Many moons ago, I saw Japanese action comic punk band Peelander-Z in Brooklyn with Anamanaguchi and Math the Band, where I was infamously hit in the face by a guitar when the band moved their show into the audience. It was one of the most badass moments of my life, and I was hoping for more of that awesomeness when I went to see the band at Studio at Webster Hall back in October, and they sure didn’t disappoint!
How do I accurately describe a Peelander-Z show? Each time I go to one of their ones, I personally feel like I’ve stepped off an escape pod and landed on alien ground, and this time was no different. From the moment the voiceover and the smoke machine started to sweep over the room, I knew I had arrived on Planet Peelander, and I couldn’t wait!
When the four members of the band took the stage in their monochromed punk rock super-suits, everyone knew they were in for a one-of-a-kind experience. Despite the band’s commitment to filling their shows with punk rock theatrics, the band actually has some serious musical chops as well. I would say they are a Japanese version of the Ramones but more precise and with extra-strength doses of silliness. With songs filled with keen observations about how there are so many people named Mike and straightforward odes to tacos and medium rare steaks, what’s not to love? The genius of the band is their manic energy combined with their encouragement of audience participation, which makes them an unstoppable force from beginning to end. Whether they are dressing up like giant squids so they can bowl in the middle of the audience, dividing the floor with a rope and encouraging people to limbo to the other side of the room, or throwing random percussion instruments out to everyone so they can all beat on things and chant “Mad tiger! Mad tiger!” the band makes sure that every single person in the room is taking an unforgettable journey through Planet Peelander.
This show kicked off the farewell tour for Kotaro Tsukada, better known as Peelander-Red, the band’s fearless bassist whose crazy stage antics have become notorious show highlights. On this night, Red walked across the audience and hung upside down from the ceiling while shredding away. It was just SO epic!
Towards the end of their set, two of the ladies of PeeWonder-Z, an all-girl Peelander-Z tribute band, joined the band on stage while their leader Peelander-Yellow lifted up signs that declared “Bass player wanted,” a bittersweet reminder that this will be one of Red’s final New York shows. You will be sorely, missed, dear sir, but thank you for never failing to disappoint at every live show.
It breaks my heart that I missed Red’s last show at the Knitting Factory on November 23rd because of the Thanksgiving holiday, but it appears he got a proper send-off.
Article: Rebecca An
Photos: Nasa Hadizadeh
