On Tarrare, pathological consumption, and lyrics written intuitively
Transmission 334: Interview with The Shits
The Shits formed in Leeds in 2017, built from the start around an explicit debt to Brainbombs. The band’s lineup has shifted across geography since then, with members spread between Leeds, Newcastle, and London, but the base remains West Yorkshire. Diet of Worms, their second LP on Rocket Recordings, follows You’re A Mess and is due for release on April 3. Seven of its eight tracks were recorded live in the room. The band cites Drunk in Hell alongside the Stooges and Brainbombs as primary reference points, and their live sets have moved progressively further into confrontation since the group’s first gig, when they introduced themselves as better than the Stooges.
Artist: The Shits
Release Date: 2026-04-03
Genres: Garage Rock, Noise Rock, Post-punk, Punk Rock
Label: Rocket Recordings
Description: The Shits discuss Diet of Worms, their second LP on Rocket Recordings, out April 3 — live recording, Brainbombs, Tarrare, and European tour dates.
The title track ‘Diet of Worms’ is the only piece on the record not captured live; the rest were tracked as a unit, with vocals and guitar overdubs added after. Two further tracks were recorded during the sessions and set aside. The second single, ‘Thank You for Being a Friend’, is out now ahead of the album. European dates in Belgium, France, and Switzerland follow the release, with an Oslo show on June 12.
“We’re The Shits, we’re like The Stooges but better.”
— Callum, on the band’s first gig introduction
What were you listening to before you started playing music, the records that got you hooked before you ever picked up an instrument?
(Henry) I started playing guitar when I was 11. This was around 2002/03 so like any kid whose ear stood to attention when guitars came on the radio/tv/your pals parent’s car, the first bands that grabbed me were the ones that were immediately available. I was not privy to an older sibling with more discerning taste, it was a slow and at points regrettable journey of self discovery.
(Callum) I spent my childhood standing around in a lot of very dull villages and towns (Hepworth, Easingwold, Delph, Holmfirth, Emley etc) listening to my Dad play cornet in brass bands. The first CD I ever bought with my own money was High Voltage by AC/DC, my Dad would play If You Want Blood You’ve Got It religiously in the car.
How did the band first come together, and was there a shared musical manifesto from the start, or did the identity emerge gradually through playing? Was the name an immediate provocation, or did it come from somewhere more instinctive?
(Henry) The band started in 2017 with myself and Jack (bass) wanting to do a band that was indebted to Brainbombs. We then asked Harry (previous drummer) and Callum if they fancied a jam which they agreed to. The rest is obvious.
I would say the identity of the band was formed the second we started our first gig when Callum introduced us, ‘We’re The Shits, we’re like The Stooges but better’.
Ever since our gigs have gotten more confrontational and rowdier. I think as a group we were all fed up of the punk scene and how everything had to be sanitised to appeal to absolutely everyone in a room. That feeling has not left us, it feels good to get under people’s skin. Give them something to think about.
A few names got floated around but once Callum suggested ‘The Shits’ all the others seemed irrelevant.
(Callum) At first the name felt like a sort of gag that was only for us but now I truly can’t imagine the band being called anything else. It’s stupid, pathetic, arrogant, seductive, undeniable.
The Shits started in Newcastle and are now based in Leeds; how much has that geographic shift shaped the band’s sound and attitude, if at all?
(Henry) The Shits started in Leeds, Sam has always lived in Newcastle (he joined after a year or so). Callum now also lives in Newcastle. Jack lives in London. The band is firmly from Leeds though.
The band’s sound and outlook oozes West Yorkshire, an inspiring place for all the right and wrong reasons. Regarding the north east of England, we owe a lot to Drunk In Hell, a huge influence when we first got together.
(Callum) Check your sources. The Shits is from Leeds.
“It’s stupid, pathetic, arrogant, seductive, undeniable.”
— Callum, on the band’s name
Is there a common driver that connects the tracks of Diet of Worms?
(Henry) Drinking beer. Smoking cigarettes. Hangovers.
How much of the album was captured live in the room?
(Henry) All the tracks bar ‘Diet of Worms’ were tracked live. There are many guitar overdubs but the foundations of 7/8 songs on the LP are live. The vocals were of course tracked after the original live takes.
How long did the album take to make from first ideas to finished record?
(Henry) Around two years. We all live up and down the country and have busy lives outside of being in a rock band. Sadly.
Some of the ideas for songs I had had for a while before we even started writing. It is a genuine relief to get the idea into the room rather than have it just as an idea running round my head all day everyday.
“The songs are written intuitively and then the connections start to appear behind my eyes later. You’ll have to get in there to see it all.”
— Callum, on the lyrics of Diet of Worms
Was there anything recorded for Diet of Worms that didn’t make the cut, and do you regret losing any of it?
(Henry) We recorded two extra tracks which we didn’t use. I don’t regret them not being on the LP but I’m sure they will see the light of day. One of the tracks is called ‘Pissing’ and is a particularly ferocious number.
Is there a political dimension to Diet of Worms, or is it more existential and personal?
(Callum) That depends on how you see yourself relating to the world. There’s no explicit political viewpoint expressed on the record but it’d be naive to think that shouting about extreme violence, drinking this much and being an obnoxious prick at our gigs doesn’t produce certain impressions. The intent behind the lyrics/music is certainly personal though.
“Tarrare” references an 18th-century Frenchman infamous for compulsive, pathological consumption of anything he could find. Is he a direct reference, and does the idea of consumption run through the album as a theme?
(Callum) The song is named after him, it’s a direct reference. Consumption comes up a lot both in relation to the “Tarrarean” pathology, not being able to refrain or abstain. Either in terms of being consumed, getting drawn into something darker and darker and being helpless to stop it, or sometimes its about a consumption as simple as drinking beer and liking it. The songs are written intuitively and then the connections start to appear behind my eyes later. You’ll have to get in there to see it all.
“It is a genuine relief to get the idea into the room rather than have it just as an idea running round my head all day everyday.”
— Henry, on the songwriting process
Is there a track that works better live than on record, or vice versa?
(Henry) We haven’t played all the new LP out yet. When we play live nothing is ever exactly how it is recorded as some guitar parts are improvised. It doesn’t concern us particularly what works live or not, it’s all The Shits.
Are you already working on new material or are you setting up the next tour?
(Henry) We have already been jamming some new new stuff yeah. From a first jam it’s already sounding good and taking us in different directions.
We are on tour in Belgium, France and Switzerland next month. Beyond that, for this year we will probably organise some adhoc UK gigs and see what else is offered to us…
We also play Oslo on June 12th.
Photos courtesy of The Shits
Matteo Damiani is an Italian photographer and author. Curator of the sites Retrofuturista.com; weirditaly.com; china-underground.com and others
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