Voxwolf!

This past Saturday, WVFI welcomed the Chicago-based Skybox to Legends. The end result: a night full of near-perfect tripped-out demented circus music. However, Skybox wasn't the only band to charm the Legends crowd. Openers Voxwolf, a recently formed campus band, hit the stage and kicked off the evening with a catchy original, "Joshua's Revenge (feat. The Nilbog All Stars)." The four-piece band wasted no time in shifting gears, jumping mid-song to a cover of the Wolf Parade dance-party classic "Shine a Light." After a cover of Brand New's "Jesus Christ" and another Troll 2-influenced original, "No Hospitals," Voxwolf performed an interesting and tasteful version of Death Cab for Cutie's "Lack of Color" with John Siegel on lead vocals. Once again changing pace, switching from soft indie rock to "Wait, what's happening?" the band launched into "No Arms," a unique, somewhat shortened take on a Mickey Avalon song, and an instrumental number simply titled "Ryan's Song." The song would have been perfect, say, played in the background of a film about high school football. As bassist Joe Lattal thanked the crowd for coming out, Voxwolf performed a quick Peaches cover to end their short but memorable set.



I caught up with 3/4 of the band and briefly interviewed them.

Mindset: So, tell me the story behind the band.
John Siegel: It all started trying to impress someone... We did the little stuff together but never played live... The short story: yesterday at 3:00, Legends told us we were playing.
Riley Saunders: We made it rain.

Mindset: Well, clearly, Panic! at the Disco is heavily influenced by the film Closer. My question to you is, which Julia Roberts film has influenced you the most and why?
Riley Saunders: I have two personal favorites. First, Notting Hill for two reasons: I like Hugh Grant, and I like to say "whoops-i-daisies." My second favorite, which I'd say has directly influenced Voxwolf, is Ocean's Twelve. Not so much for Julia, as for the techno laser scene, which influenced our decision to remix the popular dance song "**** the Pain Away" by Peaches.
Joe Lattal: The Mexican, for the romance.
John Siegel: Pretty Woman.

Mindset: Do you ever wish you could be [former campus band] The Somersaults?
John Siegel: Sometimes I wish I could burn down South Dining Hall.

Mindset: It seems that a lot of bands are using the word "wolf" in their names. What drew you to the name "Voxwolf"?
Joe Lattal: Wolf Parade, Wolf Eyes, Superwolf...
John Siegel: Wolfmother...
Joe Lattal: We're going to be the best of the bunch. The best of the Vox bands and the best of the Wolf bands. Another idea for a name was "Gently Used Cucumbers."
John Siegel: Or "She Wouldn't Be Opposed To The Possibility Of Revenge."

My interview was cut short when drummer Riley Saunders had to show off some dance moves.



I'm just kidding. That's all I asked them.