Editing The Spitfire Boys (section)

=== Liverpool era ===
In early 1977, [[David Littler (punk rock musician)|David Littler]] saw [[the Heartbreakers]] live at [[Eric's Club]], in [[Liverpool]], and asked them about a band he had, but really didn't exist, and the group gave him a place to support them alongside [[Slaughter and the Dogs]] and [[Buzzcocks]] at [[Parr Hall|Warrington Parr Hall]], [[Warrington]], [[Cheshire]], in May. The band was formed shortly afterwards by Littler as guitarist, alongside his friends, bassist Peter Griffiths and lead vocalist Michael Rigby, and Steve Platt a drummer. A short time later, while preparing for the gig, the band changed their name to the Spitfire Boys as a suggestion of [[Jayne County|Wayne County]]. For their first gig at Warrington Parr Hall, they played covers of the [[Ramones]].<ref name="auto1">{{Cite web|url=http://www.punk77.co.uk/groups/spitfireboysdavidlint.htm|title=The Spitfire Boys – David Littler Interview|website=Punk77.co.uk|accessdate=2020-05-25}}</ref>

After their debut gig, the band had their first drummer, [[Budgie (musician)|Peter Clarke]], then an art student and member of Albert Dock, later [[Yachts (band)|Yachts]]. With that new line-up, the band played their second gig at Eric's Club. After that, the group sacked off Michael Rigby, who was replaced, as suggestion of Clarke, by [[Paul Rutherford (singer)|Paul Rutherford]].<ref name="auto1"/>

They released their first single, ''British Refugee'' 7", on 7 October 1977,<ref>{{Cite web|url=https://rateyourmusic.com/release/single/the-spitfire-boys/british-refugee-mein-kampf/|title=British Refugee / Mein Kampf by The Spitfire Boys|website=Rateyourmusic.com|accessdate=2020-05-25}}</ref> on RKO Records.

During the brief era of that line-up, they toured UK. They also supported [[the Prefects]] and [[the Slits]] (later Clarke's band), and also played a gig with [[Holly Johnson]].

In December, [[Pete Wylie]] (formerly of [[Crucial Three]] and The Mystery Girls) joined the band, but only for a few rehearsals. On 22 December 1977, the band split up, Clarke, Griffiths and Wylie formed the Nova Mob (along [[Julian Cope]]), and Paul Rutherford formed the Opium Eaters,<ref>Frame, Pete, ''Pete Frame's Rock Family Tree''.</ref> while Littler moved to London in January 1978,<ref name="auto1"/> where he joined the Photons, alongside [[Steve Strange]] (later [[Visage (band)|Visage]]). Griffiths joined turned his back on the entire music scene, citing the growing trend in drug abuse, and general disillusionment as his reasons.

In July 2006, the band had "British Refugee" re-released on a [[Korova Records]] [[compilation album]], entitled ''North by Northwest'', which was compiled by [[Paul Morley]].