Guitar Wolf at Mohawk [Preview]

Guitar Wolf @ The Mohawk
Wednesday, September 29
Mohawk (912 Red River Street)
8:00 p.m., $13 advance, $15 door, all ages
[info] | [tickets]

Naming one’s band is an art - the sobriquet needs to be memorable and convey something about the combo’s sound and/or attitude. By that criterion, there are few bands in the world as awesomely named as Guitar Wolf. Like its totem animal, the Tokyo trio is wild, woolly, savage and handsome; the other half of its name should make clear with what ax the group grinds. Formed in 1987 by guitarist Seiji (AKA Guitar Wolf), bassist Billy (Bass Wolf) and drummer Toru (Drum Wolf, of course), the band has smeared its grungy punkabilly all over stages around the world. Austin rockers well remember the band’s 1997 SXSW set, when the Wolf dominated the Matador Records showcase and established its beachhead on American shores.

Despite its alternate career as zombie slayers (as chronicled in the film Wild Zero), Guitar Wolf has released over a dozen classic albums of its self-designated jet rock ‘n’ roll, including Jet Generation, UFO Romantics, Planet of the Wolves and Missile Me! Following the sudden death by heart attack of Billy, the trio regrouped with new four-stringer U.G. and have continued to storm the continents and release wax, the latest being the mini-LP Jet Satisfaction. Now Guitar Wolf returns to Austin, teeth bared, eyes glowing, guitars ripping chunks from your flesh. The Crackpipes and Hans Condor open.

You can watch Guitar Wolf blaze through its anthem “Jet Generation” here and fight zombies with rock ‘n’ roll here.

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