Melbourne punks Wolfpack are about to hit the road in support of their brand new debut LP Seen Not Herd (out via Sudden Death Records). Known locally for their manic live shows and relentless work ethic, what makes this three piece special is the fact that the band have raised almost $14,000 for charity since their inception in November, 2011.
Their latest recording will again be a benefit release, this time with all proceeds from sales going to Victorian Dog Rescue. We chatted with the band’s lead singer and drummer Tom Brownrigg about the ethos and work behind being a ‘non-profit’ band.
So can you explain to us how exactly does the ‘non-profit’ work? Is it just money from shows, or CD sales, merch etc?
“Its everything mate. We personally donated the cost of our first CD pressing and T-shirt printing to get the ball rolling and every cent from every CD, T-shirt, badges, any merch at all sold goes to charity.
Then with gig income we pay for the fuel or flights from tour, sleep on couches when travelling etc to eliminate any other costs and just like a not-for-profit organisation the funds left over after this go to charity too.”
Can you tell us a little about the amount you’ve made and how you go about distributing it?
“It is $13,900 we have raised now, usually we get to meet and know the people driving the organisation so will hand over a wad of cash in person and also catch up on how things are going with their great efforts.”
How have charities reacted to you guys?
“The hugs from the beautiful volunteers at Save-A-Dog Scheme are the best, we’ll go in on a Tuesday after tour so they see us in a pretty shabby shape but are always stoked to see us.”
How did the decision to become ‘non-profit’ come about?
“The state of music is just so ridiculous at the moment. Like the whole concept of music being an industry… It is art and self expression not a way of making money or gaining celebrity. Even worse is the onset of ego that has occurred from all this, like you are special cause you wrote a song!
Wolfpack came about as a reaction against all of this. We just decided from the onset that we want no part of this whole recognising or judging an artist by how financially successful they are. In our punk rock brains where music should have morals and be a positive form of expression we thought the best way to do this is by being as selfless as possible, focussing on creating some killer music and giving the money we make from it to charity.”
What do most people say when they find out you’re a ‘non-profit’ band?
“All the crew at our shows are really supportive which is awesome but beyond that we don’t really push the fact we are not-for-profit. It’s not a promotional angle or something we would use as a marketing tool if ya know what I mean… same as all the awesome acts out there slogging out their creativity on the fringes or in local scenes it is just what we do.”
Have any other people or bands inspired you to take this approach to making and selling music?
“It just made sense to us to do it this way. As long as we are making solid music even if it is just in a garage then we are happy. Everyone has an artistic release of some sort and we are lucky enough that from ours we get to play all these rad shows and tour with crazy influential bands like DRI, The Business or our upcoming gigs with The Dwarves so that is more than payment enough.”
How do you decide what charity to donate to?
“It started out as just for animal welfare ’cause life without furry friends would suck, but we did a couple of things for organisations with non-religious backgrounds helping out disadvantaged kids too.
Our new album will be for Victorian Dog Rescue which is a last line of defence for animals about to be euthanised, taking them out of pounds and into foster care until their forever home can be found.”
Have you guys inspired any other bands to do the same yet?
“Nah buddy, we are not an inspiration… the people committing their time and heart on the front line of an aid group, volunteering or running a no-kill animal shelter are the inspiration. We just lend a helping hand.”
You’ve also got a new album out, can you tell us a little about it?
“We have been playing and touring pretty hard since we started nearly two and a half years ago now and did a couple of benefit release EP’s prior to this record so we were in road hardened shape going into the project. We just took that energy and pushed ourselves fucking hard doing it and Julian Renzo at Legion did a great job in capturing this so it has come up really solid.
We had previously toured with a couple of acts on Sudden Death Records roster, The Real McKenzies first in 2013 and then DOA in 2014 which is how the label knew about us. I was randomly chatting to Joe from DOA about a possible tour to China whilst recording and as soon as he found out we were in the studio he got Sudden Death on to us.
The record then got taken to the US to be mastered by Howie Weinberg (Pantera, Soundgarden, The Clash) and we are now label mates with The Damned, Sham 69, Mojo Nixon, all these ripping bands. Its a trip and really stoked to have our record being released in America but most importantly it will still be a 100% benefit release.”
For more info on Wolfpack, you can visit their Facebook page.
Wolfpack Tour Dates
Saturday 20/9 – Corrimal Hotel, Wollongong w/ Morning Glory (USA) & The Bennies
Sunday 21/9 – Magpies City Club, Canberra w/ Morning Glory (USA) & The Bennies
Friday 26/9 – The Gaso, Fitzroy (ALL-AGES) w/ Morning Glory (USA) & The Bennies
Wednesday 1/10 – 170 Russell, Melbourne w/ The Bennies & Dead Kennedys (USA)
Friday 3/10 – Ding Dong Lounge, Melbourne w/ Declaration + guests
Friday 10/10 – The Loft, Warrnambool w/ special guests
Saturday 11/10 – Worlds End, Adelaide w/ special guests
Friday 17/10 – The Evelyn, Fitzroy w/ Blood Duster & The Dwarves (USA)
Saturday 18/10 – Bald Faced Stag, Sydney w/ Ebolagoldfish & The Dwarves (USA)
Sunday 19/10 – Frankie’s Pizza, Sydney w/ The Dead Love + guests
Friday 24/10 – Ya Yas, Perthw/ Bob Gordons & Scalphunter
Saturday 25/10 – The Prince, Bunbury w/ Silver Lizard + guests
Sunday 26/10 – Osborne Park Bowls Club w/ Lungs + guests
Friday 31/10 – Prince Of Wales, St. Kilda w/ special guests
Friday 7/11 – The Wallaby, Gold Coast w/ Bitter Lungs + guests
Saturday 8/11 – Hamilton Hotel, Brisbane w/ Painter & Dockers, 6 Foot Hick, The Go Set, Cosmic Psychos
Sunday 9/11 – Rock’n’Roll BBQ, Fortitude valley w/ Mouthguard + guests
