Tokyo's Guitar Wolf plays loud, fast, dirty punk rock. The trio -- which consists of guitarist Seiji, bassist Billy, and drummer Toru -- formed in the late '80s. Though the group's first two albums were released only in Japan, imports of the records and word of mouth about Guitar Wolf's incendiary live shows secured U.S. distribution for their... [+] Read More

Tokyo's Guitar Wolf plays loud, fast, dirty punk rock. The trio -- which consists of guitarist Seiji, bassist Billy, and drummer Toru -- formed in the late '80s. Though the group's first two albums were released only in Japan, imports of the records and word of mouth about Guitar Wolf's incendiary live shows secured U.S. distribution for their next two releases, Wolf Rock and Kung Fu Ramone. An in-store performance at a New York record store impressed Matador Records enough to offer them a contract; 1996's Missile Me! was their first release for the prestigious indie imprint. In 2003, Guitar Wolf took their high-octane punk-a-billy to the punk-friendly Narnak label for the American release of 2003's UFO Romantics; Loverock followed in 2004. The busy noise-mongers managed to drop a second album by the end of 2004, the manic Rock 'n' Roll Etiquette. After completing a U.S. tour in early 2005, Guitar Wolf returned to Japan and Billy suffered a fatal heart attack on March 30 at the age of 38. The band soldiered on with new bassist, Ug. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide [-] Hide

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On their seventh album Jet Generation, Tokyo's coolest punkabilly band Guitar Wolf displays more of the loud, fast dirty style that has garnered them a strong, international cult following. Cuts like "Cosmic Space Girl" and "Fujiyama Attack" showcase the group's sci-fi leanings and frenzied approach. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide

On their seventh album Jet Generation, Tokyo's coolest punkabilly band Guitar Wolf displays more of the loud, fast dirty style that has garnered them a strong, international cult following. Cuts like "Cosmic Space Girl" and "Fujiyama Attack" showcase the group's sci-fi leanings and frenzied approach. ~ Heather Phares, All Music Guide [-] Hide

References to the Ramones, black leather jackets, covers ranging from the Oblivians to fellow Japanese travelers Teengenerate -- not to mention a ragged rip through the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" itself! -- all this makes it clear: Guitar Wolf doesn't seek to mess around. And the band doesn't -- Planet of the Wolves lives up to both its and... [+] Read More

References to the Ramones, black leather jackets, covers ranging from the Oblivians to fellow Japanese travelers Teengenerate -- not to mention a ragged rip through the Rolling Stones' "Satisfaction" itself! -- all this makes it clear: Guitar Wolf doesn't seek to mess around. And the band doesn't -- Planet of the Wolves lives up to both its and the band's name, right from the distorted, "up yours" explosive start, "Kawasaki ZII750 Rock'n'Roll." Like the best bands that keep it simple when it comes to their garage punk approach, there's just that little something extra to make everything truly great -- in this case, vocal and musical delivery that makes perfect sense from the land of the Boredoms. To mention Teengenerate again -- that band sounded like a classic combo firing up and letting fly on all fours, where Guitar Wolf sounds like a band of aliens shocking themselves every time they touch their instruments. Seiji in particular is just plain nuts, either screeching like his soul is being ripped from his body or playing guitar that demands instant attention under threat of death. Not that the Billy/Toru rhythm section is any slouch, clattering and rumbling along with just as much frenetic energy. The freaky drumming and crumbling noise on the instrumental title track (not to mention some great wolfman howls) is one thing, the utter rampages captured on "Far East Man" and the strutting burn through Link Wray's "Rumble" another. The murky fidelity on the album doesn't sound like a gimmick so much as it does a necessary shield for the music to keep from committing direct assault on one's bodily person. Anyone who loved the Scandinavian trash/garage/glam explosion of the '90s needs this album like a heroin addict needs horse -- except this is a lot cheaper. ~ Ned Raggett, All Music Guide [-] Hide