Don’t Know Polysics? You’re Missing Out On The Most Eccentric Band In Japan. [Saturday Timewaster]

by 34 Comments

I would like to dedicate this short post to our good friend Hashi. Little Hashi has not heard the fantasicality that is Polysics (the poor, poor boy), and I figured if someone as cool and well internetted as he had not heard the wondrous sounds of Polysics, there may be other poor souls like him out there somewhere. So! If you haven’t heard of Polysics, you’re in for a real treat. But if you have already heard of them (congratulations), just pass this along to your friends – they’ll thank you for it.

Polysics or Die!!!!

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nRfGdGbCqko']

Formed in 1997, Polysics (ポリシックス) hails from Tokyo and describes their sound as technicolor-pogo-punk (I describe it as super awesome). The band took its name from a favored synth, the Korg Polysix. They create super high energy music, fusing traditional rock instruments with synths to create a unique punk-rocky-synthpop sound, heavily inspired by the American bands Devo and The Tubes, and Japanese bands such as P-Model and Yellow Magic Orchestra. They are also one of my favorite bands of all time.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rXTaMxYJtDg']

Polysics’ song lyrics are both Japanese, English, and neither. Gibberish and nonsense words make up a fair share of their lyrics. The band is also famous for their insanely upbeat live performances (one of which I was lucky enough to see. In Akron, Ohio no less. It was fantastic – best show ever). They are also easily recognized by their goofy matching outfits, most notably their trademark orange jump suits and their straight-bar sunglasses. A lot of fans will dress up in this same outfit when attending their live shows.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bzcT2XDg4Wg']

If you want to learn more about the band’s history, you can check it out here on their Wikipedia page. Otherwise, continue on below for more awesome music videos. Enjoy.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6jMQzvRvDws']

Sadly Kayo the keyboardist is no longer with the band (*sadface*) but they seem to be doing just fine without her (as you can see from the first PV posted). You can read more about her and her decision to leave the band here. And you can also read a full review on their latest album, Oh! No! It’s Heavy Polysick!!! here.

[yframe url='http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uEcx-S69bWE']

So what other cool bands doesn’t Hashi know about? Help his musical tastes mature in the comments below!

P.S. Already following Polysics on Twitter? Why don’t you follow Tofugu too?
P.P.S. Want to hear about more awesome Japanese bands? Check us out on Facebook and Google+.

  • http://twitter.com/rick_ramone rick ramone

    Does Hashi know about 怒髪天 (dohatsuten)?
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=cpIBuzNoncU

  • Dy~

    Polysics, ya! I wonder if Hashi knows One Ok Rock, Hi-Standard, Kanon Wakeshima… I’m gonna stop there because my Itunes list is too long; Maybe he should just list bands/artists he already knows XD

  • John

    We’re fairly certain these are the only songs Hashi has ever heard.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1ivYHY8V-XA

  • Soccerkid_mikey17

    lol i actually love this band after listening to them for the first time! thanks for the post! :D

  • John

    Awesome! Always glad to bring Polysics to those unfamiliar with them :]

  • http://www.tofugu.com/ Hashi

    How did this post become about me? D:

  • Aln270

    You guys should do something about noise music in Japan. Boredoms, Melt-Banana, Ruins, etc…So good.

  • Laurenmadigan

    i was JUST surfing through YouTube for new Japanese music to listen to..gave up..came here…thanks John! :)

  • John

    No problem! Happy to help.

  • John

    Silly Hashi – every post is about you.

  • Chris

    A W E S O M E – Japan gig guide???

  • Kevin Roald

    I think I heard this band when trying Spotify radio :o

  • Lawnmower16

    You and/or Hashi should check out 相対性理論.
    They are mostly a normal-sounding band, but the lyrics are rather strange. All around great sound.http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=a5G3y8f2beY

  • http://www.tofugu.com/ Hashi

    The noise scene in Japan has always seemed like an interesting topic to me, but I don’t know if my delicate ears can handle the intensity D: Be merciful, Merzbow.

  • Foozlesprite

    They’re pretty good (thanks for the introduction) but be careful about throwing out phrases like ‘the most eccentric x in Japan.’  There’s some truly eccentric stuff in Japan, much more so than this, lol.

  • John

    You have more eccentric Japanese bands worth listening to? Share?

  • Foozlesprite

    Well I’m sure I don’t know THE most eccentric bands by any means, but Kyari Pamyu Pamyu, Hyadain, and the Pillows all strike me as pretty weird.  The second two are worth checking out; I don’t know much about Kyari but if you Youtube Pon Pon Pon you’ll see what I mean by eccentric, heh.

    The thing is, by American standards pretty much every Japanese band is odd, lol.  Not that that’s a bad thing; probably why I listen to twice as much Japanese music as US music.

  • Anonymous

    had no idea who these guys were. but now that I do, these guys are AWESOME!!! 

  • Lily Queen

    Even Ulfuls are pretty eccentric, despite first glance.

  • Irisa

    Does Hashi know about つしまみれ？　Their odder songs don’t get PVs made but this is a good excuse to see them live, for they are incredible fun.
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=nuHRqhTomiI&feature=fvst

  • Dy~

    I’d just like to add that, I can totally picture some songs by FujiFabric in a Tofugu video lol copy-write be damned!

  • jclyde

    gotta love andymori

  • Grandadfranky

    I love a lot of Japanese bands. This is not one of them. Never heard a song of theirs that I thought was even “ok.” 

    Hopefully for Christmas, if I’m a good boy, they’ll disband, and the world can listen to better music.  Like school food punishment or Sakanaction.

  • Peter

    YUS!
    I hoped you’d be talking about them, but I thought (from what I’ve heard about at least one band) they couldn’t possibly be the most eccentric.
    I saw them in my hometown in England and got to play fussball / table football with one of them. They remain the only Japanese band I’ve gone to see in concert. I’d live to see then again.

  • http://twitter.com/Apples_Lattoso Marianna Ferrara

    Well… Even if this is not a japanese band , they’re really good and a great alternative to jogging http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=EU1CDSP7FRk  (worst quality ever, best quality on youtube, i’m sorry ._.)

    Oh, and “Domo Arigato Mr Robot” is an AWESOME video!

  • Devon Furbush

    where can I buy music or download music by One Ok Rock?

  • John

    lol, Kyary is hilarious. I haven’t heard of Hyadain though, I’ll have to check ‘em out.

  • John

    :’(

  • John

    You got to play fussball with them? Dude that’s awesome! xD

  • アントン
  • Anonymous
  • FrenzyIncense

    number girl is pretty quirky

  • http://twitter.com/Teaish Tea

    I’ve got to say, in terms of eccentricity, ミドリ is still at the top for me. 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=H3rQWNgbB2k&feature=related 
    http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=og6OqGiVCGk&feature=related 

  • Lillian

    I love Dohatsuten!