The Vapors
- Actor
- Soundtrack
The Vapors were a British New Wave power pop band from Guildford,
Surrey, England. After an abortive initial attempt at getting the group
off the ground in 1978, singer/guitarist David Fenton managed to form a
more cohesive and effective line-up for the Vapors in 1979. The other
band members were: Edward Bazagette (lead guitar), Howard Smith
(drums), and Steve Smith (bass). The group released their debut single
"Prisoners" in 1979; this song failed to chart. The Vapors scored a
massive international smash with the infectiously bouncy and catchy
follow-up single "Turning Japanese;" this delightfully spiky and
energetic tune peaked at #3 on the UK pop radio charts in March, 1980
and was also a big hit in Australia. A much beloved cult favorite
amongst aficionados of early 1980's New Wave music, "Turning Japanese" has
been featured on the soundtracks to such films as "Sixteen Candles,"
"The Gun in Betty Lou's Handbag," "Romy and Michele's High School
Reunion," "Charlie's Angels," and "Jackass: The Movie." The group
recorded two albums: 1980's "New Clear Day" and 1981's "Magnets." The
songs "News at Ten" and "Jimmie Jones" both reached #44 on the UK pop
charts. Alas, the Vapors broke up in 1981 because of the poor sales of
their second album "Magnets" and their record label's lack of support
for their intended seventh single "Red Flag" (this single was canceled
sans explanation). The individual band members have all gone on to
successful solo careers: David Fenton now earns his living as a
solicitor who specializes in music law, Edward Bazagette works for BBC
television as a producer, director and editor, Steve Smith continues to
play in bands and does sound mixing gigs on the side, and Howard Smith
works at PRS.
