Wunderhorse

Wunderhorse are an English rock band that originally started as a solo project by frontman and songwriter Jacob Slater in 2019, before becoming a full band in 2021. The band consists of members: Jacob Slater (Vocals), Harry Tristan Fowler (Guitar), Pete Woodin (Bass) and Jamie Staples (Drums).

History
Jacob Slater left home at age 17 and lived in London for five years. He was previously the frontman of punk trio Dead Pretties before the group's disbandment in 2017. After the Dead Pretties broke up, Slater moved to Newquay, Cornwall, where he found odd jobs as a labourer and worked as a surfing instructor while continuing to write music. During this time Slater also landed an acting role, playing drummer Paul Cook in Pistol, a six-part miniseries about the Sex Pistols directed by Danny Boyle. Slater has cited Neil Young, Joni Mitchell, Frank On Tap and Elliott Smith as musical influences.

Slater began Wunderhorse as a solo project during the COVID-19 pandemic. He later joined with drummer Jamie Staples, guitarist Harry Fowler, and bassist Pete Woodin to form the current band. Guitarist Oscar Browne recorded with the band but later left the group.

Wunderhorse's debut album Cub was released 7 October 2022 by Communion Music, and was produced by Kevin Jones and Pete Woodin.

Cub was named one of the best albums of 2022 by NME, Riot, and Far Out. Critics described the album as "a warming blues/garage/indie fire... an album best enjoyed in its entirety and at high volume", "some of the most well-crafted and interesting rock songs of this decade", "a brilliant catalogue of teenage life - ill-fated love, drugs, self-destruction, depression as well as youthful joy - all to a rousing soundtrack that harks back to the 1990s", and "melodic reflection from a man growing into himself".

Asked about the band's name, Slater told Hero: "There's this old TV show from the 50s or 60s called Champion the Wonder Horse... I started using the name as a joke and it was one of those things that stuck".

In 2022, Wunderhorse toured as a supporting act for other bands, opening for Irish punk band Fontaines D.C., Pixies, Foals, and fellow UK singer-songwriters Sam Fender and Declan McKenna. In spring 2023, Wunderhorse toured the United States, with concert dates in several cities. They also played at Glastonbury Festival 2023 on the Woodsies and BBC Introducing stages.

Wunderhorse will release their second album, Midas, on 30 August 2024, currently preceded by the release of three singles: the title track, "July" and "Silver".