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Biography

British art rock band Japan was formed in 1974 in Lewisham, South London, England with original members David Sylvian (vocals, guitar), Mick Karn (bass guitar, saxophone), Richard Barbieri (keyboards), Rob Dean (guitar), and Steve Jansen (percussion). Dean left the band before the recording of Japan’s final album, Tin Drum.

Japan began playing , influenced by David Bowie, The New York Dolls and . Japan debuted on record with 1978’s Adolescent Sex and subsequently Obscure Alternatives, which both sold well in the nation of Japan, though nowhere else.

Their third album, 1979’s Quiet Life, heralded a change in musical style from the earlier largely guitar based music to a more sound, with more emphasis on Barbieri’s synthesisers, Sylvian’s svelte baritone style of singing, Karn’s distinctive fretless bass sound, and Steve Jansen’s odd-timbred percussion work.

Their following two albums, Gentlemen Take Polaroids (1980) and Tin Drum (1981) continued to expand their audience as the band refined its new sound and unintentionally became part of the early 1980s movement. But Tin Drum ended up being their final album as personality conflicts tore the band apart. Nevertheless, the album’s unconventional single “Ghosts” reached #5 on the UK pop charts.

They split after a farewell tour in 1982.

Most of the original members of the band went on to work on other projects.

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  • capelinux

    A años luz de todos sus cohetaneos. Sublimes

    14 Jun 2:59pm Reply
  • Johnny_D

    in music evolution right between Roxy Music and Duran Duran

    12 May 10:48am Reply
  • castlewich

    "They're playing our song ... "

    5 May 10:36pm Reply
  • Fallingmoonlite

    <3

    26 Mar 10:50pm Reply
  • LakeAndTheRiver

    Japan are a huge influence in my music. I'd be so humbled if just afew you guys took the time to listen to my project. Please check it out at: http://thisishomecoming.com

    4 Mar 4:40pm Reply
  • sierena

    I'm really digging Obscure Alternatives right now, just so much goodness in one album.

    20 Feb 8:40pm Reply
  • Saranella

    Swing!

    9 Feb 11:32am Reply
  • coxoxi

    perfection

    9 Jan 1:55pm Reply
  • KuriousBanana

    RIP Mick Karn - Taken too soon, 2 years ago today :(

    4 Jan 11:25pm Reply
  • duzguneser

    great post punk band..

    1 Jan 5:21pm Reply
  • No_00000000000

    Japan? WTF???@!??? IT'S CHINESE BAND YOU RETARDS!!

    27 Dec 2012 Reply
  • Nyctohylophobia

    Oh come on, Duran Duran really appreciated Japan. They were not copy cats. And Rhodes was just a young fan boy, he looked like David because he was almost like an idol for him, not because that was cool or whatever. That's cute, not something to fuss about. Japan is "a truly influential group", as said below.

    24 Dec 2012 Reply
  • samarkand2004

    ' "Amazing that only a few in the world know that Duran Duran were copy cats." '. Except that Duran duran were not just copycats (apart maybe Rhodes outragesously obvious look, in the mid 80s), and Japan were not their only influence (at all)... an old Japan fans ('a little biased') legend... but that's why they could get their international commercial (disco, funk, pop..) success in the early 80s too (at the difference of Japan..that stayed in their more elitist genre till the end). But all that is history too now ^. RIP Karn (2). Just my 2 cents anyway.. knowing both bands here (and appreciating them both for their own musical virtues..that were different for sure too, from start, anyway). *)

    21 Dec 2012 Reply
  • muymatrera

    Geniales

    9 Dec 2012 Reply
  • mutinyonark

    "Amazing that only a few in the world know that Duran Duran were copy cats." many a bands were japan copycats

    8 Dec 2012 Reply
  • vladmirek

    a truely influential group... a magical and oriental sound of Karn's bass gives me shivers

    4 Nov 2012 Reply
  • ChorFaiFan

    我有幸在香港看過他們,多謝Sam ,但以後再冇機會,RIP.Mick Karn;另一違憾是David Sylvian我竟然不去看,真是終生抱憾!

    2 Oct 2012 Reply
  • silverlage

    Fashion, always fashion.

    6 Sep 2012 Reply
  • CMBFlor20

    brilliant observation, Gravejr

    25 Aug 2012 Reply
  • Gravejr

    13 Aug 2012 Reply
  • All 433 shouts