A WIRRAL band that was hugely successful in Japan is celebrating its 34th anniversary with a new album and place in a major exhibition in Liverpool.

Buster are among a host of musicians featured in The Beat Goes On, which celebrates the region’s music heritage and opened at the city’s World Museum last week.

It is part of a busy year for the ex-Hilbre School pupils who formed the band in 1974 and split a few years later. Interest in the the group never died, particularly in Japan where their first three albums, Buster, Buster 2 and Buster Live were re-released in April.

The Globe has copies of their re-released work to give away in an exclusive competition. More about that later...

The band’s Greasby-born guitarist and vocalist Rob Fennah, who formed Alternative Radio with his brother Alan in 1981 after Buster split up, said: “The timing of the exhibition couldn’t have been better. I’ve always loved visiting the museum but I never imagined I’d one day make it as an exhibit.”

Originally called The New Attractions, Buster - which also featured Kevin Roberts, Peter Leah and Les Brians - took the Japanese pop charts by storm and had hits with Sunday and Dance With Me - the latter was used in a Japanese TV commercial for Choco Flakes in which the group featured.

Their tour of Japan made headlines on the country’s NHK 9 O’clock news!

Numerous awards and gold discs followed but it sold out Japan’s prestigious Budokan Hall twice in one day.

Rob and Alan set up Pulse Records and video from the Buster days began to appear on the company’s website.

“From a Japanese point of view, they are so pleased to find out what happened to Buster,” said Rob. “To them we were a massive band who turned up, caused a huge sensation and in the blink of an eye were gone.

“What I found fascinating about Japan was that we were known as a rock band there, rather than a teen band, which is how we were seen over here.”

Looking back to the band’s early days, he recalled: “We used to play the working men’s clubs in the North of England. In those days, if you couldn’t perform you didn’t dare go on stage - you had to be good to survive.”

Highlights of The Beat Goes on exhibition include memorabilia from The Beatles, including the first public display of the Woolton church stage where John Lennon and Paul McCartney first met in 1957.

Also featured are bands which came to prominence at the time such including Echo and the Bunnymen, Ian Broudie and Wirral’s very own OMD.

One lucky reader will win a copy of the albums Buster, Buster 2 and Buster Live. To be in with a chance of winning, simply answer the following question.

In which museum is The Beat Goes On exhibition being held?

To enter, call 0901 221 0262 and leave your answer, along with your name, address and phone number when prompted. Calls cost only 25p (calls from mobiles may cost more). Lines close next Wednesday, July 30 at 5pm. Service provided by Newsquest Media Group.