Scenestar

Japan’s POLYSICS are currently touring in support of new album We Ate the Machine, and you can look forward to seeing the punk-new wave group on Nov. 14 when they perform at the Glass House in Pomona. Amidst their busy touring schedule, the POLYSICS members recently took some time to answer via e-mail a few Scenestar questions about the new album and the 10-year history of the band.

SS: The new album is entitled “We ate the machine.” What is that a reference to? How is the new album different from past records?
POLYSICS: POLYSICS value the most in “making new music.” There are so many bands whose music style is about blending machines and rock music that for POLYSICS, who’ve been experiencing such style for more than 10 years, [we] have begun to think that “fusion of machine and rock” isn’t so new anymore. So, we’ve started writing about “eating up the machines, the fifth member of the group.” [Thus,] “We ate the machine.” By eating up the machines, we believe that we can accomplish making music that no one other than POLYSICS can. As a result of this concept, we’ve succeeded in making music that cannot be compared to any other music. The title “We ate the machine” is also very POLYSICS in style [and] we are very proud of it. A new challenge on this album was that we’ve written some tracks together with Fumi. Writing together with Fumi, who is good at writing pop and melody tunes, the album is more focused on the melodies than the previous albums and has resulted in more pop and a crazy album.

SS: The band has signed on to MySpace Records to release POLYSICS or Die!!!! stateside. How do you think MySpace has changed music and what are your feelings on the digital distribution of music?
POLYSICS: MySpace has expanded the chances of finding new music outside of the CD shops and the clubs. During our U.S. tour, we do find many people coming to our gigs by “accidentally” learning about POLYSICS on MySpace and finding interest in us. About digital downloads, it is a bit tasteless to know that music has been converted into data to be delivered to you. “Physical objects” can be preserved, but “data” will vanish if your hard disc malfunctions. So, make sure you purchase a POLYSICS CD and have it close to you. [Laughs]

SS: The POLYSICS or Die!!!! greatest hits album commemorates POLYSICS’ 10-year anniversary. Could you name some memorable shows performed over the 10-year history of the band?
POLYSICS: The show at Shin Kiba Studio Coast (Tokyo) in June 2008. This live show caps the 10 years of POLYSICS, and I was able to actualize my ideal live show. Another memorable highlight would be the performance in Shibuya (Tokyo) this August with DEVO. This was my dream since we’ve started as a band. DEVO’s show was so good, and I was moved, and I was also happy to see the young audience who’ve never seen DEVO in their lives enjoying [the show]. I had such a happy time on that date, as if I was watching a dream.

SS: Although you are huge DEVO fans, do you ever get tired of the constant comparisons?
POLYSICS: The spirit in “making music which no one has ever heard before,” and their visual aspects have been such a big influence to us that we don’t mind being compared at all.

SS: The band has been self-described as the main band of the New Wave Tokyo music scene. What is that music scene like?
POLYSICS: Not sure if such a “New Wave scene in Tokyo” does exist now. There was once a time when such a scene existed, but [it] never became such a boom, nor any bands apart from POLYSICS have continued on their band activities.

SS: The band is no stranger to Los Angeles. Do you have time to explore our lovely city while you are here? What are your favorite things to do?
POLYSICS: Whenever we find time in L.A., we always visit Amoeba Music. We went there on the date of arrival this time and bought loads of CDs and vinyls. But [we] never can find time to visit new places in town.

POLYSICS will perform at the Glass House this Friday, Nov. 14, with Jaguar Love. Tickets are available now.