The future people of Japan constantly blow our minds with their dancing robots, kickass fetishes and completely fucked up video games, but we’re not entirely sold on their music. Saccharine J-pop jams about star-crossed love don’t butter our proverbial muffins.

But Polysics does. Bow down and give a hearty konichiwa to (y)our new favorite band.

We lucked out and somewhat randomly caught these guys live at San Francisco’s Bottom of the Hill during their very brief recent US/UK tour, and they completely demolished the stage, transforming the usually ambivalent crowd of hipsters into a roiling sea of carefree, air-drumming, awe-struck children. Including us.

Vitals: Formed in 1997, the Japanese quartet (named after an old-school synthesizer) blend wicked loops, absurd lyrics and pop-sensible melodies with blistering punk rock riffs. Self-professed Devo fanatics, the band includes two boys and two girls, though the adorable pigtailed keyboardist doubles as the group’s honorary fifth member - a very serious robot.

Influences: Devo, Devo, and Devo. Also, Devo. A music snob could also make a case for Kraftwerk, Talking Heads, early XTC, The Ramones, The Tubes, and Weezer.

Sounds Like: Your computer got fucked in the bathroom of 924 Gilman, had a baby, and then taught it to talk like a Speak n Spell and wail like a banshee.

You’ve Never Heard Of Them Because: They mostly sing in Japanese; that’s not exactly MTV gold. A brief but successful relationship with Asian Man records has given way to their signing with Sony Japan, so we remain optimistic.

Is Better Than: Shonen Knife, Guitar Wolf and the 5, 6, 7, 8’s.

But Not Quite As Good As: The original Godzilla, maybe.

Song Everyone Should Hear: “Kaja Kaja Goo“

Awesome Wiki Trivia: Devo mastermind Mark Mothersbaugh is a big fan – he uses Polysics for his in-office hold music.

Why take our word for it? The proof is in the Youtube:

[youtube]FxoiB4L202s[/youtube]Related Posts: Q&A: Mike Park | Ranty McPrick’s Underrated: Devo