Spizzenergi are an English

punk Punk or punks may refer to: Genres, subculture, and related aspects * Punk rock, a music genre originating in the 1970s associated with various subgenres * Punk subculture, a subculture associated with punk rock, or aspects of the subculture s ...

/ new wave band led by vocalist/guitarist Spizz (real name Kenneth Spiers, born Solihull 1959). Formed in the late 1970s, the band changed its name every year, subsequent names including Athletico Spizz 80, Spizzoil and the Spizzles. They are notable as the first band to top the newly created

UK Indie Chart The UK Independent Singles Chart and UK Independent Albums Chart are charts of the best-selling independent singles and albums, respectively, in the United Kingdom. Originally published in January 1980, and widely known as the indie chart, the ...

early in 1980 with the 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.

Spizz's early years / Spizzoil

Spizz attended Arden School, Knowle, near

Solihull Solihull ( ) is a market town and the administrative centre of the Metropolitan Borough of Solihull, in the West Midlands (county), West Midlands, England. Solihull is situated on the River Blythe in the Arden, Warwickshire, Forest of Arden ar ...

, a

comprehensive school A comprehensive school is a secondary school for pupils aged 11–16 or 11–18, that does not select its intake on the basis of academic achievement or aptitude, in contrast to a selective school system where admission is restricted on the basis ...

in the West Midlands, and was inspired by the burgeoning

punk rock Punk rock (also known as simply punk) is a rock music genre that emerged in the mid-1970s. Rooted in 1950s rock and roll and 1960s garage rock, punk bands rejected the corporate nature of mainstream 1970s rock music. They typically produced sh ...

movement. After a

Siouxsie and the Banshees Siouxsie and the Banshees ( ) were a British Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976 by vocalist Siouxsie Sioux and bass guitarist Steven Severin. Post-punk pioneers, they were widely influential, both over their contemporaries and later ...

gig at Barbarella's in

Birmingham Birmingham ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and metropolitan borough in the metropolitan county of West Midlands (county), West Midlands, within the wider West Midlands (region), West Midlands region, in England. It is the Lis ...

, he jumped on stage and sang, leading to 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), with whom he released a few singles during the height of punk's popularity. In 1978 Palmolive, drummer with

the Slits The Slits were a punk/post-punk band based in London, formed there in 1976 by members of the groups the Flowers of Romance and the Castrators. The group's early line-up consisted of Ari Up (Ariane Forster) and Palmolive (a.k.a. Paloma Rom ...

, joined the band, then named Spizzoil, for a few gigs. The band supported Siouxsie and the Banshees, among others, and later toured as a headline act in many European countries. Their lineup in late 1979 consisted of Spizz on vocals and guitar, Mark Coalfield on keyboard and vocals, Dave Scott on guitar, Jim Solar (real name James Little) on bass guitar and Hero Shima (real name Suresh Singh) on drums. With a distinctively new wave sound, as Spizzenergi they became the first number one band on the newly formed UK Indie Singles Chart in January 1980.

BBC Radio 1 BBC Radio 1 is a British national radio station owned and operated by the BBC. It specialises in modern popular music and Contemporary hit radio, current chart hits throughout the day. The station provides alternative genres at night, including ...

disc jockey

John Peel John Robert Parker Ravenscroft (30 August 1939 – 25 October 2004), better known as John Peel, was an English radio presenter and journalist. He was the longest-serving of the original disc jockeys on BBC Radio 1, broadcasting regularly from ...

described "Where's Captain Kirk?" as "the best

Star Trek ''Star Trek'' is an American science fiction media franchise created by Gene Roddenberry, which began with the Star Trek: The Original Series, series of the same name and became a worldwide Popular culture, pop-culture Cultural influence of ...

associated song". Spizz created the artwork for the single cover using felt pens. This was the peak of Spizz's commercial popularity. This lineup continued as Athletico Spizz 80, gaining a considerable following. They became the only band to sell out the

Marquee Club The Marquee Club was a music venue in London, England, that opened in 1958 with a range of jazz and skiffle acts. It was a small and relatively cheap club, in the heart of London's West End of London, West End. It was the location of the first ...

for five consecutive nights (with a sixth alcohol-free, matinee show). "Where's Captain Kirk?" was featured in the 1981 live music film ''

Urgh! A Music War ''Urgh! A Music War'' is a 1982 British concert film featuring performances by punk rock, new wave, and post-punk bands and artists. Filmed in August to September 1980 it was directed by Derek Burbidge and produced by Michael White and Lynda ...

''. This material was shown occasionally on late-night American cable TV, and may have helped prolong Spizz's fame. The band released an album entitled ''Do a Runner'' on

A&M Records A&M Records is an American record label owned by Universal Music Group and functions as a branch of Interscope Geffen A&M Records, Interscope-Geffen-A&M. Established in 1962 by Herb Alpert and Jerry Moss, the label initially operated independent ...

, to mixed reviews. When Lu Edmonds joined the lineup in 1981, the band changed its name to the Spizzles. The group released a record called ''Spikey Dream Flowers'', which cemented the group's sonic image as science-fiction weirdos. 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, the second wave of punk in the UK was over, and

post-punk Post-punk (originally called new musick) is a broad genre of music that emerged in late 1977 in the wake of punk rock. Post-punk musicians departed from punk's fundamental elements and raw simplicity, instead adopting a broader, more experiment ...

bands were taking over the indie music scene. Spizz was noted for his annual name change policy, which ceased when the

Guinness Book of Records ''Guinness World Records'', known from its inception in 1955 until 1999 as ''The Guinness Book of Records'' and in previous United States editions as ''The Guinness Book of World Records'', is a British reference book published annually, listi ...

failed to recognise his claim that he had recorded and released the greatest number of recordings under different names (though the book's deputy editor, Shelagh Thomas, nevertheless confessed to owning "Where's Captain Kirk?"). American stadium rockers R.E.M. (who started their band in the early 1980s) recorded a limited edition version of "Where's Captain Kirk?" in 1992, which they gave to fan club members.

1983–2009

After the demise of Spizzenergi 2, Spizz embarked on several solo projects (as SpizzOrwell and performing on ''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.Dessau, Bruce (1985) "Spizzazz!: Spizz and the Astronauties, London Marquee", ''

NME ''New Musical Express'' (''NME'') is a British music, film, gaming and culture website, bimonthly magazine, and brand. Founded as a newspaper in 1952, with the publication being referred to as a "Rock music, rock inkie", the ''NME'' would be ...

'', 2 February 1985, p. 38 After a dance mix of ''Where's Captain Kirk?'' in 1987, he had no significant chart success. The birth of a daughter, Molly Spiers-MacLeod in 1991, consumed the bulk of his energy as he stayed home to care for her. The fully-grown Spiers-MacLeod later became a bass player and contributing songwriter for the Poussez Posse (a band fronted by Georgina Baillie and mentored by Adam Ant) before leaving with fellow Posse members Danie Cox and Rachael Smith to form self-styled "flock rock" band the Featherz, who toured supporting

Boy George George Alan O'Dowd (born 14 June 1961), known professionally as Boy George, is an English singer-songwriter and DJ who rose to fame as the lead singer of the pop band Culture Club. He began his solo career in 1987. Boy George grew up in Eltham a ...

, before she eventually left in May 2014. She played 2014–2022 in the Crack Foxes – and currently plays with Rat Pussy and the Untitled Band Project – under the name Molly Energi.
as well as in I, Doris under the name Stunt Bass Doris. She and Cox also provided backing vocals for Wild Mutation, a Glam rock, glam-era covers band that Spizz himself fronted, and were both members of 2012 anniversary lineup Spizz '77. Early in 2024 she gave birth to a daughter, Spizz's first grandchild. Aside from these projects, Spizz has continued to appear live, owing to the encouragement of Paul Hallam, and releases material through

Cherry Red Records Cherry Red Records is a British independent record label founded in Malvern, Worcestershire by Iain McNay in 1978. The label has released recordings by Dead Kennedys, Everything but the Girl, The Monochrome Set, and Felt, among others, as w ...

. One exception was a release on Hallam's own label 442ok called "We're the England", his third England World Cup song attempt (previously "E for England" in 1998 and "On the Road to Yokohama" in 2002). Other Spizz football-related songs are "The Sun Never Sets on Aston Villa" (which appears on the club's official compact disc), "Three Lions in the Sky" (which was aimed at a television producer) and his own label "company song", "442ok". In May 2006, a maxi-single of the earliest known recording of "Where's Captain Kirk?" (from Spizz's own archives) was released. From 2007, the band Spizzenergi performed at mini festivals in

Milan Milan ( , , ; ) is a city in northern Italy, regional capital of Lombardy, the largest city in Italy by urban area and the List of cities in Italy, second-most-populous city proper in Italy after Rome. The city proper has a population of nea ...

Bologna Bologna ( , , ; ; ) is the capital and largest city of the Emilia-Romagna region in northern Italy. It is the List of cities in Italy, seventh most populous city in Italy, with about 400,000 inhabitants and 150 different nationalities. Its M ...

and

Leuven Leuven (, , ), also called Louvain (, , ), is the capital and largest City status in Belgium, city of the Provinces of Belgium, province of Flemish Brabant in the Flemish Region of Belgium. It is located about east of Brussels. The municipalit ...

. In May 2009, they supported the

New York Dolls New York Dolls were an American rock music, rock band formed in New York City in 1971. Along with the Velvet Underground, the MC5, and the Stooges, they were one of the first bands of the early punk rock scenes. Although the band never achieved ...

at the

100 Club The 100 Club is a music venue located at 100 Oxford Street, London, England, where it has been hosting live music since 24 October 1942. It was originally called the Feldman Swing Club, but changed its name when the father of the current owner ...

2012-present

In 2012, Spizz and existing member Jeff Walker (drums) were joined by Luca Comencini (guitar), Ben Lawson (bass) and Phil Ross (guitar). Spizzenergi performed numerous shows, including the

Joe Strummer John Graham Mellor (21 August 1952 – 22 December 2002), known professionally as Joe Strummer, was a British musician. He was the co-founder, lyricist, rhythm guitarist, and lead vocalist of punk rock band the Clash, formed in 1976. The Clash' ...

/ Strummerville commemorative benefit festival at the

in London and a Fire Brigades Union benefit show along with

Sex Pistols The Sex Pistols are an English punk rock band formed in London in 1975. Although their initial career lasted just two and a half years, they became culturally influential in popular music. The band initiated the punk movement in the United Ki ...

original bassist

Glen Matlock Glen Matlock (born 27 August 1956) is an English musician, best known for being the bass guitarist in the original line-up of the punk rock band the Sex Pistols. He is credited as a songwriter on 10 of the 12 songs on the Sex Pistols' only offic ...

and former guitarist of

the Clash The Clash were an English Rock music, rock band formed in London in 1976. Billed as "The Only Band That Matters", they are considered one of the most influential acts in the original wave of British punk rock, with their music fusing elements ...

Mick Jones. In 2013, Spizzenergi headlined shows in Leeds, London, Glasgow, Livingstone, Bristol, two consecutive and very successful shows at

Berlin Berlin ( ; ) is the Capital of Germany, capital and largest city of Germany, by both area and List of cities in Germany by population, population. With 3.7 million inhabitants, it has the List of cities in the European Union by population withi ...

's Cortina Bob and guest slots with the Rezillos and Cockney Rejects. Throughout 2014, the band played the Rebellion Festival in

Blackpool Blackpool is a seaside town in Lancashire, England. It is located on the Irish Sea coast of the Fylde peninsula, approximately north of Liverpool and west of Preston, Lancashire, Preston. It is the main settlement in the Borough of Blackpool ...

, the Undercover Punk Festival in Bisley and other UK cities, and went on a short tour of Germany. They also supported '80s post-punk icon Toyah at a sold-out show at the O2 Academy Islington. In September 2014, Spizzenergi released a single on 7" blood red vinyl through Plane Groovy Records entitled "City of Eyes", with a live studio version of "Soldier Soldier" on the B-side. The single was a cutting criticism of surveillance society, state intrusion and phone hacking. After playing it on his BBC show, DJ Gary Crowley stated that Spizz's "pen had never been sharper." "City of Eyes" was accompanied by a highly acclaimed video shot by Brazilian art director Marcio Schenkel. In 2015, the band released a docu-movie produced by director Phill Calland entitled ''The Road to Wakefield Pier'', inspired by the

George Orwell Eric Arthur Blair (25 June 1903 – 21 January 1950) was an English novelist, poet, essayist, journalist, and critic who wrote under the pen name of George Orwell. His work is characterised by lucid prose, social criticism, opposition to a ...

book ''

The Road to Wigan Pier ''The Road to Wigan Pier'' is a book by the English writer George Orwell, first published in 1937. Its first half documents his sociological investigations of the bleak living conditions among the working class in Lancashire and Yorkshire in the ...

'', in which the author documents 1930s poverty in the north of England and argues for socialism. ''The Road to Wakefield Pier'' includes live footage and interviews shot in

Wakefield Wakefield is a cathedral city in West Yorkshire, England located on the River Calder. The city had a population of 109,766 in the 2021 census, up from 99,251 in the 2011 census. The city is the administrative centre of the wider Metropolit ...

when the band played in the town at Warehouse23. The band also completed a five-city UK tour with Spear of Destiny, a double headline St. Valentine show with Department S, and a repeat appearance at the Undercover Festival. 2015 also saw headline shows in London, Munich and Augsburg, as well as five UK cities with Theatre of Hate, and back-to-back gigs in Edinburgh and Glasgow with The Rezillos. On 20 September 2016, the band headlined the 100 Club's 40th-anniversary punk festival. 2016 also saw the band perform at the Rebellion and Undercover punk festivals, the London Punk Festival, their own annual summer party at the

Dublin Castle Dublin Castle () is a major Government of Ireland, Irish government complex, conference centre, and tourist attraction. It is located off Dame Street in central Dublin. It is a former motte-and-bailey castle and was chosen for its position at ...

, and in a guest appearance at the 2016 Bowie Convention in

Derby Derby ( ) is a City status in the United Kingdom, city and Unitary authorities of England, unitary authority area on the River Derwent, Derbyshire, River Derwent in Derbyshire, England. Derbyshire is named after Derby, which was its original co ...

. The band planned a 2017 live schedule to promote the release of a new vinyl single called "Here Come the Machines" and a reworking of "Red and Black" from the 1980 debut album. Long term drummer Jeff Walker was replaced in early 2020 by ex-Department S and The Wigs, drummer Alan Galaxy. In 2020 a new single mixed by

Tony Visconti Anthony Edward Visconti (born April 24, 1944) is an American record producer, musician and singer. Since the late 1960s, he has worked with an array of performers. His first hit single was T. Rex's " Ride a White Swan" in 1970, the first of man ...

, "Christmas in Denmark Street" c/w "Shallow End" was released via Holy Dotage Records to great acclaim and, whilst not troubling the mainstream did reach number 7 in the Official UK Vinyl Chart and the top ten in Mike Read's much respected Heritage Chart. This was swiftly followed by a limited edition single of a faithful cover version of David Bowie's "

Valentine's Day Valentine's Day, also called Saint Valentine's Day or the Feast of Saint Valentine, is celebrated annually on February 14. It originated as a Christian feast day honoring a Christian martyrs, martyr named Saint Valentine, Valentine, and ...

" which was again mixed by long term Bowie collaborator

, the initial pressing was issued on purple vinyl. Once again this made the Heritage Chart Top 10 along with a number 3 placing in the official UK vinyl chart.

Discography

Albums

*''Do a Runner'' (as Athletico Spizz 80) (18 July 1980: A&M) No. 27

UK Albums Chart The Official Albums Chart is the United Kingdom's industry-recognised national record chart for album, albums. Entries are ranked by sales and audio streaming. It was published for the first time on 22 July 1956 and is compiled every week by the O ...

Cat No. AMLE 68514 Side 1: Touched (2:40) New Species (2:21) Intimate (2:00) Effortless (3:00) European Heroes (2:10) Energy Crisis (4:38) Side 2: Red And Black (3:48) The Rhythm Inside (2:30) Personimpersonator (2:40) Clocks Are Big (0:32) Airships (8:41) *''Spikey Dream Flower'' (as the Spizzles) (April 1981: A&M) Cat No. AMLE 68523 Side 1: Brainwashing Time (4:37) Five Year Mission (2:17) Dangers of Living (3:32) Robot Holiday (2:27) Soldier, Soldier (3:47) Side 2: Downtown (3:00) Risk (3:34) Central Park (4:22) Melancholy (2:40) Scared (4:00)

Compilation albums / EPs

*Spizz: Spizz History (November 1983: Rough Trade) *Spizz Oil: ''The Peel Sessions'' (February 1987: Strange Fruit) *''Unhinged'' (March 1994: Damaged Goods) *''Spizz Not Dead Shock: A Decade of Spizz History 1978 – 88'' (May 1996: Cherry red) *''Where’s Captain Kirk'' (May 2002: Cherry red)

Singles

John Peel sessions

List of all

radio recordings/sessions: * 1 August 1978 (Spizzoil) * 12 March 1979 (Spizzenergi) * 13 November 1979 (Spizzenergi) * 30 April 1980 (Athletico Spizz 80)

References

External links

Official site
* *

interview
{{DEFAULTSORT:Spizzenergi English punk rock groups Musical groups established in 1979 Musical groups from Birmingham, West Midlands English new wave musical groups English post-punk music groups