The Business
The Business were an English Oi! band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South Lon… Read Full Bio ↴The Business were an English Oi! band formed in 1979 in Lewisham, South London, England. The band lasted for four decades until their frontman Micky Fitz died from cancer in December 2016.
History
The band was formed in 1979 by school friends Steven ('Steve') Kent (guitar), Michael Fitzsimons ('Micky Fitz') (vocals), Nicholas ('Nick') Cunningham (drums) and Martin Smith (bass).[2] They played their first gig in front of friends in February 1980, and after taking on Lol Pryor as manager, began performing more often. The band's first release was the song "Out in the Cold" on the A Sudden Surge of Sound compilation album.[2] They played their first Oi! concert in 1981, supporting The 4-Skins, and they became closely associated with the Oi! scene from then on.[2] While the Oi! movement was labelled as far right and racist (despite the fact that several Oi! bands played at Rock Against Racism concerts), The Business took a stance against political extremism with their Oi Against Racism and Political Extremism ...But Still Against The System tour.[3] Despite standing apart from the far-right, the band also criticized communists in songs like "Suburban Rebels." [4]
In November 1981, they released their debut single, "Harry May", which spent over three months in the UK Indie Chart, reaching No. 13. The initial line-up split up in late 1981, with Kent, Cunningham, and Smith forming Q-Bow, but Fitz carried on with Pryor, recruiting Graham Ball on guitar, Mark Brennan and Steve Whale from The Blackout, and John Fisher on drums.[2] The new line-up made their live debut in January 1982, after which Ball and Fisher departed, leaving the band as a four-piece, with Kev Boyce of The Blackout on drums.[2] The new line-up recorded the Smash the Discos EP, which was a No. 3 indie hit, and after a short tour, they recorded their debut album, which was to be called Loud, Proud, and Punk. The master tapes for the album went missing after disagreements between the band's label and the studio, forcing them to re-record the album, which was released as Suburban Rebels in May 1983.[2] The album was remixed by their label, Secret, without them knowing, and Secret's financial difficulties limited promotion of the album. Frustrated by this, the band split up, with The Business members forming short-lived bands Chapter and Sabre Dance.[2]
Pryor issued a retrospective album consisting of demos and live tracks on his Syndicate label, the success of which prompted the band to reform and record a what was to be marketed as a live album, Loud, Proud, and Punk. It was actually recorded in a studio, with crowd noise dubbed in later.[2] Pryor renamed his record label Wonderful World and issued several Business albums in late 1985, with the Drinking and Driving tour following. The name of the tour caused controversy, with tabloid journalists accusing the band of condoning drunk-driving, although the title was tongue-in-cheek.[2]
In late 1986, Brennan and Pryor founded Link Records, and with Brennan becoming increasingly busy running the label, the band split up again. In 1992, Fitz performed a few songs guesting with The Elite and he reformed the band to play a benefit concert for Bobby Moore, who had recently died of cancer. Brennan later started a new record label, Captain Oi! Records and did not join the reformed band. The band's line-up then became Micky Fitz (singer), Steve Whale (guitar), Lol Proctor (bass) and Micky Fairbairn (drums). The band released a new single "Anywhere But Here" and new album Keep The Faith in 1994. After a number of tours in Western Europe, the band played their first gigs in America in August 1994. In 1997 The Business released The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth which was produced by Lars Frederiksen from Rancid. In 2000, the band joined together with Dropkick Murphys to release Mob Mentality. The band's final studio album, No Mercy For You was released in 2001. Their biggest hit song in recent times, "England 5 - Germany 1", (based on the result of a World Cup Qualifying match in 2001), became a football anthem for England and even appeared in the 2004 teen comedy EuroTrip. Despite various line-up changes, the band's popularity continued to grow.
By 2006 Fitz had rebuilt his band after overcoming his alcoholism, this year saw the band take on a 2-month tour of the US with the line-up of Fitz (singer), Robin Guy (drums), Daniel (guitar) and what would become long serving Trots (bass). In September 2006, Fitz recruited long time friend Tosh (of Section 5) to play guitar, shortly followed by Bundie on drums. The band took to the studio in Berlin and recorded three covers, this session featured Mitch Harris of Napalm Death guesting to record the title track 'Mean Girl', originally by one of Fitz's favourite bands Status Quo. This was released by Bad Dog records as an EP, the B side being a live set recorded at the legendary Marquee Club in London from 1982.
Led by a reinvigorated Fitz, the band continued to tour incessantly and broke new ground as the first British Oi! band to play in Chile in 2008, they also visited Australia and New Zealand alongside extensive European and US tours. As well as their touring they also returned to the studio and put out a split 7" with Control. The Mean Girl recordings and Marquee Tapes were combined with the split and a recording from Full Force Festival to make the US mini album 'Doing The Business'
In 2010 Tosh departed the band and after a short stint with rocker Johny Skullknuckles the band's final line-up was completed with Fish (of The Skeptix, Discharge and Demon) taking over on six string duties. Around this time the band had taken to the studio to record what would be their last release, 'Back in The Day', it saw the studio return of original guitarist and principal songwriter Steve Kent who performed guitar and backing vocals on the recording. The 7" was eventually released on Randale Records and Sailors Grave Records in 2014.
The band continued on their way, returning to South America to play São Paulo, taking on a headline tour of Australia and New Zealand, (with visits to Singapore and Bangkok along the way) and made a triumphant return to Japan in 2014, with a quick visit to South Korea while they were in the area.
In the summer of 2015 Fitz was diagnosed with cancer, as with his life he met the challenge head on and refused to let the public know of his diagnosis until after he had completed the final run of shows. The band performed what would be their final show in October 2015 in Badalona, Spain.
In April 2019, some of the classic line up (Steve Whale, Steve Kent and Micky Fairbairn) joined by JJ Pearce on bass (the Last Resort) performed at the Punk and Disorderly festival in Berlin. Roi Pearce (The Last Resort) Sebi (Stomper 98) and Mike Brands (Arch Rivals) appeared as guest singers. This marked the first time former members of The Business had performed without Micky Fitz playing The Business songs. The same line up, joined by Beki Bondage (Vice Squad) performed at Rebellion 2019. A toast was raised to Fitz's memory at both shows
History
The band was formed in 1979 by school friends Steven ('Steve') Kent (guitar), Michael Fitzsimons ('Micky Fitz') (vocals), Nicholas ('Nick') Cunningham (drums) and Martin Smith (bass).[2] They played their first gig in front of friends in February 1980, and after taking on Lol Pryor as manager, began performing more often. The band's first release was the song "Out in the Cold" on the A Sudden Surge of Sound compilation album.[2] They played their first Oi! concert in 1981, supporting The 4-Skins, and they became closely associated with the Oi! scene from then on.[2] While the Oi! movement was labelled as far right and racist (despite the fact that several Oi! bands played at Rock Against Racism concerts), The Business took a stance against political extremism with their Oi Against Racism and Political Extremism ...But Still Against The System tour.[3] Despite standing apart from the far-right, the band also criticized communists in songs like "Suburban Rebels." [4]
In November 1981, they released their debut single, "Harry May", which spent over three months in the UK Indie Chart, reaching No. 13. The initial line-up split up in late 1981, with Kent, Cunningham, and Smith forming Q-Bow, but Fitz carried on with Pryor, recruiting Graham Ball on guitar, Mark Brennan and Steve Whale from The Blackout, and John Fisher on drums.[2] The new line-up made their live debut in January 1982, after which Ball and Fisher departed, leaving the band as a four-piece, with Kev Boyce of The Blackout on drums.[2] The new line-up recorded the Smash the Discos EP, which was a No. 3 indie hit, and after a short tour, they recorded their debut album, which was to be called Loud, Proud, and Punk. The master tapes for the album went missing after disagreements between the band's label and the studio, forcing them to re-record the album, which was released as Suburban Rebels in May 1983.[2] The album was remixed by their label, Secret, without them knowing, and Secret's financial difficulties limited promotion of the album. Frustrated by this, the band split up, with The Business members forming short-lived bands Chapter and Sabre Dance.[2]
Pryor issued a retrospective album consisting of demos and live tracks on his Syndicate label, the success of which prompted the band to reform and record a what was to be marketed as a live album, Loud, Proud, and Punk. It was actually recorded in a studio, with crowd noise dubbed in later.[2] Pryor renamed his record label Wonderful World and issued several Business albums in late 1985, with the Drinking and Driving tour following. The name of the tour caused controversy, with tabloid journalists accusing the band of condoning drunk-driving, although the title was tongue-in-cheek.[2]
In late 1986, Brennan and Pryor founded Link Records, and with Brennan becoming increasingly busy running the label, the band split up again. In 1992, Fitz performed a few songs guesting with The Elite and he reformed the band to play a benefit concert for Bobby Moore, who had recently died of cancer. Brennan later started a new record label, Captain Oi! Records and did not join the reformed band. The band's line-up then became Micky Fitz (singer), Steve Whale (guitar), Lol Proctor (bass) and Micky Fairbairn (drums). The band released a new single "Anywhere But Here" and new album Keep The Faith in 1994. After a number of tours in Western Europe, the band played their first gigs in America in August 1994. In 1997 The Business released The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth which was produced by Lars Frederiksen from Rancid. In 2000, the band joined together with Dropkick Murphys to release Mob Mentality. The band's final studio album, No Mercy For You was released in 2001. Their biggest hit song in recent times, "England 5 - Germany 1", (based on the result of a World Cup Qualifying match in 2001), became a football anthem for England and even appeared in the 2004 teen comedy EuroTrip. Despite various line-up changes, the band's popularity continued to grow.
By 2006 Fitz had rebuilt his band after overcoming his alcoholism, this year saw the band take on a 2-month tour of the US with the line-up of Fitz (singer), Robin Guy (drums), Daniel (guitar) and what would become long serving Trots (bass). In September 2006, Fitz recruited long time friend Tosh (of Section 5) to play guitar, shortly followed by Bundie on drums. The band took to the studio in Berlin and recorded three covers, this session featured Mitch Harris of Napalm Death guesting to record the title track 'Mean Girl', originally by one of Fitz's favourite bands Status Quo. This was released by Bad Dog records as an EP, the B side being a live set recorded at the legendary Marquee Club in London from 1982.
Led by a reinvigorated Fitz, the band continued to tour incessantly and broke new ground as the first British Oi! band to play in Chile in 2008, they also visited Australia and New Zealand alongside extensive European and US tours. As well as their touring they also returned to the studio and put out a split 7" with Control. The Mean Girl recordings and Marquee Tapes were combined with the split and a recording from Full Force Festival to make the US mini album 'Doing The Business'
In 2010 Tosh departed the band and after a short stint with rocker Johny Skullknuckles the band's final line-up was completed with Fish (of The Skeptix, Discharge and Demon) taking over on six string duties. Around this time the band had taken to the studio to record what would be their last release, 'Back in The Day', it saw the studio return of original guitarist and principal songwriter Steve Kent who performed guitar and backing vocals on the recording. The 7" was eventually released on Randale Records and Sailors Grave Records in 2014.
The band continued on their way, returning to South America to play São Paulo, taking on a headline tour of Australia and New Zealand, (with visits to Singapore and Bangkok along the way) and made a triumphant return to Japan in 2014, with a quick visit to South Korea while they were in the area.
In the summer of 2015 Fitz was diagnosed with cancer, as with his life he met the challenge head on and refused to let the public know of his diagnosis until after he had completed the final run of shows. The band performed what would be their final show in October 2015 in Badalona, Spain.
In April 2019, some of the classic line up (Steve Whale, Steve Kent and Micky Fairbairn) joined by JJ Pearce on bass (the Last Resort) performed at the Punk and Disorderly festival in Berlin. Roi Pearce (The Last Resort) Sebi (Stomper 98) and Mike Brands (Arch Rivals) appeared as guest singers. This marked the first time former members of The Business had performed without Micky Fitz playing The Business songs. The same line up, joined by Beki Bondage (Vice Squad) performed at Rebellion 2019. A toast was raised to Fitz's memory at both shows
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The Business Lyrics
3 Lions Your TV image, sofa, and beers Your gobbing off about Britta…
All Out Its happening all over The problems that you see Companies s…
All Out Tonight Living on the darkside, drinking cheap cyanide Spending my m…
All Out Tonite Its happening all over The problems that you see Companies s…
Always [Chorus] "Always isn`t always" - that`s what you always say…
Anarchy in the Streets Anarchy in the street London town is burning again The city'…
Another rebel dead They found him in the lane With cocaine in his brain They…
Anywhere But Here I would like to meet Billy Kardoff I would like to…
Basket Case Do you have the time to listen to me whine About…
Belmarsh A moonlight morning back in ninty-five twenty-five years ol…
Blind Justice Burn, Burn, Burn the paper screamed out loud Die, Die, Die,…
Blood Ties In the dark and sunless hours On the streets of London…
Borstal Boys Cell block five, how I hate Bromide With your coffee in…
Boys Are Out Tonight Living on the darkside, drinking cheap cyanide Spending my m…
Class Compromise Welfare state - Class Compromise Which stop's things short …
Code Red News break on the radio There's a helicoptor raid We've got …
Crime of the Century It all started way back then A lifetime of robbery down…
Crime Out Of The Century It all started way back then A lifetime of robbery down…
Death to Dance It drives me mad, it makes me sick There's no booze…
Do a runner Spend spend spend is the line to take Keep on buying…
Do They Owe Us A Living Fuck the politically minded Here′s something i want to say A…
Drinking and Driving Half past 5 I'm in the pub Six O'clock it's home…
England 5 Was a sunny day in a Munich stadium All the beer…
England 5 Germany 1 Was a sunny day in a Munich stadium All the beer…
Freedom Freedom Same old story, nothings changed. Only the rules hav…
Gangland You Grow up fast thinking nothing will last you grow up…
Get out of my house They found him in the lane With cocaine in his brain They…
Get Out While You Can You never question, you never ask why You never listen, you…
Ghetto Youth So you come from the ghetto Don't mean - you no…
Going Strong There's a brand new century about to begin and the…
Guiness boys My team jut lost 4 - 1 feeling bad and feeling…
Guinness Boys My team jut lost 4 - 1 feeling bad and feeling…
Guttersnipe You preach anarchy, but you make the rules Setting up heros…
Hand Ball 3000 miles is a long way to go To be beaten…
Handball 3000 miles is a long way to go To be beaten…
Hang Up Your Boots What you do that's nothing new It's all been said and…
Hardcore Hooligan YOUR JUST A HOOLIGAN A HARDCORE HOOLIGAN YOU'RE JUST A HOOLI…
Harry May Harry runs his business From above the dodgy Ino His brother…
Hell 2 Pay Some say you cards were marked in advance Gun in your…
In the streets of London Anarchy in the street London town is burning again The city'…
Informer Why'd you give him 18 years Leave a family drowning in…
Justice Not Politics Newspapers, Magazines, Jobs galore Middle class students, o…
Keep The Faith Mother mother tell your children That their time has just be…
Maradona Whatever you sniffed you wanted more Now you can only score…
Mortgage Mentality I run a shop upon the hill I give out orders…
Mouth An Trousers In the bar and you're telling lies 'Bout your fights and…
Never Say Never All the things that they say to you, All the deeds…
No Mercy for You The glimmer of the past is held so dear there's nothing…
No One Likes Us Been banned from the Whiskey A Go Go Been banned from…
No Time 4 U We grew up together when we were only kids Fighting against…
Nobody listened Didn't want the dole money in his hand So he formed…
Of The Poet Street punk where you belong They say their right you know…
One Common Voice Stole the name from the working class Turned us into working…
One Thing Left to Say Caught up in something You didn't wanna do It's not your f…
otta my house They found him in the lane With cocaine in his brain They…
Out In the Cold out in the cold she fell her eyes drawn and her…
Real Enemy Reality punk is all together Fighting each other just ain't …
Sabotage the hunt Lying in wait they come Dressed in red of course having…
Saturday's Heroes There's a handy little firm at the game today Having a…
Saturdays heroes There's a handy little firm at the game today Having a…
Se 12 I went to school with Joey James said he's gonna…
Southgate Gareth Southgate stood on the spot Couldn't believe the chan…
Spirit I'm coming at you with the spirit of the street From…
Spirit of the Streets I'm coming at you with the spirit of the street From…
Steal This Record You got no money and your feeling down Can't find it…
Streets Where You Live Down to London Town, come some people, I really don't…
Suburban Rebels They're the sons and daughters of well off bankers Tom Robin…
Takers The judge turned to me as he threw away the key murder…
Takers & Users The judge turned to me as he threw away the key murder…
Tell Us the Truth Through the corners of our eyes We can see them pass…
Ten Years Mr. Rock 'N' Roll you look so right With your clothes…
Terrace Lost It's Soul London town is [unverified] from in England Grew up on the…
The Employers Blacklist Job chances seem very thin It's a losing battle we must…
The truth the whole truth How dare you sit in judgment Of working girls on the…
The Truth, the Whole Truth and Nothing but the Truth How dare you sit in judgment Of working girls on the…
U Won't Change Me I hate society and what its made me Getting to the…
Viva Bobby Moore Bobby Moore viva Bobby Moore Bobby Moore viva Bobby Moore vi…
We'll Take 'Em On They tried to stop us with their rumours and their…
What's the Story Was born and bred Lived here all my life Don't know why But…
Work Or Riot The winter of discontent's nearing Thatchers got trouble wit…
Work Or Riot #1 The winter of discontent's nearing Thatchers got trouble wi…
Work Or Riot? The winter of discontent's nearing Thatchers got trouble wit…