Chapter 13: Live Music, Tokyo Style

There is just something about seeing a gig in Tokyo...just something that gives an edge. An intesity that cannot be explained outside the context of Tokyo. And you will only understand if you’ve seen a gig in this monster of a city. In the month of September I witnessed two of these events: September 10th, Polysics at the Loft in Shinjuku, and September 20th, Primal Scream at the Zepp in Odaiba.

First we’ll start off with Polysics...are you familiar with them? Imagine like, a Japanese Devo on Speed. But like, more crazy. I snatched a ticket to see them at a tiny venue, maybe with 500 people, at The Loft (Although it was actually in a basement) in the Kabuki-Cho neighborhood of the Shinjuku ward in Tokyo. First off, Kabuki-Cho isn’t really a fitting neighborhood for Polysics. During the day its a busy shopping district, but it gets extremely seedy at night. After the gig you could definitely tell who the Polysics fans were, dashing for the station. Anyways, back to the gig. It was just plain madness. The band ran out in their orange jumpsuits, and improved some bizarre techno freakout with whistles. Then Hayashi yelled “XCT 123!!” and they busted into the psychotic punk tune. I’ve never heard them play that tune, and I was thinking it would be a fantastic opener. But as an older single, I didn’t think they would open with it. Lucky me, ne? Anyways, the rest of the gig was rock. Played some of my favorites like “Kaja Kaja GOO” and “Baby BIAS,” but did skip out on some of my favorites like “Black Out/Fall Out” and “For Young Electric Punk.” Great gig all together though. Their live energy is through the roof. I highly recommend these kids.

Then I had the opportunity to check out the UK legends Primal Scream. Primal Scream never tours in America, so when they announced their Japan tour, Naoko and I picked up some tickets. I really didn’t know what to expect from this gig. I was thinking, it could be fantastic if they played loads of their older material. But then, I was thinking it could suck if they just played songs from their crappy new album. But I was in luck, as they played very few songs from their new album, and almost all of my favorites, with the exception of “Miss Lucifer.” I knew right away the gig was going to be great, as Bobby and Mani led the band out, Bobby took the mic and simply yelled “MOVE US ON UP, TOKYO!!!” Highlight of the gig had to be the encored “Accellerator.” The song is destructive live. Other great points were “Swastika Eyes,” which sent the crowd into a frenzy I’ve never witnessed, and a personal favorite of mine “Shoot Speed/Kill Light.” Great show.

Now in the future...I only have a few of gigs ahead of me. Couple more Polysics gigs, one for free at Tower Records in Shibuya, and then again in December, and in March Muse will be putting on an epic gig in Tokyo which I must witness.