Francis Tobolsky – Ten Questions/Ten Minutes on WUCAN
I make no secret of passion for German quartet Wucan. Last year’s ‘Axioms’ album was as exciting as they come, and the band’s back catalogue throws up some interesting and diverse material. They’re a band that refuses to be pigeon-holed, and are incredibly creative. Plus, they have an inherent interest in the NWOBHM too, which is of course no bad thing. So let’s put Francis in the Ten Questions / Ten Minutes hotseat...
Q1. Can you give me a quick history of the band, please, and confirm the line-up?
“The band consists of Tim George (guitars and synths), Alexander Karlisch (bass), Philip Knöfel (drums) and me, Francis Tobolsky (vocals, flute, guitar, theremin, percussion and synths). I founded the band in my first semester at university in Dresden, posting an advertisement of sorts to find likeminded people. The title of said insert was ‘blues brothers wanted’, and I wanted to make music like Free, ZZ Top and Rory Gallagher, which turns out, I didn’t do. The insert ended with ‘oh by the way: I am a girl, and from then on out, I formed what was to be Wucan. Then Tim and I listened to a song called ‘Wucan’ by Black Mountain. We liked the vibe of the song and claimed it as our project’s name.”
Q2. What did you set out to achieve when you wrote and recorded ‘Axioms’? And do you think you achieved it?
“We wanted to evolve as musicians, generally. And I think we achieved that. Me, in particular, I wanted to become a better songwriter, first and foremost. I think there’s still room for improvement on that. But given the fact that I suck at musical theory and everything I do I taught myself autodidactically, I think I can be proud of myself! I have spent the past couple of years building my little ‘recording studio’ to create a space in which my creativity can flow freely and I get to develop my skills in peace.”
Q3. How does ‘Axioms’ compare to its predecessor, ‘Heretic Tongues’, do you think?
It is a lot darker and showcases a sense of hopelessness, which ‘Heretic Tongues’ is the exact opposite of. Musically speaking and production wise it’s been a huge leap forward for us, but at the same time we explored new genres and influences (as in, for example ‘KTNSAX’).
Q4. What inspires your lyrics? Where does your inspiration come from?
“I have a thing for historical poetry. Medieval and Renaissance poetry in particular. But since I am a philosopher, some ideas of my favourite thinkers find their way into my lyrics.”
Q5. What’s the best gig you’ve performed so far, and what made it so special?
“We’ve played so many, it’s difficult to name one. I’d say Finkenbach 2023. We got to play with my favourite band of all time: Birth Control.”
Q6. What album (or albums) made you think “I want to be a musician; I want to do that”?
“Free – ‘Fire And Water’, Birth Control’s ‘Hoodoo Man’ and maybe ‘Irish Tour’ by Rory Gallagher? We’re talking about my early influences here.”
photos by Joe Dilworth
Q7. What are your strengths as a band?
“We aren’t a metal band, but we’re not not a metal band. We’re not a psychedelic band, but we’re not not a psychedelic band. We aren’t a prog rock band, but we’re not not a prog rock band… you get the gist....”
Q8. The band have no attempt to hide their love of the NWOBHM, and do a great cover of ‘Am I Evil?’. Do you think the music and the bands of the NWOBHM influence Wucan today?
“Oh absolutely. But we are often called a Jethro Tull rip-off, which says more about the people claiming it than it says about us. Songs like ‘Out Of Sight Out Of Mind’, ‘Irons In The Fire’ and ‘Don’t Break The Oath” are heavily influenced by my adventures (or misadventures) in heavy metal. We did have a vital scene where I grew up and I have never turned my back (on a friend,” she laughs) “the metal scene altogether. I continue to be inspired by the rough sounds, poor production and raw songwriting of early heavy metal music from Britain.”
Q9. What’s next for Wucan?
“Lots of touring and beginning a new chapter for the band. Fingers crossed we will make it.”
Q10. Every time I see a moving car with a dog poking its head out of the window it puts a smile on my face. What makes you laugh?
“I love innocent, stupid humour that doesn’t hurt anyone. I am a simple woman.”
Q11. [yes, I know] If you drove an ice cream van, what tune would it play?
“The one of my childhood ice cream van, which was slightly dissonant. I tried looking it up online but apparently only American ones are archived. Bummer!”
John Tucker February 2026