Afton Wolfe
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Afton Wolfe

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"Relief Effort"

Steven Wolfe is one of those people who simply must play music. It�s why he left Hattiesburg, Miss. for Nashville, and it�s why he�s scraping by on a waiter�s wages years later. He spoke about inspiration and the process of naming a band that�s getting a lot of free publicity these days.
Getting there:
What: The Relief Effort w/Wichita Stallions
When: 8 tonight
Where: Exit/In, 2208 Elliston Place
Cost: $7
Info: 321-3340
Members, ages, instruments and day jobs Steven Wolfe, 26, guitar and voice, Longhorn Steakhouse waiter; Stephen Graham, 25, drums, Longhorn Steakhouse waiter; Preston Jackson, 24, bass, Outback waiter; Justin Daniels, 24, guitar, Ellendale�s waiter. What�s in a name? It was almost going to be a solo project called Steven Wolfe and the Relief Effort. We didn�t name it after the tsunami disaster, but that happened right after we started putting flyers up, so we felt guilty. How do you describe your sound? We�re not a band trying to save the world or reinvent the wheel. We�re a pop band. We parallel ourselves with �80s pop like Peter Gabriel and early Genesis. The main point of it is that we�re trying to be rock �n� roll for adults, not trying to outsmart everybody. Is that the main inspiration for your music, then? I write all the lyrics. I wrote the music on all the songs except for �Forever 16� on the new album (At Your Mercy. The music is about the bass player, who lost his sister when she was only 16 years old. It�s this ethereal kind of flowing bassline � after it happened he just kind of shut down and took his bass into his room. You can hear that kind of vibe: it�s just one of those riffs you�d sit in your room and play for hours and hours. It�s almost a narcotic thing. He played it for a week after his sister died. It makes him feel better and reminds him why he plays music, so I wrote really simple, simple, simple-type lyrics to it. Was it mortifying stepping up to that task? I was terrified. You don�t want to take anything like that lightly. I found with writing, the best way to do something to do it simply, and that�s what I tried to do and make sure I didn�t try to over-tell the story. The point of song is not to tell why she died; the point is just the bassline and the music and the melody the song is built around. That says it all. It�s just a sad, reflective song. - Nashville City Paper


"Relief Effort"

Steven Wolfe is one of those people who simply must play music. It�s why he left Hattiesburg, Miss. for Nashville, and it�s why he�s scraping by on a waiter�s wages years later. He spoke about inspiration and the process of naming a band that�s getting a lot of free publicity these days.
Getting there:
What: The Relief Effort w/Wichita Stallions
When: 8 tonight
Where: Exit/In, 2208 Elliston Place
Cost: $7
Info: 321-3340
Members, ages, instruments and day jobs Steven Wolfe, 26, guitar and voice, Longhorn Steakhouse waiter; Stephen Graham, 25, drums, Longhorn Steakhouse waiter; Preston Jackson, 24, bass, Outback waiter; Justin Daniels, 24, guitar, Ellendale�s waiter. What�s in a name? It was almost going to be a solo project called Steven Wolfe and the Relief Effort. We didn�t name it after the tsunami disaster, but that happened right after we started putting flyers up, so we felt guilty. How do you describe your sound? We�re not a band trying to save the world or reinvent the wheel. We�re a pop band. We parallel ourselves with �80s pop like Peter Gabriel and early Genesis. The main point of it is that we�re trying to be rock �n� roll for adults, not trying to outsmart everybody. Is that the main inspiration for your music, then? I write all the lyrics. I wrote the music on all the songs except for �Forever 16� on the new album (At Your Mercy. The music is about the bass player, who lost his sister when she was only 16 years old. It�s this ethereal kind of flowing bassline � after it happened he just kind of shut down and took his bass into his room. You can hear that kind of vibe: it�s just one of those riffs you�d sit in your room and play for hours and hours. It�s almost a narcotic thing. He played it for a week after his sister died. It makes him feel better and reminds him why he plays music, so I wrote really simple, simple, simple-type lyrics to it. Was it mortifying stepping up to that task? I was terrified. You don�t want to take anything like that lightly. I found with writing, the best way to do something to do it simply, and that�s what I tried to do and make sure I didn�t try to over-tell the story. The point of song is not to tell why she died; the point is just the bassline and the music and the melody the song is built around. That says it all. It�s just a sad, reflective song. - Nashville City Paper


"Relief Effort Review"

Artist: The Relief Effort
Title: At Your Mercy
Genre: Rock
Label: St. Helena Records

The Relief Effort is At Your Mercy to listen to their music, but once you hear it, the tables turn, putting the band in the driver’s seat. Their echoing guitars and Steven Wolfe’s roughly hewn vocal style settles in and grabs you with authority once the lead off title track kicks in. From that point forward, this band gets the job done keeping you absorbed with contemplative lyrics that are the perfect counterpart for their appealing sound.

While Wolfe contributes the necessary edge with his vocals, he adds his guitar playing and Justin Daniels compliments him with some licks of his own. The rhythm section is right up front in their sound; Stephen Graham (drums) and Preston Jackson (bass) ignite each other and the rest of band follows, just as spark plugs fire off to start an engine. I found the drums in particular to be very noticeable in the mix. Graham plays with authority and has no problem leading the pack to where they need to go with each track.

The best tracks that typify their sound are "Save The Radar," "Forever 16," and a surprisingly good version of the Billy Ocean hit "Caribbean Queen." When I was looking at the tracks before I gave this CD a spin, I could not understand why a band like this would cover such a pop oriented tune but they manage to make it their own somehow. To their credit, they are open ended enough with their style and approach to make it happen. Bands like this can play anything because they have the talent and the right attitude. I especially enjoyed these tracks for their shifting moods and the way the music builds up to a crescendo, lets you down easy, then brings you right back to the highest highs their music can muster.

I really like the rawness of The Relief Effort, they sound hungry and ready for a fight. You have to love that kind of spirit; I hope they keep that attitude for as long as they record music, and if they do, I would be willing to bet every CD they put out is better than the one before it. Easier said than done, I know, but I can have hope. How many times have you heard bands like this only to see them disappear? I am not claiming that this band is the second coming of anything or the next big thing since sliced bread. They have one thing going for them that most bands do not, an original style that is simple and straight forward, a lead singer you can understand, and music that will keep you tuned in and turned on from beginning to end. That my friends is the one thing that separates bands like this from all of the could of, should of, would of bands of the world.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

July 27, 2005

1. At Your Mercy (3:03)
2. Come Up (4:39)
3. Save the Radar (4:51)
4. Forever 16 (4:19)
5. Snowflake (3:48)
6. Tape Recorder (4:33)
7. Palestine (3:53)
8. Fire (3:03)
9. Caribbean Queen (6:05)

Rating-8/10

Credits:
Steven Wolfe-gutiar, vocals
Preston Jackson-bass
Stephen Graham-drums
Justin Daniels-guitar

Additional Musicians:
Laura Morena-vocals
Ed Puckett-guitar, piano

By Keith Hannaleck
Published: 7/28/2005 - Buzzle.com


"Relief Effort Review"

Artist: The Relief Effort
Title: At Your Mercy
Genre: Rock
Label: St. Helena Records

The Relief Effort is At Your Mercy to listen to their music, but once you hear it, the tables turn, putting the band in the driver’s seat. Their echoing guitars and Steven Wolfe’s roughly hewn vocal style settles in and grabs you with authority once the lead off title track kicks in. From that point forward, this band gets the job done keeping you absorbed with contemplative lyrics that are the perfect counterpart for their appealing sound.

While Wolfe contributes the necessary edge with his vocals, he adds his guitar playing and Justin Daniels compliments him with some licks of his own. The rhythm section is right up front in their sound; Stephen Graham (drums) and Preston Jackson (bass) ignite each other and the rest of band follows, just as spark plugs fire off to start an engine. I found the drums in particular to be very noticeable in the mix. Graham plays with authority and has no problem leading the pack to where they need to go with each track.

The best tracks that typify their sound are "Save The Radar," "Forever 16," and a surprisingly good version of the Billy Ocean hit "Caribbean Queen." When I was looking at the tracks before I gave this CD a spin, I could not understand why a band like this would cover such a pop oriented tune but they manage to make it their own somehow. To their credit, they are open ended enough with their style and approach to make it happen. Bands like this can play anything because they have the talent and the right attitude. I especially enjoyed these tracks for their shifting moods and the way the music builds up to a crescendo, lets you down easy, then brings you right back to the highest highs their music can muster.

I really like the rawness of The Relief Effort, they sound hungry and ready for a fight. You have to love that kind of spirit; I hope they keep that attitude for as long as they record music, and if they do, I would be willing to bet every CD they put out is better than the one before it. Easier said than done, I know, but I can have hope. How many times have you heard bands like this only to see them disappear? I am not claiming that this band is the second coming of anything or the next big thing since sliced bread. They have one thing going for them that most bands do not, an original style that is simple and straight forward, a lead singer you can understand, and music that will keep you tuned in and turned on from beginning to end. That my friends is the one thing that separates bands like this from all of the could of, should of, would of bands of the world.

© Keith "MuzikMan" Hannaleck-http://www.muzikreviews.com

July 27, 2005

1. At Your Mercy (3:03)
2. Come Up (4:39)
3. Save the Radar (4:51)
4. Forever 16 (4:19)
5. Snowflake (3:48)
6. Tape Recorder (4:33)
7. Palestine (3:53)
8. Fire (3:03)
9. Caribbean Queen (6:05)

Rating-8/10

Credits:
Steven Wolfe-gutiar, vocals
Preston Jackson-bass
Stephen Graham-drums
Justin Daniels-guitar

Additional Musicians:
Laura Morena-vocals
Ed Puckett-guitar, piano

By Keith Hannaleck
Published: 7/28/2005 - Buzzle.com


Discography

"Petronius' Last Meal" - Coming this Fall
"At Your Mercy" - The Relief Effort - 2004
"Don't Panic" - The Relief Effort - 2003
"Red & White" - Dollar Book Floyd - 2001
"Red Velvet Couch" - Red Velvet Couch - 1999

Photos

Bio

If you'll notice the lineup, you'll see what gives this music at least a superficial character. Then, if you pay attention, you'll notice the distinct substance and lyrical quality of the songs themselves. Afton Wolfe started this project as a bit of an alter ego/band. We all have plenty of experience, and could drop names for hours of people we've played with or opened for or have opened for us in various projects throughout the years and across the country, but we're assuming that, if you're even reading this right now, then you're interested enough in what you've heard and seen that you might be willing to find all of this out, personally. We'd be happy to share it with you, personally.