Made in Japan (1980)

By now you probably know that we’re pretty big B-movie fans here at HoZac, and any time there’s ever a band performing in one of these films, it never fails to send those jolts of curiosity, as was pretty much the case with the classic 1980 horror film, New Year’s Evil. After we got the Archival leg of our operation underway, it was prime time to dig in and try and see if these near-mythical bands had any unreleased material, and sure enough, Made In Japan bit on the line and after a few email exchanges, we had a grip of unreleased 1979 material from one of Los Angeles’ unsigned bands of the first wave of punk on our hands. The Made in Japan story starts a little earlier than their appearance in the film though, as original bassist Bobby Asea was in Cyclops, the band that opened for The Damned on their first US tour in LA in 1977, Dave Codling (aka Maha Dev) was originally from the early 70s UK psych rock band Quintessence, and Barry Paul from Savoy Brown, as well as Heavy Metal Kids, so they truly had quite the offbeat pedigree. In late 70s LA, punk and new wave were inescapable so the melting pot runneth over with all types of rock’n roll remnants scattering about to form bands, and Made In Japan fit the mold quite well, despite sadly never acquiring a record deal at the time. Aside from their promo-only 45 (The Cooler b/w Suicide Ways) issued by Cannon Films in 1980 and mainly sent to radio stations to promote the New Year’s Evil film, Made In Japan slipped quickly through the cracks, although they did play around quite a bit and even opened for Love as well as a few other LA underground luminaries in the late 70s & early 80s, and if you’d caught their insanely catchy song “Dumb Blondes” in the movie, the rest of the material luckily wasn’t far off. Taking cues from UK power pop band such as Buzzcocks & Nick Lowe, as well as LA locals Paul Collins Beat & the Plimsouls, Made in Japan carved out a little spot of their own, despite fleeting stardom, and luckily managed to record an armload of original songs before disbanding, to which we’ve got two immediate classics for you on this archival 7”, so dig in and even if you “don’t want no sensitive shit” you NEED these “Instant Hits” right between your ears, where they belong. -VictimofTime.com Recommended If You Like: Buzzcocks, Speedies, The Nerves, Elvis Costello, Nick Lowe, Paul Collins Beat, Plimsouls

Japan - Prophetique 1978-1980 4CD Box Set Japanese Import NM-VG++ USED – Hi-Voltage Records

Buddy L Corp ~ Army Jeep ~ Made in Japan 1980

Vintage ''WIN Pocket Battery Opr. Gas Lighter - Made in Japan

Enesco Witch Teapot Witch on Broom Made in Japan 1980 Halloween

1980 Tomson SunburstVintage > Guitars Electric Solid Body

This week in 1980, The Jam made their - Paul Weller News

Burny RLC-70 Les Paul Custom model 1980-1990 MADE IN JAPAN / bar

The action is low on this guitar and theirs still room to lower the saddle. This guitar is in excellent condition, and has the original case with it.

Takamine F363S acoustic dreadnought guitar made in Japan 1980 excellent & case

Buy the Disney Seven Dwarfs Porcelain Figurines Made in Japan 1980

Vtg NOS 1980 Explorer Seki Japan 4 Bird Hook Folding Hunter Lockback Knife - ePrague, LLC

Vega (made in Japan) 5-string banjo c. 1980

Azumi nanyo - Vintage Basso Azumi Nanyo 4 corde Made in Japan - Number of items: 1 - Electric guitar - Japan - 1980 - Catawiki

1980 Yamaha G2 Made in Japan

Levi's® - MIJ 1980's 501 Jeans (Dark Rinse)