On this day, 1 April 1981, punk/new wave band The Spizzles played Cardiff’s Top Rank. Support was provided by Department S.
They were a specific incarnation of the ever-changing group led by vocalist and guitarist Spizz (Kenneth Spiers), who famously changed the band's name every year to reflect new musical directions.
The band adopted the name The Spizzles in 1981 when Lu Edmonds (formerly of The Damned and later Public Image Ltd) joined the lineup. Under this name, they shifted toward a "science-fiction weirdo" sonic image, blending punk energy with post-punk experimentation.
Before and after their stint as The Spizzles (1981) the band operated under various other names:
Spizzoil (1978–1979): Early punk phase.
Spizzenergi (1979–1980): Famous for the hit "Where's Captain Kirk?", which topped the first-ever UK Indie Chart.
Athletico Spizz 80 (1980): Released the album Do a Runner.
Spizzenergi 2 (1982): The final iteration of the original 1980s run.