The Vapors

The Vapors were a New Wave band from England that existed between 1979 and 1981. They had a hit with the song "Turning Japanese".

Related Topics:
New Wave - England - 1979 - 1981 - Japanese

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Based in Guildford in Surrey, their members were David Fenton (songwriter, guitar and vocals), Howard Smith (drums), Edward Bazalgette (lead guitar) and Steve Smith (bass guitar and vocals).

Related Topics:
Guildford - Surrey - Songwriter - Guitar - Vocals - Drums - Lead guitar - Bass guitar

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Their early musical style owed a great deal to New Wave and Mod influences such as The Jam, Secret Affair and The Jags. Indeed, they were discovered and managed by The Jam's Bruce Foxton.

Related Topics:
New Wave - Mod - The Jam - Secret Affair - The Jags - Bruce Foxton

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

Remembered principally for their song "Turning Japanese", they had two albums: New Clear Days (the pun on "nuclear" being intentional) and Magnets. The first was more clearly in the "traditional" New Wave style of music, while touching on social issues such as the nuclear threat as well as love themes. The second album dealt more extensively with themes of alienation, with many dark lyrics about apparently psychotic characters, including the opening track, Jimmie Jones, about cult leader Jim Jones.

Related Topics:
New Clear Days - Magnets - Alienation - Psychotic - Jim Jones

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

"Turning Japanese" was often rumoured to be a euphemism for masturbation, and the subject of the song. Though frontman Dave Fenton viewed it as a love song when writing it, he would alternately confirm and deny the rumours in interviews http://www.parengstrom.com/story.htm.

Related Topics:
Masturbation - Dave Fenton

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~

The song was used on the soundtrack of the 2000 movie Charlie's Angels, as well as being featured in scenes of the Jackass movie (namely those taking place in Japan).

Related Topics:
Soundtrack - 2000 - Movie - Charlie's Angels - Jackass - Japan

~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~ ~