News

ANGUS JOINS JANUS STARK!

We are chuffed to announce that Angus Mackman has joined the Janus Stark family as our full time bassist.
Phil Smith has been more than a helping hand for over two years. He stepped into the Janus Stark family once Simon Martin announced that he needed to step away to receive cancer treatment. You may not know the full story but original bassist Shop returned to the band but it didn’t work out. After a few shows, Shop gave in his resignation and Phil came back to the family once more. This is hard evidence that Phil Smith is not only an incredible talent, an amazing guitarist and bassist, but also a compassionate and noble human being. He helped us when we most needed it TWICE! He’s now given back his Janus Stark shirt so he can focus on his day job, the massively successful LEBROCK! We say thank you Phil Smith. Janus Stark love you and wish you all the best.

SO, there’s a new bassist in Janus Stark now Angus Mackman a fantastic bass player, friend and personality who last night cemented his position with a stunning performance at the Vive Le Rock X Mess Party

I’m sure you’ll enjoy his sound and style as much as we do!!

JANUS STARK RECORDING NEW ALBUM!!

WE just wanted to let you know that a new album is well on the way with 10 tracks already in the can . A fantastic new guitar sound has been found after an extremely long and deep search after experimenting with lots of amps and guitars.
The title is under wraps at the moment as are the song titles but one thing is certain ; This will be the most guitar led recording Janus Stark has done so far, those things sound MAHOOSIVE!
We don’t want to give too much away at this stage and we want everything to be right so it may take a little longer than we imagined. As soon as it is done we will put out a taster to whet your appetites!
The album will feature our present line up of:
Gizz Butt – Ld Vox and Lead Guitars
David Pistolas – Backing Vox and Rivvum Guitars
Phil Smith- Bass and more bass guitars
Scott Bickers – Drums, hair and fish

Si Martin 22nd Jan 67 – 1st Nov 24

JANUS STARK BAND STATEMENT

It is with deep sadness that we have to inform you of the passing of our best friend, brother and fellow band mate Si Martin on Friday morning. He was a kind caring gentle soul who always put himself out for others and was an integral part of the reformed Janus Stark and The Dizzy Miss Lizzys.

Our thoughts are with his Wife Julie and his Family at this tragic time. We’ve always been very close to Julie and along with his Daughter Charlotte and Grandson Jesse. Julie and Si’s Sons Ed and Robbie and their partners, they meant the absolute world to Simon, he cherished them deeply.

Si had been courageously battling cancer for the past 18 months. We stayed close to him throughout and were fully aware of his treatment and the procedures that he was undergoing. There was always hope during this time. Simon’s last appearance as the Janus Stark bassist was at The Ostrich, Peterborough Sept 9th which was a cancer benefit gig.

Simon and Gizz were particularly close, first meeting in 1982, they were friends at Peterborough Regional College and Simon and his close friends Daren, Splodge , Howard and Taff would follow The Destructors , the band Gizz was then guitar player for.

Simon began guitar lessons with Gizz right back then, something which he kept up until May 2023 when all his efforts needed to concentrate on beating the dreadful cancer and Julie was at his side all the way.

It is difficult to describe what an incredible man Simon was. Kind, generous, always hilarious, he had a sense of humour that made everybody he came across love him. He always had time for everybody, a shoulder to cry on and a warm heart to dote on. An irresistible bubble of joy and laughter with a knowledge of Elvis Presley, Beatles, 60’s psychedelia , 70’s glam rock and punk rock that was as vast as his record collection. Above all he was an absolutely fantastic musician and vocalist .

This world has lost one of the very best!!!

RIP Si , We will always love you XXXX

Gizz, David, Phil, Scott, James, Chris Y, Shop, Richard, Fozzy.

Scott Joins Janus Stark

 

Scott Bickers is announced as the new Janus Stark drummer and will make his debut with the band on Sat 9th March in Cambridge at the The Six Six Bar on the Desperate Measures Sublime Destruction tour! Check out the Tour Dates section for dates & ticket links!!

Scott has been rehearsing with the band since Jan & also working on songs for the new album, which is planned for release towards the end of the year on Time & Matter Recordings.

Janus Stark Digital Archive – Volume 7

LIVE AT WESSEX STUDIOS 1998 (T&M 062)

Gizz Butt – Lead Vocals & Guitars
Shop – Bass & Backing Vocals
Pinch – Drums & Backing Vocals

Recorded live on the evening of 23 February, 1998
Wessex Studios, 106a Highbury New Park, London.

Gizz “I suppose this latest collection of Janus Stark songs from my archive could be described as “…the one’s that nearly slipped away!”

They were recorded live on the evening of 23rd February 1998 at the world famous Wessex Sound Studios, sadly now no longer there at 106a Highbury New Park, London. Just over twenty years before our session, the Pistols had been within those walls to record their debut single Anarchy in the UK, as well as returning to record one of the most influential albums ever: Never Mind The Bollocks – Here’s the Sex Pistols. The Clash, PiL, The Pretenders and The Damned had all recorded there as well so the place certainly had a rich history.

You can download all 6 tracks plus comprehensive liner notes and rare photos from my archive collection. All for £5 just CLICK HERE