Titus writes:
Wunderhorse have connections to Newquay, Cornwall,
which as I’m sure you know isn’t a million miles from my good friend
Lex’s adopted home. They are led by Jacob Slater, who, having left home
at the age of seventeen, lived in London for five years and then after
his band The Dead Pretties split up, he moved to Newquay (for those of
you who are asking “why?” – I’m sorry to say that I don’t know). In
Newquay he found odd labouring jobs and worked as a surfing instructor,
whilst in his spare time, he wrote music. During this time, Slater
landed an acting role, playing the great Paul Cook of the Sex Pistols
in the mini series ‘Pistol’ , which was directed by Danny Boyle. Jacob
cited Neil Young and Joni Mitchell as musical influences – this guy’s
got class!
Wunderhorse
was formed during the Covid 19 pandemic as a solo project, and when
asked about the name ‘Wunderhorse’, Slater informed the Press that it
came from the 1950’s TV programme ‘Champion the Wonder Horse’. You
won’t be at all surprised that I remember this programme well, and I’m
pretty sure Lex will as well. It used to be a major talking point at
our Primary School, which was originally called Tettenhall C of E.
School. Jacob then joined with Jamie Staples (vocals, guitar), Pete
Woodin (bass), and Harry Tristan Fowler (guitar) to form what is now
the band Wunderhorse. Now not a lot of people know that Harry Fowler
is the son of the legendary Kim Wilde, I honestly joketh not.
The
Band’s first album ‘Cub’ was released in October 2022, on Communion
records, and the songs therein were all written by Jacob Slater. The
LP was was critically acclaimed as being one of the best of that year,
by the N.M.E., Riot and Far Out, and the album was described
respectively as “A warming blues/garage/indie fire, best enjoyed in its
entirety and at high volume” “a brilliant catalogue of teenage life –
ill fated love, drugs, self destruction, depression, as well as
youthful joy – all to a rousing soundtrack that harks back to the 90’s”
and “melodic reflection from a man growing into himself”. 2022 was
quite a year for the band, as apart from the success of ‘Cub’, they
toured as supporting act for other bands Fontaines D.C., The Pixies and
Foals. A tour of the U.S. followed in the Spring of 2023 and
Wunderhorse played Glastonbury in the Summer of that year. I see from
the provisional line up of Glasto ‘25, that they are scheduled to play
there on the Friday of the Festival.
Last
year, Wunderhorse released their eagerly awaited second album ‘Midas’ –
on 30 August 2024 to be precise, and again it was on Communion
Records. It was produced by former Rolling Stones producer Craig Silvey
and was preceded by the release of five singles, all of which are on
the ‘Midas’ album. Like ‘Cub’, ‘Midas’ received critical acclaim from
the music press and charted at number six in early September ‘24, in
the U.K. Albums Chart. I have avoided the five singles in my choice of
track, and have requested Lex to play ‘Cathedrals’, which can be found
here. It is perhaps the most divisive track on the
LP, as Reddit comments have ranged from “ 10/10 Banger with great
guitar riff” to “the weakest track on the album”. Personally I love
the lyrics & guitar riff, so give it a few tries!