Japandroids. It's the kind of name which conjures up visions of Blade Runner-esque mechanical replicants doing their automaton activities under the cold glare of Tokyo streetlights.

Sadly, the band in question aren't shiny mechanical musicians built by some far-thinking Japanese industrial concern, but a very much carbon-based duo from Vancouver, Canada. A duo that manage to make one hell of a racket. According to their own press, the word is "maximal" -- "a two piece band trying to sound like a five-piece band."

Their debut record 'Post Nothing' -- which came out this week -- harks back to the hazy days of Husker Du and the brattish lo-fi buzz of early Sebadoh, a belting collection of riff-ladden punk-pop songs swathed in scuzzy guitar.

Drummer/vocalist Dave Prowse and guitarist/vocalist Brian King formed after meeting at university in Victoria. That shiny, futuristic moniker came about because neither member liked the other's choice of name -- Japanese Scream (Prowse) and Pleasure Droids (King).

Initially intending to recruit a third member on vocals, they ended up sharing the mic. The pair released two EPs in 2007 and 2008, eventually signing to Polyvinyl in the US to release their debut.

It's been a long hard road to achieve a years-long dream. "We didn't even own instruments when we were going to school," Brian King told the B.B.C.'s Newsbeat in August. "If you asked me at any point in my life what I wanted to be I would always have said for lack of another word, rock star.

"I idolised and fantasised about music and bands more than anything else."

With the kind of head-down momentum that has made White Denim such an awesome live prospect, Japandroids look like they may well be one of this year's bands to catch live. They've already trawled their way across Canada and the US and play a handful of UK dates from Oct. 27. Mark your diaries.

Japandroids, 'Heart Sweats,' Live at the Cobalt, Vancouver



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