Polysics or Die!!!
Heading out to the Sunset Strip on a Friday night is almost never a good idea for someone who hates sitting behind a string of idling red taillights. Stop and go. Go and stop. Stop. Go. Stop. Stop! Go. Stop. Go. Go, go, go! It was Less Than Jake that sang, “Ten minutes and two miles,” and as I inched along Sunset at what seemed like an average of 12 mph eventually the forever dancing “R” of The Roxy let me know I had arrived with it’s bright neon red glow.
My gripes with dealing with the road faded quickly as I read the marquee: POLYSICS. This would be my second Polysics experience and that deep down tingling that I use to associate with being naughty crept its way up my spine. Entering The Roxy I had to subdue the tingling that made me want to shout, “POLYSICS OR DIE!!!!!!” since there were two local bands opening. While each had their own pockets of fans scattered amongst the crowd the buzzing chatter of conversation that became audible between songs made for a battle of the bands atmosphere. It was obvious that most people came for the Polysics.
When the synth-heavy, Devo loving Japanese quartet hit the stage in their bright orange jumpsuits and signature sunglasses the crowd went nuts. The Polysics fan base is unique and “cult following” would be appropriate to describe their fanatic nature. There were fans dressed up like the band, yelling their name while the opening bands played and dancing. Lots and lots of dancing.
Polysics front man Hiroyuki Hayashi kept the energy high with his onstage antics and screamed, “POLYSICS OR DIEEEEEE!!!!” in between songs. As much energy as Hayashi threw out the crowd gave right back. The crowd sang along to songs both in English and Japanese. By the end of a Polysics set it’s hard not to be a sweaty, yet satisfied, mess.
This tour marked synth/vocordist Kayo’s last tour with the band that will wrap in Japan at the famed Budokan later this spring. Don’t fret, the band will continue on as it has for the past 13 years and hopefully make their way back stateside so that the fans can have a reason to dust off their jumpsuits and hachimakis for a night of musical chaos.
