Christmas in Denmark Street is a punchy new festive track mixed by award-winning producer Tony Visconti that battles against the ongoing development of London's Soho.
Here lead singer and veteran campaigner Spizz chats to us about the creation of the track and the message behind it.
Interview with Spizz
LM: What was the inspiration behind 'Christmas in Denmark Street'?
S: It was back in 2015 before The 12 Bar Club closed, it was a place I frequented daily, and I cycled home on the very last day; I just came across the chorus in my head. At the band rehearsal with our guitarist Luca [Comencini], we wrote the full track.
Its first performance was at the London Music venue, the Water Rats on 17 December 2015, when the band where supporting rock guitarist James Stevenson and the audience really got on board with it; by the third chorus, they were all singing along, and the tune got rapturous applause.
LM: What do you hope listeners get from the track?
S: I hope they feel as I do about any loss of heritage and the obliteration of memories. For what? A re-marketing is of a space devoid of any soul, that actually did have a cultural value.
LM: How would you describe your sound to new listeners?
S: You tell me because the number of labels that have been pinned on me over the years has made us hard to pigeon hole and makes our sound: Unique?
Stand out moment
LM: Is there a particular moment in your career that stands out to you?
S: There are many; how long you got? It could be my 1st public appearance as Spizz'77, Bank holiday all day Punk Festival Birmingham August 1977 As SPIZZOIL supporting Siouxsie & The Banshees at the Roundhouse London on 23 July 1980 It resulted in three rave reviews in the music press which lead to a John Peel Session and that session impressed Rough Trade to want to release '6000 Crazy'.
In 1979 another John Peel session premiered a new song 'Soldier Soldier' which became the 1st SPIZZENERGI Rough Trade single an NME gave it 'Single of the Week' status and the following single 'Where's Captain Kirk?' which became the first No.1 of the Official Independent Record Label Charts created on 19 January 1980 where it remained on top spot for seven weeks.
LM: Do you have any goals for the future with your music?
S: As always, simply take every day as it comes, probably more so now than ever.
LM: Did lockdown have an impact on your creative process or music?
S: No, I could adapt and continue to do my weekly radio show SpizzFM on Resonance 104.4fm in London. I switched planning for gigs to planning to record, which is what we have done.
LM: Is there anyone you would love to work with?
S: Brian Eno
LM: Who/what are your biggest inspirations for your music?
S: David Bowie/Mick Ronson, Brian Eno, Joe Strummer/Mick Jones
