In the Shit Interview

How did you form and why did you form and what are your influences?

Originally In The Shit started around 1996, when I met the original singer in a pub in Newport, and we chatted about starting a band, there were never any huge influences I liked all the different styles that come out of the punk scene and "flid" (old singer) wanted to play something more heavier when it came to a band, after numerous discussions I.T.S. were formed and proud to be a part of a punk scene that has stood the test of time. I guess most bands form for the enjoyment of making/playing music and I.T.S. were no different.

how do you think your sound has changed over the years (if at all)

I think all bands change in sound over the years, getting better musically etc I.T.S has probably changed a helluva lot due to the members who have come and gone, with the present line up I am the only original. With Mike the drummer being involved since late 1999, I think the major change with the sound has been the new vocalist "fletch" (bass player on "a world of.. lp/cd) is more gruffer than flid which in turn has leant the band to a heavier sound up front, as for the music side of things Its more progression though we try and not stick to a certain style of music just play what we like which I think makes things more interesting.

How has the punk scene changed since you first started? Is it better/worse or just the same?

Probably a mixture of all those things, some things always stay the same where as others get better and others get worse, on a down side I think the pop punk style has become out of control when it comes to bands wanting to sound the same and some bands in general quoting silly fees for a guarantee for playing gigs/shows. Sometimes I do think the older crowd ignore the younger bands, which in turn leads to scene split plus lotta line-ups at shows concentrate on similar sort of bands, which is a bit boring. On a plus side there’s more people who want to make things happen when it comes to gigs, there’s some excellent bands out there. And the major plus for me is the amount of friends I have made since playing in the band.

Whats your favourite song to play live/favourite place to play live?

I like all the songs when it comes to playing live I just love playing! Perhaps a favourite would be Bomb Ibiza our 2 fingered salute to the rave scene or the infamous screaming beer I guess there’s to many to choose from each song has something I like, abused/world of/requiem/burning skies etc with the style varying to hard to say. as for places to play? in the uk it has to be Boston because the crowd really get into it there and its mad, its great to see the pits going for it and it makes ya want to join in. France is always really good but then it would be, beens most of our releases are on a French label, on the overall any place is good to play as long as the crowds enjoying it.

Tell the readers five facts about the band / band members they will not already know

cant really think of any ,erm , I play in this system kills which is probably more punk rock and tuneful than in the shit , mike drums in cruelty which is a new band that features jimmy from crack cop skulls/ripcord lee from screamer whilst the other 2 play in a piss take metal band or is it ?lol.

How’d you come up with the name?

The name is a complete joke, we were practising one day in a pub in Newport and some guy came in and starting taking photos at the time we were talking about full metal jacket and this guy said he were a photographer for a national newspaper in which flid replied "oh yeah and we are in the shit " about a month later in a Sunday magazine there were a 2 page spread which said " in the s**t rock Newport" and photos of us, it were so hilarious seeing it we thought we had to keep the name even though we didn’t really like it, but then it showed we had not much interest in being commercial as there aint any p and r places who would like the idea of advertising our name.

Where, in your opinion, has the best punk/oi scene?

I would say Brittany in France probably because when we first went there to tour everyone laughed at us as it wasn’t a "hip" place when we got there it was a real eye opener as a lot of the Britons travel anywhere to gigs and there were always a great atmosphere, the scene is huge and the shows are usually mixed bills when it comes to punk so there’s a lotta different people from all backgrounds enjoying it.

How would you personally describe the band?

I have never really thought about this, for me personally its been a great enjoyment to be involved with even though there’s the stress to deal with sometimes, its good to play in a band where everyone is a good friend and we always get a laff, as for musically? I have always said let others decide whilst we enjoy what we do. and after what we have done very happy in getting off my arse and doing it

Plans, gigs and releases for the rest of 2005?

We got plans to tour France/Holland / Germany in September, in the uk there’s not really any plans though we will play anywhere if anyone wants there, we are hoping for a new release to coincide with the euro tour though its probably not going to happen with the time etc

Any extra comments?

Cheers for the interview, check out our site www.intheshitpunkrock.com for the latest ramblings on in the shit , plus there’s free music to download and a online distro there for records/cds courtesy of blind destruction anyone wanna contact us go to info@intheshitpunkrock.com for those who like their punk rock check out this system kills and for those who like the ripcord/discharge style check out cruelty

Thanks paul June 2005