THE SPIZZLES - Spikey Dream Flowers 1981

Original formed as Spizzenergi by vocalist/guitarist Spizz in Solihull, West Midlands. Later changed its name every year, subsequent names including Athletico Spizz 80, Spizzoil or the Spizzles, this happened 1981 and the band then consisted of Spizz (vocals), Lu (guitars/piano), Jim (bass), C.P. Snare (drums). The group released this record (on A&M Records) which cemented the group's sonic image as science-fiction weirdos. After two more singles and a dispute over payment for a video, A&M declined the option and 1981 ended in disarray.

Mike Stand, Smash Hits/March 19 - April 1, 1981: The Spizzles - a pop group? 'Fraid not. Spizz used to be crude and garage band-like but then overnight he became too darn sophisticated (both albums). This has got some grating bad habits - Jim Solar's disco bass and Spizz's monotonous yelling - but the lyrics are wittily tight and the whole band finds a new place in time and space with the black, bleak 'Risk' & 'Scared'. Value diminished by including four tracks already out as singles, including a disappointing remake of 'Soldier Soldier', but the Spizzles continue to teeter on the brink of their own potential. (6 out of 10).

Graham Flashner, The New Music Record & Tape Guide, 1987: 'Spikey Dream Flowers' offers robots, deadly war games and incessant runaway guitar (by recent arrival Lu Edmonds) with no place to go.

Well, all in all an interesting record with ten poppy songs, two of them for the trashcan and 'Soldier, Soldier' is a damn classic.

- Great Thx to Fredrik -

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REPETITION - The Still Reflex 7'' 1981

Now an older rip and I can't remember where and when exactly bought this 7Inch but is worth listening. Repetition were a Post-Punk band from London, which formed in August 1979. The band's initial line-up was ex SpizzOil guitarist Pete Petrol, Xtraverts drummer Tim Transe, keyboard player A.S.D.H. (Andy Hooper), bassist AWOL (Nicholas), and vocalist Sarah Osbourne. The band were signed to Les Disques Du Crépuscule after gaining the interest of Annik Honore in 1979. Their first single A Still Reflex'/Fade Out was released in January 1981 and was recorded at Spaceward Studios in Saffron Waldon and notably produced by Joy Division manager, Rob Gretton. Owing to the connection with Brussels based Les Disques Du Crepuscule the band toured in Belgium and Holland in 1980 playing at Plan K in Brussels and the Effenaar in Eindhoven and appeared on Generation 80 TV show. The band were managed by Mick Scholefield who later went on to start Heist Or Hit Records. Steve Musham joined the band during this period, playing bass initially, and then replacing Osbourne on vocals on the next single,'A Full Rotation', recorded at Berry Street Studios in London, in 1980. The band recorded a John Peel session at Maida Vale studios on 08/08/1981. The session of four tracks was recorded with a line-up of vocalist/guitarist Steve Musham, ex Spizzenergi bassist/guitarist Jim Solar, Tim Transe (drums) & Andy Hooper (keyboards).

On 13 July Repetition, Marine, Eric Random, Richard Jobson & The Swamp Children performed during a Crepuscule Night at Heaven in London. The event was covered in NME and a cassette souvernir Rendez-Vous Au Paradis was announced but did not appear. Sexy 7Inch to calm down.

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