Derek Harris Interview by Seiji from Guitar wolf
All text © Guitar Wolf @guitarwolf guitarwolf.net
All photos © 原田篤 @atsushi.harada_photography
CONTENTS
★ What is the appeal of Guitar Wolf?
★ Why did you decide to make a Guitar Wolf Memphis model leather jacket?
★ What do you like about the Memphis leather jacket?
★ What kind of people would you like to see wearing the Memphis?
★ Who would you like to wear it? ・What was your most memorable scene or episode at the Shimane Jetfest?
★ What is your impression of Shimane?
ABOUT Mr Derek
★ Tell us a little about yourself (including your journey to becoming Managing Director of Lewis Leather).
★ We have heard that you are the embodiment of the English dream, can you tell us about that?
★ We hear that you collect old leather jackets, what is your fascination with leather?
★ What is the current state of rock’n’roll in the UK and London?
★ What is the current state of rock’n’roll in the UK?
★ Are there any other bands in Japan that you are interested in besides Guitar Wolf?
★ What kind of person is Seiji-san from Derek’s point of view?
★ What would you like to say to Guitar Wolf fans around the world?
What is the appeal of Guitar Wolf?
Guitar Wolf, are, for me are the most incredible, dynamic live band I have ever seen. I started going to live bands when I was 17 in 1976 and saw all of the big names in Punk and Garage but there is something about Guitar Wolf which is very different, when they’re onstage, they seem to channel an energy which comes directly from the National Grid which they transmit directly into the audience. Also, I love watching Seiji’s stage craft when he is playing, every gesture, every position of his feet or the way he moves his guitar is perfect, very dynamic, to me it is like watching Mifune in Yojimbo with a guitar. Toru too, he is like a human machine on the drums, incredibly powerful and so cool. Gotz has added a new energy to the band, I can’t believe they found this guy, very powerful on bass and an expert crowd surfer 😊
Why did you decide to make a Guitar Wolf Memphis model leather jacket?
My wife Saaya and I always try to attend Guitar Wolf gigs whenever possible in the UK or EU and when we visit Japan, we always check their live schedule and plan our trip so that we can see the maximum of their shows. Around six years ago, I asked Seiji if Lewis Leathers could make a special belt for the band, Seiji said OK, so I made a few ideas and Seiji rejected them, Ha Ha! But finally, an idea came to my head which was much better than the first designs and we made the Jet Rock n Roll belt, which I am very proud of. A few years later Seiji asked me about making a jacket for Guitar Wolf, I know they had worked with Schott for many years, and always thought he looked great in that gear, but I guess the band felt like a change. So, we met in Harajuku, discussed some ideas and decided to revive a jacket from Lewis Leathers back catalogue, a jacket which had no name, therefore, we decided to call it The Memphis after the hometown of Goner Records and of course, Elvis, it was given the catalogue number #723, after G and W, the 7h and 23rd letters in the alphabet.
Memphis Jacket No. 723
Memphis Jacket No. 723L Ladies
What kind of people would you like to see wearing the Memphis?
I feel this is a jacket anybody can wear, Bikers, Rock ‘n’ Rollers, Punks and maybe even the old lady who checks tickets at Shimane railway station, it is for everyone.
What was your most memorable scene or episode at the Shimane Jetfest?
So far, I have been lucky enough to visit Shimane Jett Fes two times, I have so many happy memories and always enjoyed every band which I have seen there, I think, that young band Jet Seventeen have good potential, if they practice every day and if they stop wearing those uniforms when they leave school, they may find success.
In total though, I just really like the atmosphere of the festival, it really is a party, fresh air and rock n roll in a beautiful setting with many friendly people. It is a wonderful place.
What is your impression of Shimane?
Shimane is a fantastic setting, we always stay for a few days after the festival to drive around and look at the area, the countryside is beautiful and dramatic, mountains, coastline and beaches, shrines, and temples, it’s all there but without thousands of tourists, the food is amazing too. Shimane is a place that everyone should visit.
Tell us a little about yourself (including your journey to becoming Managing Director of Lewis Leathers).
My involvement with Lewis Leathers began when I was eight years old in 1966, I used to read soccer magazines every week and I always noticed little adverts showing one jacket and the Lewis Leathers logo, in those days I lived on a council estate which was built in the shape of a circle and on Saturdays Rockers would race around the estate and, of course, they all wore leather jackets, at that time I decided they must be made by Lewis Leathers as I had never heard of any other leather jacket maker. Ten years later I saw photos of the Clash wearing Lewis Leathers jackets on the Anarchy tour and I thought “Wow! They wear REAL leather jackets, not fashion items,” this made a big impression on me because there was something authentic about the Clash, they came from the street and understood British style from the previous 20 years, which they mixed together, their song lyrics were also so different from the music that came before them.
Fifteen years later I was working with Lewis Leathers, and I asked the owner, Richard, if we could more closely re-create the jacket styles from the 60s and 70s, which had been changed by new owners in the early 1980s. Richard agreed, so I bought some vintage LL jackets at Portobello market, found a pattern maker and we made a mini range of five jackets, from here I was obsessed and I needed to know every jacket style, every product, and needed to see every catalogue and magazine advert for my research, I loved it. In 2003, the owner told me he wanted to sell the company, it was a shock to me, but a much bigger shock was when he told me that I should buy it. So, I gathered as much money as I could find and borrowed a lot from the bank and somehow, I bought the company and have been running it ever since.
We hear that you collect old leather jackets, what is your fascination with leather?
I collect anything to do with Lewis Leathers, not just the jackets, but my fascination with the leather jacket itself is linked to its status as an iconic item which is very much associated with youth, speed, danger, power and testosterone. All of the people who have worn Lewis Leathers jackets since the 1920’s have created a legacy through their lifestyles and this is summed up in how the garment is viewed today, a truly iconic item symbolic 100 years of deep history created by thousands of individual wearers, that is its fascination for me.
What is the current state of rock’n’roll in the UK and London?
These days I rarely watch live bands in the UK so I cannot really comment, I enjoy going to the pub instead! However, I am happy to say that there is a still is garage scene in the UK, the heart is still beating.
Are there any other bands in Japan that you are interested in besides Guitar Wolf?
During the 80’s and 90’s I saw and heard some Japanese punk / garage bands, Gauze, SxOxB, Rise from the Dead, Off Mask 00 who I liked a lot, these days I always try to catch, NeatBeats and Stompin’ Riff Raffs when I visit Tokyo, Osaka’s King Brothers are great too, Ramone Bu make me feel young again, they really are similar to the original band, Jet Boys are another which I like.
What kind of person is Seiji-san from Derek’s point of view?
Seiji is a man with great humour and warmth who really understand the spirit of Rock n Roll, he is also a man of strong discipline and attention to detail in everything he does in his music and performances, his personal energy is something which I find extraordinary.
What would you like to say to Guitar Wolf fans around the world?
To Guitar Wolf fans everywhere, I would say “Get off your arses and go to as many Guitar Wolf live shows as possible, this band is a very special force of nature and each show is a celebration of Rock ‘n’ Roll in its purest form, come and join us at the Shimane Jett Fest.”
