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
Handball
The Business Lyrics
Jump to: Overall Meaning ↴ Line by Line Meaning ↴
To be beaten by a dwarf in Mexico
He was an aged cheat who didn't give a damn
Couldn't use his head so used his hand
They forgave the blind old sod
And Maradona claimed it was the hand of God
So out of the cup but what you expect
From a poxy little country and a circus reject
Argy-bargy
Hanky-panky
Naughty naughty
Handball
The British boys in the Mexico sun
Stood their ground a
And Hare Duke on the run
Same old story you always start
You not got the bottle and you ain't got a heart
And where the English and we play it fair
We lost the Cup but we don't care
Everyone knows the final score
But who won the Falklands war
Two or one a final score
Now on to the Falklands war
In The Business's song Handball, the band touches upon two different themes, namely football and war. The song begins with a reference to the controversy around the Argentina vs England football match in the 1986 World Cup quarterfinals, which saw Argentine footballer Diego Maradona using his hand to score a goal against England. The band highlights the fact that despite the cheating, Maradona's goal was still allowed to stand, and Argentina went on to win the match. The song also takes a dig at Argentina's size, calling it a "poxy little country," and suggesting that Maradona's actions were those of a "circus reject."
The second half of the song shifts its focus to the Falklands War, which occurred just four years before the World Cup match. Here, the band criticizes Argentina's military aggression towards the islands, which it sees as a futile attempt by a smaller country to assert its dominance over a more powerful nation. The song ends with a question about who really won the Falklands War.
Handball is a song that draws upon two significant events in Anglo-Argentine relations. Its lyrics critique Argentina's cheating and aggression towards England, while also highlighting the UK's military victory in the Falklands War. Through its lyrics, the song suggests that while cheating may succeed on the pitch, it cannot be victorious in the context of international relations.
Line by Line Meaning
3000 miles is a long way to go
Covering a distance of 3000 miles is a tiring journey.
To be beaten by a dwarf in Mexico
Losing to a person of shorter stature in Mexico was a setback.
He was an aged cheat who didn't give a damn
He was an elderly dishonest person who was nonchalant about his actions.
Couldn't use his head so used his hand
As he was incapable of using his intellect, he used his hand to cheat.
They forgave the blind old sod
The officials chose to forgive the old man's error due to his age and lack of sight.
And Maradona claimed it was the hand of God
Maradona credited his handball goal to divine intervention.
So out of the cup but what you expect
Being eliminated from the tournament was predictable.
From a poxy little country and a circus reject
Being beaten by a small country and a former circus performer was a humiliating defeat.
Argy-bargy
A noisy argument or dispute.
Hanky-panky
Secret or dishonest activity of a suspicious or improper nature.
Naughty naughty
Expressing disapproval or criticism of unacceptable conduct.
Handball
Referring to the use of one's hand to touch the ball intentionally during a football match in breach of the rules.
The British boys in the Mexico sun
The English football team playing in the Mexican heat.
Stood their ground and Hare Duke on the run
The players kept their positions while Hare Duke, an opposing player, was making runs.
Same old story you always start
Opponents of the English team frequently resort to cheating, a recurring theme.
You not got the bottle and you ain't got a heart
You lack bravery and courage to win fairly.
And where the English and we play it fair
The English have a reputation for playing fairly.
We lost the Cup but we don't care
Winning isn't everything, and the English team is taking the loss in stride.
Everyone knows the final score
The result of the match is common knowledge.
But who won the Falklands war
The English belatedly remind everyone of their historical victory in the Falklands war, implying that they are still superior to Argentina.
Two or one a final score
The score ends with either two or one goal(s) having been scored depending on the interpretation of the second goal, which had been obtained via cheating.
Now on to the Falklands war
The English change the subject to the Falklands war, which they see as a more significant topic than a football match.
Lyrics © BMG Rights Management
Written by: BRENNAN, PRYOR, WHALE
Lyrics Licensed & Provided by LyricFind