Janus Stark take their odd name from a 1970’s comic book character. As an alternative, Gizz offers up a more startling meaning; ”Janus is the name given to the computer controlling the British defense system. It was a coincidence really but it brings to mind raw, naked dangerous power.” Move on to the obvious next question – ”Who are Janus Stark?”

If you’re unfamiliar with the name, then study the basics. Fronted by Prodigy live guitarist Gizz Butt, the band ploughed a trail as the English Dogs before writing a song called ’Clique’ and changing their approach. Where the older English Dogs material was more abrasive and underground, ’Clique’ was more considered, more instant and ultimately more memorable. Encouraged by this, Janus Stark hit a rich vein of songwriting that saw them go for a more accessible sound, with big choruses and meaty hooks that stood head and shoulders above the competition.

The alternative club is the place for Janus Stark,” states Gizz. ”They might play us inbetween Supergrass and Placebo. The main difference is our songs are like chants, and people will always enjoy the buzz of the chant, it’s uplifting, brings people together and it irritates those you want to irritate.”

Perhaps Gizz’s involvement with the Prodigy gave Janus Stark a world view that was missing before. Whatever the reason things began to happen. A deal was secured with Earache in the middle of ’97, and the band put all their energies into the debut album that would become ’Great Adventure Cigar,’ with the able help of 3 Colours Red producer Terry Thomas. If a label had to be pinned to Janus Stark’s sound, then cutting edge melodic punk would be the simplest, but it doesn’t really explain the range of sounds on offer. ’Floyd (What Are You On)’ houses a huge chorus underlined with a serious Pixie-esque bass line, whilst ’White Man’ is the band’s heaviest number, coming on like Helmet with a bad hangover. The album’s most insistent track is ’Every Little Thing Counts’, a tune that is so persistent that you can’t help singing along at the top of your voice before it drove you insane with its infectious chorus. As Gizz rightly points out: ”The melodies write themselves, if you know what I mean. It’s infectious.””