1979 Writz [RPM Show]

RPM Show Christmas Special
BBC1 West 12 Dec 1979 10:15pm
1. Night Nurse
2. Luxury
3. Movies
Vocals: Steve Fairnie & Bev Sage
Vocals / Guitar: Steve Rowles
Lead Guitar: Jules Hardwick
Bass: Nick Battle
Drums: Arry Axell
Three Writz performances were featured on the RPM Show Christmas Special, broadcast just before Christmas 1979 on BBC West. This programme, introduced by Andy Batten Foster was a showcase for local bands in the Bristol region and was recorded at the BBC Bristol studios on Whiteladies Road, Clifton. Writz were based in London at this time, but they had strong Bristolian origins. This special was a compilation culled from the earlier series transmitted over the summer. Writz, being visually exciting, earned three appearances.
Their self titled debut lp came out in September 79 between the RPM series and the RPM Special. Only two singles were released as Writz: Night Nurse, which almost charted, and the 12" of which was pressed on transparent green vinyl and came with a fetching white face mask. In France they released a version of Movies. Early in the new year they changed their name to Famous Names, and in June 1980 they went into Trident Studios in London and recorded Holiday Romance / Talk It Out, their only single as Famous Names. An album, Venetian Blind was all but completed before management issues caused the band to fold. The album remains unreleased, though some tracks strayed onto compilations.

[@Themudheads]

Thanks for sharing. I followed this band right from when they were an acoustic duo. Saw them as this line up at the Music Machine in London being supported by the vapours....RIP Steve Fairnie, you were a one off.

[@JerryTremaine]

That's 5 mins of my life I'll never get back...

[@ChrisMower]

I worked with them when they were recording at Trident Studios back in the God Knows When Past. It was about the time they released under the band name 'Famous Names'. I can honestly say that Bev and Steve were two of the nicest people that ever graced the sofa in the listening room. Sad to hear of Steve's death, he was one of the good guys.

[@jackjansen7265]

Saw them twice (and once more as Famous Names), at a small space in a student dorm here in Amsterdam. Unbelievable, both music and show....

[@johnc8770]

Saw this band with some friends in October 79 at the Fforde Greene (correct spelling) pub in Leeds. We used to go every sunday to see bands , among them Simple Minds and Def Leppard (same year) and these guys were simply awesome. They did Downtown by Pet Clark and it brought the .house down. Thank you for posting. Oh what Happy (Very) Days they were back then.

[@crayhobgoblin]

wow another video? good to see my uncle again :D

[@MrMikeytenerife]

Brillant thanks for shareing

[@peterward1816]

Actually, it may come as something of a surprise that these guys were Bible-bashers. I saw them a couple of times at the Greenbelt festival, first time was I think in 1978 when they were Fish Company whose album BENEATH THE LAUGHTER is a worthy addition to their portfolio.

[@jimmystagger]

I'm down a huge internet rabbit hole here but I see that former After The Fire man Nick Battle is present so that makes sense!

[@trevormatthews6005]

Saw them at st osyth collage clacton billed as fish co but actually played as writz

[@crozwayne]

Bev was hot back then, 41 years ago ffs....cant believe time flies so fast

[@DrStef007]

If you have them, obviously.

[@DrStef007]

Can you PLEASE upload the ELO intro titles to RPM. I will be your best mate...honest!

[@brianboru7684]

Was everything pop chessboard 2-Tone in late 1979 early 1980?

[@lewiswalker946]

Almost too good...

[@paddyeejit1954]

Horrible