Peelander-Z at the Middle East

On the crowd...

What does one do after attending a once-in-a-lifetime show by a renowned artist? How can you go back to the all-things-as-usual show when you've heard and witnessed the delights of a skillfully-performed, groundbreaking gig? This was the conundrum Bostonist faced since Wednesday's excellent Dan Deacon show at the Middle East. After a stunning set, where do you go from there? Well, you can only go up. In this case, to the planet Peelander.

That's right, Peelander, the "home planet" of Peelander-Z, a Japanese punk trio that dabbles in a little bit of comic book charisma, audacious action, and a whole lot of fun. Last night, the Middle East Upstairs played host to the multi-faceted punk-rock carnival, and Bostonist couldn't have been more thrilled to be a part of it.

The band took the stage shortly after midnight and did a cute little riff of "Immigrant Song" before saying goodnight and leaving the stage... but minutes later, they returned in full anime-approved gear, with Peelander-Red making a dramatic entrance in a hybrid squid-bass costume. Peelander-Red jumped into the audience as Peelander-Pink took over bass duties and the band performed their hybrid late 70s three-chord punk meets deliciously sweet J-pop sound.

And just like that, the evening was in full swing, and the crowd ate up every minute of it. Peelander-Green was a master behind the kit and on signage, jumping at the chance to hold up gigantic posters that screamed out the title of each Peelander-Z track, from "Mad Tiger" to "So Many Mike." Peelander-Yellow entertained the crowd with his humorously-endowed broken English and gutter-punk guitar work, and Peelander-Red ran circles around stage (and off) on bass.

Throughout it all, Peelander-Z took the concept of show business to heart and blast it to the moon. Though James Brown might not have dug the music, he certainly would've appreciated the group's style. Between speedy chunks of punk, the band managed to lead the crowd in a limbo and jumprope contest, dress audience members in tiger masks and pull them onstage to play instruments, duel with instruments, form a conga line throughout the Middle East, teach crowd members to play their instruments, go human bowling, set up and perform in the middle of a circle pit, and conduct gig-goers in a rousing rendition of Queen's "We Are The Champions."

Sure, Peelander-Z may not be from space, but actually Japan-by-way-of-New York. Sure, their sound isn't exactly groundbreaking. But, it sure was fun as hell, and that's just what Bostonist needed; an action-packed show that reminded Bostonist of the exact reason he began going to concerts in the first place. It's all about the live experience, and it sure was an experience, and lively to boot.