Was the world really ready for Japan’s garage rock trio, Guitar Wolf? When they appeared on the scene in the late 80s brandishing their lo-fi, ear damaging rock n’ roll, the trio quickly became cult icons. Dressed to the nines in black leather and dark sunglasses, they looked more like a gang in much the same way that the Ramones did.
The difference here is that the Ramones made music you could listen to. Guitar Wolf’s unapologetic approach to recording albums became notorious among fans of underground garage rock, and their records quickly became highly collectible. While all this may sound negative, their live show is anything but.
The band returned to Australia in support of their latest album, the uniquely titled Beast Vibrator.
Opening the night’s events was Mesa Cosa, an energetic garage-rock band. With a three-guitar assault, they sounded like a Spanish version of Lynyrd Skynyrd crossed with the punk rock sounds of The Saints or The Missing Links. The six-piece are a fun band and one that is definitely worth keeping an eye on.
With their style of abstract noise, screaming punk, and a tinge of sludge thrown in just for added texture, Batpiss arrived to great applause. These guys have been delivering the goods for some time now. A solid band with much to offer.
If you have never seen a Guitar Wolf show before, you probably should add that to your list of things to do before you die. There is nothing else like it – but just remember to take your earplugs because your hearing will never be the same again.
Guitar Wolf live is a whole different experience to what you hear on record. Sure, the recordings are filled with distortion, but in the flesh, the thing that differs is their carelessness when it comes to tuning their instruments – and that is where the beauty of a Guitar Wolf show lives.
Once Seiji (Guitar Wolf) downed his can of beer, he leapt quickly into the air – and they were off. U.G. (Bass Wolf) played what seemed to be whatever notes he decided to play while Toru (Drum Wolf) kept the beat alive, attacking each drum and cymbal like they were sworn enemies. It was a mishmash of piercing noise that just seemed to work. They bashed out classics like ‘Jet Generation’, ‘Can Nana Fever’, and the title track to their cult smash hit horror movie, Wild Zero.
Legendary Melbourne rock PBS DJ Kevin Lobotomy was dragged up on stage and given Seiji’s guitar to jam with as Guitar Wolf taught the people about rock n’ roll. It was a classic moment in Melbourne rock history, and while Lobotomy was unsure about exactly what the band wanted from him, he still gave it everything he had, ensuring that his place in Melbourne rock history will be forever solidified.
By the time Guitar Wolf were done playing out of tune, hitting plastic balls into the crowd, or climbing on the hands of the punters in much the same manner that Iggy Pop has been known for, everyone was exhausted. But that didn’t stop the band as they returned for ‘All Through The Night Buttobase’.
After the trio left the stage and the music began playing on the PA, Seiji returned on his own, plugged in his guitar and walked us through a drunken rendition of his ballad, ‘I Love You OK’. Dripping in sweat and fumbling his way through, he then uttered a “thankyou” before stumbling off stage, leaving to a standing ovation.
There really will never be another band like Guitar Wolf. Many other bands have tried the drunk-punk approach to music and have come off as dismal failures. Somehow these rockers have managed to live and breathe their music for over 20 years now, but they won’t be hanging up the leather jackets and taking off their sunglasses anytime soon – and thank god for that. Guitar Wolf are the real deal, and no matter how out of tune they may play, you can’t help but love the passion, heart, and soul that they put into their music and their live show. Long live Guitar Wolf!
