Terrashima

Terrashima were an English band, formed in Derby in 2000. They featured Mark (vocals), Ryan (guitar), Mike (bass) and Dan (drums), replacing Andy, the original drummer.

Terrashima were well regarded for their chaotic and manic live shows which backed up their high charged BLEND of garage rock and lo fi noises.

Such chaotic live events included one show supporting McLusky where Mark, the lead singer performed with a carrier bag on his head.

Rare footage can be seen here of their nihilistic chaos: http://www.gigger.co.uk/gigs/208

They released a single, 'Losing My Grip', on Blast First in 2002 which the NME gave 8/10. 1

Shortly after this Sickroom Gramophone Collective Records released a Terrashima entitled 'Dirty Lie' which was a limited released available on 7" vinyl This is now a collectable piece of garage punk and it is the epitome of the Terrashima sound. Raw , whacked out and challenging the listener.

The singles didnt go unnoticed from BBC1 Radio DJ John Peel. Peel was a fan.They were booked for a Peel Session Live that December. John Peel liked their noise.

On Peel's show, he described Terrashima's sound as 'rousing vulgarity of the kind we crave on this programme', and said, 'I do like the racket they make.'

The set list for the Peel session was 50 Reasons To Bomb America / War Machine / Say Your Prayers / Trapped Inside. http://peel.wikia.com/wiki/Terrashima#Career_Outline However, by 2004 Mark left the band due to mental problems and delusions of grandeur and the band continued as a three-piece with Ryan, guitarist taking up vocals. As a three-piece they recorded an album for the Artrocker label, which showed the band growing in statue and the sounds on the album were more controlled and dark but still heavy and EXCITING, better song writing coming into the fore.

For reasons unknown the album was never released.

Ryan and Mike decided to take the music further and went on to form The Swarm who mixed visuals and electronics to a dark soundscape that echoed The Birthday Party and Jesus Lizard. They released the LP 'Red Paint On The Odessa Steps' on the Fight Me Records label in 2005.

After a year or so, The Swarm split through MusicAL differences and Ryan left.