Gig review: Guitar Wolf, Glasgow Mono

By FIONA SHEPHERD
Published on 07/06/2012 05:42

JAPANESE “jet rock’n’roll” outfit Guitar Wolf, for whom three chords is arguably one too many, claim to have recorded the loudest album ever, but this chaotic show only really went up to about seven on the rockter scale.

Musically, the leather-loving trio offered a pretty shambolic, screechy approximation of their influences – Eddie Cochran, Link Wray, The Ramones – played with minimal sophistication and maximum momentum, with the occasional gear change into sludgy riffola.

But what they lacked in definition and dynamics, they made up for in commitment and stamina, sustaining their monomaniacal assault for well over an hour. The tattooed, shirtless Drum Wolf deserves the Hell for Leather Medal for Stamina, only taking a break to run a comb through his hair.

A suitably leather-clad audience member was coerced into joining the band as a guest guitarist, even though he was clearly not conversant with the instrument.

Frontman Guitar Wolf would not let such a minor technicality get in the way of the rock’n’roll pantomime, making a show of regurgitating his plectrum before passing it to his new protégé as his weapon for the protracted musical bullfight which ensued.

The reluctant victim tried to make his escape on a few occasions, but was detained for more ineffectual flailing, before he was released to stagedive back into his comfort zone and leave the unholy but entertaining racket to the experts.

Rating: ***