The Vapors

Best known for their 1980 hit "Turning Japanese", The Vapors formed in Guildford, Surrey, in 1978. Comprising singer/guitarist David Fenton and Edward Bazalgette (guitar), Steve Smith (bass) and Howard Smith (drums), the quartet was spotted at the Three Lions Pub in Farncombe by The Jam's bassist Bruce Foxton, who introduced them to manager John Weller (father of Paul Weller). After a joint tour in 1979, The Vapors quickly achieved international success with their second single, "Turning Japanese", which reached No. 3 in the UK, No. 1 in Australia and No. 31 in the USA. Followed by "News at Ten", it featured on the debut album New Clear Days (June 1980). A power pop group affiliated with the new vave, The Vapors split up after the release of the album Magnets (1981). Several compilations followed before the band reformed in 2016, with drummer Michael Bowes. Regular concerts lead to the recording of Together (2020), 39 years after its predecessor. New tracks follow until the release of a fourth album, Wasp in a Jar, in February 2025.