Eels: Return Of The Wolfman

For more than a decade, long-bearded Mark Oliver Everett has been lending his distinctively rough-edged vocals to a band called Eels. Over the years, Everett and the rest of Eels' rotating trio have fleshed out their discography with bluesy funk, lo-fi acoustic confessionals, orchestral rock and even a bit of spoofy rap.

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Mark Oliver Everett of Eels.

courtesy of the artist

Mark Oliver Everett of Eels.

courtesy of the artist

Better known to the world as E, Everett released his alt-rock solo debut, A Man Called E, back in 1992. Several years, releases and genres later, Everett and Eels are back with his/their seventh studio album, the gritty and satisfying Hombre Lobo. The disc, full of Everett's alternately lusty and introspective howls, tells the story of a wolfman character with a strange, depressed sincerity.

In this interview with World Cafe, Everett explains how music saved him at an early age, while also discussing his workaholic dedication to his craft.