Guitar Wolf (Japanese: ??????) 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 are destined to create busting sounds on the earth.
4
Wolves respond to other wolves calls. The friend wolves from all around come to see us wherever we are. We love blonde wolves.
5
Forget about techniques. Just stay cool and aggressive.
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Fact
1
Getting signed to a Japanese label was no easy feat, so they set out and toured and recorded on their own, picking up momentum as a rock force to be reckoned with, as well as developing a strong cult following. Opportunity knocked when they performed at an in-store signing in New York. A record executive was so impressed by Seiji's presence and energy (namely jumping all over everything, jumping headfirst into the ceiling fan, yet still managed to keep going!), that they were then signed to Matador records. Their debut American album, Missile Me, was released in 1996.
2
Despite his elaborate tales for the music media of being abandoned by his parents as child and being raised by wolves (as well as his claim of being a quarter wolf), Seiji and his band's formation is less elaborate. He first formed Guitar Wolf in 1987 with Billy (Bass Wolf) upon meeting in the Harajuku district of Tokyo, Japan, where they both worked in adjacent shops. Seiji's roommate then joined them on drums, but was replaced in 1991 by Toru (Drum Wolf).
3
Has toured with bands such as D4, Jon Spencer's Blues Explosion, The Cramps, The Woggles, The 5,6,7,8s, and Joan Jett.
4
Favorite films include: Back To The Future, Enter The Dragon, and Rock & Roll High School.
5
Plays an Epiphone SG guitar.
6
Other major influences include Link Wray, Bruce Lee,Iggy Pop, and the Ramones.
7
Seiji's biggest influence is Joan Jett, the album title and song "Jet Generation" along with their proclomation of being "Greatest Japanese Jet Rock n' Roll band" is all in tribute to her, as well as various references to her littered throughout their songs. He always wears his Joan Jett buttons on his trademark black leather jacket, and kisses them at every show he performs at.
8
Loves motorcylces and has a license for driving one.
9
When not touring, performing, or recording, he works in building construction and drywall in Japan.
10
1999 album, Jet Generation, has been proclaimed to be the loudest album ever recorded. Ever since its release, the album contains warning labels concerning its sound levels.
11
Shares his birthday with Joan Jett.
Soundtrack
Title
Year
Status
Character
Men in Black II
2002
performer: "Planet of the Wolves"
Wild Zero
1999
performer: "Wild Zero", "Wild Weekend", "Love Love Beam", "Butt Base In All Night", "Starry Sky Jet" / writer: "Wild Zero", "Butt Base In All Night", "Starry Sky Jet"
Actor
Title
Year
Status
Character
Fonotune: An Electric Fairytale
2017
post-production
Blitz
The Sore Losers
1997
Mysterious Stranger
Composer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Wild Zero
1999
Music Department
Title
Year
Status
Character
Guitar Wolf: Red Idol
2003
Video music by
Producer
Title
Year
Status
Character
Guitar Wolf: Red Idol
2003
Video producer
Thanks
Title
Year
Status
Character
International Playboys' First Movie: Ghouls Gone Wild!
2004
Video short special thanks
Self
Title
Year
Status
Character
Garage Rockin' Craze
2017
Documentary
Himself
Top Knot Detective
2016
Documentary
Guitar Wolf
Rock 'n' Roll Summit 2010 at Shibuya-AX
2010
TV Movie documentary
Themselves
Rock 'n' Roll Summit 2009 at Shibuya-AX
2009
TV Movie documentary
Themselves
Rock 'n Tokyo
2007
Documentary
Themselves
Rock and Roll!: Talking with Guitar Wolf
2003
Video documentary short
The Making of 'Wild Zer' with Guitar Wolf
2003
Video documentary short
Himself (as Seiji)
Guitar Wolf: Red Idol
2003
Video
Himself
Wild Zero
1999
Himself
Hell Bento: Uncovering the Japanese Underground
1995
Documentary
Himself (as Guitar Wolfe)
Known for movies
Wild Zero (1999) as Composer
Men in Black II (2002) as Soundtrack
Guitar Wolf: Red Idol (2003) as Music Department
Rock 'n' Roll Summit 2010 at Shibuya-AX (2010) as Themselves
$1.2 Million
