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Howlin’
at UFOs
An interview with Seiji of Guitar Wolf
By Bob Ignizio |
Guitar Wolf (Seiji “Guitar
Wolf” – guitar and vocals, Billy “Bass Wolf” – bass, and Toru “Drum Wolf” –
drums) are a Japanese band who play primal, noisy garage rock. The band
released their first album, ‘Wolf Rock’, in 1993 and since then has followed
it with several more full lengths and singles as well as starring in the
cult film ‘Wild Zero’. Their latest album, ‘UFO Romantics’, was recently
unleashed on an unsuspecting United States by Narnack Records. Through the
fabulous modern technology of email, I was able to conduct the following
interview with the leader of the wolf pack himself, Seiji. Enjoy.
Utter Trash: How did a
Japanese band wind up playing a style of American rock 'n' roll that is
fairly underground even in its country of origin?
Seiji: My wolf blood make me just do it.
UT: What bands or artists
influenced you the most?
S: Johnny Thunders, Link Wray, Joan Jett, Ramones,
Cramps, Elvis Presley, Bruce Lee.
UT: Are you more popular
in America or Japan or about the same?
S: Same, or we play on big stage in Tokyo.
UT: What do you think you
bring to the garage rock style that is unique?
S: Maybe my body is mixed with wolf blood.
UT: Which of your albums
do you like the best and why?
S: Of course all, but the most impressive one is our
first album `Wolf Rock` from Goner Record Memphis TN.
UT: Most of your albums
have a very raw production sound, but on your latest you experimented with
some cleaner sounds. Were you happy with the results, and do you think
that's the direction you'll be moving in?
S: I don`t know. Maybe it just happened. I guess we
were influenced by the alignment of the mars, moon and sun. We barked at
the moon too much. That made the UFO come down to visit us.
UT: How did the movie
'Wild Zero' come about? Did you enjoy the experience of acting in a movie,
and is it something you'd do again?
S: We are very happy. Because everybody could
understand who saved this earth.
UT: In the movie, your
characters offer various words of wisdom like "there are no boundaries in
rock 'n' roll" and "love has no borders, nationalities, or genders". Do
those statements reflect your personal beliefs? Are you interested in
putting more messages in your lyrics, or should rock 'n' roll just be fun
without any philosophizing?
S: Of course, there are no boundaries in wolves and
wolves have no borders, nationalities, or genders.
UT: What is the one thing
you'd most like to accomplish with the band? What is your definition of
success?
S: This is a good question. In near future, we would
have our own UFO. There’d be a pub with bunny girls, sushi bar and ramen
noodle restaurant in the UFO. Each one of us has own room, too. We’d enjoy
touring the world by flying the UFO. That’s our success.
UT: Anything else you
want to say to that I didn't ask about?
S: Wait to be eaten by Guitar Wolf. Catch you
later.
Visit the Guitar Wolf
website.
Catch Guitar Wolf on tour:
Nov.5
Northsix, Brooklyn - DVD
'Red Idle' released
Nov.18 CBGB's, New York Headlining Japunks
Nov.19 Subterranean, Chicago
Nov.20 Echo Lounge, Atlanta
Ｎov.22
Double Wide, Dallas w/ The Woggles
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