Guitar Wolf

Guitar Wolf
Seiji, lead singer and guitarist for Guitar Wolf
Background information
Origin	Nagasaki, Nagasaki, Japan
Genres	Garage rock, hard rock, noise rock, garage punk
Years active	1987–present
Labels	Sony JP, Ki/oon, Goner, Matador, Narnack, Okami
Associated acts	Teengenerate The 5.6.7.8's
Members	Toru, Seiji, U.G.
Past members	Billy and Narita

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).

Guitarist, Seiji was born in Nagasaki and following high school moved to Shimane prefecture and then Tokyo. After arriving in Tokyo, Seiji became lead vocalist for the band, Far East Punch. With a strong desire to play guitar and after giving up on several attempts, Seiji finally dedicated himself to the guitar after discovering a vinyl copy of Link Wray's "Rumble" at Tower Records in Shibuya. Seiji has stated that the Link Wray song "saved his music life."