The Business

The Business is an English Oi!/punk band formed in the late 1970s. Their classic album "Suburban Rebels" became a seminal record for the Oi! movement. Their biggest hit song in recent times, "England 5 - Germany 1", (based on a result of a World Cup Qualifying match in 2001), became a football anthem for England. They also took an early stance against political extremism with their "Oi Against Racism and Political Extremism But Still Against The System" tour. The Business first emerged off the streets of South London in October 1979, leading a new wave of British punk that was hardly new wave at all. Instead, the Business, along with peers such as Angelic Upstarts, Blitz, and the 4-Skins, came out with a version of punk that was harder and more streetwise than ever, while still maintaining the anthemic qualities of the heavily influential Sham 69. Commonly referred to as Oi! or street-punk, these groups' most obvious brethren comprised the early American hardcore scene. The Business had a particular knack for churning out anthems, as evidenced by their first single, "Harry May," and followed by such enduring concert staples as "Drinking and Driving" and "Smash the Discos," both included on the CD reissue of the classic Suburban Rebels album. The band was on and off again throughout the '80s, but returned for a strong extended stay in 1994 with Keep the Faith. As usual, the disc mixed tales of football and drinking with wry social commentary and working-class singalongs. The lineup of Micky Fitz (vocals), Steve Whale (guitar), Lol Proctor (bass), and Mickey Fairbairn (drums) released No Mercy for You in July 2001; Hardcore Hooligan followed two years later. Studio albums * Suburban Rebels (1981) * Saturday's Heroes (1985) * Welcome To The Real World (1988) * Keep The Faith (1994) * The Truth, The Whole Truth And Nothing But The Truth (1997) * No Mercy For You (2001) * Under The Influence (2003) * Hardcore Hooligan (2003) Compilations/Live albums/Singles * Harry May (2002) * Hell 2 Pay" (2002) * The Complete Singles Collection (2001) * Oi, It's Our Business: The Best Of The Business (2001) * Smash The Discos/Loud, Proud and Punk (Live) (2001) * Mob Mentality (2000) * Live (1999) * The Best Of The Business: 28 Classic Oi Anthems... (1998) * Loud, Proud And Oi! (1996) * Death II Dance (1996) * 1979-89 * Singalong A Business * Blue Stereo Music * Harry May: The Singles Collection Compilation appearances * Punch Drunk 4 * UK/DK: The Soundtrack To The Film (Soundtrack) * Oi! The Resurrection * World Still Won't Listen: Tribute To The Smiths * 100% British Punk (Box Set) * United Kingdom Of Punk 3: The Hardcore Years * Oi! This Is England (Box Set) * Burning Ambitions: A History Of Punk (Box Set) * Punk, Proud & Nasty * Lords Of Oi! (Box Set) * 100% British Oi! Oi! * Give 'Em The Boot * Burning Ambition: History Of Punk Vol. 2 * Anarchy From The UK, Volume One * Oi! Greatest Hits Vol. 1 * Punk City Rockers (Box Set) * Kill Your Radio * Voice Of The Streets * Eurotrip soundtrack * Trouble on the Terraces