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So off I went to Virgin records and sought out a black vinyl copy of
album and took it home in a big plastic album bag to my trusty turntable.
I pulled it out of sleeve, excited about what listening pleasures lay before me and pulled lever that sent needle over to record’s edge. And effect of that first track quite literally changed my musical life.
As opening bass, synth and guitar lines of Adolescent Sex came through speakers, for first time in my life I felt a shiver down my spine and hairs on back of my neck literally stood up.
It’s an old cliché but it was absolutely true and I was filled with emotion of what this music did for me. I loved feeling and I wanted more and I was sure Japan could supply it.
And that was start of my quest to buy as much as possible of Japan’s music. Over next few months I bought everything I could find and afford. I just about memorised their discography as I read everything I could about band and even sought out fanzines, bootleg tapes and books of photographs.
I remember sitting at home at night writing out various different lists of my favourite Japan tracks – favourite guitar tracks, favourite synth tracks, instrumentals, various different versions of my top ten which invariably changed every night.
It was great, it was new, it was all consuming, it was a passion. And I loved it.
Over next few years I had several similar experiences with other bands I discovered and got quite obsessed about. And with one band I went even further than I did with Japan in terms of my desire to collect every note ever recorded on record, studio demo tape or live.
But none of them ever really recaptured newness and marvellousness of experience with Japan, my first favourite band.
Fraser Neilson is webmaster at www.QSPmusic.com and a true music lover. You can find some great music resources, special offers and ideas to help increase your enjoyment over at www.QSPmusic.com/resources.html.
