The vast majority of the initial attention surrounding US rock band the Wallflowers concerned the fact that one Jakob Luke Dylan (b. 9 December 1969, New York City, New York, USA), the son of Bob Dylan, was their songwriter, singer and guitarist. Interest in his career was only natural, though on the evidence of the Wallflowers’ self-titled debut for Virgin Records in 1992, there was more to the band than simple nepotism. Dylan was joined on the album by Tobi Miller (guitar/vocals), Rami Jaffee (b. 11 March 1969, Los Angeles, California, USA; keyboards), Barrie Maguire (b. Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA; bass/vocals) and Peter Yanowitz (b. 13 September 1967, Chicago, Illinois, USA; drums). However, despite good reviews, the album failed to translate critical approval into sales. At that point Virgin’s management changed and the Wallflowers found themselves without a label. ‘We’d been on the road awhile after the first album, got home, and then there was the big company mix-up and all the people we were connected with disappeared.’
The Wallflowers subsequently signed to Interscope Records, with Dylan reassembling a new line-up around founding members Tobi Miller and Rami Jaffee, with the addition of Greg Richling (b. Gregory Martin Richling, 31 August 1970, California, USA; bass). Drummer Matt Chamberlain helped the band out in the studio, but before sessions for their new album were completed founding member Miller had decided to leave the band. He was replaced by guitarist Michael Ward (b. 21 February 1967, Minnesota, USA). In contrast to their debut, which took only four weeks to record, 1996’s Bringing Down The Horse was completed over eight months, with T-Bone Burnett producing. Guests included Michael Penn, Sam Phillips, Gary Louris (ex-Jayhawks) and members of Counting Crows. It was a much better record and elevated the band following its success in the USA. Drummer Mario Calire (b. 25 June 1974, Buffalo, New York, USA) was listed on the sleeve credits but did not actually participate in the recording sessions, instead joining the band on the subsequent promotional tour.
The younger Dylan has proved to be articulate and interesting in interviews, and to his credit refuses to use his father’s name and fame as a buffer for his own career. The 2000 release (Breach), the band’s delayed third album, confirmed Jakob Dylan’s status as one of US contemporary rock’s most assured songwriters. The lack of commercial success for their best recording to date forced a rethink, however, with the result that the follow-up Red Letter Days sported a more polished, radio-friendly sound. The album was recorded as a quartet following the departure of Michael Ward. Further personnel change ensued in 2003 with the replacement of drummer Calire by Fred Eltringham. The new line-up made its recording debut on the band’s fifth album, Rebel, Sweetheart. The collection proved to the Wallflowers last recording for Interscope Records. Dylan subsequently signed a contract with Columbia Records.
