PEELANDER-Z with the EXPLODERS at the El Mocambo (464 Spadina), Saturday (September 8). $7. 416-968-2001. Rating: NNNNN
A colourfully lidded, otherworldly trio with an impressive arsenal of incapacitating wrestling moves. No, it’s not the Powerpuff Girls, but Peelander-Z, a kind of Japanoise punk version of the crime-fighting cartoon threesome.
“We’re not inspired by music so much as by animated television programs and Japanese wrestling,” insists shouting guitarist Kengoswee, still woozy from the lacquer fumes in the New York City custom framing shop where he works for food supplements.
Soon after the yellow, red and blue Peelander-Z crew crash-landed their spaceship somewhere near Brooklyn, they recorded their enjoyably trashy Rocketgoldstar (Eat Rice Records) and began their mission to shake up North America with their wacky thrills and spills.
“There are many good bands in America, but they are all very serious. I never saw any crazy comic-style punk rock groups. People are looking for something new and fun — that’s why they come to our shows.
“Sometimes there’s a fire and we have to splash water. Maybe you’ll see me do some rolling kicks or my cobra-twist hold. In Toronto, our tall and handsome new bassist, K.O., may even try out the Canadian backbreaker!”
