Werewolves on Wheels

Werewolves on Wheels take their name from a 1971 B-movie about bikers, Satanists, and, well, werewolves, and their sound reflects that genre. Gristly punk tunes about fast rides and faster women, filtered through an R&B swagger, and delivered with reckless abandon were on tap for their high-energy set. Songs like “Black Charger” and “Devil Dinosaur” got fists pumping and heads banging, and they even threw in a cover of The Ramones’ “Rockaway Beach,” much to the crowd’s delight. - Portland Pheonix

From the Lewiston Sun Journal on Sunday, January 4th, 2009

The Drop: Music, bruises and Satan

T.S. Chamberland , Staff Writer
Sunday, January 4, 2009

I've been around enough musicians that I can usually pick them out in a crowd. That skill that came in handy when I went to meet Werewolves on Wheels one Friday night and I walked through the door to a standing room-only Gritty's.

One quick glance around the bar and I wished that on at least one of my visits to the band's Myspace, I'd have checked out their pictures. Thankfully, two steps into the next room I spotted four guys who absolutely had to be who I was looking for. The tip off? Lots of black clothing, slightly more artsy looking than average guys, and it helped that they actually looked like they were waiting for someone.

Eliot Pride, the band's guitarist, stood up, making room for me to sit at the already crowded table next to drummer, Jon Paradis. Across the table were vocalist Wayne Werewolf and bassist, Lenny Lednum.

Diving into conversation after introductions, I noticed the word "Satan" raised a few eyebrows from the opposite end of the table. This was almost comical to watch as it was so loud that only snippets of our conversation made it to neighboring patrons.

Band members have created a certain reputation for themselves, and they've chosen to play it up.

Pride says that Satan comes into his dreams with a riff and tells him he needs to "infect the audience with nasty rock and roll." All four members of Werewolves on Wheels insist they are not satanists, they just choose to embrace that particularly controversial part of rock and roll.

The guys make no apologies for who they are, their music or their stage performance.

"You're going to be entertained," Pride said.

A fan of horror films like the 1971 B-movie and band's namesake, "Werewolves on Wheels," I was impressed that they held "Barbarella," a '60s cult classic starring Jane Fonda, in the same esteem I do. So few people have even seen the film, let alone appreciate it.

The guys' interests are as eclectic as their musical tastes. Cars, sports and sports entertainment, women (yeah, like that one is a surprise - they are in a band might I remind you), and what some people would consider bad movies just to name a few.

Their influences are heavy in the punk/hardcore genre but there's a bit of everything, according to Pride.

Dan Clark described their music in the Sept. 5, 2008 issue of The Portland Phoenix as "Gristly punk tunes about fast rides and faster women, filtered through an R&B swagger, and delivered with reckless abandon ... "

Between ordering food and discussing who the designated driver was for the night (scoring major points with this DD), there might have been mention of St. Germaine being able to take down Chuck Norris ... again, I said might have been.

Paradis said the lyrics are most often written after they come up with the music. The inspiration for all of it? Interestingly enough, it's the stuff that most rock 'n roll clichés are made of: muscle cars, women and, believe it or not, Satan.

"If any of the songs have lyrical depth to them, that would be the extent of it," St. Germaine said.

"A lot of times it will start off like a free-form jam," Lendrum said.

"Not like Phish, though," Pride added.

"It's different for every song. Sometimes Eliot will bring in a riff and Jon will play drums over it," St. Germaine said.

Songs that are emotional or about their feelings will never be part of the Werewolves' repertoire, Paradis said.

Being self-conscious or nervous isn't the way to win over an audience. Having a stage presence and being able to believe their own hype are apparently key to the band's reputation when it comes to live performance.

"We are the best live band," Pride said.

During their last show, St. Germaine picked Pride up during his guitar solo, spun him around and the two landed on Paradis' drum kit as he continued playing. They all say that high-energy, mayhem-induced performances are the norm for the band. If they don't feel as though they have impressive bruises to show off, they aren't happy with the show.

"You don't have to pay $25 admission to see an awesome rock show. All you have to do is go to wherever Werewolves on Wheels is playing and pay your five bucks and your mind is going to be blown," St. Germaine said.

The band enjoys playing venues in Maine, but they also say that their goal is to play as many "awesome venues" as possible, no matter where they are.

Their next step? Releasing their first EP "Satan" on Friday, Jan. 9 at Club Texas in Auburn. A tour is also in the works with She Rides, slated to begin in March of 2009.

Over the top? Maybe, but being able to use the chaos sets this band apart from some of their peers in the local scene. If you want the complete show - craziness, music and entertainment - then this is the band for you.
Upcoming shows

Friday, Jan. 9 at 8 p.m.: Club Texas, Auburn with The Murder Weapon

Saturday, Jan. 24 at 9 p.m.: Dover Brickhouse, Dover, N.H.

Saturday, Jan. 31 at 9 p.m.: Geno's Rock Club, Portland
- Lewiston Sun Journal