The Wasp Factory Presents:

Probe X

Janus Stark

7pm

£10 / £12

Tickets : https://wegottickets.com/event/676807

PROBE X

JANUS STARK

“Jaw dropping riffing and virtuoso licks are part and parcel of what Gizz has always done, lifting each and every song to dizzying heights, allowing the record to soar and discover its sublime, unique identity.”
(MASS MOVEMENT WEBSITE)

Gizz Butt / David Pistolas / Phil Smith / Scott Bickers

“A rock ‘n’ roll program of crashing metal and punk rock guitars with an almost 1960s poppy psychedelia sensibility”; Janus Stark were formed at the same time that lead-singer and six-stringer extraordinaire Gizz Butt was also the guitarist for The Prodigy during their height-of-success ‘Fat of the Land’ period, which was a number one album in 38 countries in 1997.
Gizz has also been the former guitarist of English Dogs, U.K. Subs, The Destructors, Fields Of The Nephilim and the Steve Ignorant (Crass) Band amongst others. Regarded as a general all-round Peterborough punk legend, he’s known for melding heavy metal guitars with punk energy and attitude, his style being one of the first creators of the ‘crossover’ genre.
Janus Stark’s much lauded 1998 debut album ‘Great Adventure Cigar’, produced by Terry Thomas, then known for his work with 3 Colours Red. Janus Stark then deservedly found themselves catapulting up the USA Billboard Top 40 with their classic single ‘Every Little Thing Counts’ finally reaching number 32, a significant achievement.
“A great melodic kick up the arse…” (DAVE GROHL – FOO FIGHTERS

In 1998, a deal with Trauma Records (home of Bush and No Doubt) in the USA led to four well received tours and three soundtrack appearances, notably on the ‘Varsity Blues’ film score which made the Top 20 of the Billboard Top 200. That year, they were also awarded acting roles in the bizarre British movie ‘Whatever Happened to Harold Smith’. Janus Stark wrote and recorded songs for the soundtrack as well as appearing in the film as themselves. Building on their success, 1999 then saw the band play to over 65,000 people on a European tour with Die Toten Hosen.

Janus Stark eventually split in 2002 as Butt was invited to work with huge bands such as “Fields OF The Nephilim”, “Sabbat” “Steve Ignorant’s CRASS” He joined German metal band Pyogenesis and began to spend more time in Europe. It was while residing in Hamburg in 2018 that a friend and local punk promoter suggested he reform Janus Stark for the ‘Hamburg Booze Cruise’.

In 2019, while hanging out with his friends the U.K. Subs (Gizz was their guitarist for a spell prior to his Prodigy audition), they suggested  Janus Stark teamed up with Time & Matter Records with a new album immediately being planned. A support tour with Gizz’s favourites The Wildhearts was booked which was a huge success.

With their second album having been released on T&M to universal critical acclaim, 2020’s superb ‘Angel In The Flames’, along with their blistering live performances, seemed to have signalled an exciting upward trajectory for Janus Stark. Two video singles were released, the HELMET influenced “Shuffling The Pack” and the SEX PISTOLS/RUTS influenced “Commodity Awakening” Then at the beginning of their UK tour, the world was impacted by COVID.

“At once brilliant and heart breaking, written from the darkest corners of the human psyche but with a hope and cheerfulness for the future that makes it seem almost light hearted…”  (DEVOLUTION MAGAZINE)

“A full force head banging and pogo jumping storm, that blows more than the top of your head off. A rock ‘n’ roll program of crashing metal and punk rock guitars with an almost 1960s poppy psychedelia sensibility in places thanks in part to Gizz’s sensitive vocal delivery.” (NUZZ PROWLING WOLF WEBSITE)

“Janus Stark were very much admired across the Atlantic and Metallica, Dave Grohl and others clearly took note. The twisted Beatles-a-like of Every Little Thing Counts resolves into a poppy-surf-punk wig-out with a strident and insidious chorus which is truly infective.” (VIVE LE ROCK MAGAZINE)

During lockdown, new music was being written, with Butt taking solace in the music of John Reis (Rocket from the Crypt, Hot Snakes, Night Marchers, Sultans), the prolific San Diego riff writer and vocal genius. This really opened up and introduced new possibilities to Gizz, with garage punk, rock ‘n’ roll, rockabilly, heavy blues, post hardcore, alt rock and proto punk sparking his ever-fertile imagination. Inspiration was coming in spades and the songs began writing themselves. Butt then decided to move his city studio back home into his shed began eagerly working on his new Janus Stark ideas from there.
Because of the prison that the pandemic had caused, ‘Face Your Biggest Fear’ presented itself as the perfect title for this new album. Covid had dropped everything into our laps and it made total sense to throw old attitudes away and move forward, knowing how fragile and temporary we all are, it made sense to take the approach of discarding fear but developing a pride, a self-worth as well as a spiritual love for protecting kindred souls.
the band went into the studio at Leeds and filmed the next promo video ‘Clusterfuck’ and soon after the album Face Your Biggest Fear was mixed by Andy Hawkins and mastered by Andy Sneap, (the world’s greatest metal producer as well as being second guitarist of the present Judas Priest line up)
“The thing that sets Janus Stark apart from their contemporaries is the fact that Gizz is a shredder… while the lyrics are socially and politically aware, and the riffs crunchy, it’s the melodies that always shine through, they are pure sugar for the soul.” (RPM WEBSITE)
Another video single was pulled from the album in the shape of “REASSURING” which was launched just before the band played the famous REBELLION festival and embarked on a UK tour.

Early on in 2023 the Janus Stark bassist Simon Martin was diagnosed with cancer and the band attempted to fulfil their obligations with the aid of Phil Smith.

During the interim Gizz Joined Washington DC Hardcore band SCREAM, the band that Dave Grohl played drums before he joined NIRVANA.

Simon’s last appearance with Janus Stark was Saturday 9th September. Just over a year later, tragedy struck as Simon lost his battle on Nov 1st 2024.
Devastated by these events, it seemed imminent that this was the end, drummer Fozzy, too upset by the passing of his fellow bassist, left the group to be replaced by Scott Bickers from fellow band mates, Spring Park.
Phil Smith had now become the permanent bassist and the band endeavoured to write new material and continue.
With a new AA 7”vinyl single to be released on Dec 8th 2025 . Janus Stark are on the road once more to prove that in the face of adversity, when 4 guys come together to play rock n roll and take it out on to the streets, every little thing counts.

“The punk attitude, the irresistible melodies, the emotional depth, the sharp riffing, the lyrical intelligence and the breath-taking lead playing – it’s all here.”
(ZERO TOLERANCE MAGAZINE)

JANUS STARK
“SURVIVAL MUST RELY ON SOUND”
2025

More video

Janus Stark – “Shuffling The Pack”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kToAxrQQv0k&list=RDkToAxrQQv0k&start_radio=1

Janus Stark – “Clusterfuck”

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=NV2NHgfMz5k&list=RDNV2NHgfMz5k&start_radio=1