Gan is the chubbiest and cuddliest rock 'n' roll star around. Just look at him, almost passed out in a backstage corner with a huge cheesy grin across his fat chops like a big cartoon teddy bear, his paws clutching a jumbo bottle of beer, a reward after successfully pulling off another terrific live performance.

Gan is guitarist, singer and entertainer par excellence in Japan's best-kept secret -- Gasoline. Never heard of them? You have now. And just in time, too.

Tonight was the first gig of the tour to promote new album "Fake to Fame," and it's probably worth getting off your ass and taking in one of their shows. After all, Gasoline is the best live band in Japan, and we don't toss that crown around lightly. Only one band in four years -- the legendary Chelsea -- have been crowned champion of the live house. Then the Fuzzy Logic curse struck (a la Coastersride, Teeny Frahoop etc.) and Chelsea split up six months later. But Gasoline's full tank of pure rock 'n' roll adrenalin shows no sign of running low.