The fourth proper album from Medways finest chaos merchants ‘Armitage Shanks’.
Formed in Snodland, Kent in early 1991 and good mates of Billy Childish. They released their first single (Do You Want Some Fuckin’) Shirts Off (Or What) (with Childish on Vocals) in early 1993, they became the regular support band for all Thee Headcoats London shows at the now legendary Wild Western Room in Archway (mainly because Dick drove Thee Headcoats van).
They recorded and mixed their debut album Takin’ The Piss (Damgood 34) in three and a half hours at Toe Rag Studios (still a record I believe), Mr Childish twiddled the knobs while they drunk excessively. A fantastic album, still one of the best albums ever on DG.
From there on they were joined by Liam Watson from Toe Rag on Bass and there was no stopping them, playing to over 20 people sometimes at their own shows in London, they then headed out on their first (and only) UK tour, drinking their way around the country followed by a full European tour the year after.
They then did a punk covers in which they anhiliated 20 punk classics (a couple of the roughest out-takes appear on the CD version of Takin’ The Piss) and then released lots of singles on labels in Germany, France, Japan and America.
Another album Shanks Pony (Damgood 94) followed in 1995, another stormer and a live album (Cacophony Now, Damgood 141) was released in mid 1997 which was recorded at the Hope N Anchor in October 1996.
Last year we released a compilation of all their rare and long deleted 7” singles called ’25 Golden Showers’ (Damgood 216)
Recently the Shanks have lost Liam but started gigging again, supporting The Buff Medways once a month at the Dirty Water club in London and they also recorded their latest album ‘Urinal Heap’ (at Toe Rag as usual with Liam Watson (White Stripes etc) at the controls)
And it’s their best yet, recent gigs have had queues of kids wanting to talk to them and even a starstruck Alan McGee singing their praises!.
A US tour is also being planned for later this year.
