The creators of sci-fi guitar classic Where’s Captain Kirk?, Spizzenergi play Lewes Con Club on Sun 1 Dec. Haphazard, brilliant and unforgettable, they remain one of British punks most inventive and chameleon-like bands.
Mercurial punk survivor Spizz made his debut at the Birmingham’s Barbarella’s club, performing an improvised set on a borrowed guitar as part of an all-day music festival. Joined two months later by drummer Pete Petrol, he returned as Spizz 77. Later, in the first of numerous name changes, the duo opening for Siouxsie and the Banshees as SPIZZOIL. This soon led to a prestigious John Peel session, which prompted Rough Trade to release their EP 6000 Crazy. The record topped the UK indie charts, as did its follow-up, Cold City 4. Spizz and Petrol parted ways soon after. So, with new bassist Jim Solar and keyboardist Mark Coalfield, SPIZZENERGI launched in early 1979.
Petrol returned on guitar for the group’s slot on the Rough Trade tour; after their Soldier, Soldier 7″ was named Single of the Week in the NME. It’s follow-up, Where’s Captain Kirk?, went on to the brand new official UK indie charts for eight consecutive weeks in 1980.
The group, now touting as Athletico Spizz 80, signed to A&M and released their much-anticipated full-length debut Do a Runner. After a second LP released as The Spizzles, the band broke up. Inevitably, in 1982 they returned. This time as SPIZZENERGI: 2, releasing the notable singles, Mega City 3 and Jungle Fever through Rough Trade. In 1990 Spizz and Pete Petrol reunited again, this time pursuing a techno-influenced direction under the revived SPIZZOIL banner. When Petrol relocated to New Zealand, Spizz teamed up with original members Jim Solar & Dave Scott under the SPIZZENERGI banner, and in 1996 appeared at Blackpool’s Holidays In The Sun punk festiva. The following year saw SPIZZENERGI enter the studio with producer Martyn Ware to record a endearing version of Kraftwerk’s The Model. Since then the band have been performing across Europe, with their trademark upfront sci0-fi rock. You’d be hard pressed to find a band as unique and compelling as this.
SPIZZENERGI come to Lewes Con Club on Sun 1 Dec 2019
