Artist Spotlight ~ The Native Howl

Artist Spotlight is a segment that we started to introduce our readers to some deserving up and coming artists/bands. They have made an impact on us for all of the right reasons. We think they kick ass, and we hope you do too! Today we’d like to shine the spotlight on The Native Howl.

The Native Howl is a genre-defying quartet hailing from Leonard, Michigan, USA. Their fast-tempo music they’ve coined as “Thrash Grass” combines the aggression and intensity of thrash metal with the precision and melodicism of bluegrass. The band was born from a musical experiment that defied all expectations by blending elements of folk, bluegrass, rock, and metal, resulting in a sound entirely their own. With a dash of outlaw spirit and a touch of the wilderness, their music transports listeners to a sonic landscape where the traditional meets the contemporary. From foot-stomping bluegrass jams to lightning-fast metal-esque banjo picking, their tracks are a musical thrill ride that keeps the listener guessing with each note. Their lyrics often explore the dark sides of the human condition, nature, and the trials of life, creating a deep and personal connection with their audience.

We sat down with the band for a short but fun Q&A session!

Every superhero or villain has an origin, and a band is no different minus the radioactive spiders and secret government experiments. What is the origin of The Native Howl?

The Native Howl started as a duo originally formed by Alex Holycross and Jake Sawicki. The music began as predominantly acoustic with lots of different flavors thrown in. Shortly thereafter, a full-fledged band was born and the Thrash Grass sound was born. Mark Chandler joined the group on bass in 2015 and helped solidify the distinctive sound and Zach Bolling joined on drums in 2019, bringing “the heavy” with him. We’ve all known each other since we were teenagers and, in some way, shape, or form have played in the same circles since that time. We consider the band a family and not just business partners. Music has long been the passion that drives us in life and it has been each of our dreams since a young age to help others with our songs and bring our art to the masses.

Band names can have a meaning, or it can be a name pulled out of a hat. What’s the story behind The Native Howl?

The Native Howl band name is simply put, the universal language of music.

What are you currently working on?

We finished recording our first full length record with Sumerian Records and it is slated to be released in early Fall. These songs have been many years in the making and we could not be more excited to share them. Jay Ruston worked with us on the production side of things and we feel that we have finally found the right sound and production to capture our style and live energy. We’re pumped to be hitting the road with Gwar for a week and a half and come October, we will be out supporting Struggle Jennings for a month-long run. In the meantime… There are new songs a brewin’ per usual.

What is the first CD and most recent CD you have purchased?

Chan- First CD: AC/DC- Back In Black; Most recent: Enslaved- Heimdal

Jake- First CD: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Greatest Hits; Most recent: Tool- Fear Inoculum

Zach- First CD: Iron Maiden- Number Of The Beast; Most recent: Van Halen- A Different Kind Of Truth

Alex- First CD: Lynyrd Skynyrd- Greatest Hits/Guns N Roses- Appetite For Destruction;

Most recent: Metallica- 72 Seasons

What are your Top 5 Favorite Albums?

Chan speaking on behalf of the band and a good summons of our favorites-

Iron Maiden- Powerslave

Metallica- Master Of Puppets

Black Sabbath- Master Of Reality

Pantera- Vulgar Display Of Power