Starving Wolves

Recorded with the legendary Bill Stevenson & Jason Livermore at The Blasting Room in Fort Collins, CO, the band’s latest LP, The Fire, the Wolf, The Fang – released in 2024 by Pirates Press Records – is the most fully realized work yet from the band, firing on all cylinders musically and lyrically – not just as a collection of songs, but as an album-length story arc.

The kickoff track “Nothing More” opens with guitars and horns paying homage to traditional Mexican and Latin American music and is soon joined by militaristic drums, evoking images of a coming showdown in a spaghetti western film. Then singer & lyricist David Rodriguez kicks into a raging punk rock fury by tearing his throat raw singing for the downtrodden of the world: “Raised in fear! Bathed in blood! Crucified, we are reborn!”
This cinematic opening is no accident, says David. “Our goal was to create a scenario similar to a movie.  In normal cookie cutter format you have set up, conflict and resolution. But our record is more of a Robert Rodriguez film. Introduction and characterization, conflict, plot twist and confusion. Just as life has been the past few years. We wanted our listeners to sit back and visualize the music in their minds.”

Indeed, “Nothing More” sets an apocalyptic tone for a raw, relentless punk rock record that confronts widespread social issues like police brutality on “Burn the Stations,” as well as support for those struggling with their mental health or facing suicidal ideation on “Please Listen.” David says the record is an extremely personal one for himself and the band. “I wanted to talk, scream out loud about issues we too often keep inside. I want to have an open conversation with our listeners about suicide, depression, and addiction.”
On “Mixed Blood,” the singer grapples with personal issues of cultural identity, drawing upon his Mexican-American heritage. Singing in both English and Spanish to articulate his experience to speakers of both languages, he connects racism faced by young people to the brutal history of colonialism in the Americas.
“Mixed Blood was very important to me to express what colonization and racism have done over the years and personally how they have affected me: the feeling of having no home or acceptance. I am not from here and I am not from there.”

In crafting the visual identity of the record and its singles, the band actively sought out artists from different countries and of different cultures and genders to unite diverse voices and amplify those who may not often be heard. “Politically we feel that representation of indigenous peoples – which includes Mexican peoples – has been almost non-existent.” says David. “It was extremely important for us to find artists that represented our music and our ideals as well as our ethics.”

Forceful & dark, yet with an undying spirit of resilience, the journey of The Fire, The Wolf, The Fang is ultimately a cathartic experience, and a scream of survival and hope for those left behind in a world that can feel bleak.

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