Japan (band)

Japan

Company type	Band
Industry	Music
Founded	1974 in Catford, South London, England
Founder	David Sylvian, Steve Jansen, Mick Karn
Headquarters	London , England
Products	Music albums, singles, live performances

Japan was an English new wave group established in 1974 in Catford, South London by David Sylvian (vocals, guitar, keyboards), Steve Jansen (drums), and Mick Karn (bass guitar). In 1975, they were joined by Richard Barbieri (keyboards) and Rob Dean (lead guitar). Initially drawing inspiration from glam rock, Japan gradually transformed their musical style and androgynous aesthetic to embrace elements of art rock, electronic music, and diverse international sounds.

During the late 1970s and early 1980s, Japan attained commercial recognition with nine singles reaching the UK top 40, including the 1982 top 5 hit "Ghosts". Their live album Oil on Canvas (1983) also achieved a UK top 5 position. Six of their albums earned Gold certification in the UK. The band dissolved in December 1982, just as they were expanding their popularity both domestically and overseas. The members embarked on separate ventures but reunited briefly in the early 1990s under the name Rain Tree Crow, releasing a self-titled album in 1991.

History

The formation of the band dates back to the early 1970s, initiated by brothers David Sylvian (guitar and vocals) and Steve Jansen (drums), along with bassist Mick Karn, all classmates at Catford Boys' School in South London. At first, Karn provided lead vocals while Sylvian played guitar and sang backing vocals; however, Sylvian assumed lead vocal duties in 1974. Their debut public appearance occurred in June 1974 during a wedding reception for Karn's brother.

Initially without a name, the ensemble eventually settled on Japan—a moniker originally intended as temporary but ultimately retained permanently. In 1975, their school friend Richard Barbieri joined as keyboardist, followed by lead guitarist Rob Dean. By 1976, they secured management under Simon Napier-Bell, known for guiding acts such as the Yardbirds and Wham!. After placing second to the Cure in a talent competition held by Hansa Records, they obtained a recording contract with Hansa-Ariola in 1977. Early on, Japan embraced a guitar-driven funk style within an alternative glam rock context influenced by artists like Lou Reed, David Bowie, and Roxy Music.

Following the signing, Sylvian, Jansen, and Karn adopted stage names despite initial reservations from their label about similarities to members of New York Dolls. In 1977, they commenced recording sessions with producer Ray Singer and supported Jim Capaldi and the Contenders on a UK tour.

Early years

In March 1978, Japan issued their debut single, a rendition of "Don't Rain on My Parade", followed by their first album Adolescent Sex. Promotional efforts emphasized their glam rock image characterized by an androgynous style; although this failed to resonate in the UK market, it garnered significant success in Japan where they cultivated a dedicated following prior to releasing records.

The debut album was promoted through a UK tour alongside Blue Öyster Cult, but sales were disappointing and audiences in Japan reacted unfavorably. Their second single, "The Unconventional," released in August 1978, did not chart. A short US tour took place in November where reception improved somewhat; however, this remained their sole American tour. Their subsequent album Obscure Alternatives demonstrated artistic development—particularly evident in the track "The Tenant," which foreshadowed the band's evolving style—yet it too met with commercial and critical failure.

Drawing influence from Lou Reed, T. Rex, New York Dolls, Roxy Music, and David Bowie, both albums failed to chart in the UK and were largely dismissed by critics who viewed them as outdated amidst the rise of punk and new wave genres. Nonetheless, they achieved better sales in the Netherlands—where "Adolescent Sex" entered the top 30—and enjoyed moderate popularity in Canada.

Japan's most substantial achievements occurred in Japan itself; they were voted the second most popular group there in 1978 and claimed the top spot the following year. In March 1979, they sold out three consecutive nights at Tokyo's expansive 11,000-seat Budokan Theatre.

Mid-career

In 1979, the group briefly teamed up with Euro disco pioneer Giorgio Moroder to produce the single "Life in Tokyo". Although it did not achieve commercial success, this collaboration represented a pivotal transition from glam rock toward an electronic new wave sound.

This electronic influence became central to their third album, Quiet Life (1979), which was produced by John Punter and Simon Napier-Bell. Retrospective critiques often praise its sophisticated European art-pop style, drawing comparisons to David Bowie’s Low. The record prominently featured Barbieri's synthesizer work, Sylvian's deep baritone vocals, Karn's fretless bass lines, Jansen's complex percussion arrangements, and Dean’s minimalist guitar contributions. While initially overlooked in the UK—peaking only at number 72 on the UK Albums Chart—Quiet Life achieved notable success in Japan, becoming the first foreign rock album to enter their national chart. It also attained a top 10 position in Canada and enjoyed moderate popularity throughout Europe.

Due to limited sales in the UK and a string of unsuccessful singles, including a rendition of "I Second That Emotion", the band was eventually dropped by Hansa Records. Subsequently, the label issued a compilation album titled Assemblage, which compiled key tracks from their period with Hansa alongside remixed and reissued singles.

Final years

After parting ways with Hansa-Ariola, Japan signed a deal with Virgin Records, under which they released their last studio albums: Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) and Tin Drum (1981). These releases broadened their fanbase as the band continued to evolve sonically, although their distinctive visual style led to an unintended association with the early-1980s New Romantic movement. The band had been wearing make-up since the mid-1970s, predating that scene. Sylvian clarified in 1981 that their aesthetic was a lifestyle choice rather than a fashion statement. This increased visibility helped improve their UK record sales and steadily enhanced their chart performance.

Following some singles that charted modestly, a reissued version of "Quiet Life" climbed to No. 19 in October 1981, marking their first entry into the UK top 40. Three singles from Tin Drum also entered the UK top 40, with "Ghosts" reaching No. 5—their highest-charting single domestically. The album itself nearly broke into the UK top 10 and became their first release certified by the BPI, achieving silver status within one month and gold within four months. Produced by Steve Nye, Tin Drum is widely regarded as one of the most groundbreaking albums of the 1980s due to its blend of Western and Eastern musical elements. In 2011, it posthumously earned BBC Radio 6 Music’s 'Goldie Award' for Best Album of 1981.

During this era, internal conflicts intensified, leading Tin Drum to be their final studio effort. Tensions worsened when Karn’s partner, photographer Yuka Fujii, moved in with Sylvian. Rob Dean left the band in May 1981 following Gentlemen Take Polaroids, as his guitar contributions were no longer essential on Tin Drum. Dean later went on to form Illustrated Man. Karn released his solo debut album Titles around the time the band announced their breakup in late 1982.

The concluding "Sons of Pioneers" tour took place in late 1982 across Europe, the UK, and the Far East, featuring guitarist and keyboardist Masami Tsuchiya as part of the live lineup. Their final UK appearances included a television performance on The Old Grey Whistle Test in October and a sold-out six-night residency at London's Hammersmith Odeon in November—recorded for Oil on Canvas, a live album and video released in June 1983. Japan’s last concert occurred on 16 December 1982 in Nagoya.

The band disbanded just as they were experiencing considerable commercial momentum both in the UK and internationally. The live album Oil on Canvas became their highest-charting release domestically, reaching No. 5—a notable achievement for a live recording. Their back catalogue continued to sell well, with Hansa-Ariola and Virgin issuing singles into 1983, resulting in nine UK top 40 hits overall. During summer 1982, a Hansa reissue of "I Second That Emotion" peaked at No. 9. Additionally, remixed editions of "Life in Tokyo" and Virgin’s release of "Nightporter" both secured positions within the UK top 30.

Collaborations

During the early 1980s, Japanese multi-instrumentalist and avant-garde keyboardist Ryuichi Sakamoto of Yellow Magic Orchestra (YMO) partnered with the band, collaborating directly with Sylvian on pieces such as "Taking Islands in Africa". Their creative partnership extended beyond the group's dissolution, producing successful singles like "Bamboo Houses" (1982) and "Forbidden Colours" (1983). Inspired by YMO's drummer Yukihiro Takahashi, Steve Jansen contributed to Takahashi’s solo albums and tours, which led to additional joint ventures.

After the Break-up

Following the band's split, members embarked on diverse endeavors with varying degrees of commercial achievement. Sylvian’s solo debut album Brilliant Trees—released after his collaboration with Sakamoto—peaked at No. 4 on the UK Albums Chart in 1984 and included the UK top 20 hit "Red Guitar". Karn established himself as a highly sought-after session musician, collaborating with artists such as Gary Numan, Kate Bush, and Joan Armatrading. He also scored a top 40 single alongside Midge Ure ("After a Fashion", 1983) and formed the duo Dalis Car with Peter Murphy from Bauhaus, releasing an album in 1984. Jansen and Barbieri worked together under the names the Dolphin Brothers and Jansen & Barbieri, producing "Stories Across Borders" in 1991. Rob Dean contributed to projects with Gary Numan and Sinéad O'Connor, later joining Australian group Geisha between 1987 and 1988.

Rain Tree Crow

In September 1989, Sylvian, Karn, Jansen, and Barbieri reunited under the name 'Rain Tree Crow', issuing a self-titled album in April 1991 that entered the UK top 25 and garnered critical praise. Nevertheless, creative disagreements between Sylvian and other members resulted in another disbandment.

Subsequent Ventures

Established in 1993 by Steve Jansen, Richard Barbieri, and Mick Karn, Medium Productions functioned as an independent outlet for their predominantly instrumental works free from major label limitations. Over more than ten years, they released fifteen albums before the label ceased operations in 2004 as its founders pursued other projects including Porcupine Tree and Nine Horses. Voiceprint Music began reissuing the entire Medium catalogue starting in 2001.

Richard Barbieri became keyboardist for progressive rock ensemble Porcupine Tree beginning with their 1995 album The Sky Moves Sideways. Although members collaborated individually—such as Sylvian and Jansen’s work within Nine Horses—no full-scale Japan reunions were arranged.

Throughout the 1990s, Karn, Jansen, and Barbieri engaged in instrumental collaborations featuring guitarists like David Torn and Steven Wilson.

Mick Karn succumbed to cancer in January 2011, nearly twenty years after the Rain Tree Crow project.

Band members

• David Sylvian – vocals, guitars, keyboards (1974–1982, 1989–1990)
• Mick Karn – bass guitars, saxophone, oboe, flute, recorder, clarinet, backing vocals (1974–1982, 1989–1990; died 2011)
• Steve Jansen – drums, backing vocals, keyboards, percussion (1974–1982, 1989–1990)
• Richard Barbieri – keyboards, synthesizers, occasional backing vocals (1975–1982, 1989–1990)
• Rob Dean – guitars, backing vocals (1975–1981)

Live personnel

• Jane Shorter – saxophone (1979–1980)
• David Rhodes – guitars (1981)
• Masami Tsuchiya – guitars, keyboards (1982)

Timeline

Discography

• Adolescent Sex (1978)
• Obscure Alternatives (1978)
• Quiet Life (1979)
• Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980)
• Tin Drum (1981)
• Rain Tree Crow identical line-up as Japan (1991)

Remasters

Virgin Records issued remastered versions of Gentlemen Take Polaroids, Tin Drum, and Oil on Canvas in 2003. The following year, BMG re-released remastered editions of Adolescent Sex, Obscure Alternatives, Quiet Life, and Assemblage. These reissues were presented in the 'digipak' format and included additional bonus tracks. By 2006, all titles were repackaged into jewel cases and offered at a reduced price point.

The Tin Drum digipak stood out with its cardboard box packaging and contained a bonus 5-inch single titled "The Art of Parties," which featured various versions of the song alongside related B-sides. It also included a booklet featuring black-and-white photographs of the band.

In August 2018, half-speed mastered double vinyl LPs pressed at 45 rpm for both Gentlemen Take Polaroids and Tin Drum were released. These editions were remastered by Miles Showell at Abbey Road Studios. Additionally, single-disc vinyl versions at 33 rpm were made available. Upon release, both albums debuted at numbers 2 and 3 respectively on the Official Vinyl Charts during their initial week.

BMG’s March 2021 deluxe reissue of Quiet Life comprised a box set with three CDs and a 180g half-speed mastered vinyl, alongside separate vinyl and CD editions. This release marked Japan’s return to the UK Top 20 for the first time since 1983, peaking at number 13 on the UK Album Chart and reaching number 2 on the UK Vinyl chart.

Tours

• October 1977: UK tour supporting Jim Capaldi and the Contenders
• April–June 1978: UK tour supporting Blue Öyster Cult
• November 1978: US tour including Los Angeles, San Francisco, Chicago, New York (two shows), and Boston
• November–December 1978: Obscure Alternatives UK tour (several dates cancelled due to illness)
• March 1979: Six-date tour in Japan
• March–April 1979: European and UK tour (Germany, Holland, Belgium, UK)
• January–March 1980: Quiet Life Tour across UK and Japan, featuring Jane Shorter on saxophone
• February 1981: Seven-date tour in Japan
• April–May 1981: The Art of Parties UK tour (final tour with Rob Dean)
• December 1981: Visions of China UK tour, with David Rhodes performing on guitar
• October–December 1982: Sons of Pioneers Tour covering Sweden, Germany, The Netherlands, Belgium, France, UK, Thailand, Hong Kong, and Japan; featuring Masami Tsuchiya on guitar and keyboards. November concerts at Hammersmith Odeon were recorded for the Oil on Canvas album and video.