First, the band has to have looks; second, a fighting spirit; third, action!
They said actually there was no fourth or fifth and sixth technique — but the most important was to stir people’s hearts.
The band will be kicking off its New Zealand tour this weekend with what they hoped to be an energetic performance in Invercargill.
Event organiser John Baker said this would be the first time the Japanese band, which draws inspiration from The Ramones and Link Wray, had been in Invercargill.
"The first time Guitar Wolf came to New Zealand was in 1999.
"This time I said to Seiji [guitarist and band leader], how about we start our tour in Invercargill? And he went, ‘hell, yeah.’
"A lot of bands actually want to go to Invercargill because you go back to their houses — whether they live in San Diego or New York or London — and they have these maps with pins. Doesn’t everyone want to put a pin at the bottom of the Earth?"
They described their sound as "jet rock’n’roll" which Seiji explained in a previous interview that was a term he created to describe its unique style of punk music.
At the time, he said he loved jet planes and noisy music and hated "easy to listen" music — so he came up with his own style which was "noisy", energetic and rebellious.
"It is high-powered electricity that consumes you for the time you’re on stage, and you can’t help but look, laugh, and get involved," Baker said.
He also said his shows were interactive and energetic and one which audiences should not miss.
"He does these things called a ceiling walk, where he walks on the ceiling ... and if the crowd’s into it, they’ll do a human pyramid.
"Also, there’s a moment where they cover this song called Kick Out the Jams by the MC5 and on stage, he will reach into the audience and grab someone to play guitar — He won’t look, he’ll go by feel. He’ll just put his hand out and grab, could be someone who’s never played guitar before."
The opening for the Invercargill concert will be the local bands Vagina Dry, The Merseys, and Hattford, as Baker said it was always important to support local talent.
The show will be at Threes & Sevens record store at Dee St from 6pm on Saturday.
Tickets can be bought at the store or at www.undertheradar.co.nz.
