The Business (band)

The Business were an English punk 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.

For other uses, see The Business (disambiguation).

The Business
Background information
OriginLewisham, South London, England, UK
GenresPunk rock, oi![1]
Years active1979–1988, 1992–2016
LabelsSyndicate, Secret, Dojo, Link, Taang!, Epitaph, Captain Oi!, Bad Dog
Past membersMicky Fitz
Steve Kent
Martin Smith
Nick Cunningham
Steve Whale
Mark Brennan
John Fisher
Micky Fairbairn
Lol Proctor
Graham Ball
Kev Boyce
Micky Fairbairn
Tosh
Fish
Trots
Bundie

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.[5]

Death of Micky Fitz

In late 2015, Micky Fitz was diagnosed with cancer on the lymph gland and underwent radiotherapy. On 1 December 2016 it was announced that Fitz had died.[6]

Discography

Chart placings shown are from the UK Indie Chart.[7]

Studio albums
TitleYearLabel
Suburban Rebels1983Secret Records
Saturday's Heroes1985Harry May
Welcome To The Real World1988Link
Keep The Faith1994Century Media
The Truth, The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth1997Taang! Records
No Mercy For You2001Burning Heart Records

Singles/EPs
TitleYearLabelNotes
"Harry May"1981SecretCharted #13
Smash the Discos EP1982SecretCharted #3
"Out of Business"1983Secret(withdrawn)
"Get Out of My House"1985Wonderful World
"Drinking and Driving"1985DiamondCharted #27
"Do a Runner"1988Link
"Anywhere But Here"1994Walzwerk
"Death II Dance"1996Taang!
"One Common Voice"1997Taang!
"Hell 2 Pay"2002TKO Records
Mean Girl EP2008Bad Dog
Back In The Day EP2014Sailor's Grave

Compilation and live albums
TitleYearLabelNotes
1980-81 - Official Bootleg1983SyndicateCharted #17
Loud, Proud & Punk - Live1984SyndicateCharted #22
Back To Back1985Wonderful World
Back To Back Volume 21985Wonderful World
Singalongabusiness1986Dojo Records
Live & Loud1989Link
In and Out of Business1990Link(mail-order only, reissued on CD 1998 by Mog)
The Business 1979-19891991Blackout Records
The Best of The Business: 28 Classic Oi Anthems...1992Link
The Complete Business Singles Collection1995Anagram
Harry May - The Singles Collection1996Taang!
Loud, Proud and Oi!1996Dojo Records
The Business Live1998Pinhead Records
Mob Mentality2000Taang!(split with Dropkick Murphys)
Hardcore Hooligan2003Burning Heart
Under The Influence2003Rhythm Vicar
Doing The Business2010Sailor's Grave

Compilation appearances
  • A Sudden Surge of Sound LP (1980) VU
  • Carry On Oi! LP (1981) Secret
  • Oi! Oi! That's Yer Lot! LP (1982) Secret
  • The Secret Life Of Punks LP (1982) Secret
  • Burning Ambitions: A History Of Punk 2 X LP (1982) Cherry Red
  • UK/DK LP (1982) Anagram
  • Defiant Pose LP (1983) Illegal
  • Son Of Oi! LP (1984) Syndicate
  • Oi! The Resurrection LP (1987) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 1 LP (1987) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 2 LP (1987) Link
  • The Sound Of Oi! (1987) Link
  • Oi!..The Picture Disc LP (1987) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 2 LP (1987) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 3 LP (1988) Link
  • Oi!..The Picture Disc Volume 2 LP (1988) Link
  • Oi!..That's What I Call Music LP (1988) Link
  • Oi!..The Main Event LP (1988) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 4 LP (1988) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 5 LP (1989) Link
  • Pop Oi! LP (1989) Link
  • Oi! Chartbusters Volume 6 LP (1990) Link
  • Punk On The Road LP (1990) Skunx
  • The Oddities Of Oi! LP (1991) Link
  • Heroes And Villains LP (1996) Step-1
  • Oi! It's A World League LP (1193) Havin' a Laugh
  • Nobody's Heroes (1993) Castle Communications
  • The Punk Generation (1993) Castle Communications
  • The Voice Of The Street (1995) Pub City Royal
  • Kill Your Radio (IRS, 1995)
  • The Punk Rockers (Castle Communications, 1995)
  • The Best Of Oi! LP (1996) Dojo
  • Secret Records - The Punk Singles Collection Volume 1 LP (1996) Captain Oi!
  • Punk & Nasty (1996) Emporio
  • Real Punk - The Nasty Years (1996) Cleopatra
  • England's Glory (1996) Cherry Red
  • Punk Crazy (1996) Castle Pulse
  • Anarchy From The UK - Volume 1 (1996) Dojo
  • Secret Records - The Punk Singles Collection Volume 2 LP (1996) Captain Oi!
  • The Great British Punk Rock Explosion LP (1996) Dojo
  • Trouble On The Terraces LP (1996) Step-1
  • The Best Of Oi! LP (1996) Dojo
  • Punk & Disorderly LP (1996) Step-1
  • Tribute To The Smiths (1996) Too Damn Hype
  • Forever Blowing Bubbles (1996) Cherry Red
  • Punk Power (1996) Emporio
  • On The Streets (1997) We Bite
  • Give 'Em The Boot (1997) Hellcat
  • Oi! The Tine (1997) Harry May
  • Box Or be Boxed (1997) Lonsdale
  • Down To Margate (1997) Harry May
  • 100% British Oi! (1998) Captain Oi!
  • Cheap Shots III (1998) Burning Heart
  • Lords Of Oi! (1998) Dressed To Kill
  • Live Hate (1998) Music Collection
  • The World Of Football - The Good, The Bad and the Ugly Of World Football (1998) Charlton
  • Scene Killer Volume 1 (1998) Outsider
  • Around The World In 80 Minutes (1999) Rotten
  • The Greatest Punk Of All Time (1999) Dressed To Kill
  • Punk (1999) Pegasus
  • Oi! This Is England (2000) Dressed To Kill
  • Cheap Shots IV (2000) Burning Heart
  • The Worldwide Tribute To Real Oi! (2000) I Scream
  • Spirit Of The Street (2000) Burning Heart
  • Complete Burning Ambitions - A History Of Punk (2001) Cleopatra
  • Punk-O-Rama 6 (2001) Epitaph
  • Cheap Shots V (2001) Burning Heart
  • Cash From Chaos - Complete Punk Collection (2001) EMI
  • Without Warning - It's Punch Drunk IV (2002) TKO
  • Addicted To Oi! (2002) Captain Oi!
  • Riot (2003) Hepcat
  • The Kings Of Street Punk (2007) G&R
  • Oi! This Is Street Punk Volume Two (2012) Pirates Press

References
  1. Smith, Oshindele-Smith, Bobby, Margaret (2007). One Love Two Colours: The Unlikely Marriage of a Punk Rocker and His African Queen. Troubador Publishing Ltd. p. 85. ISBN 1906221391. Along with The Business and Cock Sparrer, the 4-Skins were the most culturally important of the Oi! Bands, their sound influencing a new host of new American bands such as Rancid and Anti-Heroes.
  2. Glasper, Ian (2004) Burning Britain: The History of UK Punk 1980-1984, Cherry Red Books, ISBN 1-901447-24-3
  3. Marshall, George (1991). Spirit of '69 - A Skinhead Bible. Dunoon, Scotland: S.T. Publishing. ISBN 1-898927-10-3
  4. "Oi! Oi! Oi!: Class, Locality, and British Punk | Twentieth Century British History | Oxford Academic". Academic.oup.com. 20 March 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  5. "Al Barr (@neverfal_)". Twitter.com. 13 March 2013. Retrieved 31 May 2020.
  6. "The Business Frontman Micky Fitz Dies After Battle With Cancer". Blabbermouth.net. 1 December 2016. Retrieved 2 December 2016.
  7. Lazell, Barry (1997). Indie Hits 1980-1999. Cherry Red Books. ISBN 0-9517206-9-4.
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