About Me
Decked out in head to toe black leather, shades, greased up hair and delivering a devastating cherry bomb guitar attack, Tokyo's Guitar Wolf are cooler than you are. Like the Ramones - an obvious influence along with Link Wray, Johnny Thunders, MC5, and The Stooges - Guitar Wolf successfully pull off the balancing act between high art concept and gut-driven punk rock, throwing in an unhealthy (or healthy, depending on how you look at it) obsession with sex, alcohol, and UFOs for good measure. Originally formed in 1987, the present lineup was solidified in 1991 when Toru (Drum Wolf) joined original members Seiji (Guitar Wolf) and Billy (Bass Wolf) in the band. The trio played clubs and events around Tokyo, also recording a track for a garage rock compilation Journey to the Mad Brain from Tokuma along with garage rock stalwarts Jackie & the Cedrics, The 5,6,7,8's, and others. After inclusion in another compilation entitled TVVA, Guitar Wolf released their first album in the US in 1993 on Goner. Entitled Wolf Rock, the record was a poorly recorded, low-budget affair, but it captured the intensity and pure adrenaline of Guitar Wolf's sound. Rumor has it that Goner's co-owner (and Oblivians member) Eric Friedl signed the band to Goner after seeing them destroy another band's equipment in a small Memphis club, the actual music being an afterthought. Guitar Wolf toured the United States for the first time in 1993, subsequently releasing several records both in Japan and on small indie labels overseas over the next several years. Their third release, Missile Me, was picked up for distribution in the US in 1996 by indie kingpin Matador Records, supported by a 34 date US tour culminating in an appearance at Matador Nite at Austin's giant South by Southwest music festival - at which they have since been a frequent fixture. The band then headed straight to London and Europe with Jon Spencer Blues Explosion. In 1997, the band signed to the major label Ki/oon, releasing Planet of the Wolves. The band headed back out on the road to support the record, starting with a tour of Japan, and then on to a 31 date tour of the United States supporting the Cramps. Planet of the Wolves was released in the US on Matador a month after its Japan release. Jet Generation was released by Ki/oon and Matador in Japan and the US in 1999. Guitar Wolf released several more records over the next few years, with UFO Romantics seeing release in Spain (2002) and France (2002), as well as in the United States (2003) and Japan (2002). Guitar Wolf's eighth album, Love Rock, was released in 2004 in Japan on Ki/oon and in the United States on Narnack. Fans of the band's earlier releases were happy with the production on Love Rock, which went back to garage after having become considerably slicker over the previous several releases. Guitar Wolf continues to tour incessantly, on the road for at least four months a year, mostly overseas. The exploits of the band has become the stuff of legend, as have their interviews and live appearances. They have built up a huge fan base in countries all over the world, including numerous musicians. They have also appeared as themselves in two movies - John Michael McCarthy's Sore Losers and the Japanese film Wild Zero, in the latter of which they play superhero versions of themselves who must battle zombies to save the world, making sure to save plenty of time to rock out and look cool doing it. Seiji has also participated in more overtly commercial ventures, including voice-overs for McDonald's and energy drink Oronamin C, as well as music for a commercial for the Yoshinoya beef bowl chain, but the band continues to maintain a high level of credibility, and is one of Tokyo's most consistently great punk bands. In late March 2005, Billy suddenly died of cardiac arrest, throwing the future of the band into uncertainty.
