Celebrating 40 years since the release of their debut album ‘New Clear Days’ and their massive hit, ‘Turning Japanese,’ British New Wave band The Vapors return with a brand new album – ‘Together,’ out 15th May via Absolute Label Services.
Produced by Grammy/BRITS Award winner Steve Levine (Culture Club/The Clash) ‘Together’ is the band’s first studio work since ‘Magnets’ back in 1981 and features 12 tracks on CD and 10 on vinyl. Available for pre-order now here.
‘Crazy,’ the lead single from the album is out now (listen here) – an unmistakable slice of The Vapors and a perfect taste of the album to come. Steve Lemacq and Jeremy Vine have already been hyping up their new music on their BBC radio shows, with both eager to hear the album.
Lead vocalist/guitarist Dave Fenton:
“Our first album in 39 years! Recorded at Steve Levine’s studio and including more pop songs about war, famine, suicide, mental health, dementia and having fun. We are so grateful to our fans all over the world who have made this dream come true.”
Steve Levine, Producer:
“I’m thrilled that The Vapors new LP has finally hit the world stage. It was such an enjoyable project to be involved with. I’m enormously proud of this album. The band really upped their game musically and sonically during the sessions and were a pleasure to work with. For the fans who have waited eagerly for this record I hope they will enjoy listening to it as much as I enjoyed producing it”.
Best known for the spiky pop single ‘Turning Japanese’ which reached Number 3 in the UK singles chart in 1980, Number 36 in the US Billboard Hot 100 and Number 1 in Australia, Fenton formed the first version of The Vapors in 1978. In 1979, former Ellery Bops members Ed Bazalgette (Lead Guitar) and Howard Smith (Drums) joined the band, and bassist Steve Smith came aboard shortly afterward. One of the band’s first gigs was seen by The Jam’s Bruce Foxton, who immediately asked them to open for The Jam on their 1979 Setting Sons tour. Foxton also later took over management duties for The Vapors along with Paul Weller’s father John Weller (who was then also managing The Jam). ‘New Clear Days’, the band’s debut album, was released in 1980, followed shortly after by their second more ambitious album ‘Magnets’ in 1981. Much to the fan’s dismay, the band split up shortly after its release.
In 2016, after 34 years of inactivity, David Fenton, Ed Bazalgette and Steve Smith appeared on stage at a charity event at the Half Moon in Putney to play an impromptu ‘Turning Japanese’. Following this appearance rumours of a reunion were rife and later in 2016 The Vapors announced 4 dates in the UK/Ireland on the mini ‘Waiting for the Weekend’ tour with Michael Bowes stepping into the position of drummer.
Since then the band have gone from strength to strength as a live outfit playing numerous gigs and festivals around the UK, completing a 22 date tour of the USA on the Lost 80s Live tour and more recently reuniting with old Manager Bruce Foxton to support From The Jam on the 40th anniversary Setting Sons tour with Dave Fenton’s son Dan filling in for Ed Bazalgette on lead guitar duties.
The band have a devoted live audience and will be celebrating the 40th anniversary of their debut album ‘New Clear Days’ with a full UK tour later in 2020 in conjunction with AGMP where they will be playing the ‘New Clear Days album’ in full and also songs from their much anticipated new album ‘Together’ released on May 15th.