Sex-Android - The Medical Comedy
Here I am with the week-end special in “Focusing on”! Today’s subject is one of the most peculiar and strange bands of old-school visual kei, which unexpectedly is still active in the scene. They are named Sex-Android, a.k.a. Sekuan, formed on 1995 and composed nowadays by Yu-dai (vo.), Tφru (gt.) and Junro (ba.). The band name has not a peculiar meaning, while their concept is related to the visual kei stream known as iryou kei, with members wearing medic outfits; not by case the band defines their genre “isha rock”, meaning “medical rock”, where the punk rock meets jazz and underground influences and their lyrics always feature something grotesque and funny. Their debut occurred, after several demo releases, on 1999, with the mini-album Shirimetsuretsu (Incoherent), followed up by another mini-album, Analog Byoto 696 (Hospital room 696 analog), the singles Kuruizaki Burning Love (Off-season burning love), M no koibumi (M’s love letter), Jet Stardust Cabaret and Hakkyo Lollipop (Lollipop madness).
The title-track features an incredibly simply rock sound, with the peculiar comical vibe which characterizes this band, along with funny and weird vocals; the song is about the taste of madness and love. It has been followed by the first album Ochanoma Killer (Killer TV viewers), the compilation Torakku 1.2.3 -M no anaroku kuruzaki- (Sold tracks 1.2.3 -M’s analog off-season-) and the singles Good Morning Subculture and Himegoto (Princess things).
The title-track is driven by a brilliant guitar playing, even maintaining the grotesque style, even if they are in pink; the song is about innocent promises, which are more worth of fables than of real world. It has been followed by the single Togeo (Spiny tailed monitor).
The title-track features a darker and daring sound, where Yu-dai’s voice is even more harsh and energetic; the song is about a revolution that hurts, which pierces into people’s heart. It has been followed by the second album Heisei kotonakare shugi! (Heisei, I am playing it safe!), the single Shakuretsu no melody/Moteasobare Tonight! (Red hot melody/Tonight do something that you please), the compilation B-Bonus-Theater, the single Iyatte Mon Amour (I hate you my love), the third album The White Rock & Roll Swindle and the single Datte… baka de kara (Because… because you are stupid).
The title-track features an higher technical component, well provided by the guitar and the bass, leading up to a strong punk-rock sound; the song is about being stupid, which brings on many dangerous things. It has been followed by the mini-album Koroshiya milk-chan (Mr. milk killer), the single Omae no natsu o ore ni kure! (Me and you in my summer!), the fourth album Gyaku Synthesizer!! (Reverse synthesizer!!), the singles Yukidoke no Blues (Blues of thaw) and Shukudan yattanoni (Homework made), Aishuu Discotheque (Discotheque melancholy), the single Buttagiri Thunder Road, the compilation Sex-Android -Isha Rock Never Die-, the single Kanojo wa Anarchy (She anarchy) and the fifth album Creamy Scream!!.
In the visual kei scene, we can see any kind of band, with different and unique styles, which despite of their fame, brought a sense of novelty and influenced the following bands, directly or indirectly. Sex-Android belongs to the underground side of the genre, commonly defined as angura kei, mixing an energetic and weird rock sound with a funny and out-of-context style, encouraged by the jester-ish presence of Yu-dai, especially during live performances. But despite of their break-out image, they always had a low profile, even if the single members worked even in other projects (recently the guitarist Tφru released an album named Stratocaster, with several musical guests). If you belong to who knows and completely enjoys them, you can surely check out their latest single, Tsumi wa boku o irodzukeru (Sin which colours me), released last Wednesday, where their style appears a bit more technical.
Who might enjoy: who needs a funny, grotesque and underground punk band, which is not too much serious.
Recommended songs: Jet Stardust Cabaret, Hakkyo Lollipop, Good Morning Subculture, Himegoto, Togeo, Iyatte Mon Amour and Datte… baka de kara.
That’s all folks! See you next Wednesday for another review in “Let’s Listen to”!