ACTION action kit 2 25PL-1

A fascinating collector’s package from the Japanese glam/hard rock band Action! is the focus for this entry. We are looking at “Action! Kit 2,” released in 1984 on the Philips label with the catalog number 25PL-1.

This release truly lived up to its “Kit” name. It wasn’t a standard LP, but a 12-inch, 45 RPM EP that came in a plastic wallet with a sticker. The music itself featured four tracks of the band’s signature high-energy glam hard rock: “Machikutabireta Ima,” “Andromeda Romance,” “Lady Killer,” and “Shower Time,” all produced by the band.

What made 25PL-1 exceptional, however, was the huge amount of bonus items packed inside. The kit included a poster, a lyric sheet, a calendar, stickers, and even a water-slide tattoo.

Furthermore, it came with a bonus 7-inch red flexi-disc. This flexi was not music, but a spoken-word recording featuring the band in various “corners” (like a fan club radio show). “Action! Kit 2” stands as a prime example of 80s fan-centric packaging, offering a musical snapshot and a treasure trove of memorabilia.