Big in Japan (band)
| Company type | Punk ensemble |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | May 1977 |
| Defunct | August 26, 1978 |
| Headquarters | Liverpool , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk rock music |
Big in Japan was a punk ensemble originating from Liverpool, England, active during the late 1970s. They are chiefly recognized not for their own recordings but for the subsequent mainstream achievements of their former members.
History
Big in Japan developed within the Merseyside music scene that also gave rise to bands like Echo & the Bunnymen, the Teardrop Explodes, OMD, and Dalek I Love You. Their performances were mainly local, particularly at Eric's Club, where they were known for a unique stage style: lead vocalist Jayne Casey appeared with a lampshade atop her shaven head, guitarist Bill Drummond donned a kilt, and bassist Holly Johnson exhibited a flamboyant persona that he later expanded upon with Frankie Goes to Hollywood.
The group was formed in May 1977 by Bill Drummond (guitar, vocals), an associate of Clive Langer, along with Kevin Ward (bass, vocals) and Phil Allen (drums). Initially, they played only three shows. By August, the lineup grew to include Jayne Casey, Ian Broudie, and Clive Langer, who departed after recording their debut track "Big in Japan," which appeared on the split single "Brutality, Religion and a Dance Beat" that year. The band underwent several personnel changes: Ambrose Reynolds replaced Ward in October, followed by Reynolds being succeeded by Holly Johnson; Budgie took over drums from Allen in January 1978; Johnson was replaced by Steve Lindsey in June, who was then succeeded by Dave Balfe in July—the final member to join.
The band encountered local opposition and rivalry, including a petition calling for their disbandment initiated by Julian Cope amid conflicts involving the Crucial Three. Despite this tension, Drummond later managed Cope’s group, the Teardrop Explodes. Big in Japan dissolved after their last show at Eric's on 26 August 1978. Their four recorded songs were released posthumously on the From Y to Z and Never Again EP to cover outstanding debts. This release indirectly led to the founding of the Zoo label, which supported early releases from Echo & the Bunnymen and the Teardrop Explodes.
In February 1979, they recorded a Peel Session featuring Casey, Broudie, Johnson, and Budgie; it was broadcast in March. Subsequently, Balfe and Drummond formed Lori and the Chameleons. Altogether, Big in Japan’s recorded material comprises seven tracks: one single song, four tracks on their EP, and two on compilations. As of 2005, five of these tracks remain available commercially on The Zoo: Uncaged 1978–1982.
The Liverpool Echo characterized them as "a supergroup with a difference—its members only became super after they left." Former members went on to achieve success with acts such as the KLF, Frankie Goes to Hollywood, the Lightning Seeds, the Teardrop Explodes, and Siouxsie and the Banshees.
Members' remembrances
Jayne Casey reflected:
Ian Broudie said:
Bill Drummond recalled:
Singles and EPs
- "Brutality, Religion and a Dance Beat" (Eric's, September 1977) – split release with Chuddie Nuddies
- From Y to Z and Never Again (Zoo, 1978)
Compilations
- Street to Street: A Liverpool Album (1978) – includes the track "Match of the Day"
- To the Shores of Lake Placid (1982) – features "Suicide a Go Go" and "Society for Cutting Up Men"
- The Zoo: Uncaged 1978–1982 (1990) – contains "Nothing Special," "Cindy & the Valley of the Barbie Dolls," "Suicide a Go Go," "Taxi," and "Society for Cutting Up Men"
Additional recordings
During their only John Peel session on 6 March 1979, the band recorded three previously unreleased tracks: "Suicide High Life," "Goodbye," and "Don't Bomb China."
A bootleg CD exists that compiles all these recordings alongside demo versions of "Society for Cutting Up Men," "Boys Cry," "Big in Japan," "Space Walk," "Match of the Day," and "Taxi." This unofficial release also includes audio from their performance of "Suicide a Go Go" on Tony Wilson's Granada TV show So It Goes dated 23 March 1978.
Black-and-white amateur video footage capturing live shows at Eric's remains available; clips featuring "Big in Japan" and "Cindy and the Barbi Dolls" were broadcast in BBC's documentary Rock Family Trees: The New Merseybeat (1995, rebroadcast 1997).
Personnel
- Bill Drummond – guitar and vocals (1977–1978)
- Kev Ward – bass guitar and vocals (1977)
- Phil Allen – drums (1977)
- Jayne Casey – lead vocals (1977–1978, 1979)
- Ian Broudie – guitar (1977–1978, 1979)
- Clive Langer – guitar (1977)
- Ambrose Reynolds – bass guitar (1977)
- Holly Johnson – bass and vocals (1977–1978, 1979)
- Budgie – drums (1978, 1979)
- Steve Lindsey – bass guitar (1978)
- David Balfe – bass guitar (1978)