Rock Regeneration

So, who was Da Biz? What was Da Biz? Were they ever? Were they never?

Poole-based fringe dwellers Da Biz found their feet in the fiery wake of punk as singer-songwriter Ronnie Mayor and lead guitarist John Hole formed the group Tours in 1977 with Basher Spiers on drums and Steve Jeff on bass they established themselves by opening their own venue at The Brewers Arms in Poole and set about changing the world.

Entirely self-taught, the group began to find arrangements for Ronnie’s wide range of writing, demos were recorded, and finally, a distinctive Tours sound emerged. Although John left after 18 months, the group pressed on, and in their final six months, they put Poole on the music biz map with a Peel-championed DIY 45 “Language School” / “Foreign Girls”, signed to Virgin, recorded a follow-up (“Tourist Information” / “You Know”) toured the UK and split up.

Bloodied but unbowed the remnants of Tours regrouped in their home port as Ronnie and John recruited bassist Ian Sandy and with original Tours drummer Basher Spiers in tow set about grabbing the business by the balls once more. But first, they headed to the beach…

The name change to Da Biz was a natural progression from punk leathers to new wave t-shirts and sta-press as Scouse-born Ronnie felt the surge of Merseybeat in his veins and was seduced again by John’s penchant for chiming guitar thrills and spills. It was bright, tight and right against the doomy mood of the moment – the sound of the sunny south!

Live, they wanted something different and started their own venue at Poole Arts Centre, which became a regular showcase for bands playing original material. Playing out of town, in continual pursuit of a Now Sound for the Power Pop People, they had it going on.

Ever ready to fight their corner, on one notorious occasion at the storied Marquee club, Ronnie managed a dressing room fight with a well-lubricated Wreckless Eric that might have been more serious had the room been big enough for either to actually swing a punch. Instead, they had to settle for an angry grapple!

Da Biz managed to tickle the interest of industry contacts as Sire Records A&R Paul McNally spotted a summer hit in “On the Beach”. He booked the band into Rockfield Studios to polish up the original demo with producer Pat Moran (Iggy, Queen) and added backing vocals from Sire artists and Merseybeat legends Mike Pender and John McNally of The Searchers.

They also took a moment to record a new b-side “This Is No Audition” with the late, very great Nicky Buckle in the drum seat.

The single made more ripples than waves, but Poole boys are nothing if not resilient and Da Biz set about recording song after song, always pushing, never standing still. If only they could find a drummer who would stick around. Paul McNally, in a bid to persuade the band to sign to Sire, lured top rock photographer Tom Sheehan to Poole to photograph Da Biz at the Arts Centre and on the beach at Sandbanks.

In the studio, Van Morrison sideman Martin Hughes sat in and the songs took on new dimensions with power pop counter melodies and economical rhythms. As 1980 became 1981 a rash of new recordings captured the sound of… what next? Offbeats, angular guitar parts, codas, segues and pre-chorus diversions. Tidy.

Things moved at breakneck speed in those days and nobody under 30 paused for thought, let alone careful consideration. Each new adventure was just that, another twist in the tale. The next step – make a single, maybe an album, write the hit that gets you on Top of the Pops and out of this town. Right?

Barely a year after it all started so brightly Da Biz was beached, becalmed and beset by their inability to find a regular drummer. Disappointed when the promised deal Sire didn’t materialise, fed up with a lack of gigs outside their hometown, emotionally drained by the slimy eels and smarmy deals, they’d had enough.

What’s more, trousers were changing shape again – straight was out, pegs were in – and all of a sudden beats needed pleats. Something had to give and Da Biz folded their hand in favour of Biz Internationale, pop stars, disco dancefloors and superstar supporters.

But that, dear reader, is the next story…

Ronnie Mayor
Ronnie signed as a songwriter to Bleu Disque, Sire boss Seymour Stein’s publishing arm (alongside Ramones, Talking Heads, and The Undertones) and was whisked off to the States to write with in-house producer Andy Paley. He saw the original Ramones studio, caught Chubby Checker live in concert and, best of all, visited Sigma Sound Studios in Philadelphia where Andy was producing an album. It was all a very long way from Poole Quay but ultimately amounted to another peek behind the curtain, a taste of what might lay ahead.

John Hole
As the original guitar player and founding member of Tours, he defined the band’s sound with his melodic, surf guitar lead riffs and sixties-inspired arpeggios. With Da Biz, he expanded his style and gave the band counter melodies and even a wonderfully soulful old-fashioned solo when persuaded on ‘Introductions, Flowers & Invitations.

Nicky Buckle
Nicky became something of a local legend whilst playing in the hugely popular, pre-punk era Freshly Layed Band. A proud family man, running his own business, Nick still found time to help out Da Biz, both live and in the studio. Just listen now to his fab contributions to the tracks ‘This Is No Audition’ and ‘Driven To Tears.

Ian Sandy
Self-taught, Ian came to the band with a highly melodic, fluid style of playing. With its perfect sense of timing, it gave the band an opportunity to try more ambitious types of musical arrangements, clearly evident in the track ‘A Question of Independence. His natural singing style perfectly matched Ronnie’s lead vocal, thus giving the band counter melodies and full choruses.