Guitar Wolf is a Japanese garage rock power trio founded in Nagasaki in 1987. The band is known for songs with piercing vocals and an extremely loud style of noise-influenced punk which emphasizes heavy distortion and feedback. They coined the phrase “jet rock ‘n’ roll”, which they also use to describe their musical style – an energetic cross between the Ramones, Link Wray, rockabilly, 77 punk, and garage rock. The band is part of Sony Music Japan’s Ki/oon Records division. Guitar Wolf has released nine studio albums internationally as well as a live album, numerous singles, and a retrospective compilation called Golden Black. The band members have also been featured in two B-grade science fiction horror movies: Wild Zero and Sore Losers. A collection of Guitar Wolf’s most popular videos and live performances have been compiled into a limited edition DVD entitled Red Idol. In March 2005, bassist and founding member Billy, also known as Bass Wolf, died of a heart attack at the age of 38. His replacement in the band, bassist U.G., has become a permanent member of Guitar Wolf and now rounds out the trio which currently consist of band members Seiji (Guitar Wolf): U.G. (Bass Wolf); and Toru (Drum Wolf).
We were able to score an interview with Seiji. Check out what he had to say to us!
If you could describe your music in one word, what would it be?
JET ROCK’N ROLL!
What is your writing process like?
超能力を使ってだ
I use my supernatural powers.
What’s the strangest thing a fan has done for you at one of your shows?
アルゼンチンで、オレのブーツを脱がそうとした客がいた。脱がしてもって帰るつもりだったのか？
In Argentina, one of the audience tried to pull off my boots from me. I wondered, “Did he want to get home with my boots?”
Do you have any pre-show rituals?
みんなで円陣を組んで、Rock.n Rollと叫ぶ
We form a circle and howl, “Rock’n’Roll”.
How do you connect with an audience during a live show?
催眠術をかけるのさ、狼独特のね。
We hypnotize people. We have a very unique method: peculiar to the wolves only.
What would be the lineup for your dream gig?
もし、ギターウルフロックフェスを開くとしたらこうだね。
Guitar Wolf Rock Fest would be like this: The Oblivians, Teengenerate, Woggles, The Phantom Surfers, Devil Dogs, The Coat Hangers, Trash Women, Mammies, Dead Moon, Jet Boys, The Hans Condor, Autoramas, Atomic Bombers, Dogs, The 5678’s, Zeros, Dragons, Gollys, Gasoline, King Brothers, The Kids, Link Wray.
Guitar Wolf will be at The Drunken Unicorn with the Coathangers and Coward on 10/19!
Doors open at 9:00pm.
Tickets are $15 in advance and $17 at the door.
Online and phone sales end at 4:00pm the day of the show.
To get your tickets now, click the link!
