Since 1999 POLYSICS have released several albums. The albums 1st P and A.D.S.R.M! were released on the independent label DECKREC Records. Just after the release of 1st P their bassist, known only as "POLY-2", left. The band dropped the "POLY-X" names, and reduced to a trio, with new member Fumi on Bass Support on some of the tracks from Neu. In 1999, Asian Man Records released their US Debut album, Hey! Bob! My Friend to rave reviews, but weak sales. The album was a compilation of tracks from their first two Japanese releases. In 2000, POLYSICS signed to Ki/oon Records (a subsidiary of Sony Music Entertainment (Japan) Inc.) and released their first major album Neu. The album carried with it the same manic energy as their independent releases but more refined. On the 2001 album Eno, Synthesizers became more prevalent in the mix, but the songs still had an intense punk-like energy. For this album, Fumi returned to the band as a full member, returning POLYSICS to a quartet. 2002 saw the release of the album FOR YOUNG ELECTRIC POP, POLYSICS attempt at a pop album. The manic punk energy was minimized, but the band showed it had an amazing sense of harmony and style. The songs "Black Out Fall Out" and "Code 4" from this album are very emotional.
In 2003, drummer Junichi Sugai left the band after recording the Kaja Kaja Goo EP. For the 2003 album National P, Ishimaru joined on Drum Support, returning POLYSICS to a trio. Also in 2003, Neu was released on Asian Man Records in the United States to rave reviews and great sales. POLYSICS came to the US to tour, which was then captured on the PippikkippippiP In USA DVD. In 2004, POLYSICS released a Best Of compilation titled POLYSICS OR DIE!!!! which contained new versions of some early POLYSICS songs. It was also released in the United Kingdom, and was the first POLYSICS album to be released in Europe. POLYSICS toured Europe and the US for the 2005 US Release of POLYSICS OR DIE!!!!. With the recent 2006 release of "Now is the time!", they are now currently touring the US and preparing for the UK tour in April. Their most recent album is KARATE HOUSE. They also released POLYSICS OR DIE!!! VISTA, which is an updated version of POLYSICS OR DIE!!! which includes tracks from Now is the Time! and KARATE HOUSE. It also includes a bonus dvd with promotional videos and a few songs from their Now is the Live! concert dvd. They toured the US in 2007 as openers on the MySpace music tour and are currently back in Japan.
The biggest influence on POLYSICS is clearly the band Devo. From the start, POLYSICS have tried to make music in, as Hiroyuki describes it, "The spirit of Devo." Obvious references to Devo have been made in POLYSICS videos, and songs. each life each end from the album Neu borrows the riff from the Devo song "Girl U Want", and the lyrics are playfully paraphrased from the songs "The Day My Baby Gave Me A Surprise" and "Red Eye Express", while "Plaster Caster" is a semi-cover of the song "Uglatto", one of their more obscure songs which was released on Hardcore Devo Vol.1 74-77. In a miniposter included with National P, POLYSICS members sit to eat cakes shaped like Devo's famous Energy Dome headgear. In addition, the giant robot mascot from the cover of POLYSICS' "Lo-Bits" EP (who also starred in the promo video for the song "Domo Arigato Mr. Roboto") sports a battle-helmet that resembles the same iconic dome.
While POLYSICS claim Devo as their most prevalent influence, other bands and artists that have influenced their music include Talking Heads, Orchestral Manouvres in the Dark, Sparks, The B-52's, XTC, King Crimson, Kraftwerk, P-Model, Neu!, Brian Eno, Nirvana, and David Bowie. POLYSICS have also covered songs by Styx, Suzi Quatro, The Plastics, The Ramones, The Knack, Soft Cell, and Frank Sinatra.
Announced in the official email newsletter December 23rd, 2009, keyboardist/vocalist KAYO will be performing her last show with the band at the Nippon Budokan on March 14th, 2010.
X-Rays
POLYSICS Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
Take out the French or take out mac
Spread the butter or spread the jam
Kick out the ball or kick out the cat
Catch the airwave or catch the newwave
Keeping a cool face or hit the big face
Breast the tape or cut off the tape
There's no need to worry 'bout such a small thing
Just X-rays are passing through me and this is my life
Just X-rays are passing through...
Take all the taxi or take all the bus
Take out the French or take out mac
Spread the butter or spread the jam
Kick out the ball or kick out the cat
There's no need to worry 'bout such a small thing
Just X-rays are passing through me and this is my life
Just X-rays are passing through...
This is my life, the end
"X-Rays" by POLYSICS is an upbeat and repetitive song that goes through various scenarios and choices that one might face in their life. The lyrics start with simple choices like taking a taxi or a bus, taking out French fries or mac and cheese, and progress to more abstract choices like catching the airwaves or the new wave, keeping a cool face or hitting the big face. The chorus "There's no need to worry 'bout such a small thing, just X-rays are passing through me and this is my life" suggests a theme of not sweating the small stuff and accepting that life will just pass us by like X-rays. The song then ends with the repetition of the choices from the beginning and the declaration that "this is my life, the end".
The song can be interpreted in various ways, depending on the listener's perspective. One possible interpretation is that it is a commentary on the choices and decisions we make in life, and how ultimately they may not matter in the grand scheme of things. Another interpretation is that it is a reminder to not stress over the little things and to enjoy life as it comes. The repetitive nature of the song emphasises this message, as if urging the listener to let go of their worries and just go with the flow.
Line by Line Meaning
Take all the taxi or take all the bus
Choose either option, it doesn't matter.
Take out the French or take out mac
Choose between two different things, it doesn't matter which one.
Spread the butter or spread the jam
Choose one or the other, it doesn't matter which one.
Kick out the ball or kick out the cat
Choose one or the other, it doesn't matter which one.
Catch the airwave or catch the newwave
Choose one or the other, it doesn't matter which one.
Keeping a cool face or hit the big face
Stay calm or get excited, either way is fine.
Breast the tape or cut off the tape
Finish the race or stop before the end, either way is fine.
The alternative is to sleep or to wake
Either rest or be active, both are acceptable.
There's no need to worry 'bout such a small thing
Don't stress over minor decisions.
Just X-rays are passing through me and this is my life
The radiation is just a small part of my existence, and this is my reality.
This is my life, the end
This is my life and that's all there is to it.
Lyrics © OBO APRA/AMCOS
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind