For two decades, The Woggles have marched forth from Georgia like Sherman in reverse, leveling nightclubs with their hip-shaking, windshield-steaming garage rock fusillade” (Austin Chronicle). From songs that shake the rafters to shows that make for “a dance party rave-up that could melt Dick Clark’s face off” (Village Voice), the Woggles are a four-man delivery system for 200-proof, nitro-fueled rock’n’roll.
They share a vision and blaze a trail with the same insanity as the true wildman originators of three-chord mayhem. As their die-hard fans around the world know, music fads and fashions may come and go, but the Woggles have always cut to the chase to drink from the source.
Combine a whole lot of 60’s rock’n’roll with a fist-full of soul, a hip flask of rhythm & blues and a splash of surf and you’ll have the exciting sound of the Woggles. The group signed with Little Steven Van Zandt’s Wicked Cool Records in 2006 and their most recent release is the thunderous “Tempo Tantrum.
” Spin magazine rates it among the “Best of 2009” and calls it “The soundtrack for the best biker flick you’ve never seen.” Other big Woggles’ releases include 2007’s modestly titled “Rock And Roll Backlash” (Wicked Cool Records).
One of its tracks “It’s Not About What I Want (It’s What You Got)” was voted the “Coolest Song of 2006” by listeners of Sirius Satellite Radio’s Underground Garage Channel. The Woggles’ 2006 release “Soul-Sizzling Seven-Inch Meltdown” (Chicken Ranch Records) combines many of their now-rare b-sides, singles, and covers of obscure rock and soul nuggets.
The Woggles’ live shows are the stuff of rock’n’roll legend. The four members of the band conjure up a sound that bypasses the brain and goes straight for the hip-bone. The group’s front line typically end up switching places with the audience as they parade off of the stage onto the dancefloor, with the fans taking over the stage.
The Woggles’ wailing, tambourine flailing leader “The Professor” Mighty Manfred casts the mojo like electricity from his fingertips. Mighty Manfred can also be found spinning vintage vinyl and sharing rock’n’roll ephermea on his acclaimed satellite radio show for Sirius Channel 25/XM Channel 59.
Guitar-slinger Flesh Hammer has become heir to the late and great Montague’s (R.I.P. ’03) string-bending legacy. Before answering the Woggles’ call, Mr. Hammer mangled strings with 1980’s faves Guadalcanal Diary.
Since the Woggles’ first seven-inch in 1990, Mr. Hammer has also been in the producer’s seat for most of the group’s releases. Pouring on the soul coal and making sure that Woggles’ fans keep their chiropractors busy, the group’s ferocious rhythm section features Alabama catfish farmer Dan Elektro on drums and the unflappable Buzz Hagstrom on bass.
Mr. Elektro was already paying his dues at the age of ten when he sat behind the skins for his father’s band, the Country Gentlemen. Mr. Hagstrom is native to Folkestone England, and his impeccable continental sense of style comes with a license to kill.
On occasion The Woggles’ celebrated rhythm section has also recorded and toured with Medway England’s legendary Graham Day as The Gaolers.The Woggles have sired an extensive discography that encompasses a wide variety of CD & vinyl releases spreading over various international labels.
They have appeared in several videos and independent films and have also contributed to numerous compilations, tribute albums, and film soundtracks. They have shared stages with such legends as Iggy & the Stooges, the Zombies, the Sonics, the New York Dolls, Johnny Cash, the Troggs, Dick Dale, Bo Diddley, Nancy Sinatra, the Pretty Things, and Big Star as well as new artists such as the Strokes, the Raveonettes, Beck, Holly Golightly, Guitar Wolf and countless others.
“Go see a Woggles show. It will change your life” (Meredith Ochs, NPR All Songs Considered). Wherever they are, on tour around the world, the Woggles have always carried forth in the sprit of the ancient maritime explorers.
They are the modern-day Johnny Appleseeds of bare-knuckle rock, as they spread the seeds of three-chords-no-waiting rock’n’roll to the far flung corners of the globe.
