Although wolves might be extinct in the wilderness of Japan, they continue to live on the stage in the music industry. On July 8, the Japanese band, Man With A Mission, graced San Francisco with their presence. The venue was at the Bottom of the Hill in the Portrero Hill neighborhood. Compared to some of the venues I've been to before, the one that Man With A Mission played at was tiny. They've sold out places like the Nippon Budokan and various arenas around Japan as well as appeared at France's massive Japan Expo. For a band that only a few years ago was self-produced, they have had a meteoric rise.

Fans based in America or who have decided to make the trip overseas were treated to an intimate front-row experience that cannot be replicated in the band's home country. You're well within spitting distance and I heard many an uttered, "yabai, maji chikai" (roughly "whoa, we're so close") from a few. This isn't the first time Man With A Mission has toured America; in 2010 they popped up in Los Angeles and at the end of 2013 for a couple of shows too.

The band is well known not only for their music but for their wolf visages. Officially the story goes that they were created in a laboratory by Jimi Hendrix and frozen in Antarctica until recently. They play a mix of rap-rock and hardcore punk that at times you can even hear a little Zach de la Rocha in. Lyrics are a combination of both Japanese and English; guitarist Jean-Ken Johnny grew up in Connecticut and his talents do not go to waste. Paired with frontman Tokyo Tanaka they make for a formidable vocal team. Keep your eyes open for bassist Kamikaze Boy as he jumps across the stage and goes aerial from time to time. DJ Santa Monica and Spear Rib hold things down in the back with the turntables and some solid drumming.

Earlier this year Man With A Mission released their newest full-length album, Tales of Purefly. The setlist reflected this when songs like "When My Devil Rises," "Wake Myself Again," and "Emotions" reverberated off the walls. I was also happy to hear their version of Nirvana's "Smells Like Teen Spirit" as part of the show. Originally released in 2011 on the Trick or Treat e.p., it's a surefire way to get a crowd moving. Previous albums were not ignored and included songs like "Mash UP the DJ," "Get Off of My Way," and "distance." They closed out the night with one of their trademark songs, "FLY AGAIN."

All in all, it was a great night, and it was a little hard to sleep after getting pumped up by this show.

If you missed out on this nationwide tour, don't fret. On Sunday it was announced that Man With A Mission will play at Knotfest alongside the event's namesake Slipknot, Japanese bands Maximum the Hormone and ONE OK ROCK, and many others (In This Moment? Danzig? Killswitch Engage? They'll be in good company). This will be their largest live US audience to date. Knotfest takes place October 24-26 at the San Manuel Amphitheater and Campgrounds in San Bernadino, CA. Man With A Mission plays on Saturday the 25th.

Their two American EPs, Don't Feel the Distance and When My Devil Rises, are currently available on iTunes.