What do you remember about appearing on Top of the Pops? Was that a pretty surreal experience? Who were you on with?įirst time on TOTP, Howard dropped a stick and walked around the kit to get it. For some reason they kept that footage in the broadcast version. One night we went on and there were metal pots and wires all over the stage. The explosive was in metal pots with wires attached which were only onstage if we couldn’t put them on top of the PA because the ceiling was too low (we accidentally blew a number of acoustic tiles off the ceiling at a gig in Australia). We used to have thunder-flashes explode at the end of Sixty Second Interval. Like the water pistol fights at service stations? Or taping all our clothes to the changing room ceiling while we were onstage? Or talcum powder on the snare drum (or did we do that? – It was a long time ago). Always made sure we got a sound-check after them.Īny tour shenanigans you’d like to share? How did you get on with Paul and the boys? The Vapors toured with The Jam and were managed jointly by Paul Weller’s dad John and (Jam bassist) Bruce Foxton. But obviously the back took ages using two or more mirrors so it was easier to trim the top and sides and leave the back. Can you explain the thinking behind that?Īfter one too many bad haircuts from local barbers I started cutting my own hair at the age of about 13 or 14. You sported quite an – how can I put this? – original haircut back in the day. He declined to comment further on the subject for this interview) ( For the record Dave has consistently denied the urban myth that the song was about a certain act of solo sexual gratification – he’s described it as a post-break-up song. But it was nice to be woken up by my own song on my radio alarm. No. I’ve learnt never to expect anything. Did you expect it to be such a massive hit? Obviously Turning Japanese is the song you’re best known for. I have had to work out what some of the chord sequences are, as it was all a bit hazy after 35 years. You’re in rehearsals, has it been strange playing the old songs together after all those years? So we did. But it was nerve-wracking – no rehearsal, no sound-check and hadn’t played together for 35 years – what could go wrong? But it went fine. So having already had discussions about reforming, Steve asked Ed and I if we’d guest. The Shakespearos, were playing at Poly Fest 3 at The Half Moon, and cover Turning Japanese in their set. The reformed Vapors played one song at The Half Moon in Putney in April – was that a nerve-wracking experience? Those just starting out, or who have yet to make it, generally can’t.
#SOMETHING IN THE AIR FREE#
However, working for the MU (Musicians’ Union), who provide free legal services to members, meant I could help those who could not afford to pay. Famous musicians can generally afford a lawyer. So yes, there have been a few famous clients, but I’m afraid I can’t talk about them. I worked mainly in litigation where settlements are inevitably confidential.
#SOMETHING IN THE AIR TV#
Steve’s been mainly sound engineering and now works with ’80’s covers band The Shakespearos Ed is a TV film director ( Poldark, Vera, Holby, Eastenders, and numerous others) Howard had a vinyl record shop ( People Records) in Guildford until recently.ĭave, you worked as a solicitor specialising in music law – any famous clients? What have they all been up to in the meantime? He also teaches drums at BIMM (British and Irish Modern Music Institute). He’s played with Nelly Furtado, Joss Stone, T ears For Fears, etc, as well as having played in one of my bands after The Vapors ( TVC). We’ve talked about it since and when I had the opportunity of taking early retirement earlier this year we discussed it again.Įd ( Bazalgette – lead guitar) and Steve (S mith – bass) said yes, but Howard ( Smith – drums) passed, so Michael Bowes is taking over on drums. We tried reforming about 15 years ago, but couldn’t all get to be in the same place at the same time. So Dave, this is momentous news, but why has it taken so long? Vapors’ singer-songwriter Dave Fenton took a break from rehearsals to tell Matt Catchpole about getting the band back together, tour hi-jinks with The Jam and the joy of waking up to your own song on the radio. The early ’80s New Wave idols, best known for their seminal top three hit Turning Japanese, hit the road in October/November on their Waiting For The Weekend tour – their first for 35 years. But now in this weird year of 2016 – an even more unlikely event has hit the headlines – The Vapors are back! A few weeks ago we featured the return of cult indie band Khartomb after 31 years – a rocket from the crypt we thought could never be surpassed.