This Friday in Los Angeles at The Scene, The Armitage Shanks will hit the stage once again to kick off a short tour through California, visiting San Francisco and Sacramento as well. Last fall they officially played their final show in Portland at Slabtown with the Clorox Girls, but less than a year later they're back in the loo(!) Forming in Snodland, UK in 1991 as The Thieving Magpies, they eventually adopted the moniker Armitage Shanks after the British toilette manufacturer. Their first single “Do You Want Some Fuckin' Shirts Off or What” featured the iconic Billy Childish on vocals and was released on Damaged Goods. Shortly after Childish produced their debut full length “Taking the Piss” later that same year. Frontman, Dick Scum's vocals are a raw and marred squall that underscore their songs subject matter in an auricular heap of spent beer bottles and gashing guitar that never leaves the uncivilized comfort of the three-chord structure. After years of touring both in Europe and in the US, a handful of erratic hiatuses and break-ups, it looks like the set is back. Playing with San Jose outfit, The Runs, whose paunchy punk sound should fall right in line with the Shanks. The opening act The Guilty Hearts, released their debut on Voodoo Rhythm records last winter and have geographically appropriate Gun Club sound.
Download some Armitage Shanks tunes here.
