Even superheroes need help sometimes.
On May 18th, in the middle of a cross-country US tour, sci-fi action punk rockers Peelander-Z were seriously injured in a horrific crash when a semi rear-ended their tour van.
All three current members, headed up by founder and leader Kengo Hioki (aka the almighty Peelander Yellow,) are currently hospitalized, much of their equipment was destroyed, and the tour was immediately cancelled.
As of the most recent update, the three Peelanders – Yellow, Pink, and Tiger – are all conscious and stable, but have sustained multiple broken bones, spinal fractures, organ injuries, and possibly traumatic brain injuries, with a long path to recovery expected ahead of them.
It’s an absolute tragedy for a band of such vibrancy and life to be kept away from the stage like this, and as one of the most prolific and inexhaustible touring acts on the circuit, it’s especially tough to know that they’ll be pulled away from the road for an incalculable amount of time.
They’ve launched a GoFundMe to help with medical bills and lost tour revenue that’s already nearing $200,000, but we all know how quickly those costs can skyrocket and how much every little bit can help.
And while the hypercolor Austin-based behemoth that is Peelander-Z isn’t technically a Norman or Oklahoma act, they’ve become a recurring presence in our hometown scene and an honorary part of the Norman music community, not just through regular tour stops, but through unmatched energy, creative joy, and some easily recognizable public art.
That’s right, if you’ve attended an NMF in recent years (or even just walked around the Opolis,) you’ve seen the evidence of Peelander’s alien life in the wild in the sprawling mural artworks and textual scribblings that Yellow himself has created in, on, and around the Opolis building during Norman stopovers.
It’s the same bursting energy that the band conjures with their songs, often pulled from their own lore as alien superheroes from Planet Peelander and regularly delivered in unhinged singalong shows likely led by Yellow partying in the crowd or standing on the bar rather than confining his outsized spirit to the stage.
“It was like The Wiggles on acid,” said KOSU’s Matthew Viryapah about his first impression of seeing Peelander-Z live. “I’ve seen them three times whenever they roll through Norman. They’re probably one of the hardest-working bands with how often they tour and how much energy they give in their shows.”
Now, some members of Norman’s own creative community want to send that same tsunami of positive energy back to Planet Peelander with a planned outpouring of support to match the band’s own spirit, and to return a similar kindness they once paid to an Oklahoman fan.
“They bring so much energy and joy to every show that they do,” said Uncanny Art House manager and curator Julius. “It’s hard to imagine them in this situation.”
Julius and musical multi-hyphenate Jarvix (host of Weirder Wednesday at the Opolis, once headlined by Peelander Yellow himself) are calling on locals from across Oklahoma’s creative scene to send thanks and well wishes to the colorful alien rockers in a massive video message project.
Anyone that wants to participate to tell the Peelanders just how much they mean can send a phone-shot video clip to admin@uncannyarthouse.com to be included in the message.
More than a simple “get well soon,” it’s also a way to repay a moment of otherworldly thoughtfulness and care from a recent stop in Norman.
“One of our regulars at the Opolis had a friend that was in the hospital at a time Peelander-Z were playing a show, and he asked me to talk to the band about signing a card for him,” Julius said. “They quietly sat next to me, drawing pictures and signing their names. Yellow said ‘I hope they feel better soon’ and after thanking them, I returned the card to our regular. I absolutely know that made their fan’s stay in the hospital much better along with his friend livestreaming the show.”
Along with donating and fundraising, we can also return that favor by making their hospital stay just a little better with good vibes and thoughtful thanks for all the wild shows, vivid art, and unforgettable memories that Peelander-Z have brought to Norman.
As Julius puts it: “It’s our turn to give them their cards.”
