Why are old bands "still big in Japan"?

[crazyquik]

Where did that refrain come from? And, why do the Japanese like American bands that we think don't like anymore?

 

[Tangfastic]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

Where did that refrain come from? And, why do the Japanese like American bands that we think don't like anymore?

'Big in Japan' were a Liverpool band that featured Bill Drummond and members who would go on to play in Frankie goes to Hollywood, the Teardrop Explodes, Siouxie and the Banshees and the lightning Seeds. They split up around 1980...

I guess the phrase came from the fact that bands who weren't selling records or tour tickets could guarantee to make cash in Japan as very few big western bands toured there in the 1980s.

 

[tintindeo]

japanese genetics!! ..then they copy ,and think they play it better than us!! music ain't cars or tv's!!!..or gapanese jenetics

 

[Dragon]

Originally Posted by crazyquik

Where did that refrain come from? And, why do the Japanese like American bands that we think don't like anymore?

Actually the old bands are not big anymore in Japan either. The phrase comes from the fact that over the hill bands can get a gig in Japan and still make some money, because people will go watch one show for the sake of old times.