The riffs of “Napoleon Road” by Howling Hawk hit harder than a caffeine overdose at 3 AM. This London-based quartet — featuring Paolo (channelling Paul Arthurs / Bonehead vibes), Gonzalo (shredding like Johnny Marr’s long-lost cousin), Jimmy (bass/vocals), and Clemente (drums), is bringing the hotness with a track that’ll make you think you’re stumbling through the city streets at 2 AM, searching for your next musical fix.
Drawing inspiration from the golden era of Britpop, Howling Hawk channels the spirit of bands like Oasis, The Strokes, and The Stone Roses with impressive skill. “Napoleon Road” feels like a love letter to London’s streets, inspired by a wild tale of a friend’s unexpected night out.
But here’s where it gets really interesting: the story behind “Napoleon Road” is as wild as a night out in Camden. Jim, the band’s bassist and songwriting mastermind, spins a yarn about a mate who got booted off a bus, wandered past All Souls Church, and somehow ended up on stage during a public service. Talk about a crazy night out, right? This urban legend gives the track a whole new layer of meaning, turning it from just another rock song into a proper London adventure.
The music blows you like a freight train of pure rock energy. The track bursts with massive guitar riffs and a chorus that’ll have you craving to link arm-in-arm with total strangers in your local pub, singing out the lyrics at the top of your lungs. These guys have blended their Chilean and Italian roots with the intense Camden vibe, giving an epic musical cocktail.
Recorded at Orange Hill in West London – a studio the band proudly helped establish by donating furniture – the track was made under wonderfully unusual settings. The band literally recorded in the control room, carefully avoiding sound bleed from neighbouring bands rehearsing Kate Bush covers.
The international response has been phenomenal. With a previous track already played in Egypt, Chile, Brazil, and Miami, “Napoleon Road” will prove to be more than just a local hit. Early press comparisons to Oasis and The Stone Roses aren’t just flattering – they’re spot on. For a band that’s only released their first song recently, Howling Hawk shows us that maturity and musical depth that belies their relative newcomer status.
Grab a pint, listen to “Napoleon Road,” and let Howling Hawk move you through the night streets of London. Rock-and-roll rarely gets more authentic than this.