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.