Spizzenergi

Spizzenergi were 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.

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 magazines list of the best punk rock singles of all time.

EARLY YEARS:

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.

Spizzenergi / Athletico Spizz 80 / The Spizzles:

Line-up: August - November 1979.

Spizz - vocals and guitar

Mark Coalfield - keyboard and vocals

Dave Scott - guitar

Jim Solar - bass guitar (real name James Little)

Hero Shima - drums

November 1979 - 1981:C.P. Snare (real name Clive Parker-Sharp) - Drums

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 nameto 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.