Early 2008 has seen the formation, fruition and near stagnation of one of the world’s most uniquely idiosyncratic, enigmatic punk outfits. What is known of highly eccentric Tyneside based “SHITSWARM” follows:

Shielded by a cloak of suspicion and anonymity, it is rumoured that the four band members do not acknowledge one another's real names because they do not actually know them. Their pseudonyms are “GOBSHITE” (vocals) -as much a pain in the arse offstage as on it, “BIGHEED” (guitar) - a lifetime of self-obsession, “PSYCHO” (bass) - lives with his mam and knits all his own jumpers, and “THICKIE” (drums) - always late and thinks nothing of going off for a drink in the middle of a number. Their one and only interview, with jaded hack Daisy Gorge, was conducted wearing full beekeeper suits so none of their features were visible.

The current direction of “SHITSWARM” has altered somewhat by the members’ decision to abandon all plans that would involve live performance. Accusing long-standing acts of participating in an ongoing nostalgia circus, not to mention their total refusal to play in any venue that actively enforces a smoking ban, as well as a reluctance to be photographed by mobile phones, “SHITSWARM” has issued the following statement: “When playing live is virtually dead, why bother?”

Seemingly as self-restricting as their no-gig policy, is their uncompromising decision concerning distribution. They have chosen not to seek the backing of any record label with major corporate links, who they feel would be using their message as part of a separate programme of manufactured dissent.

Although often ostracised for what has been described as a highly cynical attitude, coupled with a contentious world view that many have found challenging in the extreme, the members of “SHITSWARM” are at present marginalised even further, but satisfied that they have established their own ground rules by standing firm on their own said ground, totally in keeping with the original stated aims and objectives of punk!