Various - Overload (1982)

Imposs-019

I know, I know. I should be mugging up on Mattick, Marx and that wee guy who swears by that old council communist zine, 'the Communist Headache'

Never knew that.

"At the time, Hansa had come to the UK and were looking for fresh talent by means of a competition (there was a large advert with an impressive looking woman astride a motorcycle, stating "Wanna be a recording star? Get your ass up! Take your chance!"). Japan auditioned for Hansa at Morgan Studios on Friday 13th May 1977. The winners of the contest were The Cure, but in true Gareth Gates style Japan were also signed just 3 days later (May 23rd 1977) and given £1000 to buy new instruments - which was part of the advertised prize, although it has been denied that they had anything to do with the competition. The following information may make things a little clearer - information courtesy of Robert Smith:

"There was a competition at the back of the Melody Maker. You had to send Hansa a tape and some photos. We ended up doing a three song performance for them in front of a video camera, and they signed us on the strength of what we looked like."

Then The Cure were put into the studio, and emerged with three classics - "Killing An Arab", "Boys Don't Cry" and "10.15 Saturday Night" - all of which Hansa refused to release and henceforth proceeded to drop the group (after attempts to get them to perform cover versions, hmm, sounds familiar doesn't it - read on). Just after that, Japan were given more attention. As with The Cure, Hansa funded studio time, and Japan, with an average age of 17, were allowed to develop their style."

Info via a rather fine (and exhaustive) Japan fan website.

You know the sort of devotional fansite I mean. The sort that'll inform you when the magnificent 'Ghosts' is featured in an episode of Ashes to Ashes. That sort of devotion. (Episode 6 of the series, since you're wondering.)

Xmas Comes Early For A Music Geek

Where have you been all my life?

Hat tip to Church of Me's Marcello for a gateway into a lost world. And why in particular the Top 75 chart for the week ending the 29th of May 1982 as the link? Well, according to Marcello:

"Because the first half of it [1982] was the apex of New Pop; because in particular the chart for the week ending 29 May may well be the greatest Top 40 singles chart ever . . ."

It's too early for me to say whether I agree with him or not. (Though at first glance it does look like a damn fine list.) Get back to me in about 18 hours or so?

In the meantime, enjoy the song that was at number 24 in the charts that week, and which is my all-time second favourite track from Dave Sylvian, Mick Karn and the other two:

Japan - 'Cantonese Boy' mp3

*Cough* Goes without saying that I've uploaded it for sampling purposes, and that you should in fact also check out the album that 'Cantonese Boy' is taken from, Tin Drum.

Killer One-Liner

"Tanaka just happened to be the unlucky cockroach on the kitchen table when the light was switched on."

Love that line from Michael S. in the latest post from the Socialism Or Your Money Back blog.