Andrew Stockdale, Wolfmother. Photo Courtesy of Daniel Boud

From Triple J’s Music News:

“Since arriving here yesterday, much speculation has been circulating about Wolfmother’s future. Rumours from the band breaking up through to line-up changes have been mentioned. I was due to interview Andrew Stockdale a couple of hours before their appearance closing the Supertop Stage at Splendour in the Grass in Byron Bay. Management issued a statement to me prior to that saying: “The band is dealing with some internal issues at the moment. They’re hoping to resolve them in the next few weeks but in the meantime it just wouldn’t be appropriate for any member to be doing any interviews - even with triple j.” Reading between the lines, this performance to come from the band could be the last for the current line-up.”

It wouldn’t be fair to both the band or other close associated parties to begin slinging half-cast rumours around Wolfmother’s future. Suffice to say, apart from effectively riding out the same show, and headlining the same slot, at the same festival 24 months ago - when considered, it’s a pretty ’safe’ choice for an incredibly popular band whose label or management hasn’t produced a solid press-release indicating a solid future, let alone a new release. A track lifted onto the Spiderman 3 soundtrack doesn’t count.

The fans are noticing the blank space on iTunes, where by some opinions, there should be Wolfmother’s sophomore release available for $1.79 a track.
As ‘Frank’, a Wolfmother fan had posted on the official fan site, Wolfmother.net -
“shit…im quickly losing faith in these guys…ive been a huge fan on the band for way to long to have 12 songs keep me interested…whatever the hells going on with them…obviously somethings wrong…if they dont have the albm out y the end of this year…theyre finished” (sic)

This is not the first time Modular have run into “creative differences” with or between their artists, causing album delays for follow-ups for successful debuts. The Avalanches’ second record is quickly turning into Australia’s version of Gun’s & Roses “Chinese Democracy”, the ever-renewing anticipation that a release date will turn into an actual date, and a record will be actually be released.

In issuing a ‘joke’ statement in 2006, Modular indicated that the first cut of The Avalanches’ sophomore record was ‘rejected’ and sent back to the studio to reset back to the standards set by their 2000 debut ‘Since I Left You’ - which is jaw-droppingly good (and still audibly ‘fresh’)… and that’s pretty funny, Modular.

Does it keep the fans on their toes and the industry quietly giggling when you retract the statement a week later indicating that everyone on the planet lost their sense of humor, and that we had all ‘over-reacted’? After all, the group have been playing an game of ‘cat n’ mouse’ with their fans since founding member Darren Seltmann released a statment indicated they were taking an ‘ambient world music’ direction in 2005… Obviously some cheek but in hindsight, surely a little unnerving for Modular… who are still a recording company… and there’s still money to be recouped from the Bumblebeez record, I’m sure.

The Avalanches released a press release in January 2007, indicating the were whittling away at 40+ tracks, with a release date that will sneak up on everyone. It’s been reported as recently as July 2008 that the ‘finishing touches’ are being slathered upon what will have to be one hell of an album. Considering the scope and innovation of what The Avalanches’ delivered with ‘Since I Left You’ (somewhat of a smack of the head in the musical ‘climate’ of Nov, 2000) - the question is: is the inactivity from ‘Camp Avalanche’:

1. A stroke of genius, gently stoking the embers of the Modular fire under the band’s popularity as they whittle away at their next masterpiece?

or…

2. The music industry equivalent of a bluffing poker hand?

Let’s hope Modular have their flex on for whatever gets thrown their way by Wolfmother’s current position. It’s no doubt there has been tension, as has been confirmed as recently as yesterday by Brisbane’s The Courier Mail in this article.

Recent speculation that Andrew Stockdale has been auditioning new musicians to replace the current lineup have been unconfirmed by Modular. However, as mentioned in a recent interview with Australian-based guitar importer Gibsonami.com, Stockdale has been holed up for 2 months in a studio recording new material - and is keen to mention it is ALL self produced and perfomed…“All the stuff I just kind of did by myself. That’s me playing drums, and guitars, and bass.”

Let’s consider the stress placed upon the ‘direction’ of a band like Wolfmother - one that has such strong homages to the timbre of 1970’s heavy metal:

* To once again ‘revive’ and renew their sound to a position that is can be critically distanced from their first album (ie: early 70’s rock)
* To be easily approached by fans as a natural progression of the band (ie: Not too Avant-Garde… read: Portishead’s “3″)
* To continue to melt and delight those patrons of Modular, who have come to respect the originality and power of an act who can deliver a sophomore record that is worthy of it’s critical praise and ability to cast a wide net…(ala: The Presets).

Will fans be receptive to a new lineup, led by Stockdale… or even a potential new formation, as yet unnamed?

And Modular lost $5.9 million dollars last year?

Whoa. Hold onto your butts.