The Wolfpack Revival has been a revival in many ways: revival of "The Wolfpack," Indianapolis' premier jump-blues band, that performed in Indiana and regionally throughout the 1990's; revival of music from many eras and several genres; a revival of friendships, not only amongst the band members, but with their many fans, affectionately known as "Wolf-heads." A well polished, tight quartet, The Wolfpack Revival was a mix of musical styles (Blues, Jump, Swing, Rock, Soul, Surf, Rock-a-billy, & more).
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History of the Wolfpack.
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The Wolfpack formed in 1992 in Indianapolis, IN. Founding members were Tim Panyard -vocals, Ted "Cornbread" Kirkendall - guitar/vocals, Kevin Jones - bass and Matt Tamer - drums. Tim Duffy joined The Wolfpack in November of 1992 on drums/vocals when Matt Tamer left the band. Soon after Duffy arrived, saxophone player Jun "Squeeky Boy" Ueno joined The Wolfpack. When Ueno graduated from Ball State University with a degree in architecture (May of '93) he decided to return to his home in Japan. After an exhaustive search for a new saxophone player The Wolfpack found D. Andrew Kopis in November of '93. Kopis commuted back and forth from Warsaw, IN for rehearsals and shows, until he relocated to Indianapolis in 1995.
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Soon after working Kopis into the band, February of 1994 The Wolfpack went into the recording studio (Studio D, Summitville, IN) and recorded "Wolves In Cheap Clothing" on their own Lycanthropia Records label. The CD of eleven of the Pack's original compositions was produced by Tim Panyard. Their debut CD was very well received by old fans and new. The CD helped to open up new doors/opportunities for the band. They toured regionally throughout the Midwest, leaving a little piece of the Pack at every stop. Their own material along with their well performed, well chosen cover songs in their show won over new fans wherever they'd perform. Unfortunately, soon after the release of their CD, June of 1994 bass player Kevin Jones left the band for personal reasons. The band had to utilize several bass players to fill in, while searching for a new bass player.
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1994 was a banner year for The Wolfpack. It was the year they released their debut CD. It also was the year they won the Blues Society of Indiana's amateur blues band contest (8/7/94). The Wolfpack had placed third in the '93 competition. The win in the '94 competition earned The Wolfpack a trip to Memphis, TN and the opportunity to compete in the Blues Foundations Amateur Blues Band Competition (10/9/94). 1994 the Memphis competition became an International Competition, with two entries from Canada and one from Austrailia. Although the Pack didn't place in the contest, they had a fabulous time competing against many great bands (runner-up in the competition that year was the Susan Tedeschi Band, representing Boston).
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September of 1994 The Wolfpack participated in the recording of "Live From The Slippery Noodle Inn Volume 2" at Indianapolis' World famous, home of the Blues. The compilation release on the Slippery Noodle Sound label featured two of The Wolfpack's original tunes ("When I Get Home" and "Do It Right").
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The Wolfpack were featured on a Christmas compilation CD for Louisville's Rollin' & Tumblin' Records (recorded in September of '94). "Santa Was A Bluesman, Volume 3" included a new Wolfpack original, "The Santa Song." The mix was horrible on the song, as the band wasn't included in the post production of the track. The Wolfpack didn't even know that their track had made it on the release until Kopis and Duffy found a copy in a Louisville record shop (while in Louisville for a weekend of shows).
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December of 1994 Ed E. Derango joined The Wolfpack on bass and vocals.
November of 1995 Ted Kirkendall left the band to pursue opportunities with country music. The Wolfpack then brought in Kelly Hoggard on guitar/vocals from South Bend, IN.
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Derango left The Wolfpack in November of 1996 for family reasons. Brent Brower was next to hold down the bottom end with The Wolfpack, playing bass with the Pack from January '97 to March of '97. Jose Joven then joined The Wolfpack taking over on bass in March of '97. Joven stayed with The Wolfpack until he left the band for medical reasons in October of '97. Around the same time Hoggard decided to go his own way. Kopis had plans to go back to shcool and planned to leave as well. Tim Panyard, not wanting to start all over again with re-building a new Wolfpack, decided to fold the band after they had played out the remaining shows on their schedule. December 31st, 1997 The Wolfpack played their last show.
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In the six years that The Wolfpack was together they played over 400 shows throughout Indiana and the States around them. They opened shows for many great, legendary and National Blues performers (Yank Rachell, Koko Taylor, Junior Wells, John Mayall, Lonnie Mack, Little Charlie & The Nightcats, Anson Funderburgh & The Rockets, with Sam Myers and other notable acts) at festivals and clubs. The Pack produced a radio blues guide that they'd give out at their shows. The guide listed all Blues radio programing (throughout Indiana, as well as Kentucky, Ohio and Illinois) and when and where to tune in to hear the Blues. The Wolfpack had also built a mailing list with over 1,200 fans and friends that were loyal supporters of the Pack.
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Derango and Duffy re-united with each other in The Missing Blues Band in 2003, playing shows locally in Indianapolis and the surrounding area. December of 2007 The Missing Blues Band came to an end. Shortly after The Missing could no longer be found, Duffy received an email from Kirkendall wanting to know if Duffy knew of anyone looking for a guitar player. Duffy, Kirkendall and Derango got together to play and just like riding a bike, everything fell right into place. Duffy then got in touch with Kopis and brought him back into the Pack.
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March of 2008 they played their first show as The Wolfpack Revival. Saturday, April 25th The Wolfpack Revival will play their final show at MugShots Cafe in Broad Ripple, Indianapolis. ****************************************************************
The Wolfpack Revival have had a great time entertaining old and new Wolfheads. We thank you all for your support. Wolfheads RULE!!!
Stevie Ray's Memorial Service will be held on
Thursday, March 19, 2009 from 4:00PM - 8:00PM at
Conkle Funeral Home
4925 W.
16th Street
Sppedway, IN 46224.
Anyone wishing to Ride to the Funeral Home with the Group - We will be meeting at MugShots by 3:00PM and leaving shortly thereafter (approximately 3:15PM)
We will open the book. Its pages are blank. We are going to put words on them ourselves. The book is called Opportunity and its first chapter is New Year's Day.
Hi The Wolfpack Revival We wanna thank you for your very important support in those sad days.
This thanx are in our name, in the name of Enrico's wife Paola and in the name of his sons.
Enrico Micheletti's ashes are flyin' throughout the universe and we hope his soul is finally arrived at a beautiful destination.
What about his music and the music we had recorded toghether?
We finally decide to get it out. We wanna remeber Enrico in this way. In the first quarter of 2009 we will publish all our and Enrico Micheletti' s materials on Itunes and many other stores on the web.
We'll send you a message when it's all ready.
God bless you!!!
Marry Christmas and Have a wonderful 2009!!!
KEEP THE BLUES ALIVEEEE!!!!!!!
Ciao The Wolfpack Revival ti volevamo ringraziare per le tue parole e per il tuo sostegno in periodo così difficile per noi.
Questi ringraziamenti non sono formali, sono veramente sinceri a nome nostro, della moglie di Enrico Paola e a nome dei suoi figli.
Le ceneri di Enrico Micheletti sono disperse nel mar Tirreno e stanno viaggiando nell' universo. Noi speriamo che anche la sua anima abbia raggiunto finalmente il miglior approdo possibile.
Cosa fare del suo materiale in nostro possesso e del materiale che abbiamo registrato insieme?
Dopo aver pensato a lungo sul da farsi abbiamo deciso di pubblicarlo. Lo pubblicheremo su Itunes ed altri siti così tutti potranno trovarlo se lo cercano. Glielo dobbiamo. Glielo deve chi lo ha conosciuto.
Cercheremo di pubblicare tutto ciò che è in nostro possesso nei primi mesi del 2009.
I want to invite you to my New Years Eve Concert at Gallagher's 2 on Southport Road near Hwy 37 in Indy.
I'll be rockin' in rare form with a trio and my designated driver so you're in for major blow out. I'd really like to see you there.
Cost is only $10 and it includes a champagne toast at midnight along with your party favors.
Hurry. Tell your friends. No reservations needed but if you want good seats, make reservations now. Call 317-884-3850.
Thanks for supporting my music. Here's a little gift from me to you. It's a Christmas song that I wrote. It's also my first attempt at making a video. Click and enjoy...
Wow, you guys are great! I live in Fl now, but back in the middle 90's my husband and I sang in a blues band in Muncie In, and we went to Ball State! Hoosier land blues, nuttin better!
