After reviewing the "Japan for Sale" Volume 2, I got an opportunity to get passes to the record release party for the "Japan for Sale" Volume 3 CD and hear the band "Polysics". I had never been to an event like this before, so I eagerly wanted to go. As for the band, I didn't know what to expect, as the only song I had heard of from them before the party was "New Wave Jacket" off of Volume 2.

I arrived slightly late to the party; as it was set in Los Angeles proper on Hollywood Blvd where the traffic creeps along at proverbial snails pace and parking can be nonexistent. After meeting up with some acquaintances, I started to get settled down for the concert. As I signed in on the VIP list, I received my token bag of goodies, which contained a sample album of Polysics album "Neu", and strangely enough an "Osbornes" figure packed in with some flyers. I was now graced with a miniature version of Ozzy. My plain neon green wristband was snapped on my wrist, and I made my way into the club Knitting Factory where the party would be held.

In front of the stage was a large projector screen showing clips from various Polysics videos. While watching I couldn't help but compare them for a bit with one of their heroes, Devo, which they strongly resembled. The group costuming and some of the images were straight from old school 80's new wave. I tried to take advantage of the small buffet that was laid out upstairs, due to having no time to pick up food elsewhere. However, they ran out once I got to the table. The staff was truly apologetic at this, and tried to make things right repeatedly, all the while with many apologies and immediately ordering more food. However, the party vultures were mighty that night. On the second go-around I heard in front of me "dude, that guy just walked off with a whole plate of snacks!" before my turn at a table almost empty save some rice crackers. I decided that getting something at the bar might be a better bet.

Consoling myself with the drink tickets I received, I made my way back downstairs. There seemed to be a happy buzz in the air as people waited patiently for the band to get onstage. The small club auditorium was packed with very easygoing people having a good time, most dressed in downtown wear on the higher end of the fashion spectrum. For an audience come to see a Japanese band, there seemed to be more people there who didn't speak Japanese than who did. Just as I was to walk out to get a drink, I heard the bands guitars start up and made my way back to the front to wait. Looks like no drinks for me either, but lack of planning on my part this time.

The projector screen raised as Polysics appeared on stage. The surrounding crowd went nuts on both lower floor and upper balcony. True to their planned persona, everyone in the band was matched. They dressed in the same mechanic style gray jumpsuits, a large inverted white triangle button with a large "P" on it, and what looked to be a steel plate over their eyes. I had wondered how they had been able to see through that to get onstage so quickly. As the light hit it, became clear the "steel" was actually fine mesh. The lead guitarist made the band's introductions in thick Japanese accented English that was somewhat hard to understand. He was doing the best he could and most of the crowd including myself probably would've sounded the same if the situations were reversed. The background music of the synthesizers warmed up as they tuned up their instruments and started in on their first song.

I learned two things within seconds. One: J-pop sounds very different live. Two: contrary to stereotype, Japanese bands can just be as insane as anywhere else on the planet. They crunched their guitar with blinding speed, the delicate electronica demoted to the background noise it was supposed to be. The guitarist thrashed about like a wild thing, at one point I could have swore he was going to fly offstage. He even *crowd surfed*, which was a riot, as the crowd supported his play for a few seconds before putting him back onstage. The synthesizer and bassists were a bit more sedate, doing their jobs with cool heads, but not a lack of concentration. I listened to them just standing there. And then started tapping my foot. And then swaying. And finally full-blown dancing.

I completely forgot about being hungry. They were fantastic. It was easy music to dance to; even without knowing the songs I could get into it, and I wasn't the only one. I saw people hard-core frenzy in the middle of the dance floor, a whirling mass of hair and limbs caught moment by moment in the lights. It got better when they launched into the only song I had got a chance to hear before the concert, "New Wave Jacket", which seemed to be a deliciously nasty parody of old school J-pop in speed and style. Halfway through the concert they took a fast two minute break, seemed to cool off, then marched right out to play again. At one point I heard a really familiar melody that didn't strike me till they did the chorus. They had come up with one of the most unique combos ever; the electronica new wave J-pop version of "My Sharona".

In the end, they were called back for an encore, which was then followed by tossing little "Japan for Sale" sumo figurines into the crowd, same in design as the Osborne figurine I got. People scrambled for them like candy, and I was able to snatch up one without losing fingers. The guitarist and the drummer got mobbed by a few too friendly fans who gave them crushing hugs onstage, with the guitarist then asking "who are these guys?" But he seemed to smile and take it well. I just died laughing, more at the situation than him.

As the crowd began to file out, I began to realize that it was over. I filed out of the room slightly dazed (and a little deaf). I made my way to the bar to pick up a fuzzy navel. It had a cherry and had juice in it, it would count for food for the time being. As I sipped my drink and cooled off, I looked at my little hip 70's sumo guy and smiled. Even with all the problems early on, it had been more than worth it to be there.

The party's not over yet! Stay tuned for Akadot's after party with Polysics as we feature the band in an exclusive Akadot interview. Also, stay tuned for our Polysics and Japan for Sale contest where you can win autographed Japan for Sale posters from the Polysics!