Redback on the Toilet Seat, Nobody Rides My Harley But Me, and the latest song 'Good Times Good Ol' Boys' are sure to be on the set list... The Wolves perform for 2 hours, so the audience will get to hear plenty of songs, that's for sure...


Question: How did it feel to hear your song played all over the airwaves?

John Clinton: Amazing!!! But then you quickly realise that you'd better have something really good to follow it up.


Question: Did you have any pre-conceived ideas about the music industry?

John Clinton: Yes! That the industry itself is tough, so you've got to be tough and persistent to push through... We have always tried to get our product out to as many people as we can, so recording our own Wolverines music has always been up there… getting it heard and performing live as much as possible is a must.


Question: Do you write your own songs? What's your inspiration?

John Clinton: Darcy Chris and I all write and contribute, which works well, given that we are all slightly different in our approach. We get a lot of inspiration from our Wolves supporters, who often trigger an idea from simply telling us about an experience... We also enjoy doing other writers' songs eg 65 Roses


Question: What music/artists do you listen to when you are not playing your own?

John Clinton: ZZ Top, Kenny Rogers, Zac Brown Band and Jimmy Buffett


Question: What's next? Tour/Album/Single?

John Clinton: We are concentrating on getting 'The Very Best of the Wolverines' CD/DVD out there.


Question: Was there a moment you contemplated throwing in the towel?

John Clinton: Two years ago we really got exhausted from touring and decided enough was enough, but we honestly underestimated our support out there, so we've had a break and now we are right back into it, but this time we are keeping a careful eye on touring too hard.


Question: Do you prefer performing live or recording?

John Clinton: Definitely live... we get off on the freedom of a live performance and seeing people enjoy our music and the humour… We find recording hard work, and need the help of a legend producer, such as Louie Shelton, to help us stay focused and to harness our energy.


Question: What/who was your inspiration to go into the music industry?

John Clinton: Cream, George Jones, Aretha Franklin, Woodstock… too many and too much talent to list!


Question: What is the biggest challenge you have faced along the way to your musical success?

John Clinton: Recording our first album at Nightingale Studios in Nashville, they were expecting to get guns to stand in for us, but we kept at it and finally came up with a great product… we were wrapped that we managed to pull it off. They are very serious over there... we learnt a lot, but it was probably the hardest the any of us had worked!


Question: What's a typical day like?

John Clinton: A touring day usually starts with at least four to five hours driving to the gig, three hours to set up and sound check, get changed for the show, have dinner, back to the venue to greet everyone as they come in, play one hour, thirty minutes signing and chatting with the audience, play second hour set, say goodbye to everyone, pack up gear, find motel... try to sleep...


Question: What has been your favourite part of becoming a music artist?

John Clinton: Meeting wonderful people, being able to help kids who are not as fortunate as some, entertaining Troops in Iraq and Afghanistan, recording our own songs, travelling to interesting places, performing at all sorts of venue and places.


Question: If you could collaborate with another artist, who would it be?

John Clinton: Taylor Swift, George Strait or Jimmy Buffet


Question: Do you have a website fans can visit?

John Clinton: www.wolverines.com.au


Question: What is the story behind the bands name?

John Clinton: The Wolverine is a nasty critter found mainly in Nth America. Even bear hunters keep well clear if they happen to trap one. The Wolverines power to weight ratio is incredible and you never ever back them into a corner...


Interview by Brooke Hunter



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