Machineman

Machineman was a Japanese pop band active in the early 1980s, led by vocalist and songwriter Tsutomu Katayama. Their sound drew from New Wave and synthpop, fitting into the period's growing interest in electronic music in Japan. They released their debut album, also called 'Machineman,' in 1984.

That album included 'Seiun Kamen Machineman,' which became their best-known track. Other songs from around that time include 'Ball Boy No Uta,' 'Bokura No Machineman,' and 'Denkou Action Machineman.' The band's lineup shifted over time, with keyboardists like Masahito Abe, Hideki Higuchi, and Kazuhiko Matsuyama appearing alongside Katayama.

Machineman worked with other Japanese artists, including Yumi Matsutoya and Tetsuya Komuro. Their music attracted some criticism from listeners who felt it leaned too commercial, but it found an audience regardless.