Original formed as a duo from Westminster featuring brothers David Fair (guitar, vocals), and Jad Fair (drums “and guitar sting”). They began making crude home studio recordings of their songs that mirrored the emerging punk rock scene with the credo that “lack of musicianship would not get in the way of (their) stardom.” By the late ‘70s Half Japanese expanded to a quartet with the addition of Rick Dreyfuss (drums), and John Dreyfuss (sax) – both formerly with Westminster based punk band The Chumps. Eventually their music came to the attention of Armageddon Records who released a three-LP box set of basement tapes along with a booklet of Jad’s artwork. The sounds were recorded between 1977-79 by the Fair brothers along with Rick and John Dreyfuss.
Their original song “I Want Something New” was included on the 1978 compilation LP “:30 Over D.C. – Here Comes the New Wave.” Another song “Hey Laurie” was included on the 1979 various artists compilation “The Best of Baltimore’s Buried” (Balto-Weird 1001).
A 1981 LP “Loud” featured David (guitar, drums, vocals), Jad (guitar, drums, vocals), John (sax), Lana Zabko (sax), Mark Jickling (guitar), and Ricky Dreyfuss (drums).
Seen locally at the Marble Bar… Half Japanese recorded extensively throughout the ‘80s and were the subject of the documentary film “The Band That Would Be King” (by Jeff Feuerzeig) named after their 1989 LP release. This LP featured Jad along with Don Fleming, J. Rice, Scott Jarvis, and Rob Kennedy (bass). Fleming went on to join the popular D.C. band Velvet Monkeys.
In 1990 Jason Willett joined as bass guitarist as the band embarked on a European tour. They continued to release recordings through the ‘00s.
Jad also released a number of solo recordings as well as collaboration on hundreds of works with Jason Willett (see bio).
Record releases by Half Japanese:
1977(EP) 50 Scidillion Watts Calling All Girls
1977(CS) 50 Scidillion Watts 519-60 Half Alive
1978 50 Scidillion Watts 7094-18 Mono / No No
1980(LP) Armageddon A Box 1 1/2 Gentlemen – Not Beasts (3 LP’s)
1981 Armageddon Arm 7 Loud
1982(12”) Press P-2005 Horrible
1984(LP) Iridescence 50 Scidillion Watts Live
1985(LP) Iridescence K6 Our Solar System
1985(LP) Iridescence I10 Sing No Evil
1987 50 Scidillion Watts-2 Music to Strip By
1988 U.S. Teens Are Spoiled Bums
1988 50 Scidillion Watts-5 Charmed Life
1989(EP) Overzealous Real Cool Time / What Can I Do / Monopoly
1989 50 Scidillion Watts-8-1 The Band That Would Be King
1990(LP) Tec Tones 90601 We Are They Who Ache with Amorous Love
1990 X.X.O.O. Fun Club T For Texas / Go Go Go Go
1991(CD) Seminal Twang 1 Everybody Knows
1991(EP) Ralph 4 Four Kids
1991(EP) Earl Postcard
1991(EP) Paperhouse Daytona Beach EP
1993(CD) Safe House 2113-2 Fire in The Sky
1993(CD) Timebomb (Japan) Best of Half Japanese
1994(CD) Tec Tones 94602 Boo: Live in Europe 1
1995(CD) Safehouse 2125-2 Hot
1995(CD) 50 Scidillion Watts Greatest Hits
1995(CD) Timebomb (Japan) Best of Half Japanese Vol. 2
1997(CD) Alternative Tentacles 197 Bone Head
1997(CD) Emperor Jones EJ12 Heaven Sent
2001(CD) Alternative Tentacles Hello
Jad Fair solo:
1983(LP) Press 4005 Everyone Knew…But Me
19**(LP) Iridescence 1-16 Best Wishes
19**(LP) AEP 003 The Zombies of Mora-Tara
Jad & David Fair:
1996(CD) Vesuvius 006 Best Friends
