preview of my review which will be up on that website i write for in the coming days:
Art Brut & Polysics
ICA
19th July 2004
Polysics rock so hard I am both shocked and amazed that with a stage act like that the Japanese didnt win the war. Honest to God, I prostrate myself before the Gods of Rock and completely and utterly surrender on behalf of the western world.
Polysics or Die? Holy fuck, with a show like that I am totally inclined to believe them, and this isn't because the opening band, in time honoured tradition, had reminded me of just how questionable rock and roll can get. Oh no. Polysics are truly masters of Devo inspired New Wave Punk.
Art Brut, the opening band, while starting strong and mostly finishing strong, somehow failed to make any connection in-between, and while the song about Eddie Argoss younger brother discovering rock and roll is catchy, one hope he was lying when he claims his 22 year old brother is only just discovering rock, and I expect I was not the only one in the audience hopeing that Eddie wasnt the poor boys rock mentor.
That being said, the Art Brut is mostly a tight five piece with a female Bassist which always gets kudos in my books (even if she was playing with a pick), a first guitarist with a stage presence like no other, a rhythm guitarist with a badge collection the by far exceeds my own and a drummer that plays standing up. How big must is rock cock be!?! The only unfortunate thing bout the band was Eddie coming across as a drink and witless stand up comic, however, his efforts with the art of engaging the audience have been noted.
After the show Eddie did mention feeling in a bad mood so maybe this flawed performance is a one off, and it is with a certain amount of hope I will be attended their next gig on Monday the 26th at the Bar Fly.
Polysics on the other hand, have no weak link; there is no disappointment to be had. Indeed, this band is as tight as a prom night virgin on the verge of being internationally deflowered. Dir En Grey eat your heart out.
Formed in 1997 and heavily influenced by Devo, Polysics have a truly unique sound matched only by their truly unique stage performance. Never have I seen so many classic poses choreographed seamlessly into a single set and perfectly executed by the sweatiest and happiest performer on Gods green Earth. Hayashi masters all the classic air guitar poses but with a REAL GUITAR! Carried off the stage on a random audience members shoulders while playing the guitar, he then hauls himself back on stage; breaks effortlessly into the Duck Walk; the Boogie; the classic Foot on Monitor with Finger Pointing; the Standing Jump; the Flying Leap; the Scissor Jump; the Sliding Kneel; the Pointing Windmill. The kid has all the moves and he never failed to miss a beat.
The new album Polysics of Die is due out in the UK on July the 26th. A Best Of album that, if it packs half as much punch as their stage show, would fit right in in any respectable music collection. Tracks to look out for are Kaja Kaja Goo, recorded in San Francisco and described by Hiro as where you feel the sprit of Rock and My Sharona, a cover of the classic along the same lines and Devo covering Satisfaction.
If you get a chance to see this band in the coming months, I urge you to get in early and get a prime spot up front. You will not be disappointed.
Sara Passmore
July 2004
Art Brut & Polysics
ICA
19th July 2004
Polysics rock so hard I am both shocked and amazed that with a stage act like that the Japanese didnt win the war. Honest to God, I prostrate myself before the Gods of Rock and completely and utterly surrender on behalf of the western world.
Polysics or Die? Holy fuck, with a show like that I am totally inclined to believe them, and this isn't because the opening band, in time honoured tradition, had reminded me of just how questionable rock and roll can get. Oh no. Polysics are truly masters of Devo inspired New Wave Punk.
Art Brut, the opening band, while starting strong and mostly finishing strong, somehow failed to make any connection in-between, and while the song about Eddie Argoss younger brother discovering rock and roll is catchy, one hope he was lying when he claims his 22 year old brother is only just discovering rock, and I expect I was not the only one in the audience hopeing that Eddie wasnt the poor boys rock mentor.
That being said, the Art Brut is mostly a tight five piece with a female Bassist which always gets kudos in my books (even if she was playing with a pick), a first guitarist with a stage presence like no other, a rhythm guitarist with a badge collection the by far exceeds my own and a drummer that plays standing up. How big must is rock cock be!?! The only unfortunate thing bout the band was Eddie coming across as a drink and witless stand up comic, however, his efforts with the art of engaging the audience have been noted.
After the show Eddie did mention feeling in a bad mood so maybe this flawed performance is a one off, and it is with a certain amount of hope I will be attended their next gig on Monday the 26th at the Bar Fly.
Polysics on the other hand, have no weak link; there is no disappointment to be had. Indeed, this band is as tight as a prom night virgin on the verge of being internationally deflowered. Dir En Grey eat your heart out.
Formed in 1997 and heavily influenced by Devo, Polysics have a truly unique sound matched only by their truly unique stage performance. Never have I seen so many classic poses choreographed seamlessly into a single set and perfectly executed by the sweatiest and happiest performer on Gods green Earth. Hayashi masters all the classic air guitar poses but with a REAL GUITAR! Carried off the stage on a random audience members shoulders while playing the guitar, he then hauls himself back on stage; breaks effortlessly into the Duck Walk; the Boogie; the classic Foot on Monitor with Finger Pointing; the Standing Jump; the Flying Leap; the Scissor Jump; the Sliding Kneel; the Pointing Windmill. The kid has all the moves and he never failed to miss a beat.
The new album Polysics of Die is due out in the UK on July the 26th. A Best Of album that, if it packs half as much punch as their stage show, would fit right in in any respectable music collection. Tracks to look out for are Kaja Kaja Goo, recorded in San Francisco and described by Hiro as where you feel the sprit of Rock and My Sharona, a cover of the classic along the same lines and Devo covering Satisfaction.
If you get a chance to see this band in the coming months, I urge you to get in early and get a prime spot up front. You will not be disappointed.
Sara Passmore
July 2004
VIEW 12 of 12 COMMENTS
Oh yeah... and it's a great review...