When I first discovered Sylvian and Japan, I didn't even mind the look. But the more I listen, the more I feel how utterly beautiful DS is. It is very strange, sometimes I still ask myself if DS is really that gorgeous or just his music makes me think so??
Such a fabulous video you've put together with a sublime choice of music. I love these beautiful innovative, talented, sexy men. This track really shows off their musical skills.
aaahhhh the memories. Thanks for posting them. A trip down memory lane and a great one. What I would give to look like DS. I tried, lord knows, but there can only be one, and through him I have developed my own style. But what an influence. Divine, serene, gentle and can you believe it straight!. What straight man would have the courage to wear red leather gloves and bangles. Pure conviction. And that's one of the reason we all love him. Thanks so much for posting this, it brings it all back. xx
Great comments! and if you looked like David Sylvian you'd certainly be very lucky! He does seem to have a gentle spirit, especially when you see him being interviewed, and his lyrics are always so thought provoking, especially in his solo work. I seem to still be obsessed by the man and his music 28 years after my first listen! I love his voice when he sings those low notes. *goosebumps* xx
Whilst I cannot deny my long term (around 28 years??) fondness for Sylvian's features, I refute your claim!!! Their musical talents - individually and collectively - have always featured highly in my play lists over the years, and I still think there has never been any comparison to their sounds & talents since. However, you obviously think we're all the same, so sorry to disappoint...
Wow, you're the same age as I am, I suppose, and I really agree with you. I am still a fan, trying to collect even more than I have, and have now installed a proper record player to be able to put my favs onto CD. Anyway, needless to say that I am/was a proper fan, having lived along the corner from Stanhope Gardens in the early 80s. Still have a collectable piece to remind me of that period.
I had as big a crush on DS as the next girl, but: the long (mullet-style, down his back) hair was just a bit too transgendered for me...great in photos, perhaps not so great if you'd actually met him in person at the time, if you know what I mean...
I saw him up close when he was about 26 and he looked stunning - if you like pretty type! Perfect classical features. He looked better than on the screen actually.
I so tried to copy that Dave Sylvian look he was my hero of that era and still is many ways my fav band by miles they were so different from any other at that time bar the equally talented kraftwerk. Would mr Beckham stand a chance in the cute boy stakes if Dave Sylvian was a pop star of today NO contest Dave would win by miles.
I just love Japan and Sylvian, the whole she-bang really. They looked distinct but the music was still the main aspect. The music is up there with the best - of all time, yeah I fuckin said it! It really is.
Great work. I'm still buzzing from meeting Steve Jansen two days ago at an after-gig party in Hong Kong. David Sylvian's concert tour is absolutely brilliant. Go and see it.
What a great compilation of photos. Japan was such a great band! And who didnt want to sound/look like David? Style and Flair incorporate. Thanks for the time and posting.
Track is Swing from Gentlemen Take Polaroids, which I've just downloaded.....I hadn't heard it in years, because most of my stuff is on vinyl...listen to it all the time now....mind you, listen to Japan at least once a week, and Sylvian every other day (solo stuff...still sounds fresh - you must get this LP (sorry, album!!)
Drool on. They always look soo serene. I was obsessed with them in the 80's. You have unearthed some pictures that ive never seen. I loved Steve Jansen then.Thanks for the memories - its given me much joy x
with you on the jansen thing....def. the smartest of the lot,..check out the polaroids cover...his drumming on methods of dance is awesome....for a bunch of blokes from one of the hardest schools in sarf east london they did well to survive o-levels.
If I have to transport myself back to 1980 as a young adult and re-live all those New Romantic medleys such as Japan's Swing I would've warped in a heartbeat!Such a great track!
Me too!! Sitting in my bedroom listening to this album over and over...my mates never got them, but I couldn't see what was so hard to love about them and their music...
Brilliant!!! I had most of those pictures all over my bedroom walls when I was a kid in the early 80's. Love Japan! Still do!!! Anybody know if any books are still in circulation? Some amazing photographs!
But hey....you know this band is an addiction when you put oil and canvas and Polaroids on your iPod! The music endures. I don't think it's "so 80s" that it can't transcend into our current world. The rhythm section I think was one of the best, certainly in UK. Steve and Mick in lock step on every beat. I don't know many bands that could play that well, certainly not keeping up with all the crazy fretless work that Mick was putting out there. I saw them live at Hammersmith!
Oil on Canvas and Tin Drum- those two albums sound as fresh as when they were made. Tin Drum was amazing when it came out and still is in my opinion. It doesn't have a dated 80s vibe like so much of the music of that era (though I love the dated stuff as well).
By the way, given your name I'm going to go look up some Falklands stuff. I haven't thought about that war in a long time.
I agree. I ran those albums last week and you can hear so much more going on in the digital world. My vinyl I will keep forever. Vinyl is making a come back, funny. Yeah I was in Falkland's 82. Royal Navy. A lot of folks have forgotten this one but it's always worth reviewing what happened and why. Fascinating on so many fronts, political, military, people-human experience level. Cheers.
As far as the Falklands, I remember at the time thinking how pointless it all seemed. Guess I still kinda feel that way. Still, the people on those islands definitely did not want to be Argentinian.
I was 12 when it all went down and remember seeing clips of those Harrier Jump Jets taking off- very bad ass looking. At school I was assigned to debate why the British were justified in going to war- I lost the debate. But the Brits still won the war. LOL
I am sure that makes for a really good debate in something like a world history class. Well, as with everything related to the old British Empire it's "complicated." I met the folks in person down there. They are as English as it gets basically. One hundred and seventy five years of living there without any trouble, and to be told that they now need to speak Spanish and drive on the other side of the road? It was not right. Anyway, on to better things, like Brilliant Trees :)
I agree. It's like I told someone on one of those Falklands threads who said the British stole it. Well, even if you accept the British stole it the Spanish stole Argentina. America was stolen from the Indians and on and on.
The people living there decided they wish to remain part of England. Still, it's a tragic loss of life over such a small place.
By the way, it's you Brits who drive on the wrong side of the road. :) And Brilliant Trees blew my mind. Like nothing I had heard. Take care.
That's true; we all stole everything and before us it was the Romans, the Greeks, the Turks, the Egyptians. It's the way of men throughout history. Agree - sad and pointless loss of life "two bald men fighting over a comb" as someone once said. Did you ever hear Mick Karn's first album? "Titles" it was pretty weak but his bass playing alone was worth the purchase. More recent stuff is better. I never heard the collaboration stuff the Richard B. and Steve Jansen got into. Am sure it is good.
Hey Static. I had Titles on cassette. I thought it was a great album- as you say, his bass playing was amazing. Have you heard the follow up Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters- it had two songs with Sylvian doing vocals. I think the two songs with Sylvian are fantastic. I also have the 1st album Jansen did with Barbieri. It was alright. I sometimes wonder what Japan could have come up with if they didn't break up. It's depressing that Sylvian seems to think so little of his back catalog.
Not heard dreams of reason but read about it. I will order it tonight though. Was the Jansen-Barbeiri hook up "PENGUIN BROTHERS?" It got blah reviews if I recall. But never heard - will try to get hold of. I always wondered myself what would have happened. Yeah, he's very dismissive of past work with Japan. Shame - I loved it! Hey check out my band videos under my static brigade profile. Tell me if you think we are influenced at all by Japan? Especially the track "impulse." Cheers.
Dude, you are really talented. I left a comment. You remind me of some of those cool 4AD bands. And those videos! Were those just some clips you found? That clip for With Android is very cool- it goes along really well with the song. And the song is great. Are you a fan of Cabaret Voltaire? Or Human League? Oh yeah, hot chick in Penny Sway.
Thanks!! That is very kind of you. Well we worked with a lot of different video artists to combine their video art with our songs. That took about 3 months in itself. We built a studio from scratch and filled it with retro keys (stuff I always wanted) wrote songs, scrapped stuff, wrote some more. And yeah, I love all those bands + OMD, Soft Cell, Sisters of Mercy, . if you want to hear some good contemporary stuff in this genre check "Crystal Castles," "does that offend you, yeah?" The Knife.
Yeah, Soft Cell was great. They should have been bigger in the States. Do you know the song "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye"? Great song. And Sisters of Mercy are a cool band. Andrew Eldritch is a interesting guy. Anyway, best of luck. You guys have a interesting sound- can't believe you had all those videos made. That's impressive. Really love that clip for With Android. GOOD LUCK!
Yeah I have that one, which is pretty good too. The black and white cover with their faces on it (they look alike, or looked alike back then). Was a good collaboration and probably a good experience for Mick to get out from under David and try something new and different.
He wears lipstick, makeup and gloves and us women said he was the hottest singer on earth. He's beutyfil. How to spell beutyfil!
invaderzezix 7 months ago
Mick: buddeh!
Steve: brains
Richard: funneh
David: brains and beuty
invaderzezix 7 months ago
Totally a shadow of his former self looks wise now...but the voice is divine as ever. Steve has still got his film star looks though....
khyberkarn 1 year ago
Those beautiful eyes are now closed forever......R.I.P Mick...you were an inspiration
goodanswergoodanswer 1 year ago
They were/are all stunning in their own way;
Richard: Dark & brooding.....
Mick: The eyes have it!
Steve: Chiseled & oh so handsome!
David: Impossibly beautiful..........
goodanswergoodanswer 1 year ago 7
No he is that gorgeous!! I met him in the 80's, stunning!! But he had no Idea how beautiful he was.
adc66 1 year ago 3
I agree...I have the feeling he didn't know that
rubbersammy70 10 months ago
Mick is the handsomest.
Schmoomunitions 1 year ago
Great video of the very gorgeous and immensely talented Mr. Sylvian and my all-time favorite band!!!
MizGirleyGirl 2 years ago
best love ever of my life from 1987..
erikarikk 2 years ago 5
When I first discovered Sylvian and Japan, I didn't even mind the look. But the more I listen, the more I feel how utterly beautiful DS is. It is very strange, sometimes I still ask myself if DS is really that gorgeous or just his music makes me think so??
However, DS = Genius :x
bemyart90 2 years ago 11
Oh he is utterly beautiful and really THAT gorgeous.
indiareed 2 years ago 5
Such a fabulous video you've put together with a sublime choice of music. I love these beautiful innovative, talented, sexy men. This track really shows off their musical skills.
stellestar101 2 years ago 3
aaahhhh the memories. Thanks for posting them. A trip down memory lane and a great one. What I would give to look like DS. I tried, lord knows, but there can only be one, and through him I have developed my own style. But what an influence. Divine, serene, gentle and can you believe it straight!. What straight man would have the courage to wear red leather gloves and bangles. Pure conviction. And that's one of the reason we all love him. Thanks so much for posting this, it brings it all back. xx
marquise9b 3 years ago 2
Great comments! and if you looked like David Sylvian you'd certainly be very lucky! He does seem to have a gentle spirit, especially when you see him being interviewed, and his lyrics are always so thought provoking, especially in his solo work. I seem to still be obsessed by the man and his music 28 years after my first listen! I love his voice when he sings those low notes. *goosebumps* xx
sylvianblue 2 years ago 6
It was Steve Jansen for me....
sticklemiss 3 years ago 3
a couple of those shots really prove how much nick rhodes looked to this band for duran durans early look. man
puresynthpop 3 years ago
I thought some of these pictures WERE Nick Rhodes. You couldn't be more right.
reesnixon 3 years ago
A nice collection of early Japan pictures, and 'Swing' is a good choice of track to set it to.
Mick Karns Bass playing is superb as ever.
What a great band........
OnlYYlnO 3 years ago
If david slyivan got 5 of his best songs and played on live channel 4 shows and shit , he could become alot more famous for his work
If he carrys on with what hes doing not enouth people will be able to hear this masterpeices
ownz275 3 years ago
Why is this video called "Sylvian Eye Candy"?
DarcyAndWolfgang 3 years ago 2
because the girls prefers the face of the singer to the music and the hard work of the bassist.
SELFsufficiently 3 years ago
Whilst I cannot deny my long term (around 28 years??) fondness for Sylvian's features, I refute your claim!!! Their musical talents - individually and collectively - have always featured highly in my play lists over the years, and I still think there has never been any comparison to their sounds & talents since. However, you obviously think we're all the same, so sorry to disappoint...
sylvianblue 3 years ago
^_^
SELFsufficiently 3 years ago
Wow, you're the same age as I am, I suppose, and I really agree with you. I am still a fan, trying to collect even more than I have, and have now installed a proper record player to be able to put my favs onto CD. Anyway, needless to say that I am/was a proper fan, having lived along the corner from Stanhope Gardens in the early 80s. Still have a collectable piece to remind me of that period.
Maxiclaudi 3 years ago
a way ahead of it's time this song....wow
underlever1 3 years ago
Speechless, this guy's a genius and should get more credit than he has so far from the entire WORLD!!!
djbootie123 3 years ago
1.38 gorgous.very clever,very gorgous.very great memories.
tillygus 3 years ago
The other attractive quality is his air of mystery.
flossy100 3 years ago
Sylvian is far better than Bowie!
BAYCITYROLLERBOY 4 years ago
I had as big a crush on DS as the next girl, but: the long (mullet-style, down his back) hair was just a bit too transgendered for me...great in photos, perhaps not so great if you'd actually met him in person at the time, if you know what I mean...
swelstead 4 years ago
I saw him up close when he was about 26 and he looked stunning - if you like pretty type! Perfect classical features. He looked better than on the screen actually.
flossy100 3 years ago
I so tried to copy that Dave Sylvian look he was my hero of that era and still is many ways my fav band by miles they were so different from any other at that time bar the equally talented kraftwerk. Would mr Beckham stand a chance in the cute boy stakes if Dave Sylvian was a pop star of today NO contest Dave would win by miles.
manced42 4 years ago
I just love Japan and Sylvian, the whole she-bang really. They looked distinct but the music was still the main aspect. The music is up there with the best - of all time, yeah I fuckin said it! It really is.
timwilderspin 4 years ago
it hurts to look at his gorgeous face!
j'adore!
ROBOgirlie 4 years ago
my god, he's so gorgeous it hurts!
Linkchvary 4 years ago 4
I'd have to agree there...
sylvianblue 4 years ago
Great photos, thanks for that! And i thought,i know the most, because every Pic and Interview i found in music magazins i collected.
I still have the book "Sons of pioneers", maybe i'll make a small vid too(if i get a camera.-)
Eizelle67 4 years ago
Great work. I'm still buzzing from meeting Steve Jansen two days ago at an after-gig party in Hong Kong. David Sylvian's concert tour is absolutely brilliant. Go and see it.
aroomwithaview 4 years ago
What? You are so lucky! I was in the concert too. Steve Jensen's drum on that evening is so so cool!!!!
melodymorten 4 years ago
thanks for that, yes he does despair beautifully, but I just love the happy smiling D Sylvian
05rachy 4 years ago
I agree - when he smiles he just looks even better.
sylvianblue 4 years ago
What a great compilation of photos. Japan was such a great band! And who didnt want to sound/look like David? Style and Flair incorporate. Thanks for the time and posting.
Colonel701 4 years ago
David take some of his image from Andy Warhol, and Nick Rhodes of Duran Duran take his image from David.
gmansi 4 years ago 3
Track is Swing from Gentlemen Take Polaroids, which I've just downloaded.....I hadn't heard it in years, because most of my stuff is on vinyl...listen to it all the time now....mind you, listen to Japan at least once a week, and Sylvian every other day (solo stuff...still sounds fresh - you must get this LP (sorry, album!!)
sylvianblue 4 years ago
Drool on. They always look soo serene. I was obsessed with them in the 80's. You have unearthed some pictures that ive never seen. I loved Steve Jansen then.Thanks for the memories - its given me much joy x
khyberkarn 4 years ago 2
with you on the jansen thing....def. the smartest of the lot,..check out the polaroids cover...his drumming on methods of dance is awesome....for a bunch of blokes from one of the hardest schools in sarf east london they did well to survive o-levels.
JGreet 4 years ago
Fabuloso!
Kela08 4 years ago
great song, great era
doriangraymc 4 years ago
A gorgeous man with a a haunting voice. Well done! Thanks!
cuggle 4 years ago
If I have to transport myself back to 1980 as a young adult and re-live all those New Romantic medleys such as Japan's Swing I would've warped in a heartbeat!Such a great track!
EbonItalo07 4 years ago
Me too!! Sitting in my bedroom listening to this album over and over...my mates never got them, but I couldn't see what was so hard to love about them and their music...
sylvianblue 4 years ago
I still love their music!!!
ModestoMuniz 3 years ago
Brilliant!!! I had most of those pictures all over my bedroom walls when I was a kid in the early 80's. Love Japan! Still do!!! Anybody know if any books are still in circulation? Some amazing photographs!
hilmonster 4 years ago
What is the name of this song ? I like it :)
tamtamtam 4 years ago
This song's name is "Swing".
noiren2002 4 years ago
Transports me
karenblyth18 4 years ago
just brilliant.
he is a beautifull man, witha smooth voice. i had a friend who looked just like him in the 80;s from maldon in essex, he was gorgoues too.
stuartangelsx4 4 years ago
in my opinion, one of the 5 most important english bands from the 80's .
FLORENT2222 4 years ago
Wow, thanks that was wonderful. David Sylvian was stunning, still is x
todunxious1 4 years ago
What a great trip down memory lane - Thanks
ajdfire 4 years ago
How he gorgeous was!!!!
Fushia1992 4 years ago
happy memories! One of the best bands of their time. Great teeth too for English people!
BritishFalklands 4 years ago
LMAO!
asdffd 3 years ago
Seriously ;-)
But hey....you know this band is an addiction when you put oil and canvas and Polaroids on your iPod! The music endures. I don't think it's "so 80s" that it can't transcend into our current world. The rhythm section I think was one of the best, certainly in UK. Steve and Mick in lock step on every beat. I don't know many bands that could play that well, certainly not keeping up with all the crazy fretless work that Mick was putting out there. I saw them live at Hammersmith!
BritishFalklands 3 years ago
Oil on Canvas and Tin Drum- those two albums sound as fresh as when they were made. Tin Drum was amazing when it came out and still is in my opinion. It doesn't have a dated 80s vibe like so much of the music of that era (though I love the dated stuff as well).
By the way, given your name I'm going to go look up some Falklands stuff. I haven't thought about that war in a long time.
asdffd 3 years ago
I agree. I ran those albums last week and you can hear so much more going on in the digital world. My vinyl I will keep forever. Vinyl is making a come back, funny. Yeah I was in Falkland's 82. Royal Navy. A lot of folks have forgotten this one but it's always worth reviewing what happened and why. Fascinating on so many fronts, political, military, people-human experience level. Cheers.
BritishFalklands 3 years ago
Yeah, almost everything I have is on vinyl.
As far as the Falklands, I remember at the time thinking how pointless it all seemed. Guess I still kinda feel that way. Still, the people on those islands definitely did not want to be Argentinian.
I was 12 when it all went down and remember seeing clips of those Harrier Jump Jets taking off- very bad ass looking. At school I was assigned to debate why the British were justified in going to war- I lost the debate. But the Brits still won the war. LOL
asdffd 3 years ago
I am sure that makes for a really good debate in something like a world history class. Well, as with everything related to the old British Empire it's "complicated." I met the folks in person down there. They are as English as it gets basically. One hundred and seventy five years of living there without any trouble, and to be told that they now need to speak Spanish and drive on the other side of the road? It was not right. Anyway, on to better things, like Brilliant Trees :)
BritishFalklands 3 years ago
I agree. It's like I told someone on one of those Falklands threads who said the British stole it. Well, even if you accept the British stole it the Spanish stole Argentina. America was stolen from the Indians and on and on.
The people living there decided they wish to remain part of England. Still, it's a tragic loss of life over such a small place.
By the way, it's you Brits who drive on the wrong side of the road. :) And Brilliant Trees blew my mind. Like nothing I had heard. Take care.
asdffd 3 years ago
That's true; we all stole everything and before us it was the Romans, the Greeks, the Turks, the Egyptians. It's the way of men throughout history. Agree - sad and pointless loss of life "two bald men fighting over a comb" as someone once said. Did you ever hear Mick Karn's first album? "Titles" it was pretty weak but his bass playing alone was worth the purchase. More recent stuff is better. I never heard the collaboration stuff the Richard B. and Steve Jansen got into. Am sure it is good.
StaticBrigade 3 years ago
Hey Static. I had Titles on cassette. I thought it was a great album- as you say, his bass playing was amazing. Have you heard the follow up Dreams of Reason Produce Monsters- it had two songs with Sylvian doing vocals. I think the two songs with Sylvian are fantastic. I also have the 1st album Jansen did with Barbieri. It was alright. I sometimes wonder what Japan could have come up with if they didn't break up. It's depressing that Sylvian seems to think so little of his back catalog.
asdffd 3 years ago
Not heard dreams of reason but read about it. I will order it tonight though. Was the Jansen-Barbeiri hook up "PENGUIN BROTHERS?" It got blah reviews if I recall. But never heard - will try to get hold of. I always wondered myself what would have happened. Yeah, he's very dismissive of past work with Japan. Shame - I loved it! Hey check out my band videos under my static brigade profile. Tell me if you think we are influenced at all by Japan? Especially the track "impulse." Cheers.
StaticBrigade 3 years ago
Dude, you are really talented. I left a comment. You remind me of some of those cool 4AD bands. And those videos! Were those just some clips you found? That clip for With Android is very cool- it goes along really well with the song. And the song is great. Are you a fan of Cabaret Voltaire? Or Human League? Oh yeah, hot chick in Penny Sway.
asdffd 3 years ago
Thanks!! That is very kind of you. Well we worked with a lot of different video artists to combine their video art with our songs. That took about 3 months in itself. We built a studio from scratch and filled it with retro keys (stuff I always wanted) wrote songs, scrapped stuff, wrote some more. And yeah, I love all those bands + OMD, Soft Cell, Sisters of Mercy, . if you want to hear some good contemporary stuff in this genre check "Crystal Castles," "does that offend you, yeah?" The Knife.
StaticBrigade 3 years ago
Yeah, Soft Cell was great. They should have been bigger in the States. Do you know the song "Say Hello, Wave Goodbye"? Great song. And Sisters of Mercy are a cool band. Andrew Eldritch is a interesting guy. Anyway, best of luck. You guys have a interesting sound- can't believe you had all those videos made. That's impressive. Really love that clip for With Android. GOOD LUCK!
asdffd 3 years ago
Also, have you listened to any of the stuff Karn did with Peter Murphy as Dalis Car? I thought those were some great tunes.
asdffd 3 years ago
Yeah I have that one, which is pretty good too. The black and white cover with their faces on it (they look alike, or looked alike back then). Was a good collaboration and probably a good experience for Mick to get out from under David and try something new and different.
StaticBrigade 3 years ago
Your singer sounds a little bit like Peter Murphy- kinda "goth". LOL! Don't tell him I said that. I know a lot of folks hate that term.
asdffd 3 years ago
yes!
lmo37 5 years ago
Yay, dance my cat dance and feels happy because the music is so lovely
Meeeoooowwwww 5 years ago
Neat. Where did you get the pictures?
immsbadexample 5 years ago
WELL PUT TOGETHER
citic101 5 years ago
That was incredible! Thank you very much!
lorenauk 5 years ago
That was just gorgeous. Thank you for the memories !
quietsouth 5 years ago