Wata’s Top 5 Guitarists
Wata
Wata knows guitar.
The six-string sorceress of the Japanese heavy experimental trio and Boris and inspiration for the Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar has been playing her signature Black Les Paul Custom in studios and on stages with her bandmates for 30 years. EQD asked Wata to share some of her favorite guitar players with us and she graciously agreed. Check out this list of five (plus a bonus!) of Wata’s favorite guitar slingers and then check out the Hizumitas Fuzz Sustainar and perhaps you too can Rock Heavy, like Wata and Boris.
“There are many guitarists that I love. But I love guitarists that no one can imitate and who show their irreplaceable presence.”
suGar Yoshinaga
(Buffalo Daughter / MEATLCHIKS / Halo Orbit)
suGar is an EQD artist. I’ve been a fan of her since the album “New Rock.” Her guitar playing is sharp and non-guitar-like. She uses a lot of pedals, and the expressive power of her playing is sonically amazing. It’s not just her clever guitar playing on Boris’s new album “W,” the “Reincarnation Rose” single, and in Buffalo Daughter. She plays freely, from a noisy approach to soulful rock guitar solos. And she’s simply cool!
Michio Kurihara
My guitar hero. Sobbing solos. Spinning arpeggios and noise. All his rhythm is delicate and unique, yet rocks. Unpredictable variations, and no one can imitate him. During the time he was supporting Boris, he was constantly challenging himself, and his single-minded love and dedication to guitars, pedals, and amps was very impressive. We’ve shared many stages together, and he has had a huge influence on me.
Kouji Shishido
(Katsurei)
Every single note he plays is just very persuasive. He hits one chord, and that sound can change the atmosphere and the flow of time in the venue. The song I especially love is “Ribbon-no Kishi.” (“Princess Knight”)
How Shishido-san melodically plays solos grabs my heart even if he’s only sustaining a single note. It’s like an illusion of watching a slow-motion video. There are no other guitarists like him in existence. I want him to be known more outside of Japan.
Ruyter Suys
(Nashville Pussy)
I saw their live footage back in the late 1990s for the first time, and it was so cool that it shocked me. Straight-up guitar playing with no frills. I’m impressed. Her stage performance is super intense and exciting. I haven’t seen her playing live yet, but I’d love to meet her.
Poison Ivy
(The Cramps)
She is a rock heretic, yet also classic rock royalty. She connected (rock n’ roll) history. She is simply a legend. I can’t explain her existence with my words.
Lindsey Troy
(Deap Vally)
I recently discovered Deap Vally. She sings and plays guitar, but she looks so cool just standing with her guitar. She is an awesome artist with all the cool things about rock ’n’ roll. You can play well if you practice, but not everyone can play cool. I’d like to share a stage with her someday.
