wtf since when were POLYSICS popular?
 

XD K so nee and I found out POLYSICS were going on tour in the states this fall, and when trying to find out their tour locations, we discovered how popular they become over this year in North America (and other places besides Japan, where they ironically aren't popular there...) Okay, check out their North American MySpace ( http://www.myspace.com/polysicsna ) .. they are at over 100,000 fans. Yes, the same band that barely reached 300 MySpace friends from 2004 to 2006.... They got signed to the MySpace music sub-label and they are touring with hellogoodbye and others later this year.

I don't want to be cliche and say I liked them back when no one knew them, but it's true! Haha, now everyone knows about POLYSICS, and judging how this indies band's popularity is now at in North America, don't be surprised if you hear them on the radio later this year.

Oh, their North American album "POLYSICS or die! Vista" will be out later this year. Basically, this post is about how Japanese bands can emerge into the international (especially North American) market if try. Ok, let's get EMI to promote SR/TJ here.

I was surprised they played here some 2 years ago... They're pretty much the only Japanese band that ever stopped by (except Shonen Knife)

They've played here in the UK numerous times, both on their own and supporting Kaiser Chiefs and Graham Coxon (Blur). They played quite high up on the mainstage at the 02 Wireless Festival this year. They've had a few album releases here too. Unfortunately for me, I never find out they've played until after. I'm keeping my eye out now though. They're probably the biggest Japanese band in England at present, that I know of along with maybe Electric Eel Shock.

You can call POLYSICS "indie" if you want (which is a status at least as much as a style), but they have the same Japanese record label as L'Arc~En~Ciel, and therefore they've been ported over to Tofu Records in North America the same way. They also (in a time predating their abroad fanbase) made it onto the Sweets for my SPITZ album alongside other artist(s) we think are great.

Although I was never involved, I do recall a friend telling me about Tofu Records emailing North Americans who put themselves on fanlists, so Tofu could research the level of interest in a POLYSICS tour. Then sure enough, the tour happened.

POLYSICS isn't really my cup of tea. Sometimes PE'Z (in their older material such as Big Ear album ver. or Auction single ver.) uses sound effects in a very similar manner that reminds me of no one else but POLYSICS, except PE'Z can get away with it because there are epic instrumentalists between the noises who each exert their own considerable levels of creative control, and HZM is a better arranger/remixer.

EMI doesn't have a North American launching pad like Tofu Records. Until you see a bridge of that kind (which would not be exclusively for her use), don't expect Shiina Ringo to get promoted.

I think Shiina Ringo or Tokyo Jihen makes subtle attempts to market their albums overseas. Emphasis on subtle.

Who doesn't laugh when they see:
"Japanese Manners by Shiina Ringo"?

My new favorite game is using the English titles to all Ringo tracks.
"firstlove" singer, anyone??

What game is that?

It's a Sony, BTW.

Japanese Wikipedia lists Japanese bands as their influenced bands
which English Wikipedia excludes.
Ippudo, Unicorn, Denki Groove, and Kinniku Shoujotai