Guitar Wolf: An Appreciation

Since they formed in 1987, Japan’s Guitar Wolf have been cranking out gonzo garage punk that rocks people to their very core. Equal parts the Ramones, rockabilly, garage punk and inspired by the hard rocking spirit of Joan Jett (there is a reason they call themselves the “greatest jett rock band on the planet…well they might be the only one, but still…) these veterans of true rock’n’roll craziness or “lock’n’loll” as they say in many of their wonderful songs have been destroying stages and their fans eardrums by taking their influences and turning it to 11 and getting down to business. In Japan, they are huge, over here in the United States they are more of a cult act, but that shouldn’t stop you from coming to the show on May 14 at Daniel Street.
If you need further evidence, remember that the awesome garage punk label Goner, was originally started to bring Guitar Wolf to the United States. Since then, they’ve recorded for Matador and Narnack here, while being a mainstay on Sony in Japan.
Personally, I’ve never seen them live; I’ve only heard testimonials from people who have witnessed their spectacle. For me, this is a chance to catch one of the legendary acts of the gunk punk set right in my home state, which I think is kind of cool, because usually international bands in the GW’s position only play the major cities when they come over to the States. We’re very lucky to get them, and for me, I’m not going to miss this.
But why should you go?
If you want a loud, pure and fun rock’n’roll experience then you should be at the show. I managed to snag a copy of “Golden Black”, their “greatest hits” package that came out a few years ago in the states (some of their older records are somewhat hard to find) and I can’t stop listening to it. It’s every thing you would want in a garage punk band. The songs are loud, fast and catchy. Though sung in Japanese, you get over that pretty quickly and just revel in their trashy fun.
And they have been around long enough to be an influence on younger, snottier bands. If you go to Boris’ “Pink” album that came out a while ago on Southern Lord, some of the louder, punkish numbers sound like they were influenced directly by the Wolf, plus there are bands like Thee Michelle Gun Elephant, who for a while looked liked they primed to take over the US years ago, who mine that whole blown out rock sound to great effect.
Plus, they will have copies of their newest record at the show. So here’s your chance to grab a little bit of the Wolf, and then go back and discover the rest of the back catalog. Also, they are coming off a storming set at Gonerfest last year, so despite their age, they still can deliver the goods live.
So this show is a no brainer. Just be there.

More Tour Dates

Manic Productions Presents:
Guitar Wolf
Cheap Time
Estrogen Highs

Saturday, May 14, 2011
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT
8:00 pm – 21+ - $15

Call It Heavy Dance Newwave or Geisha Fujiyama Rock, Bo-Peep's Hard Driving Sound Will Delight You

In a very general sense music is one of the best ways to break down cultural and language barriers. It's even better when said music in question isn't some lame world beat crap, but kick ass rock-n-roll. The women who comprise Japanese band Bo-Peep know all about this. Their hard driving sound which plays like the punkier, better side of grunge, may come from a different culture (ironically enough one that worships American music) and transcends the boundaries between East and West, with style and panache. It's the type of cultural exchange that those in the know can really get behind.
"You can dance to our songs, you can enjoy our songs, you can horseplay with our songs and you can release energy," the band said via e-mail.
But this is nothing new. Japan boasts a fine roster of hard rocking bands that have made an impact in the United States. There is the psychedelic sludge of Boris, along with the post-hardcore sound of Envy, the crazed gonzo garage metal of Electric Eel Shock and who can forget the raucous sounds of such bands as Guitar Wolf and Teengenerate.
You can definitely add Bo-Peep's name to the list of bands that have made a sonic impact in the States.
The band, which is comprised of Mika Yoshimura (guitar/vocals), Kaori Takebayashi (bass) and Ryoko Nakano (drums), formed ten years ago in Fukuoka via Tokyo. At the time, Mika and Ryoko were in a four piece band that broke up. They went looking for a female bass player and found one in Hime (who is now on leave) and the band was formed.
Since then, they've picked a new bass player in Takebayashi and recorded five albums. They've also toured the United States twice, making stops at the South By Southwest music fest in Austin the last two years. They are looking forward to coming back.
"We've already toured two times. We loved the open expanses of land and the strong response from the audience," they said via e-mail.
This tour will take them to Daniel Street in Milford on November 17. Their mission behind touring internationally is quite simple.
"In Japan, there is a lot of exciting rock music that hasn't crossed over to the West. We want to be a band that can share exciting music with audiences all over the world," they said.
Though they sing in their native tongue, there is nothing lost in translation when they kick into songs such as "B-Level Motion", "Junction Guerilla" and "I Do My Best", where bounce around the stage with boundless energy, that is infectious, hitting the audience with their infectious and bombastic sound.
So, come on down and share in this ultra-cool cultural exchange. Bo-Peep guarantees a straight-up fun time.




Bobbie Peru will be releasing a split 7" with Kimono Draggin' on Spaynsive Productions in the upcoming months! (KD are also playing Saturday, November 13th at Cherry Street Station, Wallingford CT with Old Man Lady Luck, The Clearer, and Many Arms.)

About Bobbie Peru:
The harshness of the east U.S coast meets the gritty north west of the UK , there's no mercy going on here. Bobbie Peru are a genuine strength to be reckoned with. There are only 3 of them, but the brute force and elegant melodics weigh heavily on the heart and soul. The songs are driving and urgent, the messages harsh and sometimes sarcastic, giving hints of a cruel sense of humour buried within the assault. Their debut LP 'Social Suicide' was met with wide acclaim and has, at the time of writing, nearly sold out. Since its release the band have toured extensively to promote it, including support tours across Europe and the U.K with The Fall, Black Francis and Spear Of Destiny. As a result of all the gigs their sound has developed considerably over the last year and the newer material is much more raw and less fussy. It's almost punk, but too intelligent to be just painted as that. The live shows have gained them much respect, the band are engaging and attention demanding. Frontman and guitarist Bert is particularly menacing and unpredictable, whilst the rhythm section lay down a concrete slab of sound. ---words from Spaynsive Productions via Manic via wherever via your mom



Also playing: Noised out improv from CT Jerkagram and 2 Ton Bug


Bo-Peep Tour:

Friday, November 12 AS220, Providence, Rhode Island

Sunday, November 14: The Trash Bar, Brooklyn, New York

Monday, November 15th: Philadelphia Museum of Contemporary Art, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania

Tuesday, November 16th: O'briens Pub, Boston, Massachusetts

Wednesday, November 17th: Daniel Street Club, Milford, Connecticut

Thursday, November 18th: Arlene's Grocery, Manhattan, New York



Wednesday, November 17 2010, Manic Productions presents Bo-Peep, Bobbie Peru, Jerkagram, 2 Ton Bug

Location:
Daniel Street
21 Daniel Street
Milford, CT

8:00pm - 21+ - $8

Buy tickets now or pick them up at Redscroll Records