Guitar Wolf
From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
| Guitar Wolf | ||
|---|---|---|
 (left to right) Toru (Drum Wolf), Seiji (Guitar Wolf), and Billy (Bass Wolf)
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| Background information | ||
| Origin | Nagasaki, Japan | |
| Genre(s) | Garage Punk, J-Rock, Alternative Rock | |
| Years active | 1987 to Present | |
| Label(s) | Matador Records Narnack Records |
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| Members | ||
| Toru, Seiji, U.G. | ||
| Former members | ||
| Billy and Narita | ||
The band Guitar Wolf, founded in Japan in 1987, are known for their piercing vocals and extremely loud style of garage punk that emphasized heavy distortion. They coined the phrase "Jett Rock 'n' Roll", which they also used to describe their musical style — an energetic cross between The Ramones, rockabilly, classic punk, and noise rock.
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[edit] Band members
Guitar Wolf originally consisted of Seiji (Guitar Wolf), Billy (Bass Wolf), and Narita (Drum Wolf). Narita quit the band to be a fortune teller. They asked a different band for a new drummer, and they found Toru. Billy/Bass Wolf died in Tokyo on March 31, 2005, presumably from a heart attack after coming off the last leg of their U.S. tour. [1] In September of 2005, Guitar Wolf played their first show with their new bassist, U.G. Guitar wolf presently consists of Seiji, U.G. and Toru.
[edit] Influence
Guitar Wolf was predated by a series of similar Japanese bands such as Teengenerate and Supersnazz, although none achieved the cult status this trio did. Since their inception, they have influenced a neo-renaissance of punk rock in Japan.
[edit] Jett Rock 'n' Roll
Jett Rock 'n' Roll is a term coined by Guitar Wolf to describe their musical style. It is conglomeration of punk, traditional rock, heavy distortion, and screaming that has only ever been applied to their band.
The name is derived from the last name of musician Joan Jett, whom Guitar Wolf frontman Seiji considers his greatest influence.
See King Brothers for one such band that is influenced by Guitar Wolf.
Guitar Wolf often touts itself as "The World's Greatest Jett Rock 'n' Roll Band". Matador claims their Jet Generation album is the loudest CD in history. [2]
[edit] Jett clothing
The band have their own line of Jett clothing consisting of jackets, pants, T-shirts and belts. The Guitar Wolf motorcycle jacket, a variation of the 613 Perfecto called 613GW, is manufactured by Schott NYC.
[edit] Discography
[edit] Vinyl LPs
[edit] Studio albums
- Run Wolf Run (1994)
- Missile Me! (1995)
- Planet Of The Wolves (1997)
- Jet Generation (1999)
- Rock'n'roll Etiquette (2000)
- UFO Romantics (2003)
- Loverock (2004)[3]
- Golden Black (greatest hits) (2005)
- Dead Rock (2007)
[edit] Live albums
[edit] Singles
- Somethin' Else (1994)
- Missile Me (1996)
- Can-Nana Fever (1997)
- Bad Reputation (1997)
- Kawasaki Z11 7750 Rock 'n' Roll (1997)
- Kaminari One (1998)
- Murder By Rock! (1999)
- God Speed You (2000)
- I Love You, Ok (2001)
A tribute album, entitled I Love Guitar Wolf Very Much, was recorded in 2004.
[edit] Song covers
- Summertime Blues by Eddie Cochran
- (I Can't Get No) Satisfaction by The Rolling Stones
- Rumble, Jack the Ripper, and Ace of Spades by Link Wray
- Should I Stay or Should I Go by The Clash
- Kick out the Jams by MC5
- I Love You, OK? by Eikichi Yazawa
- The Way I Walk by Jack Scott
- (Get Your Kicks on) Route 66 by Bobby Troup
- (I'm A) Sore Loser by The Royal Pendletons
- Brand New Cadillac by Vince Taylor
[edit] Videos
- Guitar Wolf starred in the movie, Wild Zero, directed by Tetsuro Takeuchi. The band plays themselves as they take on crazed fans, zombies, and an alien invasion. Guitar Wolf is currently looking for a sponsor for the sequel, Wild Zero 2.
- Guitar Wolf also appeared in the American B movie Sore Losers, where they played aliens.
- A collection of Guitar Wolf's most popular videos and live performances have been compiled into a limited edition DVD entitled Red Idol.
- Guitar Wolf (the guitarist) appears in the Puffy (Ami Yumi) video for "Teen Titans".
[edit] Live Experience
Guitar Wolf are well known for their frenetic live shows. They sometimes rely on elaborate stage productions, including lighted banners, comedically oversized speakers, and microphones that spew fire. There is little-to-no time in between songs and the band has been known, on many occasions, to play completely non-stop through their entire set.
