Artist Guitar Wolf

Some knuckleheads complain that punk rock is dead. Those naysayers must be limiting their view to the States, because Japanese rockers Guitar Wolf keep the flame of Joey Ramone alive and well. Founded in 1987, the trio of Nagasaki natives grew up idolizing the in-your-face style of ’77 punk, and more specifically the Ramones. In tribute, each member of the band has adopted a Ramones-esque alias. As Guitar Wolf, Bass Wolf, and Drum Wolf, their loud, unrelenting musical style is intense to the max, complete with comically oversized speakers and flame-spewing microphones. The act might not be CBGB redux, but it’s artistically adventurous and insanely entertaining, and maybe that’s punk enough for 2012.

Updated 03/19/2012