One of the more idiosyncratic talents of the British punk era, Kenneth Spie… Read Full Bio ↴One of the more idiosyncratic talents of the British punk era, Kenneth Spiers (who, for obvious reasons, adopted the professional alias Spizz), was already a bit of a local punk celebrity in Birmingham when he hooked up with guitarist Pete 'Petrol' O'Dowd to form Spizzoil.

They made their vinyl début in October 1978 with a three-track single headed by '6,000 Crazy'. Another single, 'Cold City', followed two months later, after which there were regular name updates, including Spizzenergi or Spizz Energi, Athletico Spizz 80 and The Spizzles. Spiers is undoubtedly best remembered for the exuberant 'Where's Captain Kirk?', which topped the U.K. Independent singles chart in 1980.

Recent performances have caused one reviewer to describe Spizz as Britain's Iggy Pop. As SPIZZENERGI became the first number one band in the newly formed Indie Chart in January 1980. The BBC DJ John Peel described Where's Captain Kirk? as... "the best Star Trek associated song". Lineup: August - November 1979.

* Spizz - Vocals and guitar
* Mark Coalfield - Keyboard and vocals
* Dave Scott - Guitar
* Jim Solar - Bass guitar.
* Hero Shima - Drums

For the first time, Spizz had a dedicated backing band, with a distinctively new wave sound.
This lineup continued as ATHLETICO SPIZZ 80, gaining a considerable following. They became the ONLY band to sell out the Marquee Club for five consecutive nights (and a sixth afternoon alcohol-free matinee show). The tune was featured in the 1981's archival Urgh! A Music War film. This film was shown occasionally on late-night American cable TV, and may have helped prolong Spizz's notoriety slightly. They released a LP record titled Do A Runner on A&M records, to mixed reviews.

When Lü Edmonds joined the lineup in 1982, they again changed their name -- to the SPIZZLES. The group released an LP called Spikey Dream Flowers, which cemented the group's somic image as science-fiction weirdoes. A final 1982 single, Megacity 3, was the swan-song of Spizz in the 1980s. By 1982 the 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 confessed to owning "Where's Captain Kirk?". American stadium rockers R.E.M. (who started their band in the early 80s) have recorded a version of 'Where's Captain Kirk?' which they gave to the fan club members for Christmas 1992.

Spizz still appears live and releases material through Cherry Red Records (http://www.cherryred.co.uk). The most recent release however has emerged on his own label 442ok (http://www.442ok.com). Called 'We're The England' and is the 3rd England World Cup Song attempt. Previously 'E for England' for France 1998 and 'On The Road To Yokohama' for 2002. Other Spizz football related songs are 'The Sun Never Sets On Aston Villa' which is on the clubs official CD, 'Three Lions In The Sky" which was aimed at TV producers and his own label "company song" 442ok. Added to this maxi single released in May 2006 is the earliest known recording of 'Where's Captain Kirk?' from his own archives.