Garage Rock from The Wow Wows

In the lakeside city of Coeur d’Alene in the United States, The Wow Wows have been making an impact in the Pacific Northwest rock scene with a sound forged by spontaneity and a deep affection for the origins of garage rock. Leading the band is Hunter Jones, the band’s frontman, founding member and an active figure in the local music community. In his hometown, he’s helped cultivate a small but energetic scene by organising DIY shows while also producing records for other artists from his own home studio, The Wow Wow Emporium.

The Wow Wows’ musical identity has long drawn inspiration from the golden age of garage rock, nodding to the spirit of 1960s pioneers such as The 13th Floor Elevators, The Kinks, The Seeds and The Stooges. They first stepped into view in 2019 with their debut record River Dolphin, an eight-track release that introduced listeners to their rough-edged approach and placed them firmly among the region’s rising rock acts.

Following that early burst of activity, the band stepped back for a period of creative quiet and for a time, the project slipped from the spotlight while its members recalibrated and allowed space for new ideas to form. That pause eventually came to an end last year with the release of the single “Give It Time,” a track that signalled the start of a new chapter for The Wow Wows.

Now the band continue that return with their latest release, their new single titled “Johny’s Gone Invisible,” a song that channels the group’s playful sense of storytelling and their love for classic rock influences. For this particular track, Hunter Jones took on nearly every role in the process; writing the song, performing all of the instruments and overseeing both mixing and mastering, he effectively shaped the entire piece from beginning to end.

Set up by the crunch of the loosely played “Johnny B. Goode” intro, the track rolls into a grooving garage rock sound of a chugging guitar riff, gliding vocalisations and cowbell taps. Progressing with Hunter’s expressive vocal performance, his voice spins slick melodic lines above the gritty rock arrangement, forming a catchy slice of smokey rock n’ roll music packed full of hazy texture, twanging lead guitar plucks and dusty drums.

Wrapped in an upbeat sonic fabric, the track flows with dashes of colourful psych vibes, reaching a swirling finale that’s sure to leave a lasting impression with both new and exiting fans. With “Johny’s Gone Invisible” now out in the world, The Wow Wows are preparing to bring their music back onto the stage with upcoming performances already lined up at venues including The Chameleon and Idaho Pour Authority, signalling a renewed presence in northern Idaho’s live music scene.

Listen to Johny’s Gone Invisible below

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