Spizz Energi
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Most famous lineup of various groupings of musicians fronted by vocalist/guitarist Spizz (AKA Kenneth Spiers). Others included Spizzoil, Athletico Spizz '80. He straddled the line between punk rock and new wave musics during the turbulent late 1970s in England. He attended the Solihull School in the English West Midlands, but was inspired by the burgeoning punk rock movement and was already performing solo by 1977.
Spizz's Early Years
The earliest non-solo lineup included Spizz on guitar and vocals with "Pete Petrol" also on guitar. The duo actually released a few lo-fi singles during the height of the punk rock's popularity in England. In 1978 Palmolive, the drummer from The Slits, joined the Spizzoil for a few gigs.
The band toured supporting acts like Siouxsie and the Banshees and later as a main act all over Europe.
Spizzenergi / Athletico Spizz '80
Lineup: August - November 1979.
- Spizz - Vocals and guitar
- Mark Coalfield - Keyboard and vocals
- Dave Scott - Guitar
- Jim Solar - Bass Guitar.
- Hero Shima - Drums
For the first time, Spizz had a dedicated backing band, with a distinctively new wave sound.
As SPIZZENERGI (http://www.spizzenergi.com) they became the first number one band in the newly formed Indie Chart in January 1980. The BBC DJ John Peel described Where's Captain Kirk? as... "the best Star Trek associated song". This was probably the peak of Spizz's music career.
This lineup continued as ATHLETICO SPIZZ 80, gaining a considerable following. They became the ONLY band to sell out the Marquee Club for five consecutive nights (and a sixth afternoon alcohol-free matinee show). The tune was featured in the 1981's archival Urgh! A Music War film. This film was shown occasionally on late-night American cable TV, and may have helped prolong Spizz's notoriety slightly. They released a LP record titled Do A Runner on A&M records, to mixed reviews.
When Lü Edmonds joined the lineup in 1982, they again changed their name -- to the SPIZZLES. The group released an LP called Spikey Dream Flowers, which cemented the group's somic image as science-fiction weirdoes. A final 1982 single, Megacity 3, was the swan-song of Spizz in the 1980s. By 1982 the New Wave was over, and post-punk bands like the Smiths and Gang of Four were taking over the indie music scene.
Spizz was noted for an annual name change policy which ceased when the Guinness Book of Records failed to recognise Spizz's claim that he has recorded and released the greatest number of recordings under different names."Too Specialised" was the response of the then deputy editor Shelagh Thomas who confessed to owning "Where's Captain Kirk?". American stadium rockers REM (who started their band in the early 80s) have recorded a version of 'Where's Captain Kirk?' which they gave to the fan club members for Christmas 1992.
Spizz still appears live and releases material through Cherry Red Records (http://www.cherryred.co.uk). The most recent release however has emerged on his own label 442ok (http://www.442ok.com). It is called 'We're The England' and is the 3rd England World Cup Song attempt. Previously 'E for England' for France 1998 and 'On The Road To Yokohama' for 2002. Other Spizz football related songs are 'The Sun Never Sets On Aston Villa' which is on the clubs official CD, 'Three Lions In The Sky" which was aimed at TV producers and his own label "company song" 442ok. Added to this maxi single released in May 2006 is the earliest known recording of 'Where's Captain Kirk?' from his own archives.
[edit] Single Releases
| Release date | Title/Band Name | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|
| July 1978 - Spizzoils | 6000 Crazy | Rough Trade | RTSO1 |
| 1978 - Spizzoils | Cold City | Rough Trade | RTSO2 |
| 1979 - Spizzenergi | Soldier, Soldier | Rough Trade | RTSO3 |
| 1979 Spizzenergi | Where's Captain Kirk | Rough Trade | RTSO4 |
| 1980 Athletico Spizz 80 | No Room | Rough Trade | RTS05 |
| 1980 Athletico Spizz 80 | Hot Deserts | A&M | AMS7550 |
| 1980 Athletico Spizz 80 | Central Park | A&M | AMS7566 |
