Official lineup for The Business:
Original Members— Steve Whale, Stephen Kent, and Micky Fairbairn
Michael Brands of Arch Rivals- vocals
John Pearce of The Last Resort- Bass
The year was 1980 and Great Britain was then weathering a social and political maelstrom, that bridged the mid-seventies and eighties entire. It was a chaotic and tumultuous time in which to be young. The confusion and anger of having to face escalating unemployment, suppressive officialdom and exploitive pariahs had goaded an angry backlash. Firstly with the original wave of punk in 1977 and then again three years later with the second wave of streetwise bands of which The Business are quite plainly the market leader.
From the early days and their legendary single “Harry May” (the story of a hit man) to more lamentive feel of the current LP track “Always Isn’t Always” The Business never seem to lose that elemental connection to the local environment. In this way their songs have been as much about social documentation, as highlighting a reactionary point of view. It’s the living and breathing voice of south London working class experience.
There’s such a comprehensive feel to the role call of their recordings. Astute observasionalist lyrics that highlight everything from football, stories about local faces, common experiences about dealing with officialdom, life’s general ups and downs, right through to the riots and other events that have sent ripples racing across the social pond and the political cesspool. The Business will always be a force to be reckoned with — enough said!
