The Vapors
The Vapors | |
|---|---|
 The Vapors, 1980. Left to right: Edward Bazalgette, David Fenton, Steve Smith, Howard Smith. | |
| Background information | |
| Origin | Guildford,Surrey, England |
| Genres | New wave,[1]power pop,[2]punk rock[3] |
| Years active | 1978–1981, 2016–present |
| Labels | United Artists,Liberty,RT Industries,Elektra |
| Members | David Fenton Steve Smith Michael Bowes Danny Fenton |
| Past members | Edward Bazalgette Howard Smith Michael Hedges Michael Jordan Robert Kemp Bob Heard Steve Hampton |
| Website | thevapors |
The Vaporsare an Englishnew waveandpower popband that initially existed between 1978 and 1981. They had ahitwith the song "Turning Japanese",which reached No. 3 in theUK Singles Chartin 1980[4]and No. 36 in the USBillboardHot 100.
Career
[edit]1978–1982
[edit]Based inGuildford,Surrey, an early version of the group were playing at The Three Lions pub inFarncombewhenThe Jam's bassistBruce Foxtonspotted them.[5]The group's line-up stabilised with David Fenton (lead vocals, rhythm guitar), Howard Smith (drums),Edward Bazalgette(lead guitar) and Steve Smith (bass). Howard Smith and Steve Smith were not related. The group were originally named The Vapours but had removed the "u" to help garner more attention in America. Foxton then offered the group a few gigs and agreed to jointly-manage them with John Weller (father ofPaul Weller).[1]The Vapors were then offered a slot supportingThe Jamon theSetting Sonstour in 1979.
The group signed to United Artists, releasing their first single, "Prisoners", at the end of 1979, but it failed to chart. Their second single, "Turning Japanese",is the song for which they are best remembered. The track was produced by The Jam's producerVic Coppersmith-Heavenand reached number 3 in the UK[4]and number 1 in Australia. It was also a top-ten hit in Canada and New Zealand and reached the top 40 in the United States. "Turning Japanese" was believed toeuphemisticallyrefer tomasturbation,[6]although Fenton (the song's writer) denied that claim in an interview onVH1.He did, however, say he wished to thank whoever first came up with that interpretation, as he felt the salacious rumour about what the song 'really' meant may have been what made it a hit.[7][failed verification]The follow-up singles "News at Ten" and "Jimmie Jones" both peaked at number 44 in the UK Singles Chart.[4]
The group released two albums;New Clear Days(1980) andMagnets(1981).New Clear Dayscontained "Turning Japanese" and displayed anew wavesound with socially-conscious lyrics.[8]That album reached the middle of the charts in the UK, Canada, and US.Magnetsrevealed apower popsound and darker lyrics, with the song "Jimmie Jones" making reference tocultleaderJim Jones.[9]That album sold poorly and the band broke up in 1982.[1]Fenton alleged in a later interview withRecord Collectormagazine that lack of record label support was the chief reason for the band's split, while a planned single release was cancelled without explanation.[7]
After the Vapors broke up, David Fenton joined the legal profession in the early 1990s, concentrating on the legal aspects of themusic industry,and from 1999 he worked as a London-based in-house solicitor for the Musicians' Union.[10][11]Edward Bazalgettebecame a television director; his credits include a 2005BBCdocumentary aboutGenghis Khanand two episodes ofDoctor Whoin 2015.[12][13]For many years Howard Smith ran an independent record shop, People Records in Guildford, the band's home town.[14][15]Steve Smith formed the band Shoot!Dispute, which appeared inJohn Peelsessions, and toured in support ofBruce Foxton;and later joined the rap/rock band 1ST.[citation needed]
2016–present
[edit]After 34 years of inactivity, David Fenton, Ed Bazelgette, and Steve Smith appeared on stage at the Half Moon in Putney on 30 April 2016. With a guest drummer standing in for Howard Smith, they played "Turning Japanese" and then left the stage. Rumors of a reunion were rife, and the Vapors completed a four-date tour in October–November 2016 with Michael Bowes on drums.[5]The Vapors continued with six more concerts in 2017 and 10 in 2018.[16]That included three dates in New York City with David Fenton's son, Danny Fenton, standing in for Ed Bazelgette on lead guitar,[17]where they played several new tracks, including "Sundown River", "Letter to Hiro (No11)", "The Right Stuff", "One of My Dreams", and "King L".[18]
As of 2017, the band's catalogue masters are controlled by Razor & Tie Industries,[19]which acquired them fromWarner Music Group,whoseAlternative Distribution Allianceserves as RT Industries' worldwide distributor when RT was newly launched in 2018.[20]On 21 April 2018, they re-released "Turning Japanese" on red vinyl with bonus tracks forRecord Store Day.[21]
In April 2019, the band was announced as the support toFrom the Jamon the 30-date Setting Sons 40th Anniversary tour.[22]The Vapors had been the opening act forThe Jamon the original 1979 Setting Sons tour.
On 3 March 2020, the Vapors announced that they would be releasing a new album,Together,and issued "Crazy" as its lead single.[23]
Togetherwas released on 15 May. It was the first album from the Vapors in 39 years, marking one ofthe longest gaps between studio albums.
On 30 August, "Girl from the Factory", the third single from the album, reached number one on the United DJsHeritage Chart.[24]Follow-up single "Wonderland" also reached the top of the Heritage Charts on 22 November.
The band celebrated their top-selling album by going out on the New Clear Days 40th Anniversary Tour in 2021. The download-only singles "One of My Dreams Came True" (2021) and "Novocaine" (2022) both reached the Heritage Chart top ten, maintaining the band profile.
On 2 September 2022 the band returned to their Guildford roots to play at the town's Suburbs Holroyd Arms[25]
In January 2023, a US show was announced: the band played at theCruel World FestivalinPasadena,Californiaon May 20, 2023.[26]
Discography
[edit]Studio albums
[edit]| Title | Album details | Peak chart positions | |||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [27] |
AUS [28] |
CAN [29] |
NZ [30] |
US [31] | |||||
| New Clear Days |
|
44 | 24 | 41 | 25 | 62 | |||
| Magnets |
|
— | — | 39 | — | 109 | |||
| Together |
|
87 | — | — | — | — | |||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | |||||||||
Compilation albums
[edit]| Title | Album details |
|---|---|
| Anthology |
|
| Turning Japanese: The Best of the Vapors |
|
| Vaporized |
|
| The Best of the Vapors |
|
Singles
[edit]| Year | Single | Peak chart positions | Certifications (sales threshold) |
Album | ||||||
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| UK [4] |
AUS [28] |
CAN [32] |
NZ [33] |
US [34] |
US Dance [31] |
US Main [31] | ||||
| 1979 | "Prisoners" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album single | |
| 1980 | "Turning Japanese" | 3 | 1 | 7 | 9 | 36 | 34 | — | New Clear Days | |
| "News at Ten" | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 1981 | "Waiting for the Weekend" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "Spiders" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Magnets | ||
| "Jimmie Jones" | 44 | — | — | — | — | — | 39 | |||
| 2020 | "Crazy" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Together | |
| "Together" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Girl from the Factory" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| "Wonderland" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | |||
| 2021 | "One of My Dreams Came True" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | Non-album singles | |
| 2022 | "Novocaine" | — | — | — | — | — | — | — | ||
| "—" denotes releases that did not chart | ||||||||||
References
[edit]- ^abcErlewine, Stephen Thomas."The Vapors | Biography".AllMusic.Retrieved6 August2014.
- ^Larkin, Colin,ed. (2006)."The Vapors".Encyclopedia of Popular Music(4th ed.).Oxford University Press.ISBN0-19-531373-9.Archived fromthe originalon 12 May 2014.
- ^"Punk rock".Empire State Report.7(1–32): 77.
- ^abcdRoberts, David (2006).British Hit Singles & Albums(19th ed.). London:Guinness World Records Limited.p. 582.ISBN1-904994-10-5.
- ^abCurley, John (13 September 2016)."The Vapors are reuniting for their first shows in 35 years".Goldmine.Retrieved18 July2018.
- ^Mason, Stewart."Turning Japanese – The Vapors".AllMusic.Retrieved31 January2014.
- ^abKim, Kristen Yonsoo (6 September 2012)."One-Hit Wondering - The Vapors".vice.Noisey.Retrieved18 July2018.
- ^"New Clear Days - The Vapors".AllMusic.
- ^"Magnets - The Vapors".AllMusic.
- ^Jake, McDade."MUSIC LAWYER DAVID FENTON".Attackmagazine.Retrieved22 March2015.
- ^Wyatt, Malcolm."Waiting for The Vapors Return - The Dave Fenton Interview".writewyattuk.Malcolm Wyatt.Retrieved22 November2016.
- ^"Edward Bazalgette".IMDb.Retrieved13 September2015.
- ^Wyatt, Malcolm."Back and Beyond with the Vapors - The Ed Bazelgette Interview".writewyattuk.Malcolm Wyatt.Retrieved22 November2016.
- ^"Venue".Record Store Day.Retrieved29 September2015.
- ^"Howard Smith".linkedin.Retrieved29 September2015.
- ^"The Vapors Concert Setlists".setlist.fm.Retrieved24 October2018.
- ^"The Vapors to play three shows at NYC's Mercury Lounge in October".Goldmine Magazine.25 May 2018.Retrieved24 October2018.
- ^"The Vapors Setlist at the Mercury Lounge (10/19/2018)".setlist.FM.Retrieved27 November2018.
- ^"The Vapors".Razorandtiepublicity.Retrieved16 September2018.
- ^"Independent label RT Industries launches with divestments from Warner".Music Business Worldwide.17 April 2018.
- ^"Record Store Day: Turning Japanese".Recordstoreday.Retrieved18 July2018.
- ^"From the Jam Announce 'Setting Sons' 40th Anniversary Autumn 2019".Just Listen to This.Retrieved26 March2020.
- ^"Untitled".Vapors Official.Archived fromthe originalon 11 March 2020.Retrieved30 August2020.
- ^"Heritage Chart".uniteddj.Retrieved30 August2020.
- ^McIntosh, David (3 September 2022)."Review of The Vapors".Skiddle.
- ^Jones, Damien (23 January 2023)."Siouxsie Sioux and Iggy Pop lead Cruel World Festival 2023 line-up with other acts including the Human League".NME.Retrieved26 January2023.
- ^"The Official Charts Company – The Vapors".Official Charts Company.Retrieved31 May2020.
- ^abKent, David(1993).Australian Chart Book 1970–1992(illustrated ed.). St Ives, N.S.W.: Australian Chart Book. p. 320.ISBN0-646-11917-6.
- ^"Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada – Top Albums/CDs".RPM.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^"New Zealand charts portal".Hung Medien.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^abc"The Vapors | Awards".AllMusic. Archived fromthe originalon 15 January 2013.Retrieved31 January2014.
- ^"Results – RPM – Library and Archives Canada – Top Singles".RPM.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^"New Zealand charts portal".Hung Medien.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^"The Vapors Album & Song Chart History – Hot 100".Billboard.Prometheus Global Media.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^"BPI Searchable Database".British Phonographic Industry.Retrieved18 August2011.
- ^"International Certifications"(PDF).Cash Box.25 October 1980. p. 43.Retrieved3 December2021– via World Radio History.
External links
[edit]| International | |
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| National | |
| Artists | |
