Gone In A Guitar Wolf Minute

Fri 23rd Dec, 2005 in Features

Japan’s Guitar Wolf are a band who don’t spend much time fucking around. They’re noted for their ceaseless energy, their relentless playing, and their plug-in, cut-’em-down shows, virtual explosions of sweat and volume. So it’d make sense that the guys – the original Wolf mothers – aren’t ones for talking. They let the leathers and the live lather do the talking for them. And so, in telegraphic, question-and-answer format, here’s FasterLouder’s exchange with Seiji, the part-man, part-wolf, all-rock guitarist of one of the loudest, most fucked-up bands you’ll ever see. Via email, due to the language barrier, we got down and snarled.

(Oh, first things first: Seiji doesn’t dick around explaining how his band came into being: you’ll have to check out their website to get that info. Suffice it to say that they were born to the late-’80s rock scene with the musical sensibilities of kung-fu Ramones.)

FL: What’s Jet rock ‘n’ roll? It’s how you describe yourselves, but what is it?
Seiji: Explosions. R&R bursting with energy.

FL: We were sorry to hear about Billy’s (Guitar Wolf’s former bassist) death. Was it unexpected?
Seiji: Yes. The cause of death was heart attack while he was asleep. It happened two days after we returned home from the US tour.

FL: Was it difficult to continue after Billy died? What made you want to keep going?
Seiji: When I saw his face in the coffin for the last time, I decided to keep moving on, keep burning.

FL: How did you find Ug, your new bassplayer?
Seiji: When Guitar Wolf visited the detention center, he was trying to escape. He failed but I thought he was a cool kid and remembered him.

FL: Was it hard for Ug to fit into such a tight band? Has he had trouble settling in?
Seiji: I haven’t asked him. I don’t have any intention to ask him either.

FL: How’s he fit in with the band? Did the fans like him, or was there a backlash?
Seiji: You got to see yourself in Australia.

FL: Do you prefer to record, or to play gigs?
Seiji: Playing gigs.

FL: What is the normal Guitar Wolf gig like, for people who haven’t seen you yet?
Seiji: What does that mean? Our gigs are always normal.

FL: Can you tell us about the Guitar Wolf movie, Wild Zero? How did it get made?
Seiji: That’s the domumentary film. I’m happy to see that now people acknowledge who is protecting the earth.

FL: When you were making the movie, what was harder to deal with – zombies, aliens or fans?
Seiji: Hollywood actresses.

FL: Speaking of fans, what do you think of them?
Seiji: I love them all.

FL: Are you working on new songs?
Seiji: Of course. The beginner’s power is huge. Simple is the best.

FL: What is the secret to a Guitar Wolf song?
Seiji: It’s easy to answer. Techinically we are clumsy.

FL: You have done a couple of covers – what bands would you like to cover now?
Seiji: Elvis.

FL: How big is rock and roll culture in Japan?
Seiji: I’m sure it flourishes as long as Guitar Wolf exists. But I have no idea how big it will be like.

FL: What bands in Japan make the same kind of music you do?
Seiji: I don’t know.

FL: What Japanese bands do you like?
Seiji: Teengenerate!! Jet Boys!! MAD3!! Jackie & the Cedrics!! The 5,6,7,8’s!!

FL: Why do you think Japanese rockers go all the way and dress up so much?
Seiji: Perhaps, because they don’t like to wear the shorts.

FL: What are the top five albums that everyone should own?
Seiji: LAMF-Link Wray, The Ramones-The Ramones Mania, Elvis’s first, Joan Jett good music, The Rolling Stones, Sex Pistles, Carol.

FL: What have you heard about Australia?
Seiji: Everybody is great people. This is not a joke.

FL: What are you looking forward to seeing in Australia?
Seiji: A scandarous gosship with a famous actress.

FL: Do you have any surprises for your Australian fans?
Seiji: Guitar Wolf.

FL: What would you like to say to your fans that might be reading?
Seiji: Let’s have a party.

With that, my email program caught fire.

Catch Guitar Wolf on their current Australian tour.

Wednesday 28th December, The Rev, Brisbane with SixFtHick, Onyas and Dangerman
Thursday 29th December, Marquee, Sydney with SixFtHick, Mach Pelican, Mink Jaguar
Friday 30th December, The Tote, Melbourne with Legends of Motorsport, The Specimens, Mystaken
Saturday 31st December – New Year’s Eve, The Tote, Melbourne with Spazzys, Mach Pelican, Sin City