GIRL / 1980 LIVE IN ASAKUSA (1CD)

ASAKUSA KOKUSAI GEKIJO, TOKYO, JAPAN
November 29, 1980, evening show
01. Wasted Youth
02. Heartbreak America
03. Nice 'n' Nasty
04. Black Max
05. Little Miss Ann
06. White Prophets
07. Old Dogs
08. Passing Clouds
09. Strawberries
10. Doctor Doctor
11. Lovely Lorraine
12. My Number
13. 19
14. Hollywood Tease
15. Born To Be Wild
16. Overnight Angels

Those who can immediately name the members of the band "GIRL" are likely in their 50s today. Formed in London in 1979, they were a glam-influenced hard rock band—consisting, despite their name, of five male members. Although their active period was brief—effectively just over two years, ending with their breakup in 1982—the members went on to join bands like L.A. Guns and Def Leppard, becoming key figures in the rock scene from the 1980s onward. In a sense, GIRL serves as a prologue to those later careers.

GIRL released their debut album, *Sheer Greed*, in 1980 and toured that same year alongside acts like UFO. This period is often discussed within the context of the "New Wave" movement that was sweeping the UK at the time. That very same year, they even made their way to Japan for a series of performances. As the album cover reveals, Phil Lewis, in particular, possessed a striking beauty that set the hearts of female fans aflutter. Much like David Bowie or Julie (Kenji Sawada), he was a quintessential "pretty boy" of that era, exuding an androgynous charm. Consequently, they were marketed in Japan as an "idol band"—a label that perhaps obscured the reality of their musicianship, which was, in fact, robust and hard-hitting. One cannot help but feel that their flamboyant, glamorous looks actually hindered a proper appreciation of their musical talent. The schedule for the Japan tour was as follows:

November 28, 1980 – Asakusa Kokusai Gekijo
November 29, 1980 – Asakusa Kokusai Gekijo (Matinee)
November 29, 1980 – Asakusa Kokusai Gekijo (Evening show)
December 1, 1980 – Osaka Festival Hall
December 2, 1980 – Nagoya City Public Hall

This release features a complete soundboard recording of the evening performance at Asakusa Kokusai Gekijo on November 29, 1980. It is sourced from a tape of the original radio broadcast. While portions of this broadcast have previously appeared on various collector releases, this marks the first time the entire concert has been made available. After 40 years, it finally sees the light of day. The complete concert is contained on a single disc. This high-quality soundboard recording captures the band GIRL’s first-ever performance in Japan—the evening show at Asakusa Kokusai Gekijo on November 29, 1980. Presented as a professionally pressed disc, it features a beautiful picture-disc design, making it an essential, permanent addition to any collection.