How do you define rock & roll? A genre of music? A fashion? A lifestyle?
Since forming in 1987, rock & roll is everything for Japanese rocker Guitar Wolf. Sunglasses are permanently affixed to his face; leather jackets and trousers are his second skin; and the only volume he can communicate is at a level of 11, whether it be with his explosive guitar or shrieked words. Even the studs on his belt spell out his mantra: 'Jet Rock N Roll'.
Six years have passed since the performer and his motley crew last toured Australia. However, the passing of time has done nothing to calm the band, as they unleashed themselves on the stage of Brisbane's The Bearded Lady (13 April).
A request for 'Wonderwall' came from the crowd during the opening set by local trio Refedex. "F... yeah, my favourite," slurred guitarist/ vocalist Harry Byrne.
Instead of Oasis, the towering figure that is Byrne shook the tremolo arm of his guitar, making the instrument sound like it was dry heaving. As it finished retching, the band launched into a fantastic set of sludgy rock not far from the likes of The Jesus Lizard, but with an Australian flavour provided by Byrne's rough gurgling vocals.
It was only last November when local legend Mad Macka supported Guns N Roses as a member of Cosmic Psychos. But playing stadiums has not changed Macka, as he riffed hard in his shorts and thongs with his trio Boondall Boys.
The band began with their tribute to football great 'King' Wally Lewis, launching into heavy riffing and a beat that sprinted towards a try.
As his bandmates kept the pace at full pelt, Macka's nimble fingers shredded squealing solos, holding one note so he could refuel by downing a beer.
The Bearded Lady filled with howls – a greeting from excited fans welcoming Guitar Wolf to the stage. Once Guitar Wolf and Bass Wolf took their positions on stage, both took a moment to scull their beers, cheered on by Aussie fans.
Once equipped with their instruments, the duo returned the fans greeting with squeals of loud, distorted rock & roll.
"This is rock & roll!” screamed Guitar Wolf. Raising his axe in the air, he windmilled his strumming arm as an introduction to a mangled version of the rock & roll classic 'Long Tall Sally'. Heavily distorted guitars buzzed and screamed through their amplifiers, a sound that would have made Little Richard faint.
The newest member to take the mantle of Drum Wolf, noticeably younger than his bandmates, gritted his teeth as he beat his kit, and the sold-out crowd swelled to allow for a frenzied mosh pit in the centre, which was tame compared to the band's antics.
"Kick out jams, motherf...er!" screamed Guitar Wolf before the trio launched into the MC5 classic 'Kick Out The Jams'.
It didn't take long before Guitar Wolf pulled a fan on stage, but what surprised everyone was his placing his guitar on the fan. Guitar Wolf proceeded to teach the fan how to play guitar like him, although his limited English meant his only instruction was several screams of "come on!".
Once he was satisfied they could rock, it was Guitar Wolf's turn to leap into the crowd to be passed back and forth across the room.
The physical antics peaked with Guitar and Bass Wolf pulling fans on to the stage. Unwitting fans weren't sure exactly what was happening, but suddenly they were on their knees and forming a human pyramid.
The pyramid's height began to become concerning as it grew to the ceiling, and concern grew when Guitar Wolf began scaling his creation. Holding long enough for Guitar Wolf to scream "Rock & Roll!", the structure collapsed, sending Guitar Wolf into the drum kit behind him.
Miraculously, Guitar Wolf stood and howled triumphantly – perfectly displaying just what rock & roll is. May it never die.
