In a world dominated by pop charts and “American Idol” fanatics, it is refreshing to find a band that truly understands music. The Big Bad Wolves have proven it doesn’t take a lead vocalist or even a bass player to make an instantly popular band. Within just four months of its creation, the band has played 14 shows in Starkville, West Point, Jackson, Tupelo, Como, Cleveland, Tuscaloosa and Birmingham. Listening to one of three demos recorded on a cell phone at its website, Thebigbadwolves.com, it is immediately apparent that Will Hunt (drummer), Kent Poss (guitar) and Zach Leach (keyboard) are extremely talented and completely different than what Starkville’s music scene normally has to offer. 
“We met as musicians who were impressed by each other’s unique musical feeling, and we were convinced that would be enough to create things new without the need of vocals. I firmly believe that a musician has to understand the soul within the music. If I didn’t, I would just be a mechanically-gifted mathematician,” Hunt said.
Although hard to describe in words, they consider their sound a mix of “Mississippi meets Memphis soul, English rock and New Orleans funk with dashes of acid jazz.”  Yet with all of this amazing versatility and its wide-spread popularity, The Big Bad Wolves still find it hard to book shows in the area.
“Not having a vocalist hurts in trying to book the band. Many people consider this a jazz band. When jazz is mentioned, people seem to shy away from it,” Hunt said.
However, the band has found venues in Starkville, like Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern and Zorba’s Greek Tavern, and which are increasingly packed when they perform. 
“We are hoping to have a light show at our next gig at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern on Dec. 3,” Poss said. Lights will only add to the sensory environment that the band creates.  The band’s song, “Steppin’ Big” is smooth enough to relax to, yet the tempo is quick enough to get your hips and feet moving. “Tube Socks” brings an amazing mix of guitar riffs, drum licks and soulful keys that are familiar, yet packaged into a whole new experience. With its intense dynamic shifts and deep organ chord changes, “Upstairs Neighbor” takes you back to the days of Led Zeppelin and The Doors when music spoke for itself. And the songs keep coming up with names that match their creativity: “Green Megazoid,” “West Coast Toast,” “Pimento Cheese,” “Acid Skies,” “Circles,” “Eternus Obscurum,” “Blue Biscuit” and “Cliffhanger.”
The Big Bad Wolves will continue to push their unique style into the culture of the Golden Triangle with plans to record more demos and a CD.
“We have a company in Los Angeles that wants to use some of our music for film and television,” said Poss. They also plan to get a van and begin touring with a booking agent, with some gigs at casinos as well.
The band’s next shows will be Nov. 5 at Hal & Mal’s in Jackson, Nov. 12 at Hey Joe’s in Cleveland, Dec. 3 at Dave’s Dark Horse Tavern and Jan. 15 at the Windy City Grille in Como. Wherever the band plans to dominate the untapped potential of its style, it’s sure to be openly received by fans yearning for an escape from the ordinary and a visit into the minds of three truly gifted musicians.