Armitage Shanks

Considering the liberal sprinkling of toilet humour that the band employ, you might be forgiven for thinking that Armitage Shanks are some sort of 'funny' comedy punk band. They don't take themselves too seriously, that's for sure, but if you see them then you'll be left in no doubt that they're far from a joke. They play hardcore rock 'n' roll for jumping about too - a more brutal version of The Who, if you will, all chugging riffs and crashing drums. It's not punk in a post-modern sense of the word; you can hear every single word clearly. Dick Scum's delivery is of that classic 'bloke in the pub' football chant style - 1976 style punk rock, when it was still more or less just basic rock'n'roll that rattles along at a cracking pace. Medway's premier league 1977 punk band have been bashing out all manner of punk rockery since 1991. They have, I think I can say, have become something of an institution over the years, with their regular support slots with the Headcoatees (and less occasionally in recent years with the Buff Medways). They've been a bit quiet of late, but now they're back in action with a freshened-up band and better than ever, they are belting out the finest old school punk classics alongside new classics of their own making. Resist their albums "Urinal Heep" and "Top Of The Plops" at your peril. Do you dare to miss the authentic sound of the suburbs as Dick Scum and chums leer in your face and veer your brain cells towards the inevitable cider and glue apocalypse? It's punk and it's rock, it's punk rock. They're not going to set the charts on fire, nor will they feature on the front of any magazines, but if you want some brutal guitar music with attitude, humour and style, then make sure to see Armitage Shanks.