Truly a band out of time, the Australian power trio
Wolfmother were conceived in 2000 -- about 30 years too late, considering that the musicians' psychedelic brand of proto-heavy metal sounded similar to the late-'60s/early-'70s craft of
Blue Cheer and
Black Sabbath. Comprised of vocalist/guitarist
Andrew Stockdale, bassist/organist
Chris Ross, and drummer
Myles Heskett,
Wolfmother took the initiative of recording a four-track demo in 2004 for the purpose of booking shows. So sterling were the results, however, that the band soon found itself re-recording the material for official release via the local label Modular Records. A second EP,
Dimensions, appeared in 2006, and
Wolfmother made the jump to the majors in early 2006, courtesy of an American distribution deal with Modular through Interscope Records. A self-titled album debut appeared in May and reached the Top 40, resulting in a trophy for Best Hard Rock Performance at the 2007 Grammy Awards. Co-founders
Ross and
Heskett left the group the following year, leaving
Stockdale and new members
Ian Peres (bass, keyboards),
Aidan Nemeth (guitar), and
Dave Atkins (drums) to carry the torch with 2009's
Cosmic Egg. ~ Eduardo Rivadavia, All Music Guide