Plastics (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1976 |
| Defunct | 2016 |
| Headquarters | Tokyo , Japan |
| Products | Music albums, singles, EPs |
Plastics, often referred to as the Plastics, were a Japanese new wave ensemble that gained prominence during the late 1970s and early 1980s. Their sound had a considerable impact on Japanese pop culture, inspiring cover versions by artists including Polysics, Pizzicato Five, and Stereo Total.
In 2007, Rolling Stone Japan placed their first album, Welcome Plastics, at number 19 on its list of the "100 Greatest Japanese Rock Albums of All Time".
Biography
Bands such as Talking Heads, The B-52's, and Devo championed Plastics and played a role in distributing their records within the United States. Toshio Nakanishi’s association with Talking Heads facilitated David Byrne’s exposure to Plastics’ demos, which ultimately led to international management under the B-52's' agent.
The group incorporated Roland CR-68 and CR-78 drum machines on their initial releases. In 1980, Masahide Sakuma was involved in creating the Roland TR-808 drum machine; he possessed the very first unit and employed it on their 1981 album Welcome Back.
On February 19, 1982, NBC’s late-night comedy program SCTV aired the promotional video for Plastics’ track "Top Secret Man" during a segment titled "Midnight Video Special".
Stereo Total’s rendition of "I Love You, Oh No!" featured in European Sony Ericsson advertisements around 2006 and was also utilized by Dell for commercials in the United States in 2009.
Masahide Sakuma passed away from gastric cancer and a brain tumor on January 16, 2014, at the age of 61. The Plastics reunited for a farewell performance at Blue Note Tokyo on May 10, 2016. Toshio Nakanishi died from esophageal cancer on February 25, 2017, also aged 61. In tribute to him, the band released their final concert recording entitled A in 2018.
Band members
- Chica Sato – vocals, synth drums
- Toshio Nakanishi – vocals, guitar, percussion
- Hajime Tachibana – guitar, vocals
- Masahide Sakuma – keyboards, guitar, bass programming
- Takemi Shima – rhythm box
Studio albums
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1980 | Welcome Plastics
|
|
Origato Plastico
|
||
| 1981 | Welcome Back
|
Contains re-recorded tracks; also known as Plastics. Included a 7" picture flexi-disc featuring their cover of the Monkees' "Last Train to Clarksville" alongside the Japanese B-side "Pate." |
Live albums
| Year | Title | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| 1997 | All Across the U.S.A. 80 Live
|
Captured live performances at Irving Plaza, New York (August 30, 1980) and Whisky a Go Go, Los Angeles (April 23, 1980). |
| 2009 | Dr. Vobg
|
|
| 2016 | We Love You Oh No! Plastics Live in Central Park NYC 1981
|
Available exclusively on vinyl. |
| 2018 | A
|
Live recording from their final reunion concert in 2016; includes an additional disc with five early demo tracks. |
Compilation albums
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | Best One '82 プラスチックス
|
Issued exclusively on cassette. |
| 1988 | Forever Plastico
|
Contains the complete Welcome Plastics album alongside selected tracks from Origato Plastico. |
| 2005 | Hard Copy
|
Recorded live at Yaneura; includes the DVD titled U.S. Tour 1981. |
Origato25
|
A two-disc compilation featuring greatest hits plus four rare or previously unreleased tracks. | |
| 2013 | Plastic Paradise (Early Plastics Lost Tape)
|
Issued alongside Toshio Nakanishi's publication The Rise and Fall of Plastics, Melon and Major Force Be With You. Showcases five early demo recordings and three live performances from Q's Bar in 1977. |
Singles
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1979 | "Top Secret Man" / "Copy"
|
Distributed as promotional material only. |
"Copy" / "Robot"
|
Early session recordings. | |
| 1980 | "Top Secret Man" / "Delicious"
|
|
"Good" / "Pate"
|
Features a B-side track not included on any album. | |
"Peace" / "Desolate"
|
||
| 1981 | "Last Train to Clarksville"
|
Limited edition one-sided promotional release; a re-recorded version. |
"Diamond Head" / "Peace"
|
Gold flexi-disc promotional item; includes re-recorded tracks. | |
"Pate" / "Last Train to Clarksville"
|
One-sided picture flexi-disc release. |
EPs
| Year | Title | Details |
|---|---|---|
| 1981 | "Diamond Head (Long Version)" / "Robot" / "Top Secret Man" / "Peace"
|
12-inch promotional record featuring re-recorded versions. |
Selected compilation appearances
| Year | Title | Track included | Details |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2004 | Techno Pop
|
"Pate" | Originally the B-side of the single "Good". |
| 2010 | Downtown 81 (12 Titres Extraits De La B.O. Du Film Culte)
|
"Copy" | Early single version; complimentary CD sampler distributed with French magazine Les Inrockuptibles issue No.46 Hors Série, dedicated to Jean-Michel Basquiat. |
Notes
- The Plastics incorporated "Last Train to Clarksville" into a medley along with other Monkees songs such as "Star Collector" and "She."