I've spoken to a few Japan fans over the years who actively ignore their early days ,dismiss it as rubbish...
I can't agree . The 1st 2 albums are full of Rock reggae glam rock influenced experimental tracks in which they really sound as they are enjoying themselves with little eye on commercial revenue.
Have a listen to Deviation , a single only released in Holland and a mega rare import nowadays. The band could play and I think we're more popular in Europe, judging by all the imports in different pic sleeves which were available at record fairs back in the day They also were mega popular in Japan ( obviously..) and their live shows over there were received with vintage Beatles like proportions. All man8c screaming girls ....while still only nudging the UK market over here.
One of their most famous bootlegs at the time is Live in Budokan , 8 track record with stunning picture sleeve ,cost me £40 early 80s crap quality but collectors item all the same .
Very interesting era before they changed completely.
Incidentally, the band I think were influenced heavily by New York dolls iirc and lead singer David Sylviian got his stage name direct from the lead singer....
