The Vapors

About The Vapors

This English band was originally based in Guildford, Surrey, and despite the release of two albums in the early 1980's, they are mostly remembered for the massive hit single, "Turning Japanese". The band produced a new wave sound and focused its themes on the darker side of life, psychotic characters, social commentary, and love. The songs were not particularly intended to have a pop feel to them, and it is perhaps this fact that led to the studio cancellation of their seventh single without explanation. nThe band was quite short lived with a career that spanned from 1979 to 1981. The four members, vocalist and guitarist David Fenton, drummer Howard Smith, lead guitar Edward Bazalgette, and bassist and vocalist Steve Smith, went their separate ways. Despite that, the persistence of that now classic hit "Turning Japanese" still influences the music scene today. The song has been covered by many different artists and has become popular with punk and ska bands such as No Use for a Name and Skankin' Pickle. Countless other musicians have put their own brand on the song, and the seemingly frivolous nature of the lyrics means that all too often the real message of the song is overlooked. nThe type of music that The Vapors produced was heavily influenced by contemporary new wave bands, and in particular, The Jam, who reached high popularity in the UK. Although they were only together for a very short time, the music of The Vapors, even if often only in one song, is kept alive through the magic of the cover version. Because of this, there is still a very strong new wave and proto-punk vibe running through the modern music scene.