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Wolf in Peep's Clothing

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For Japan's premier blues-punk outfit, Guitar Wolf, burning out was the only option. Until now?

If you ever saw Seiji, Billy and Toru at their beer-swilling, eardrum-puncturing prime (see above), you knew that fading out or strolling slowly into the sunset was never an alternative. But then Billy died at 38 - certainly a consequence of a legendary yet unsustainable lifestyle. And now the band drinks....juice? And they talk about...love?

What gives? I ask myself this as I peruse the latest interview, then I realize what KIND of love they speak of. "When a wolf eats a lamb the wolf loves the lamb it eats," says Seiji. Ah, right. When Guitar Wolf came off a self-imposed sabbatical, many thought they were through, but it was really more about injury (he jumped of too high a stack of amps and broke his leg) than shunning the stage.

Guitar Wolf site
The interview in Japan Times
The 1234 mystery
My fave: Jet Generation

jinki