Nowhere Wolves, a ferocious punk trio from Pittsburgh, was born out of the collapse of its members’ previous bands in 2024. Consisting of J. Trafford (Sommelier), Candrika Rice (Lylyth), and Everly Ward (Loose Rhetoric), their formation was a quick response to fulfill bookings left by Sommelier’s demise.
Inspired by punk icons like The Replacements, Buzzcocks, and Pinhead Gunpowder, their aggressive energy and raw spirit push forward while nodding to the past.
Nowhere Wolves took a sharp turn at their Poetry Lounge show with a cover of Otis Redding’s Respect, famously immortalized by Aretha Franklin. Director Paul Kotlinski captured Trafford’s swaggering performance, which adds a punk twist to the soulful classic, slicing through each line with an Elvis-esque croon.
Their fiery rendition pays homage to its Motown roots, channeling the raw energy of the 70s punk scene while staying true to the spirit. There’s an undeniable electricity in their performance, blending reverence with rebellion, revitalizing the song for a new generation of listeners. Redding would be proud.
Watch the video for “Respect” Live below:
Nowhere Wolves is slated to release their debut full-length album this November. Pre-order the album here.
To celebrate the album release, the band will be playing at Mr. Small Funhouse on November 13th, sharing a billing with fellow Pittsburgh-area acts Normal Creatures, Samurae, and The Stolen Stitches. Tickets available here.
Listen to Respect below and pre-save the album on Spotify here.
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