CARLY KNASZAK
Staff Writer
Ever heard of the big bad wolf? Now think of a wolf that is not as scary and is a little more punk. That wolf is named Chelsea O’Donnell.
O’Donnell was raised in a musically-inclined family and at the age of seventeen was the first time she took the stage. Still, it was not until the end of the summer of 2013 when she took the stage name of Wolf.
“Wolves have been my favorite animal since I saw the movie ‘Balto’ when I was six years old,” O’Donnell said. “Growing up, people used to call me ‘wolf girl,’ and for a time I envisioned my future career as living in a snow cave and observing wolves in the wild.
“[It’s] safe to say that didn’t happen, probably because once I grew up, I found that I have a hard time handling temperatures below 50 degrees, and I discovered I liked playing music instead,” she continued. “Consequently, Wolf seemed like a natural fit for a stage name.”
In early 2014, O’Donnell released her first EP, “Gold and Dirt.” It was recorded at Goo Goo Dolls bassist Robby Takac’s studio, GCR Audio.
The EP featured the song “Liar,” which shows O’Donnell’s raw vocals and her talent with the acoustic guitar. The lyrics tell of the brutal honesty of a relationship with a liar; anyone who listens to it can feel the emotions pouring through her guitar and voice. The song has an edge to it, with a grunge sound and very punk lyrics. It’s almost like listening to a slowed down Simple Plan song, but with a dash of Nirvana.
But of course, every wolf needs a pack. Later in the summer of 2014, O’Donnell brought in Bill O’Connor on drums and Ben Randall on bass. Both members are familiar with the Buffalo music scene due to being part of local bands Supergoner and The Etchings.
“I met Bill and Ben through my involvement with the local music scene and casually mentioned my project, but when they both actually took the time to buy my EP and see my shows, I figured that they might be interested in playing with me,” O’Donnell said.
“Luckily they were, and I feel fortunate to have them as part of the line-up,” she continued. Randall was impressed with O’Donnell’s voice and work ethic:
“She asked me to join up and I said okay,” Randall said.
O’Connor got to know O’Donnell while working at the same library job.
“I think it was the day after I bought Chelsea’s EP that we bumped into each other at our library jobs and ended up collaborating. Chelsea’s arrangements just scream for sweet-ass guitar licks and phat drum beats flying through them,” O’Connor said.
When asked about a moment on stage that the band would never forget, they all agreed on one memory: the time the power was turned off on them while they were performing.
“The venue got so frustrated with the volume of our playing. Mind you, we weren’t playing loud to be spiteful! We got the power turned off on us, lights, music and everything in the bar getting turned off, for a solid couple seconds and then turned back on,” O’Donnell said.
“We are officially punk-rock because of that show. Now I just need to get some hardcore tattoos and set my drums on fire,” O’Connor said.
“Seeing and feeling people dig what’s going on is always unforgettable,” Randall said.
Wolf said there are many musicians who have inspired them. O’Donnell said that she likes Lemuria, Jimmy Eat World, Foo Fighters and Paramore. O’Connor mentioned that he likes Silversun Pickups, Smashing Pumpkins, Matthew Good and Pavement. But Randall listed off a few interesting things that inspired him music-wise: “The sounds in old Tex Avery cartoons, the music to the original Twilight Zone television series, [and] my brother Nick who force-fed me the first two.”
Where is this pack taking their journey now?
Wolf recorded an EP with Brandon Schlia (Steak & Cake Records) that will be released on March 21, which is also the date of their CD-release show at Mohawk Place in Buffalo. The group’s single, “Infectious,” will be featured on the EP. “Infectious” is a very catchy song. It’s a more slowed-down punk song, but anyone can hear the rock influence. “Why can’t I be infectious like the songs you hear on the radio?” is the chorus of the song; this song definitely is infectious and will be blaring on anyone’s radio.
Wolf will be performing at BJ’s in Fredonia on March 25.