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The Press Pack

The press pack contains several recent press cuttings, details of recent work, a sheet of 32 photo's of Spizz schmoozing with various celebs, a potted history, and list of unusual Spizz activities. As with the newsletter, I won't even try to reproduce all the typographical nuances of the text here. I could scan it in and include it as a GIF, but that would slow things down too much.


Photo: SPizz with Villa player


The Potted History

SPIZZENERGI

Spizz came to prominence in 1978 supporting Siouxsie & the Banshees as half of the punk skiffle duo SPIZZOIL. Following an invitation to session on the John Peel show, Rough Trade Records released two EP's, the success of which led to the break up of Spizz and his sidekick Pete Petrol (he later returned for a UK tour the following year).


In '79 Spizz brought in new members, Jim Solar on bass and Mark Coalfield on piano, and with no permanant drummer toured the UK with Petrol on Guitar. Their single Soldier, Soldier released under the name SPIZZENERGI made NME single of the week (the bible of music weeklies). Later that year came the big one Where's Captain Kirk? Released at the same time as the first Star Trek movie, it topped the newly formed Indie chart and stayed there for eight consecutive weeks and remained in that chart for the whole of 1980. Not to be outdone, Melody Maker's Chris Bohn also gave it the single of the week status.


Following a European tour and a third John Peel session, the band with a new drummer changed their name to ATHLETICO SPIZZ 80 and were becoming known as the band that changed their name every year. Another Indie chart-topper followed and a switch to a major label, A&M, who released their first LP entitled Do A Runner. This made the top ten of the 'proper' charts and ALL their releases re-entered the Indie chart making them the biggest new band. This was reflected in various reader polls at the time.


After a meteoric rise comes the inevitable fall, however Spizz continued his metamorphosis and after THE SPIZZLES the band split. Spizz went solo as SPIZZORWELL in 1983 and with six backing singers as SPIZZ'S BIG BUSINESS in 1984. During these years SPizz also made appearances on numerous European pop shows as a guitarist for Heaven 17.


Always prepared to diversify, Spizz made forays into the world of broadcasting, making pop-news programmes for TV with Claire King (Emmerdale) and radio shows with Angie Bowie. Then 1986 saw a return to form as the wildly provocative SPIZZSEXUAL. Musically raw and with its exotic dancers the band rebuilt some of its following which also saw appearances of Jim Solar and Pete Petrol.


In 1987 a new dance version of Where's Captain Kirk? entered the Indie chart and topped the now fashionable VIZ chart. Another single followed under the name SPIZZORBIT and Spizz took the unusual step of going on ITV's game show Chain Letters as a contestant to promote the record.


With the birth of Spizz's daughter in 1991 all went quiet, Spizz devoting his time to looking after her. One interesting event was the recording of Where's Captain Kirk? by R.E.M. for thei fan club as a Christmas gift in 1992.


The Sex Pistols reunion stimulated interest in Spizz's recordings and this lead to Cherry Red Records releasing an extensive compilation of classic tracks entitled Spizz Not Dead Shock! in May, including a new track for Euro96.


We now come full circle as Spizz has returned to the studio to record a new single for release in 1997 with his old friend Martyn Ware (Heaven 17) producing. Reunited with original members Jim Solar and Dave Scott they are going under the name...
SPIZZENERGI2000

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Recent Work

Most recent TV appearance Funk Me Up Scotty, BBC2 31/08/96
Most recent radio session Phill Jupitus, GLR 24/05/96
Most recent release "The Sun Never Sets On Aston Villa", Cherry Red 11/11/96
Most recent live set Winter Gardens, Blackpool 11/08/96


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Unusual Activities



WHAT DID YOU DO AFTER THE PUNK WARS DADDY?

A list of unusual SPIZZ activities

  • Passed driving test in JULY 1991 and then won a brand new car in AUGUST 1991 with the Daily Mirror.
  • Won a pair of tickets for 1996 Coca Cola Cup Final with Burger King - presented by England and Arsenal captain Tony Adams.
  • Won the Luton Parks 5-a-side Veterans trophy in 1995.
  • Won £250 clothing voucher with Villa Magazine, Claret & Blue.
  • Won a David Platt ball with Shoot magazine.
  • Won £170 on TV game show Chain Letters, shamelessly plugging his SpizzOrbit single (1988)
  • Exhibited paintings with former college pals at the Dixon Gallery, University of London (1984)
  • Performed with Heaven 17 as guitarist on numerous TV pop shows. (1983-4)
  • Developed and performed ILR radio shows with Angie Bowie.
  • Presented pop news pilots for TV with Claire King (Emmerdale) in 1986 and Mary Costello (GLR) in 1989.
  • Film appearances include Breaking Glass (1980) with Hazel O'Conner, and Eat The Rich, a Comic Strip production with Robbie Coltrane.
  • Popped up in pop promos for Tina Turner, Diana Ross, Kirsty McColl and the final Bros video Try.

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(C) PolyMeDia, 1996
Ken Macleod
Marketing and Promotions


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