The Wolf’s Den Pushes the Metal to the Pedal

by Ken Payne
feedback@buzznews.net

Wolf and J-Dogg take a moment before stepping into the booth (photo by Ken Payne)

You can’t kill the metal. Jack Black swears by it and so does The Wolf’s Den, a radio show dedicated to the hard and heavy music churches have condemned for decades. As independent radio has soared on the Internet, Fearless Radio’s The Wolf’s Den is no exception.

Almost in existence for three years, The Wolf’s Den has grown slowly but surely thanks to its charismatic host Wolf and rambunctious co-host J-Dogg. The best thing about these two, and maybe why they reek of true sincerity, is the fact that neither has had radio experience before The Wolf’s Den. Untainted by grueling years in the industry, both Wolf and J-Dogg have a genuine appeal with a love for metal that is REAL and undisguised.

How in the world did Wolf get his own radio show? Good question. As the story goes, Wolf and his band Withdrawl were guests on another Fearless Radio show when station co-owner Patrick Oliver overheard a lively, energetic personality gabbing away with an attention grabbing presence. That person…Wolf. Within minutes following the show Patrick asked Wolf if he’d be interested in a show of his own in which he got the response, “Fuck yeah.” Since, the show has grown and has become a terrific outlet for metal music – not just major label bands – but more so has especially become a platform for unsigned bands to be heard.

In talking with Wolf and J-Dogg I quickly came to the conclusion that these guys are in it strictly for their love of metal and the promotion of excellent, ass-kicking bands that might not get a chance to be heard otherwise.

Buzz – What do you do during the day to prepare for your show?

Wolf – Really, I just play it by ear. I hit the web, maybe myspace, and usually scout out the different bands. If I like what I hear, I’ll just drop them a line and tell them I’m doing this independent radio show that gives unsigned bands a chance to be heard – and these are bands from all over the world – and I tell them we’d like to play them on our show. That’s usually what I’m doing. If not, I’m probably sleeping.

Buzz – Are you influenced by the amount of friends or plays a band might have?

Wolf – No. I just listen. I don’t bother with numbers or anything like that. I’m a musician myself so if I like something – I don’t care what, who, or how many they have on their site – I’ll play them. And, if I like them, I’ll stick with them for a very long time.

Buzz – So how did you hook up with your partner in crime and sidekick J-Dogg?

Wolf – (Laughs) I went through a slew of co-hosts. Just people coming in to see what we’re about…what they’re like…I wanted to find somebody who would actually stick. I was kind of wet behind the ears when I started and I wanted to give everybody the respect to learn as they go along. So I kept hearing Jason this and Jason that and I went to the studio one day and there was Jason and it kind of clicked and I was like, “Were you like a stagehand at Uncle Snorky’s back in ’98?” And he remembered me from being in Withdrawl so immediately we just started talking and clicking and weeks went by when I finally asked him to stop by and do the show with me one night – just for the hell of it – no pressure.

J-Dogg – That night I went to Entourage right down the block and I got a little tipsy. I sometimes do a little barhopping y myself just working my way home. So I got out of there and remembered Wolf’s doing a show so I banged on the window during his show and he let’s me in and we just had a blast.

Wolf – Well, the funny thing was that normally I like to sign off at a designated time because I think after four hours I start to get punchy and I babble on about ham sandwiches and turkey legs or whatever. But we kept rollin’ and it was great. There was good chemistry from the start and Jason has been around ever since.

Buzz – You have listeners all over the world. Does that sink in for you guys?

Wolf – Hell yeah. We get callers from all over and there is no screening it’s all free flow. But yeah…

J-Dogg – All over the world man. Some in Iraq, some in Italy, East Coast, West Coast, even Egypt…all over.

Wolf – That’s been the proudest moment for me personally…eighty-something members of the 82nd Airborne will tune in and they would tell me, “We’re all the way in Iraq and we think your show is kick-ass...thank you…” I mean I got a little misty. That’s praise from our fighting men and women over there and that’s very cool.

Buzz – It seems Wolf has made quite a big impact hear at Fearless Radio.

Patrick Oliver (station owner) – Absolutely. First of all we wouldn’t be able to do this if it wasn’t for Wolf. Wolf has helped me with some personal tragedies that have gone way above and beyond the whole scope of things. My business partner and I look at Wolf as one of the guys who owns the shop because that’s his attitude when he comes in. It’s amazing what he has been able to do, especially since…

Wolf – I didn’t know shit when I first walked in the door (laughs). I think anything your going to do in life, if you’re willing to put your balls on the line anytime, that’s worth the time and the effort no matter what it is.

Buzz – Wolf’s Den is about great metal music but I’ve actually heard a lot of other interesting stuff…

Wolf – I always wanted to do something on the show that was going to be funny, going to be relaxing, nothing political within reason – politics bore the fuck out of me, even though I’m politically opinionated just like everybody else. But everybody’s tired and I just want people to relax and enjoy the music a little bit and maybe even throw in some stupid comedy stuff here and there…

J-Dogg – Like me getting my ass waxed.

Wolf – You getting your ass waxed, Shelly flaming up her cooter, or just like the other day, everybody getting their ass turned purple by a dominatrix. I just want people to laugh and have a good time listening to our show. But, since day one when we began, the music is most important.

The Wolf’s Den is now aired from 10pm-2am Monday through Friday.
For more information visit www.fearlessradio.com.