Alphabet Beats #152: V is for....The Vapors

V is for....

The Best of The Vapors (2003)

The Vapors existed between 1979-82. They had one smash hit single in 'Turning Japanese', which peaked at #3 in the UK Chart and #36 on The Billboard Hot 100 in the USA.

They were discovered in Guilford by John Weller (father of Paul) and Bruce Foxton (bassist of The Jam). Vic Coppersmith-Heaven (producer of The Jam) produced their hit single 'Turning Japanese' which was on the chart at the same time as The Jam were #1 with 'Going Underground'.

Their musical style was basically New Wave meets Power Pop. Some folk have thrown them in the Mod Revival bracket but personally I don't think that's true, maybe because of the The Jam connection people assumed that.

They broke up in 1982 following poor sales for their second album 'Magnets' (singer David Fenton cited also poor support from the record label - United Artists).

Albums

New Clear Days (1980)

Magnets (1981)

Live

BBC In Concert 7th March 1981.

Session

John Peel Session July 1979.

The Singles

Prisoners.

Turning Japanese.

News at Ten.

Waiting For The Weekend.

Jimmie Jones.

Spiders.

Isolated Case.

Civic Hall.