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The Polysics rock the JFS party - - - Double Door May 26, 2003
If you're looking for riotous and infectiously fun music, look no further.
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Jen with Hiroyuki |
I'll never forget my excitement as Hella, Kelly, and I rode the El en route to the Double Door. We'd just spent a long weekend in the city, and it was finally time for the experience that brought us to Chicago in the first place: the Japan For Sale Volume 3 CD release party with a live performance by the Polysics.
Kayo on synthesizer
Fumi on bass
We arrived in Wicker Park in time for a run through Reckless Records and a quick dinner at Papajin (highly recommended!), then ran across the street to the bar for the pre-show. The new Japan For Sale CD was playing DJ Krush as we entered, and we were warmly welcomed by reps of Sony Music Japan (Hi Fumiko!) who distributed grab bags with Smiti toys and a Polysics "Neu" sampler CD. We had some maki and yakitori from the VIP area (thanks to Giant Robot!) and settled in front of the screen showing Japanese music videos.
The videos were a show in themselves, and included Sony artists like the Brilliant Green, Loop Junktion, and Mai Hoshimura. I've seen the Puffy video where the girls' heads are enlarged on their bodies (giving them a funny, super-deformed look), and the Tommy video with the cheerleader's head exploding, but some of these selections were in a category all their own.
First and foremost is the Polysics' "Black Out Fall Out", in which men bang their trays in a cafeteria line, waiting to be served. Meanwhile, the hostess (Kayo), stares blankly as a hamburger, tofu, various other foods, and a cut on her own finger sing from tiny computer-generated mouths. Creepy--in the best possible way!
Similarly, Supercar's "White Surf Style 5" video has to be seen to be believed. A man and a woman fight each other anime-style in an apartment: he shoots his forearms off like rockets, punching her in the face in an inspired moment of slapstick violence. Eventually, as the battle heats up she retaliates by blasting her breasts off like torpedoes...seriously!
Mai Hoshimura's "Stay With You" is a stylish bossa nova. The video has great energy, and Mai sings powerfully, apparently unfazed as a bunch of shirtless men jump around on her bright red piano. (Wonder what Freud would make of that one?)
And of course, the Polysics video for "Mr. Roboto" is classic, as a Mazinger-style robot terrorizes the city, laser-blasting buildings, kicking and throwing real children, and "flying" erratically on very obvious strings. If the thought of a Styx song makes you squeamish, rest assured that Polysics made this song their own. (And if you like this one, you owe it to yourself to hear their cover of "My Way". Both are found on "Lo-Bits".)
The videos highlighted what is so great about the JFS CD series: the music is fresh and innovative with a great variety of style. It has some similarities to Western sound, making it easily accessible to the U.S. crowd, but it is undeniably progressive...and often quirky, fun, and ultra-catchy.
Finally, at about 8:30, the Polysics took the stage in characteristic matching black jumpsuits with "P" logos and metallic visors. From the moment they began playing they practically blew the doors off the place...which happens to be the best way to hear their music: as LOUD as possible! Hiroyuki was a non-stop blur; he jumped and thrashed his head, sweat and spit flying, expending every ounce of energy onstage. In contrast, Fumi and Kayo were cool and robotic in their movements. (It was difficult for me to watch Kazuyuki from where I was standing--he was hidden alternately behind his cymbals and Hiroyuki!) They all worked with flawless timing, like cogs in a machine. The evening's 40-minute set included favorites New Wave Jacket, My Sharona, Black Out Fall Out, XCT, Each Life Each End, and the first track from the forthcoming "Kaja Kaja Goo" CD.
The small crowd (maybe 50 fans) and the intimate venue made it easy to get right up to the stage, and I really felt like a part of the show...especially when Hiroyuki jumped off the stage and parted the crowd, diving to the floor and capsizing a nearby trashcan. (He even appeared to have hurt his knee in the process, but shook it off and finished the show.) By the time they were done playing,
a stagehand had to help the exhausted Hiroyuki down the dark stairs to the backstage area. The expectant crowd flanking the stage continued to cheer & yell, "More Polysics!", hopeful for an encore.
That was the end of the live performance, but there was an encore of sorts, when the band came out to meet their fans. Although they were still in their coordinated jumpsuits, the Polysics could not have been less like their onstage persona. (First of all, they looked tall onstage, and turned out to be about my size. Ha!) And instead of acting mechanical or robotic, they were extremely friendly and gracious, and seemed just as excited to be there as we were. They were happy to sign CDs and have their photos taken with fans. (Which I didn't expect, given how adverse to cameras the Puffy entourage was last summer.) The translators and reps from Sony Music Japan were great, too, and it all made the evening so much FUN!
The Polysics have been compared to bands like Devo and Man Or Astro-Man?, but they are clearly an entity all their own. (It's difficult to even categorize their music: is it punk, rock, techno, new wave, or what?!) Personally, I can't think of anything better than experiencing the Polysics' frenzied live performance of the giddy anthem "New Wave Jacket". I'd say the only way the performance could have been better would be if it had lasted longer. And hopefully we'll all get our chance to see the full Polysics: according to their website, there will be a U.S. tour in September.
Anybody know where I can get my own jumpsuit and metallic visor?
Review © 2003 Jen Rarey
Polysics are: HIROYUKI HAYASHI - guitar, voice, programming / KAYO - synthesizer, vocoder, voice
FUMI - bass, chorus, synthesizer / Kazuyuki Ishimaru - drums
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Polysics on KXLU 88.9 FM in Los Angeles Wedneday, May 28 2003 / 5-6 pm Prior to their last stop on the JFS tour, the Polysics appeared live on KXLU (which I was fortunate enough to enjoy on internet radio). They played four songs, including "My Sharona" and "Black Out Fall Out" and gave a short interview. Hiroyuki fielded the questions while the girls laughed at his enthusiastic answers. According to our Hiro, Polysics formed seven years ago. When asked if he likes playing in America, he exclaimed that he LOVES it and made a kissing sound (laughing). He sited a few of his musical influences from the late '70s, and said that King Crimson is one of his current favorites. He recommended fellow Japanese bands the Plastics and P-Model. And to the final question, "What would you like to tell your American audience?" He screeched,"Listen to Polysics! It's a new sensation! Must buy...or die! YESSS!!!" (everyone laughs) |
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Kajakaja Goo (mini album) - 2003 |
Make sure you pick up their latest U.S. release "Neu", out July 30.
And "Hey! Bob! My Friend" is WELL worth the 8 bucks on Asian Man Records
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Jen, Kayo, and Hella / Hella, Fumi, and Jen | |
| Related Links: ------- Polysics official site / Japan For Sale / Polysics on Sony Music Asian Man Records / Junkmagnet review Polysics also appeared in Giant Robot issue 25 |
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