The Business (band)
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1979 |
| Founder | Steven Kent, Michael Fitzsimons, Nicholas Cunningham, Martin Smith |
| Headquarters | Lewisham, South London , England, United Kingdom |
| Products | Punk music, Oi! music |
| Website | www |
The Business was a punk band originating from Lewisham, South London, established in 1979. The group remained active for approximately forty years until the passing of their lead singer, Micky Fitz, who died from cancer in December 2016.
History
The band was created by schoolmates Steven ('Steve') Kent on guitar, Michael Fitzsimons ('Micky Fitz') as vocalist, Nicholas ('Nick') Cunningham on drums, and Martin Smith playing bass. Their inaugural performance took place in February 1980. Under the management of Lol Pryor, they rapidly expanded their live appearances. Their first recorded track appeared on the A Sudden Surge of Sound compilation with "Out in the Cold." After supporting The 4-Skins in 1981, The Business became closely linked to the Oi! movement. Although the Oi! scene carried a contentious image, the band publicly rejected political extremism, exemplified by their Oi Against Racism and Political Extremism ...But Still Against The System tour. They also expressed criticism of communism in songs such as "Suburban Rebels."
Their debut single "Harry May," released in November 1981, remained on the UK Indie Chart for more than three months and reached number 13. Following the disbandment of the original lineup late that year, Fitz reassembled the group with new musicians from The Blackout and others. This formation released the Smash the Discos EP, which climbed to number 3 on indie charts, and recorded their first album initially named Loud, Proud, and Punk. Due to missing master tapes and disputes with their label, they re-recorded it and issued it as Suburban Rebels in May 1983. Financial difficulties at Secret Records hampered promotion efforts, leading to another breakup; some members then formed short-lived bands called Chapter and Sabre Dance.
A compilation of demos and live recordings was subsequently released by Pryor, inspiring The Business to regroup and produce what was presented as a live album titled Loud, Proud, and Punk, though it was actually recorded in a studio with crowd noise added later. Pryor rebranded his label as Wonderful World and released several albums by The Business towards the end of 1985, followed by the contentious Drinking and Driving tour.
In late 1986, Brennan and Pryor established Link Records; Brennan’s increasing responsibilities with the label contributed to another dissolution of the band. The Business reunited in 1992 for a benefit concert honoring Bobby Moore. Brennan did not participate in this lineup, which featured Fitz (vocals), Steve Whale (guitar), Lol Proctor (bass), and Micky Fairbairn (drums). They issued the single "Anywhere But Here" and released the album Keep The Faith in 1994. After extensive touring across Europe, they performed their first concerts in the United States in August 1994.
The group’s 1997 release was The Truth, The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth, produced by Lars Frederiksen from Rancid. In 2000, they collaborated with Dropkick Murphys on the track Mob Mentality. Their final studio album, No Mercy For You (2001), included "England 5 - Germany 1," a football anthem inspired by a World Cup qualifying match that gained additional exposure through its feature in the 2004 film EuroTrip. Despite changes in personnel over time, their fanbase remained strong.
By 2006, Fitz had overcome his struggles with alcoholism and revitalized the band for a two-month tour in the US with Robin Guy on drums, Daniel on guitar, and Trots handling bass duties. Later that year, Tosh from Section 5 joined as guitarist alongside Chris Mundie on drums. Recording sessions held in Berlin produced covers including Status Quo’s "Mean Girl," featuring Mitch Harris from Napalm Death; this was released as an EP by Bad Dog Records with a live B-side recorded at the Marquee Club in 1982.
In April 2019, former members Steve Whale, Steve Kent, Micky Fairbairn, and JJ Pearce appeared at Berlin’s Punk and Disorderly festival performing without Fitz for the first time. At Rebellion 2019, joined by guest vocalists Roi Pearce (The Last Resort), Sebi (Stomper 98), Mike Brands (Arch Rivals), and Beki Bondage (Vice Squad), they paid tribute to Fitz’s legacy. Band manager Lol Pryor passed away in May 2022.
On 10 May 2024, The Business returned to perform at Berlin’s Punk and Disorderly Festival with Roi Pearce among those providing vocals.
Passing of Micky Fitz
Towards the end of 2015, Micky Fitz received a diagnosis of lymphatic cancer and underwent a course of radiotherapy treatment. It was confirmed on 1 December 2016 that Fitz had passed away.
Discography
Positions listed are from the UK Indie Chart.
Studio albums
| Album | Release Year | Record Label |
| Suburban Rebels | 1983 | Secret Records |
| Saturday's Heroes | 1985 | Harry May |
| Welcome To The Real World | 1988 | Link |
| Keep The Faith | 1994 | Century Media |
| The Truth, The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth | 1997 | Taang! Records |
| No Mercy For You | 2001 | Burning Heart Records |
Singles and EPs
| Title | Year | Label | Details |
| "Harry May" | 1981 | Secret | Reached #13 |
| Smash the Discos EP | 1982 | Secret | Peaked at #3 |
| "Out of Business" | 1983 | Secret | (withdrawn release) |
| "Get Out of My House" | 1985 | Wonderful World | |
| "Drinking and Driving" | 1985 | Diamond | Charted at #27 |
| "Do a Runner" | 1988 | Link | |
| "Anywhere But Here" | 1994 | Walzwerk | |
| "Death II Dance" | 1996 | Taang! | |
| "One Common Voice" | 1997 | Taang! | |
| "Hell 2 Pay" | 2002 | TKO Records | |
| Mean Girl EP | 2008 | Bad Dog | |
| Back In The Day EP | 2014 | Sailor's Grave |
Compilations and live recordings
| Title | Year | Label | Additional Information |
| 1980-81 - Official Bootleg | 1983 | Syndicate | Reached #17 |
| Loud, Proud & Punk - Live | 1984 | Syndicate | Peaked at #22 |
| Back To Back | 1985 | Wonderful World | |
| Back To Back Volume 2 | 1985 | Wonderful World | |
| Singalongabusiness | 1986 | Dojo Records | |
| Live & Loud | 1989 | Link | |
| In and Out of Business | 1990 | Link | (initially mail-order only; reissued on CD in 1998 by Mog) |
| The Business 1979-1989 | 1991 | Blackout Records | |
| The Best of The Business: 28 Classic Oi Anthems... | 1992 | Link | |
| The Complete Business Singles Collection | 1995 | Anagram | |
| Harry May - The Singles Collection | 1996 | Taang! | |
| Loud, Proud and Oi! | 1996 | Dojo Records | |
| The Business Live | 1998 | Pinhead Records | |
| Mob Mentality | 2000 | Taang! | (split album with Dropkick Murphys) |
| Hardcore Hooligan | 2003 | Burning Heart | |
| Under The Influence | 2003 | Rhythm Vicar | |
| Doing The Business | 2010 | Sailor's Grave |