Cape Town’s folk-punk, surf-rock collective West Coast Wolves have released their single “Factory of Bones” along with the accompanying video. The 1st single taken from their upcoming debut full-length album Don’t Forget to Howl, which will be out later this year via Mongrel Records.
West Coast Wolves Vocalist and guitarist Galen Hossack explains the inspiration for “Factory of Bones”
“World War II in Colour” and the documentary on the Vietnam war, “In particular, the fear which soldiers must have felt, the lack of understanding on what they were fighting for, the longing for their home, family and friends and at times even being forced to fight against them, must have been overwhelming.”
Guitarist and banjo player Pete Grey rocked up to a West Coast Wolves rehearsal with the epic FOB acoustic guitar riff. His inspiration came from two places
“Firstly the Man of Constant Sorrow rendition in the ‘Oh Brother Where Art Thou’, and secondly a song written by Satanic Dagga Orgy [JHB] I heard when they played in Cape Town. Both songs are driven by strong vocal melodies and acoustic guitar.”
The cinematic video was shot and directed by West Coast Wolves‘ friend and renowned cinematographer Grant “Apples” Appleton.
Galen had always wanted to make a one-shot music video similar to Coldplay’s “Yellow” and or REM’s “Imitation Of Life”. This fitted Grant’s single music video requirement, “I don’t want to do any editing, at all”.
All that was left was the venue. Pete did some percolating and the Bent Head pub on the banks of the Breede river came to mind. A pub owned by an artist – Mark Smith. So, it was super colourful and interesting.
“We drove up on a Friday night knowing we only had one day to create, practice, and shoot the one shot. We would be shooting the real shot at dusk when the lighting was right and to top it off, the camera gear, which Apples had to carry with his arms stretched out and walk backwards with, was so heavy we only had 3 attempts to get it right.”
“After setting up, timing, and practicing the shot all day (which was a lot of fun), the first attempt was decent, but the lighting hadn’t reached golden hour and Apples said some framing wasn’t ideal. The second take was almost perfect except for Galen’s walking blooper and Pete singing his backing vox out of time. Then the final take! When Galen threw the air rifle, it hit Brandon “Slim” Shore who was holding the playback speaker and helping Apples walk backwards, and it turned off playback of FOB. Abruptly ending the 3rd and final failed attempt. The disappointment in our small crew of underpaid film makers was palpable.”
“Apples said he had maybe one more take left in him. Shaking from exhaustion Apples mustered up the strength and determination to attempt a 4th take, and that is the final video you see. The final take, at the very last moment of light, with the very last scrap of Apples’ strength. Except, there is a funny story which we will reveal one day about the Angel in the bar…”
Check the West Coast Wolves‘ video for “Factory Of Bones” below:
You can buy / stream “Factory Of Bones” HERE.
To be honest, I am hoping to watch West Coast Wolves live in a venue near me (in Gauteng soon). I would love to see what the fuss is about.
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