Polysics (or POLYSICS ) is a Japanese new wave and rock band from Tokyo, who dubs its unique style as "technicolor pogo punk". It was named after a brand of synthesizer, Korg Polysix. 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. 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.

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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). Another member named Kaneko joined within the early years of the band. He then left and he was then replaced by Kayo and with her mechanical stage presence, it 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 applied 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. Yano had also replaced Sugai as the new drummer for the band in this year. 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 28, 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 23 2008, We Ate the Machine was released in Japan. It was 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 Devo, Styx, Suzi Quatro, Plastics, The Ramones, The Knack, Soft Cell, Hikashu, Thin Lizzy and Frank Sinatra and have been known to play Yes during their sound checks.

Members

Current members

• Hiroyuki Hayashi - Guitars, Vocals, Vocoder, Programming
• Kayo - Guitar ^[1], Bass Guitar ^[2], Synthesizers, Vocals, Vocoder
• Fumi - Bass Guitar, Vocals, Synthesizers
• Masashi Yano - Drums, Vocals

Past members

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

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

Discography

All releases are Japan only except where specified. Albums A.D.S.R.M! - 1999 Live in Japan / 6-D - 2000 Hey! Bob! My Friend! - 2000 (USA and Korea) Neu - 2000 (USA, 2003) Eno - 2001 For Young Electric Pop - 2002 National P - 2003 Now Is The Time! - 2005 (USA & UK, 2006) Karate House - 2007 (USA, 2008) We Ate the Machine - 2008 (USA, 2008) Singles XCT - 2000 Each Life Each End - 2000 New Wave Jacket - 2001 Baby Bias - 2005 Coelacanth Is Android - 2005 (USA, 2006) Electric Surfin' Go Go - 2006 You-You-You - 2006 Catch On Everywhere - 2007 Rocket - 2007 Pretty Good - 2008 Shout Aloud! / Beat Flash - 2009 Young Oh Oh! - 2009

EP 1st P - 1999 Lo-Bits - 2002 Kaja Kaja Goo - 2003 (UK, 2004) New Wave Jacket / My Sharona - 2004 (UK) I My Me Mine / Jhout - 2006 (UK) Compilations ''Polysics or Die

'' - 2004 (USA & UK, 2005) ''Polysics or Die

Vista'' - 2007 (USA) Absolute Polysics - 2009 Limited 7" Plus Chicker - 1999 Modern - 1999 6-D - 2000 Video releases Live At Newwave - 1999 (VHS) B.G.V. - 2000 (VHS) ''DVDVPVDVLIVE

'' - 2003 (DVD) PippikkippippiP In USA - 2004 (DVD) Now is the live! - 2006 (DVD) ''Clips or Die

'' - 2007 (DVD) ''We ate the show

'' - 2008 (CD+DVD) Solo projects Mitsuami Heroine - 2004 (EP by Kayo)

Soundtracks

• Polysics performed the theme song for the American Jetix television show Super Robot Monkey Team Hyperforce Go! .
• Polysics' song "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' "Rocket".

References

1. Polysics Myspace Page
2. Polysics Sweet Love Shower 1999 Concert Picture