Emerging from Lexington, Kentucky’s underground scene, Tojo Yamamoto is a noisy, layered homage to punk’s roots and pro wrestling’s theatrics. Led by Larry Joe Treadway, a mainstay of the region’s artistic legacy, and Elwood Francis, a punk guitarist turned ZZ Top bassist, Tojo Yamamoto channels decades of music history into something raw and genuinely organic.
Rounded out by Darren Howard on drums, Will Pieratt on bass, and Jason Groves as their live engineering and multi-instrumentalist wildcard, the band delivers a cacophony of sound that’s as deliberate as it is chaotic.
Today, we’re pleased to give you their new song and music video for one of the new songs called “Work”.
The name itself, Tojo Yamamoto, pays homage to the infamous Memphis wrestling villain. Known for his heel antics, Yamamoto manipulated audiences with both physical cunning and psychological twists—qualities the band emulates in their music.
Tracks like “Loser Leave Town” and “Turning Face” reinterpret wrestling tropes to explore modern themes. Treadway describes their storytelling as “a dialogue about the world we’re living in,” blending dark humor with biting social commentary.
Francis, who names demo tracks after wrestling moves or figures, sets the creative tone. Treadway uses these as lyrical prompts, weaving narratives that range from the rise and fall of a cam girl to the existential musings of a man reflecting on his darker instincts. Wrestling, with its theatrical yet deeply human arcs, provides a fitting metaphor for the band’s gritty and chaotic sound.
Tojo Yamamoto’s sound isn’t easily classified. Reviewers have compared them to bands like Cows, Jesus Lizard, and Gang of Four, with harsh-edged riffs, thundering rhythm sections, and an irreverent attitude.
Francis’s love for vintage, short-scale department-store guitars paired with era-matched fuzz circuits adds a uniquely raw texture to the band’s sound. “Those guitars paired up with fuzzboxes create this incredible growl,” Francis explains. Vocals come through modified CB radio microphones or battered stage equipment, further grounding the sound in a grimy authenticity.
Treadway’s performance is a snarling narrative over waves of distortion. “It’s like a disturbed man narrating a weird story while simultaneously watching wrestling,” he jokes, summing up the band’s approach to songwriting and performance.
The band’s roots in Lexington’s punk history add layers to their identity. Treadway’s past as the frontman of Ted Bundy’s Volkswagen and Francis’s time with The Mighty Skullhead and Abusement Park echo through Tojo Yamamoto’s sound.
Both musicians are steeped in the DIY ethic that defined Lexington’s scene in the ’80s and ’90s, a time when venues like The Wrocklage and Café LMNOP hosted legendary acts and fostered local talent.
“For all of us, Lexington’s music history shaped who we are,” Treadway reflects. The current band lineup is a cross-generational coalition, with younger voices like Billi Francis on backing vocals, providing a bridge to the future. The addition of Jason Groves, owner of Sneak Attack Recording Company, adds technical finesse and live versatility.
The band’s debut EP, released through Forbidden Place Records, was released last year. A second EP, “Turning Face!”, is slated for release in January 2024, promising to push their sonic boundaries even further.
The title nods to wrestling’s narrative arcs, reflecting the band’s fascination with transformation and perception. “It’s bigger, bolder, and even more brash,” Treadway teases.
Tojo Yamamoto also explores unconventional formats, such as their limited-edition lathe-cut singles. Their recent cover of David Bowie’s “Heroes” strips the song back to its Krautrock-inspired roots while injecting the band’s signature grit.
The release marked the start of a planned series of covers, with the next slated to be “Ballroom Blitz” by The Sweet.
Though primarily a recording band, live performances are imminent. With Francis’s ZZ Top commitments easing during the winter, Tojo Yamamoto plans to debut their full spectacle. “We want to make the live show an experience,” Treadway says, hinting at visual and theatrical elements to complement the music.
At its heart, Tojo Yamamoto isn’t chasing fame or commercial success. For Treadway, Francis, and their bandmates, this project is about revisiting and reimagining their creative roots. “We’ve failed at some really cool things,” Treadway admits, wearing that badge proudly. For a band named after a villain who thrived on theatrics, Tojo Yamamoto embodies the spirit of punk: unrelenting, unpolished, and unforgettable.
Their next EP, “Turning Face!”, arrives January 24, 2024, with pre-orders available now through Forbidden Place Records.
