Polysics

Polysics

Infobox musical artist
Name = Polysics


Img_capt =
Img_size =
Background = group_or_band
Alias =
Origin = flagicon|JapanTokyo, Japan
Genre = New wave
J-Rock
Punk rock
Noise-rock
Synth pop
Years_active = 1997–present
Label = Ki/oon Records (Sony Music Japan),
Myspace Records
Associated_acts =
URL = [http://www.polysics.com/ Official Website]
Current_members = Hiroyuki Hayashi
Kayo
Fumi
Masashi Yano
Past_members = Junichi Sugai
Ishimaru
Sako (AKA Poly-2).

Polysics (or POLYSICS) is a Japanese new wave/Rock band from Tokyo, named after a brand of synthesizer, 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, notably their trademark orange boiler suits, with a simple "P" stamped on them, and their straight-bar sunglasses.

History

Polysics was formed in 1997 by Japanese high-school student Hiroyuki Hayashi. After watching some live footage of Devo and becoming heavily inspired by new wave music of the West, the student quit his soccer team and formed a band that would expand on the cartoonish image and musical ideas of the zany art-punk icons he had seen on TV. He was joined by drummer Junichi Sugai and Sako (aka Poly 2). Kayo also joined, her mechanical stage presence provided an asymmetrical dynamic to the frenetic antics of the other three. The name of the band derives from the first synthesizer owned by Hayashi, the Korg Polysix. This synth appears in two of their early music videos.

In 1999, Polysics released their first albums "1st P" and "A.D.S.R.M!" 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, "Neu" was released in the United States on Asian Man Records to rave reviews and great sales. However, shortly after recording the "Kaja Kaja Goo EP" drummer Junichi Sugai left the band. Ishimaru (drummer for the punk group Snail Ramp) temporarily joined as a replacement. For the 2003 album "National P", Polysics went to the US to tour, which was then captured on the "PippikkippippiP In USA" DVD.

Also during 2003, Polysics appeared on UK television for the programme Adam & Joe Go Tokyo performing "Kaja Kaja Goo".

In 2004, Polysics released a greatest hits 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.

In 2005, Yano replaced Sugai as drummer.

On February 28th, 2007 Polysics released their album "Karate House" in Japan.

Following this Polysics signed for MySpace Records making plans to re-release Polysics or Die!!!! in the US, with the inclusion of the latest singles from Karate House and a bonus DVD of videos and live cuts. Polysics or Die!!!! Vista was released on October 9, 2007 for Myspace Records exclusively for the United States, to mark the band's ten-year anniversary. 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".

On April 23rd 2008, "We Ate The Machine" was released in Japan. It is due to be released on September 30, 2008 in North America.

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.

Members

Current members

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

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".

Discography

Japanese Releases

DECKREC Records
*1999.02.25 - 1st P (EP [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0001.html DCRC-0001] )
*1999.03.18 - Plus Chicker EP (7" vinyl [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0002.html DCRC-0002] )
*1999.10.22 - A.D.S.R.M! (full-length CD [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0005.html DCRC-0005] )
* 1999.11.25 - Modern (7" vinyl [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0006.html DCRC-0006] )
* 2000.02.25 - Live in Japan / 6-D (2-CD set [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0012.html DCRC-0012] & [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0013.html DCRC-0013] respectively)
* 2000.02.25 - 6-D (12" vinyl [http://sound.jp/deckrec/catalogue/DCRC-0014.html DCRC-0014] )Ki/oon Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment [Japan] Inc.)
* 2000.04.19 - XCT (maxi-single CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSC2-341/ KSC2 341] )
* 2000.06.21 - each life each end (maxi-single CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSC2-345/ KSC2 345] )
* 2000.09.20 - Neu (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSC2-357/ KSC2 357] )
* 2001.04.25 - New Wave Jacket (maxi-single CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSC2-380/ KSC2 380] )
* 2001.06.06 - Eno (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSC2-389/ KSC2 389] )
* 2002.04.24 - Lo-Bits (mini-album CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-453/ KSCL 453] )
* 2002.07.24 - For Young Electric Pop (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-460/ KSCL 460] )
* 2003.05.21 - Kaja Kaja Goo (mini-album CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-547/ KSCL 547] )
* 2003.10.29 - National P (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-627/ KSCL 627] )
* 2004.05.19 - Polysics or Die!!!! (Compilation [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-686/ KSCL 686] )
* 2005.04.27 - Baby BIAS (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/eng/KS/Polysics/KSCL-776/ KSCL 776] )
* 2005.08.17 - Coelacanth Is Android (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/?KSCL-877 KSCL 877] )
* 2005.10.19 - Now Is The Time! (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/?KSCL-890 KSCL 890] )
* 2006.06.21 - Electric Surfin' Go Go (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/?KSCL-1016 KSCL 1016] )
* 2006.10.25 - You-You-You (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/?KSCL-1047 KSCL 1047] )
* 2007.01.31 - Catch On Everywhere (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/KSCL-1091 KSCL-1091] )
* 2007.02.28 - Karate House (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/KSCL-1119/ KSCL-1119] )
* 2007.11.21 - Rocket (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/KSCL-1183/ KSCL-1183] )
* 2008.03.19 - Pretty Good (CD single [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/KSCL-1223/ KSCL-1223] )
* 2008.04.23 - We Ate the Machine (full-length CD [http://www.sonymusic.co.jp/Music/Arch/KS/Polysics/KSCL-1240/ KSCL-1240-1241] )

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 - "I My Me Mine / Jhout" (UK 7")
*2006 - "Coelacanth Is Android / Coelacanth Is Android (MSTRKRFT Remix)" (USA 7")
*2007 - "POLYSICS OR DIE!!!! -VISTA-" (USA)
*2008 - "Karate House" (USA)
*2008 - "We Ate the Machine" (USA)

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"

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)

olo Projects

*2004 - Mitsuami Heroine (Kayo Solo EP)

oundtracks

*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.
*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.
*The ending theme to the Moyashimon anime is Polysics's "Rocket".

Famous Fans

*Mark Mothersbaugh of Devo used a Polysics CD for his office phone system, forcing the people on hold to hear the tracks being played.
*MySpace creator, Tom Anderson, is a big fan of Polysics.

External links

* [http://www.polysics.com/ Polysics Official Website]
* [http://www.myspace.com/polysics Polysics MySpace page]
* [http://www.ishotyourband.com/w/polysics.html Polysics live photos]
* [http://www.nowontour.com/news/interviews/59-polysics NowOnTour Polysics Interview]
* [http://www.ithrewup.com/obsesso/html/news_pgs/japan03.html Devo In Japan 2003 with Polysics Article]
* [http://www.musictowers.com/features/ViewArticle1554.aspx Polysics Interview on Music Towers]


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