Peelander-Z

If a band is known for its kooky costumes and outrageous theatrics, people might assume there's something lacking in its sound. Not so with the J-pop punkers in Peelander-Z, who back their whack with some solid songs. Their origins are a closely guarded secret, but news reports from Area Z...

By Benjamin Leatherman

February 3, 2005

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If a band is known for its kooky costumes and outrageous theatrics, people might assume there's something lacking in its sound. Not so with the J-pop punkers in Peelander-Z, who back their whack with some solid songs. Their origins are a closely guarded secret, but news reports from Area Z indicate the tacky triumvirate of Peelanders Red, Yellow, and Blue might've been born from some dastardly science experiment gone amok, where the more garish garnishments of wrestling, anime, and the club kid aesthetic were grafted onto a trio of rockers from NYC, creating the world's first fully functional "Japanese Action Comic Punk Band." The frenzied and rapid nature of their music is exemplified by the chaotic madness of their live shows, where past high jinks have included games of human bowling and crazy kung fu action. Although the cozy conditions of the Trunk Space might not permit these J-pop punkers from pulling off such theatrics, they're bound to find some way to entertain the local gaijin.

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Benjamin Leatherman is a staff writer for Phoenix New Times where he focuses primarily on arts, culture, music, and nightlife. He began writing for New Times in 2003 and joined the staff full-time in 2005. Prior to that, he contributed to magazines such as Tips & Tricks and The Wrestler. Benjamin has earned multiple awards from the Arizona Press Club including an award for sports enterprise reporting in 2009 and an award for statewide arts reporting in 2014. He holds a bachelor’s of arts in journalism from Arizona State University’s Walter Cronkite School of Journalism and Mass Communication.

Contact: Benjamin Leatherman

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