Vapors

The Vapors are an English new wave and power pop band, that existed between 1979 and 1982. They had a hit with the song "Turning Japanese" in 1980, which reached No. 3 in the UK Singles Chart, and No. 36 in the US Billboard Hot 100. Based in Guildford, Surrey, their members were David Fenton (songwriter, guitarist and vocalist), Howard Smith (drummer), Edward Bazalgette (lead guitarist) and Steve Smith (bass guitarist and vocals). (The band's two Smiths were unrelated.) The group's name was originally spelled "Vapours," but they removed the U to seem like an American band. They were discovered and managed by John Weller (father of Paul Weller) and by The Jam's bassist Bruce Foxton. The song for which they are mainly remembered, "Turning Japanese", was produced by The Jam's producer Vic Coppersmith-Heaven and hit the Top Three in the UK at the same time that "Going Underground" was at number one. After 2 albums, tours of the US, UK and Australia, subsequent disenchantment with the insincerity of the record industry and a lukewarm reception to their second album, the band dissolved.

Links To Peel
While supporting The Jam, singer David Fenton sent a demo to Peel in 1979. After hearing the demo, Peel booked the band to do a session for his show. The session was repeated again on 20 August 1979 where Peel mentioned the session sounding better than when he heard it on the first broadcast. The session track 'Trains' was broadcast on 01 October 1997 to celebrate Peel's 30 years on BBC Radio One. Peel claimed on his 17 April 2002 show that he and Sheila were singing 'Turning Japanese', while touring Rajasthan in India.

Sessions
1. Recorded: 1979-07-04. Broadcast: 11 July 1979. Repeated: 20 August 1979, 02 April 1980
 * Turning Japanese / Trains / Waiting For The Weekend / Cold War

Other Shows Played
1979
 * 16 October 1979: Prisoners (single) United Artists


 * 22 October 1979: Prisoners (single) United Artists


 * 19 November 1979: Prisoners (7") United Artists
 * 04 December 1979: Prisoners (7") United Artists

1980
 * 11 December 1979: Prisoners (single) United Artists
 * 28 January 1980: Turning Japanese (7") United Artists

1997 2002
 * 31 January 1980: Turning Japanese (single) United Artists
 * 04 February 1980: Turning Japanese (7") United Artists
 * 07 February 1980: Turning Japanese (single) United Artists
 * 29 May 1980: Spring Collection (LP – New Clear Direction) United Artists
 * 09 June 1980: Cold War (LP - New Clear Days) United Artists
 * 01 October 1997: Trains
 * 17 April 2002: Turning Japanese (7” single) United Artists