| Spizzenergi | |
|---|---|
The line up of the group Spizzenergi who became Athletico Spizz '80 in 1980. Left to right Clive Parker (drums), Mark Coalfield (keyboards), Spizz (vocals), James Little (bass), Dave Scott (guitar) |
|
| Background information | |
| Also known as | Athletico Spizz 80 The Spizzles Spizzenergi 2 |
| Origin | England |
| Genres | Punk; new wave |
| Years active | 1979–1982 1987–1988 |
| Labels | Rough Trade Records; A&M Records; Hobo Railway; Plastic Head |
| Associated acts | Spizz 77; Spizz Oil; Spizz and the Astronauties |
| Website | www.spizzenergi.com |
| Past members | |
| Spizz Pete Petrol Mark Coalfield Jim Solar Clive Parker Brian B. Benzine (real name Bryn Burrows) Dave Scott Lu Edmonds Mark Ferda CS Gas |
|
Spizzenergi was a late 1970s English punk / new wave band led by vocalist / guitarist Spizz (real name Kenneth Spiers). The band changed its name several times during its existence, alternate names including Athletico Spizz 80, Spizzoil and The Spizzles. They are notable as the first band to top the newly created UK Indie Chart early in 1980.[1] However, they were perhaps best known for their single "Where's Captain Kirk?" More than two decades after its release, it was included in Mojo magazine’s list of the best punk rock singles of all time.[2]
Contents |
Spizz attended Arden School, Knowle, near Solihull, a comprehensive school in the West Midlands, and was inspired by the burgeoning punk rock movement. After a Siouxsie and the Banshees gig at Birmingham Odeon Cinema he jumped on stage and sang into the microphones on the back of which was given a recording deal. He was already performing (solo) by 1977. Spizz soon got together with like-minded guitarist Pete Petrol (real name Pete O'Dowd). The duo actually released a few lo-fi singles during the height of the punk's popularity. In 1978 Palmolive, drummer with The Slits, joined what was called Spizzoil (North Sea oil then being a hot topic), for a few gigs.
The band toured in support of groups such as Siouxsie and the Banshees and later as the main act all over Europe.
Line-up: August - November 1979.
November 1979 - 1981
For the first time, Spizz had a dedicated backing band, with a distinctively new wave sound. As Spizzenergi they became the first number one band in the newly formed UK Indie Chart in January 1980. The BBC Radio 1 DJ John Peel described "Where's Captain Kirk?" as... "the best Star Trek associated song". Spizz did the artwork for the single cover himself using his own felt pens. This was undeniably the peak of Spizz's music career.
This line-up continued as Athletico Spizz 80, gaining a considerable following. They became the only band to sell out the Marquee Club for five consecutive nights (with a sixth alcohol-free, matinee show). The tune was featured in the 1981s archival Urgh! A Music War film. This material was shown occasionally on late-night American cable TV, and may have helped prolong Spizz's notoriety slightly. They released an album entitled Do a Runner on A&M Records, to mixed reviews.
When Lu Edmonds joined the line-up in 1981, they again changed their name—to The Spizzles. The group released a record called Spikey Dream Flowers, which cemented the group's sonic image as science-fiction weirdoes. Two final 1982 singles, this time as Spizzenergi 2, "Megacity 3" and "Jungle Fever", were the swan-song of Spizz in the 1980s. By 1982 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 nevertheless confessed to owning "Where's Captain Kirk?". American stadium rockers R.E.M. (who started their band in the early 1980s) have recorded a version of "Where's Captain Kirk?", which they gave to the fan club members in Christmas 1992.
After the demise of Spizzenergi 2, Spizz did a few solo projects (as SpizzOrwell and performing The Last Future Show) and played guitar for Heaven 17. In 1985 he toured with backing tapes and female backing singers as Spizz and the Astronauties.[3] After a dance mix of Where's Captain Kirk? in 1987, he had no significant chart success. The birth of a daughter in 1991 consumed the bulk of energy as he stayed home to care for her.
Spizz still appears live, thanks to the encouragement of Paul Hallam, and releases material through Cherry Red Records [1]. The most recent release however has emerged on his own label 442ok [2]. It was called "We're The England" and is their third 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 club's official compact disc, "Three Lions in The Sky" which was aimed at television producer, and his own label 'company song', "442ok".
Added to this is the maxi single released in May 2006; the earliest known recording of "Where's Captain Kirk?" (from Spizz's own archives).
Since 2007 performing as Spizzenergi, the band have appeared in the EU for the first time in 20 years. Most notably at mini festivals in Milan, Bologna Italy and Leuven in Belgium. In 2009 saw them support The New York Dolls at the 100 Club in May following on with a sell out show as headliners in September at the same venue.
Spizzenergi currently perform one-off shows throughout England.
| Band name / Release date | 'A' side | 'B' side | Label | Catalogue Number |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Spizzoil: October 1978 | "6000 Crazy" | "1989" / "Fibre" | Rough Trade | RTSO1 |
| Spizzoil: December 1978 | "Cold City" | "Red And Black" / "Solarisation" / "Platform 3" | Rough Trade | RTSO2 |
| Spizzenergi: September 1979 | "Soldier, Soldier" | "Virginia Plain" | Rough Trade | RTSO3 |
| Spizzenergi: December 1979 | "Where's Captain Kirk" | "Amnesia" | Rough Trade | RTSO4 |
| Athletico Spizz 80: June 1980 | "No Room" | "Spock's Missing" | Rough Trade | RTS05 |
| Athletico Spizz 80: July 1980 | "Hot Deserts" | "Legal Proceedings" | A&M | AMS7550 |
| Athletico Spizz 80: October 1980 | "Central Park" | "Central Park" (Dr. & Nurses dub version) | A&M | AMS7566 |
| The Spizzles: February 1981 | "Risk" | "Melancholy" | A&M | AMS8107 |
| The Spizzles: April 1981 | "Dangers of Living" | "Scared" | A&M | AMS8124 |
| Spizzenergi 2: February 1982 | "Work" | "Megacity III" | Rough Trade | RT096 |
| Spizzenergi 2: June 1982 | "Jungle Fever" | "Meaning" | Rough Trade | RT108 |
| Spizz: September 1987 | "Where’s Captain Kirk?" | "Living Is Better With Freedom" | Hobo Railway | HOBO001 |
| Spizz Orbit: November 1988 | "Love Me Like A Rocket" | Plastic Head | PLASPOP2 |
List of all John Peel radio recordings / sessions[5][6][7]