by Tin Bird on Wed Dec 31, 2008 9:19 am
Bamboo 1984 - 1992
Bamboo came into being in the time between the final Japan tour and Forbidden Colours, when Debi Zornes, Howard Sawyer and Vicky Hurst planned to run an official fan club for the ex-members of Japan. After many frustrating months due to mis-communication within Japan's management company Chadwick-Nomis, the trio decided to use the material they had collected for the fan club magazine (including several exclusive interviews) and publish a totally independent fanzine instead. Throughout, the trio managed to hold down full time regular jobs, and with the basic materials to hand in the early 80's, produced one of the most professional and longest running fanzines in history. As the 80's progressed, due to work commitments, more and more of the work was undertaken by Debi, who with a small group of volunteers held parties/conventions twice a year, usually at The 100 Club. Exclusive audio and video material was shown, plus an occasional ex-member would make an appearance. Groups from the fan base would also play, including an early incarnation of No-Man/Porcupine Tree. Sinead O Connor also made her UK debut live performance at one Bamboo party, singing "All Tomorrows Parties" with guitar accompaniment from Rob Dean.
Bamboo also published two very special editions, a "Japanese Special" which followed Yukihiro Takahashi's 1985 tour, and a much more lavish affair, the book "Eighty Days", all about David's 1988 tour.
After 10 years and 35 issues, Bamboo ended and Debi founded Medium Productions, so in a way Bamboo lives on...
When I cannot sing my heart...I can only speak my mind...