Who? Combining two seemingly inexhaustible indie rock trends -- bands from Montreal and groups with razor-toothed wildlife in their names -- dance/thrash/punk trio We Are Wolves definitively proves neither craze is played out. Made up of longtime friends Alex Ortiz (bass/guitar/vocals), Vincent Levesque (keyboards/ beatbox/vocals) and Antonin Marquis (drums/vocals), these Wolves dropped their 2005 debut Non-Stop Je Te Plie En Deux on Fat Possum, while their ultra-aggressive follow up Total Magique arrived in October via the Dare to Care imprint.

What's the Deal? Coming off like the maladjusted offspring of the Faint, Brainiac, Shout Out Out Out Out and Ghostland Observatory, We Are Wolves use their instruments just as much as weapons to weave a sinister groove that challenges, nee dares, listeners to keep from dancing. That the three manage such an in-your-face sound without ever sounding abrasive is a testament to their mettle as songwriters. Take the vicious single "Fight & Kiss" -- the title might as well double as their mission statement -- which rides on an Atari 2600-style drone, a squawking four-note keyboard line, galloping drums and commands to "Come and kiss me/Wasting all these years." That synthesis is likely part of the reason WAW took the Galaxie Rising Stars award at October's M For Montreal music showcase.

Fun Fact: Think there are too many Wolves bands out there these days? Chances are We Are Wolves do, too, thanks to a defunct Portland, Ore. hardcore band by the same name. Thankfully the Portland Wolves' MySpace page acknowledges the duplicity -- "If you saw We Are Wolves it is the one from Canada and you should click on their picture below and go be their friend because they are nice and still a band" -- and redirects fans to the Montreal Wolves' band page. 

Now Hear This:
We Are Wolves - "Fight & Kiss" DOWNLOAD MP3

On the Web:
We Are Wolves at MySpace
wearewolves.net

Talk: Would you go dancing with these Wolves?