Polysics

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Polysics
Origin Flag of JapanTokyo, Japan
Genre(s) New wave
J-Rock
Punk rock
Noise-rock
Synth pop
Years active 1997–present
Label(s) Ki/oon Records (Sony Music Japan),
Myspace Records
Website Official Website
Members
Hiroyuki Hayashi, Kayo, Fumi, Masashi Yano
Former members
Junichi Sugai, Ishimaru, Sako (AKA Poly-2).

Polysics (or POLYSICS) is a Japanese new wave/Rock band from Tokyo, who personally dub their unique style as "technicolor pogo punk". The band started in 1997, but got their big break in 1998 at a concert in Tokyo. They create high energy music, fusing conventional guitar music, with synthesized and computer generated sound to create a unique mixture of punk and Synthpop, heavily inspired by the American bands Devo and The Tubes, and Japanese bands such as P-Model and Yellow Magic Orchestra. Their song lyrics often consist of Japanese, English, or just plain gibberish ("Moon Language"). The band has been noted for their extremely energetic live performances and their wild gimmicky outfits.

Contents

[edit] History

Hiroyuki Hayashi plays Guitar at a POLYSICS live show in 2003, supporting the US release of the album Neu
Hiroyuki Hayashi plays Guitar at a POLYSICS live show in 2003, supporting the US release of the album Neu

Since 1999 Polysics have released several albums. The albums 1st P and A.D.S.R.M! were released on the independent label DECKREC Records. Just after the release of 1st P their bassist, known only as "POLY-2", left. The band dropped the "POLY-X" names, and reduced to a trio, with new member Fumi on Bass Support on some of the tracks from Neu. In 1999, Asian Man Records released their US Debut album, Hey! Bob! My Friend to rave reviews, but weak sales. The album was a compilation of tracks from their first two Japanese releases. In 2000, Polysics signed to Ki/oon Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music Japan Inc.) and released their first major album Neu. The album carried with it the same manic energy as their independent releases but more refined. On the 2001 album Eno, Synthesizers became more prevalent in the mix, but the songs still had an intense punk-like energy. For this album, Fumi returned to the band as a full member, returning Polysics to a quartet. 2002 saw the release of the album For Young Electric Pop, Polysics attempt at a pop album. The manic punk energy was minimized, but the band showed it had an amazing sense of harmony and style.

In 2003, drummer Junichi Sugai left the band after recording the Kaja Kaja Goo EP. For the 2003 album National P, Ishimaru joined on Drum Support, returning Polysics to a trio. Also in 2003, Neu was released on Asian Man Records in the United States to rave reviews and great sales. Polysics went to the US to tour, which was then captured on the PippikkippippiP In USA DVD. In 2004, Polysics released a Best Of compilation titled Polysics or Die!!!! in Europe and the USA. Polysics toured Europe and the US for the 2005 US Release of Polysics or Die!!!!. With the early 2006 release of "Now Is The Time!", they toured the US and the UK, supporting high profile UK artists such as Graham Coxon and the Kaiser Chiefs. On February 28th, 2007 Polysics released their album Karate House in Japan.

[edit] Influences

In Hiroyuki's words, Polysics is inspired by "the spirit of Devo." Obvious references to Devo have been made in Polysics videos, and songs. The band has also covered "Jerking Back And Forth", "Social Fools", and "Secret Agent Man". Polysics have also creatively repurposed Devo and other New Wave/Punk material in their own original songs; for instance, in the song "Each Life Each End" from the album "Neu" they borrow the opening riff from the Devo song "Girl U Want" (along with a sample from "Love Missile F1-11" by Sigue Sigue Sputnik), and the lyrics are playfully paraphrased Engrish-style from Devo's "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise" and "Red Eye Express." The tributes even extend to the album art; in a miniposter included with the album "National P", the members of Polysics are shown seated around a picnic blanket, about to eat cakes shaped like Devo's famous red Energy Dome headgear. In addition, the giant robot mascot from the cover of their "Lo-Bits" EP sports a battle helmet that resembles the same iconic dome.

While Polysics claim Devo as their most prevalent influence, other bands and artists that have influenced their music include Talking Heads, Sparks, The B-52's, XTC, King Crimson, Kraftwerk, Denki Groove, Neu!, Brian Eno, Nirvana, Man or Astroman, and David Bowie. They also form a kinship with several of the key Japanese Technopop bands of circa 1979 including P-Model whom they've opened for, Hikashu and Plastics. Polysics have covered songs by Styx, Suzi Quatro, Plastics, The Ramones, The Knack, Soft Cell, Hikashu, Thin Lizzy and Frank Sinatra.

[edit] Members

[edit] Current Members

  • Hiroyuki Hayashi - Guitars, Vocals, Vocoder, Programming
  • Kayo - Synthesizers, Vocals, Vocoder
  • Fumi - Bass, Vocals, Synthesizers
  • Masashi Yano - Drums, Vocals

[edit] Past members

  • Junichi Sugai - Drums
  • Ishimaru - Drum Support
  • Sako (AKA Poly-2) - Bass synthesizer, Vocoder

Sako known as Poly-2 can be seen in the music video for the song "Plus Chicker".

[edit] Discography

[edit] Domestic Releases

DECKREC Records

Ki/oon Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment [Japan] Inc.)

[edit] Foreign Releases

  • 2000 - Hey Bob! My Friend! (USA and Korea)
  • 2003 - Neu (USA)
  • 2004 - Polysics or Die (UK ECD)
  • 2004 - Kaja Kaja Goo / Black OUT Fall OUT (UK 7")
  • 2004 - New Wave Jacket / My Sharona (UK 7")
  • 2005 - Polysics or Die!!!! (USA)
  • 2006 - Now Is The Time! (USA and UK)
  • 2006 - Coelacanth Is Android / Jhout (UK 7")
  • 2006 - Coelacanth Is Android / Coelacanth Is Android (MSTRKRFT Remix) (USA 7")
  • 2007 - POLYSICS OR DIE!!!! -VISTA- (USA)

[edit] Compilation Appearances

  • 1998 - Tokyo Newwave of Newwave '98
  • 1999 - Punch The Monkey! 2
  • 1999 - Sweets For My Spitz
  • 1999 - Unknown Cover Album
  • 2000 - YMO-Remixes Technopolis 2000-00
  • 2000 - Smash In La-Ppisch! 2
  • 2001 - Japan For Sale
  • 2002 - Japan For Sale Vol. 2
  • 2003 - Japan For Sale Vol. 3
  • 2003 - ID:2 (Aikawa Nanase)
  • 2004 - Fine Time - A Tribute to New Wave
  • 2004 - Japan For Sale Vol. 4
  • 2007 - Rock For Baby
  • 2007 - Super Chample-Dancer's Collection

[edit] Video Releases

  • 1999 - Live At Newwave (VHS)
  • 2000 - B.G.V. (VHS)
  • 2003 - DVDVPVDVLIVE!! (DVD)
  • 2004 - PippikkippippiP In USA (DVD)
  • 2006 - Now is the live! (DVD)
  • 2007 - CLIPS OR DIE!!!! (DVD)

[edit] Solo Projects

  • 2004 - Mitsuami Heroine (Kayo Solo EP)

[edit] Other Media

 Trivia sections are discouraged under Wikipedia guidelines.
The article could be improved by integrating relevant items and removing inappropriate ones.
  • Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo used a Polysics CD for his office phone system, forcing the people on hold to hear the tracks being played.
  • Polysics performed the theme song for the American Jetix television show Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go!.
  • Polysics' recent track "You-You-You" is used as one of the opening themes for the anime Keroro Gunso.
  • A track from their album Now is the Time!, "Tei! Tei! Tei!", was included in the FIFA 07 soundtrack.
  • Their name comes from the Korg Polysix which was the first synthesizer owned by frontman Hiroyuki Hayashi. This synth appears in two of their early music videos.
  • The Anime Network uses Polysics' track "each life each end" for the Girl Power programming block.
  • The Polysics song New Wave Jacket was featured in the animutation Wizard Power.
  • Hiroyuki Hayashi did a remix of the Teen Titans theme by JPop group Puffy AmiYumi. The song "Teen Titans Theme ~POLYSICS' CR-06 MIX~" appears on their US album Splurge.
  • The ending theme to the Moyashimon anime is Polysics's "Rocket".
  • MySpace creator, Tom, is a big fan of Polysics.

[edit] External links