LAZY midnight boxer RVS-1198

Let’s explore a fascinating 7-inch single from 1980 that captures the band Lazy deep in their pop-oriented phase: “Midnight Boxer,” released on the RCA label with the catalog number RVS-1198.

This 45 RPM vinyl showcases a sound heavily influenced by disco and pop, a style the band explored before their later hard rock transformation. Both tracks were composed by the popular city-pop artist Kingo Hamada, with lyrics by Kazuko Kobayashi.

The single features two tracks:
A: Midnight Boxer
B: Bye Bye Baby

The A-side, “Midnight Boxer,” is often highlighted by fans as a “Kayōkyoku dancer” (pop dancer) track, complete with catchy percussion breaks. Significantly for rock enthusiasts, it features a hot guitar solo from Akira Takasaki and a funky, slapping bass line from Hiroyuki Tanaka—showcasing the technical skills of the future Loudness members, even within a disco-pop framework.

The B-side, “Bye Bye Baby,” complements this with a sweet, mellow 80s pop sound. RVS-1198 stands as a key document of Lazy’s diverse pop era, offering a unique glimpse of future metal legends laying down funk and disco grooves.