One Hit Wednesday

The Vapors were a new wave band from England that only lasted between 1979 and 1981. Due to 'lack of label promotion' the band disbanned after their 2nd album in 1981. They managed to release 7 singles from their 2 albums before calling it quits. The track 'Turning Japanese' from their first album hit #36 in the U.S. and was their only hit stateside.

As a side note, the term 'turning japanese' supposedly was a euphemism for masturbation.

If you press play, you will turn Japanese (I really think so)


When In Rome was another English band that had a short life-span. They too only lasted 2 years from 1988 to 1990. They released one album and charted only 'The Promise' at #11 on the Billboard Hot 100. The band did re-unite in 2006 and are performing today.

Martin Briley is a singer, songwriter, guitarist and keyboardist.
The list of artists that he has written songs for is staggering. As is the list of artists he has performed with, both on tour, and as a session musician. Ocassionally he has released his own albums and was fortunate with the track 'Salt in My Tears', from his 2nd album, to hit the Top 40. It hit #36 in the summer of '83.

Sylvia is more widely known as a country singer-songwriter rather than a pop star, but in 1982 she hit both pop and country charts with her song 'Nobody'. It was a #1 country hit and got all the way up to #15 on the Hot 100. She's still in the business today and has numerous country hits and accolaids under her belt.

Icicle Works were an English alternative rock band that released 5 albums between 1982 and 1990. The only track to have any success in the U.S. was 'Birds Fly (Whisper To A Scream)' off their first album. Actually, the U.S. version of the song was re-titled 'Whisper To A Scream (Birds Fly)' and was a totally different track than the former. The U.S. version of the album was different as well. The revamped U.S. track hit #37 in 1984.