For a band to not only last beyond 30 years together but keep scaling more imposing heights, it’s going to need a sense of purpose. In the case of The Woggles, the seasoned garage rockers passed that milestone with a renewed rallying cry to move ever forward!

The Woggles now feature a two-guitar attack with Graham Day (The Prisoners, Solar Flares, Thee Mighty Caesars) and Shane Pringle (Tiger! Tiger!, Bad Spell) on the 6 strings with Shane occasionally doubling up on saxophone!

The band is touring in support of the new single Flesh Hammer b/w The Witch out on Wicked Cool Records (Steven Van Zandt’s label), inspired by the late guitarist, Jeff Walls AKA Flesh Hammer. Both sides of the 7″ feature Pat Beers from The Schizophonics on lead guitar.

“The band is not as much an institution as a way of life,” says frontman “The Professor” Mighty Manfred. “The main thing is to keep swimming, cause the shark has got to keep moving.”

The band continues to feature the sock-it-to-them rhythm section of bassist Buzz Hagstrom and drummer Dan Eletxro, both also sometime members of savage English rockers Graham Day & The Gaolers.

“Alan Freed once said that ‘Rock and roll is a river of music that has absorbed many streams,’” quotes Manfred. “The Woggles drink from its many tributaries, from early rock and roll and R&B to ’60s garage rock, British Invasion, ’60s soul and forward.”

Fusing pure rock and soul from vintage sources into their own singular sound, The Woggles lay it down hard and loud but with more majesty than recklessness. Their beats and riffs are as strident as Manfred’s swagger and strut onstage. Having played in the past with Johnny Cash, Link Wray, The Zombies and nearly every garage rock group worth its salt, as Meredith Ochs wisely advised on NPR All Songs Considered: “Go see a Woggles show. It will change your life.”

Oddball Facts & Go Figures

• The Woggles on NPR!
• Those Feisty Philly Minks
• Sirens’ Song
• Johnny Cash opens for The Woggles!

Dear Friend and Fan,

George Montague Holton III, the extraordinary guitar player in The Woggles, passed away in his sleep Monday, May 12, he was 31.

Having spent so much time and shared so many experiences through the past ten years, George was definitely a brother to each of us in a family we call The Woggles. His tragic early departure from this world shocks each of us and saddens us beyond description. His compassion, consideration, good humor and talent will be sorely missed.

George Montague Holton III was a big name for a man big in both stature and magnitude of presence. The silence of his guitar is the saddest song imaginable.

We miss him greatly.

Take care,
The Woggles

His obituary can be found here.
George was buried in a Woggles T-shirt with his guitar strap at his side. Cards should be addressed to either George and Marilyn Holton or simply Mr. & Mrs. Holton. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to the American Diabetes Association, 1-800-342-2383.

George and Marilyn Holton
402 Ferncliff Dr.
Signal Mountain, TN 37377