Spizz Energi

Spizz Energi

Spizz Energi is the performance name used by Kenneth Spiers, a Birmingham punk musician who first comes to attention in the British punk scene under the alias Spizz. He starts out as a local punk figure in Birmingham before forming Spizzoil with guitarist Pete “Petrol” O’Dowd. The project makes its vinyl debut in October 1978 with a three-track single led by “6,000 Crazy”, followed two months later by “Cold City”.

Names, line-ups and early releases

During the period from 1979 to the early 1980s, the act uses a series of related names, including Spizzenergi, Spizz Energi, Athletico Spizz 80 and The Spizzles. The August to November 1979 line-up is Spizz on vocals and guitar, Mark Coalfield on keyboards and vocals, Dave Scott on guitar, Jim Solar on bass guitar and Hero Shima on drums. This is the first time Spizz has a dedicated backing band, and the group develops a more clearly new wave sound under the Athletico Spizz 80 name.

Chart success and key recordings

Spizz is best known for “Where’s Captain Kirk?”, which reaches number one on the UK Independent Singles Chart in 1980 and is described by John Peel as “the best Star Trek associated song”. The song also appears on the 1981 archival film Urgh! A Music War. Under the Athletico Spizz 80 name, the group sells out the Marquee Club for five consecutive nights, plus an additional alcohol-free matinee show, and releases the LP Do a Runner on A&M Records, which receives mixed reviews.

The Spizzles and later 1980s work

In 1982, when Lü Edmonds joins the line-up, the group changes name again to The Spizzles. This version releases the LP Spikey Dream Flowers, and the single “Megacity 3” becomes the final Spizz release of the 1980s. Spizz also develops a reputation for changing the act’s name annually, a practice that ends after Guinness Book of Records does not accept the claim that he records and releases the greatest number of recordings under different names.

Later activity and related recordings

Spizz continues to perform live and releases material through Cherry Red Records, as well as through his own label, 442ok. On 442ok he issues the World Cup-related single “We’re The England”, described as a third England anthem attempt after “E for England” for France 1998 and “On The Road To Yokohama” for 2002. Other football-related recordings include “The Sun Never Sets On Aston Villa”, which appears on an official Aston Villa CD, and “Three Lions In The Sky”, which is aimed at television producers. His 442ok label also issues a maxi-single that includes the earliest known recording of “Where’s Captain Kirk?” from his archives.

Legacy and covers

R.E.M. record a version of “Where’s Captain Kirk?” and distribute it to fan club members for Christmas 1992. Spizz is also associated with the title “Britain’s Iggy Pop” in a live review, reflecting his enduring reputation as an idiosyncratic figure from the punk and post-punk era.