The Wolverines (rock band)

The Wolverines were an Australian Country Rock Band formed in 1994 from Tamworth, New South Wales[1] by Darcy Leyear (guitar & vocals), John Clinton (drums & vocals), and Gizz Butt (keyboard and vocals). The band were active between 1994 and 2012 and were known by some as "The Bad Boys of Country,"[2]

This article is about the Australian country rock band. For other uses, see Wolverine (disambiguation).
The Wolverines
Background information
OriginAustralia
GenresCountry, Country rock
Years active1994–2021
LabelsOne Stop Country, ACMEC
Websitehttp://www.wolverines.com.au
MembersDarcy Leyear, John Clinton and Gizz Butt

About

The Wolverines started in Australia in 1994 and said an encyclopaedia's description of a wolverine being "a short- snouted, blunt-headed, long- haired, heavy-set, nocturnal, eat- anything, almost-extinct animal viewed by some people as a pest." was the inspiration for their name[3]

Some of their songs have crass and sexual lyrics while others are heartfelt tributes. One of their hit songs, "65 Roses" written by Lee J. Collier, tells the story of a small boy who could not pronounce Cystic Fibrosis, the condition which afflicted his sister and his entire family. The original version of the song is a 3/4 country waltz format, The Wolverines changed the song into a 4/4 country rock version to suit the band's style. Lee J. Collier has 100% copyright on both versions. The Wolverines recorded their version of Lee J. Collier's song to raise awareness and research funds for CF with a percentage of all sales being donated to the association.[1]

They performed at shows and festivals throughout Australia and the world, including 40,000 at the Gympie Muster, 10,000 kids at Tamworth Kids Charity Concert, participated in the Australian April Middle East Tour de Force in 2007[4] & 2008[5] and played for American Marines in Okinawa, Japan.[2]

“The band has such an amazing ability to bond with their audience. Their tongue in cheek humour and dedication to make music fun really connects them to their fan base." One Stop Country manager, Katania Young[1]

Fund Raising

Sail For Kids

In July 2003, The Wolverines sailed from Sydney to Whitsundays, stopping and playing at 14 ports, including Airlie Beach & Hamilton Island,[1] along the way in their "The Wolverines Sail for CF Kids" tour, sponsored by LJ Hooker, fundraising for cystic fibrosis research.[2] They concluded the tour having raised more than $35,000 and leaving it with the communities in which they had performed.[1]

In 2007, The Wolverines repeated their "Wolverines Sail for Kids" from Sydney, up the coast to Cairns, ending at Silkwood in Far North Queensland. They anticipated stopping and playing at "all ports in between" to raise awareness and funds for less fortunate children along the coast. Starting on Friday, 6 July 2007 at the Cruising Yacht Club of Australia in Rushcutters Bay, Sydney, they sailed a 52-foot Beneteau North. Before each gig they gave a few disadvantaged children the opportunity to sail. At each stop, The Wolverines conducted a short auction to raise funds for a needy child or a local children's charity. One item regularly for auction was a signed, limited edition canvas print.[1] They've also participated in the Tamworth Kids Charity Concert and Cystic Fibrosis Ball.[2]

Discography

Albums
Title Details
Party Album
  • Released: 1994[2]
Gonna Ride All Night Long
Feel the Need to Ride
Wolverines & Roses
  • Released: 2002[7]
Making Tracks
  • Released: 2004[7]
Good Times
  • Released: 2006[1]
Occasional Course Language
  • Released: 2008[2]
Good Ol' Boys
  • Released: 2011[6]
The Very Best of the Wolverines
  • Released: 2011[6]

Awards

Country Music Awards of Australia

The Country Music Awards of Australia (CMAA) (also known as the Golden Guitar Awards) is an annual awards night held in January during the Tamworth Country Music Festival, celebrating recording excellence in the Australian country music industry. They have been held annually since 1973.[8]

Year Nominee / work Award Result
2002 Wolverines - "65 Roses" Vocal Group or Duo of the Year Won
  • Note: wins only

References
  1. Tamworth Rage Page, The Wolverines
  2. Australian Network Entertainment, The Wolverines
  3. No Fright In Sight On Night Of Wolverines, 15min.org
  4. PUBLICATION:NAVY ANNUAL 2007/WOLVES AT SEA
  5. Tour de Force rocks and rolls into Afghanistan, 10 April 2008
  6. Apple iTunes US, 24 September 2012
  7. The Country Music Bulletin, The Wolverines
  8. "Past Award Winners". Retrieved 2 November 2020.
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