Grant Showbiz
Acting
Biography
Grant Showbiz (real name Grant Cunliffe) is a British record producer principally known for his work with the Fall, the Smiths, and Billy Bragg plus as an artist in his own right with Moodswings. He has worked on more albums by both the Fall and Billy Bragg than any other producer, and continues to work with Bragg. Showbiz has been awarded Gold Records for the Smiths' Rank, Billy Bragg's Don't Try This At Home and the Wilco/Bragg collaboration Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1, and received Grammy nominations for both Mermaid Avenue Vol. 1 and Vol. 2. Showbiz started as a soundman for anarcho-hippypunks Here & Now in 1976. Showbiz ran the sound and stage at many free festivals such as Windsor and Stonehenge. Stamping his personality on proceedings, using a microphone plugged into the soundboard, he would often amiably harangue those onstage to get on with it, or off, as circumstances might merit. He quickly forged links with the punk scene, producing albums for Alternative TV and the Fall. In 1979 he set up the Ladbroke Grove-based Street-Level Studio with Kif Kif (ex drummer of Here & Now) and José Gross (ex keyboard player from Here & Now, guitarist from Blank Space and the Real Imitations), going on to record a swathe of bands including the Fall, Alternative TV, Mark Perrys' Good Missionaries, The Door And The Window, 012, World Domination Enterprises, the Mob, Impossible Dreamers, the Astronauts, Blyth Power, Brian Brain, the Petticoats, Androids Of Mu, the Instant Automatons & Take It - many released on the associated pioneering DIY record label Fuck Off Records. At this time Showbiz also began making music himself, playing bass in Blue Midnight (who he continues to record & play live with). Through connections with Rough Trade Showbiz became the Smiths live sound engineer, working with them from their fifth gig until their last gig in 1986. He produced their live album Rank and recorded their last ever tracks "Work Is a Four Letter Word" and "I Keep Mine Hidden". He filmed a backstage video, Reel Around the Fountain, of their 1984 UK tour and recorded most of their live shows.
Known For
A 1-hour Documentary looking at the Manchester post-punk group and its infamous leader Mark E Smith. The Film follows the current band recording their final Session for the John Peel Show (they were his favourite group and recorded more sessions than any other band) as well as chronicling the chaotic history of the band & its numerous line-up changes.
The Fall: The Wonderful and Frightening World of Mark E. Smith
Dandelion Records and DVD's present Probably the nearest you will ever get to an official documentary on Mark E Smith and The Fall. Put together over a period of 13 years by three Danish Fall fans and with full involvement from Mark E Smith this film gives a real insight into the mechanisms of The Fall. Features many live clips and rehearsals of both The Fall and Smith and Ed Blaney. The cast list includes Mark E Smith, John Peel (a real in depth contribution from Peelie), Henry Rollins, Thurston Moore, David Gedge, Stephen Malkmus, Dee Dee Ramone, Peter Hook, Grant Showbiz, John Cooper Clarke, Damo Suzuki, Gary Lucas, Ed Blaney, Jim Watts, Spencer Birtwistle, Ben Pritchard, Zlatko Buric, Alan Wise, The Other Dave and Fall Fan Dave. Bonus material includes a great interview with Mark E Smith in what was his favourite pub near Heaton Park in Manchester (sadly the pub is now closed)
It's Not Repetition, It's Discipline
A film intended as a tour souvenir for the band, roadies and tour staff was put together in 1984 by sound engineer Grant Showbiz with Jonathan Barnett and Hetty Church using stage, soundcheck and backstage footage filmed on this date.
Reel Around The Fountain: The Smiths on Tour 1984
An exclusive film of Billy in concert in June 2013 performing his critically acclaimed "Tooth & Nail" album and other classic songs, at the stunning Union Chapel in London.
Billy Bragg Live at the Union Chapel London
Kazuko Hohki goes back to Tokyo with her band, the ‘Frank Chickens’, after living in England for 15 years. This wry and delightful film records her re-experiencing of Japan after a long absence, examining traditional attitudes to women and those of Kazuko’s friends who are trying to live differently.