Micky Fitz (1959-2016) - The Business RIP

(Photo from The Business FB Page)

Just heard the sad news this morning regarding the passing of Micky Fitz (Michael Fitzsimons) lead vocalist of Street Punk/Oi band The Business. He had been battling cancer the past year having being diagnosed last December and he had been undergoing treatment. His passing on 1st December has stunned many around the world with many bands offering tributes (The Bouncing Souls, Sick Of It All, Agnostic Front, Madball, GBH, and many more).

Micky Fitz was the one constant member in the band throughout all the years and the many line-up changes.

The band posted a message on their FB Page that reads:

"As you may have already heard, Micky passed away yesterday morning after a long battle with cancer.

Micky was a man who spoke his mind - he was always quick with a joke and three steps ahead of you in a conversation. He was also one of the best mates you could ask for.

Everybody you speak to in the punk scene has their own Micky Fitz story, some of them more flattering than others as Mick didn’t pull any punches. He didn’t care what anybody thought of him and he always did things his own way. That is the thing about true characters - they have rough edges, they don’t fit into any box and they can be near impossible to deal with from time to time, but that’s what makes them so unique, it’s what makes them iconic, it’s what makes them special.

There will never be another Micky Fitz.

Our thoughts are with Mick’s family at this time, especially Kim and Jamie who have always been by his side through thick and thin.

Finally thank you to Micky, for being relentlessly Micky Fitz, much loved and much missed.

Micky has requested no flowers. If you would like to do something to remember him, please make a donation to Cancer Research in his name at Just Giving/Micky Fitz."

01- Harry May
02- National Insurance Blacklist
03- Step into Christmas
04- Dayo
05- Disco Girls
06- Smash the Discos
07- Loud Proud and Punk
08- H-Bomb
09- Last Train to Clapjam Junction
10- Law and Order
11- Do They Owe Us A Living (Crass Cover)
12- Tell Us the Truth (Sham 69 Cover)
13- Get Out of My House
14- All Out Tonight
15- Foreign Girl
16- Outlaw
17- Drinking and Drivin'
18- Hurry Up Harry (Sham 69 Cover)
19- H-Bomb (Live)
20- Do A Runner
21- Coventry
22- Welcome to the Real World
23- No Emotions (New Version)
24- Anywhere But Here
25- All Out
26- (You're) Going Down in History

Other Albums by The Business

(Click on the links) 

 

Suburban Rebels

Secret Records

1983

Loud Proud and Punk - Live

Syndicate Records

1984

Saturdays Heroes

Harry May Records

1985

Welcome To The Real World

Link Records

1988

Keep The Faith

Century Media

1994 

The Truth The Whole Truth and Nothing But The Truth

Burning Heart Records

1997

Includes

Death To Dance

Justice Not Politics

Southgate (Euro 96)

Hardcore Hooligan.

No Mercy For You
Burning Heart Records

2001 

Doing The Business*

Sailor's Grave

2010

Includes

 Mean Girl (Status Quo Cover)

Til The End

 1-2-3 (The Professionals Cover)

The remaining six tracks on the album were recorded Live at The Marquee in 1982.

*Was previously released as Mean Girl in 2008 on French label Bad Dog Records but that version only contain three studio tracks and the live tracks.

There are many different compilations released on different labels down through the years but the one that stands out for me is Under the Influence. The songs were drawn from various albums and releases over the years.

Under The Influence

Rhythm Vicar

2003

Some really good covers on this:

Crucified (Iron Cross Cover)

Do Anything You Wanna Do (Eddie And The Hot Rods Cover)

Basket Case (Green Day Cover)

London Calling (The Clash Cover)

When I Come Around (Green Day Cover) 

Such was the respect from newer bands that they had toured with Good Charlotte, recorded with Lars Fredriksen of Rancid and even released a split single with Dropkick Murphys in 2000:

A-Side: Mob Mentality - McBusiness*

B-Side: In the Streets of Boston London - The Business (Originally by Dropkick Murphys)

Informer - Dropkick Murphys (Originally by The Business)

*McBusiness are The Business and Dropkick Murphys together

Apparently there is also a split album called Mob Mentality. I wasn't aware of that before today. You can get it from here - only $7!