​By Kreig Marks, May 2026

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Wolfmother is an Australian band formed in 2000 by vocalist and guitarist Andrew Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Chris Ross, and drummer Myles Heskett. The band currently includes Stockdale, bassist and keyboardist Ian Peres, and touring drummer Alex Carapetis.

 

Wolfmother released their self-titled debut album Wolfmother in Australia in 2005, and internationally in 2006. The album sold over 1.5 million copies worldwide and won the band a number of industry awards, including a Grammy for Best Hard Rock Performance of single, "Woman."            

The band will celebrate the 20th anniversary of their self-titled debut LP with a 2026 North American tour, performing the album each night.

The tour kicks off on June 7th in Austin, Texas.

 

There’s something unmistakable about Andrew Stockdale. Maybe it’s the voice that cuts through like a siren from another era, or the riffs that feel unearthed rather than written. As the driving force behind Wolfmother, Stockdale helped reignite a raw, analog spirit in modern rock. But beyond the sound and success, there’s a thoughtful, grounded artist who’s spent years navigating an industry that rarely sits still.

I caught up with him in a rare, quiet moment between the noise, the travel, and the next show.

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Kreig Marks: Andrew, when you look back at the early days of Wolfmother, what stands out now?

 

Andrew Stockdale: It feels almost unreal. We were just completely in it, not really thinking about where it could go. There was a kind of purity to that. You don’t get that same feeling once you understand how the machine works.

 

Kreig Marks: Do you ever miss that version of yourself?

 

Andrew Stockdale: Yeah, in a way. There’s something powerful about not knowing the rules. But experience gives you something else. You learn what actually matters and what doesn’t.

 

Kreig Marks: Your sound has always had a strong identity. Was that intentional?

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Andrew Stockdale: Early on, maybe I was trying to define it. Now I just follow instinct. The identity sort of takes care of itself, if you’re being honest.

 

Kreig Marks: Rock music today feels like it’s fighting for space. What’s your take?

 

Andrew Stockdale: It probably always has been, to some degree. It’s just more obvious now. The industry moves toward trends and rock doesn’t always fit into that. But that’s also what keeps it interesting.

 

Kreig Marks: Has streaming changed your relationship with making albums?

 

Andrew Stockdale: It has. People consume music differently now. Albums used to feel like a full journey. Now it’s more fragmented. But I still think in terms of complete records when I’m creating.

 

Kreig Marks: What’s the hardest part of staying in this game long-term?

 

Andrew Stockdale: The quiet periods. When things slow down and there’s less noise around what you’re doing. That’s when you find out if you really love it.

 

Kreig Marks: Have you ever come close to walking away?

 

Andrew Stockdale: Yeah, there have been moments. But I always come back to the music. It’s the one thing that makes sense no matter what else is going on.

 

Kreig Marks: Let’s shift gears a bit. What’s tour life really like behind the scenes?

 

Andrew Stockdale: A lot of waiting around, honestly. People think it’s nonstop action, but it’s not. The show is the peak, and everything else builds around it.

 

Kreig Marks: Any onstage disasters that still stick with you?

 

Andrew Stockdale: Plenty. Broken strings, gear cutting out, forgetting lyrics. It happens. The key is not letting people see you panic.

 

Kreig Marks: Do you still get nervous before a show?

 

Andrew Stockdale: A little. It’s different now, but it’s still there. I think it’s a good thing. It means you care.

 

Kreig Marks: What keeps you inspired creatively after all this time?

 

Andrew Stockdale: The idea that there’s always something better out there. Another riff, another song. You’re always chasing that feeling.

 

Kreig Marks: Outside of music, what helps you reset?

 

Andrew Stockdale: Nature. Just getting out of the noise. It clears your head in a way nothing else really can.

 

Kreig Marks: What’s something fans might not expect about you?

 

Andrew Stockdale: I’m pretty quiet, actually. Offstage, I’m a lot more laid back than people might think.

 

Kreig Marks: What has longevity taught you about success?

 

Andrew Stockdale: That it changes. Early on, it’s about recognition. Later, it’s about whether what you’re doing still feels real to you.

 

Kreig Marks: Final question. When everything is stripped back, what does music mean to you?

 

Andrew Stockdale: It’s a way of making sense of things. It’s constant, even when everything else changes. That’s why I keep coming back to it. In a world chasing the next thing, Andrew Stockdale remains anchored to something more enduring. Not nostalgia, not trends, but the simple, elusive pursuit of a sound that feels real. And as long as that pursuit continues, so will the music.