Oliver - singer
Tarquin - bass
Tarquin - guitar
Tarquin - drums

Whats in a name? Well, certainly quite a lot for Sheffield four-piece The Mardy Bums. Since the quartet formed theyve been the subject of ridicule, derision, hate mail and even the threat of physical violence, simply for naming themselves after one of their favourite songs. But the lads from the Sheffield suburb of Dore are taking the fuss in their stride.

'Its daft. I mean, that Preston bloke doesnt get grief for naming his crap band after a Morrissey song, does he?' asks their singer Oliver, 19. 'Its hardly the most controversial of names, but people think weve done it on purpose, like, to get publicity,' adds new bassist Tarquin, 18. 'If wed wanted to be noticed cos of our name, wed have call the band The Bollox Arse or something!'

Drummer Tarquin, 20 is unconcerned. 'I couldnt give a flying shite. Its our music thats the important thing. And we know were right good.'

What The Mardy Bums do musically is an interesting point. Yes, its fair to say they have the flavour of current well know Sheffield bands. Thats not surprising; the explosion is Sheffield music over the last year and a half was the catalyst the brought the lads together. But they also take reference points from indie bands of the 80s and 90s. 'Put wood in hole' has elements of Hefner and Half Man Half Biscuit, while 'Does It Say Doormat On Me Back' cascades into the type of guitar sonics heard in the releases of Teenage Fanclub and Mercury Rev. Guitarist Piers, 18, puts this down to the influence of his father, Michael, a long time music fan. 'Dads had us listening to his records since I was about 4. He used to tape John Peel and play him to us in the car so we couldnt escape! He always said we needed educating.

Despite a series of unfortunate setbacks (they have had to cancel gigs because of intimidation, suspected poisoning, high court appearances and skiing accidents) The Mardy Bums were taken under the wing of respected local producer Alan Smyth for the recording of their debut single. Smyth, who has previously produced records for The Long Blondes and Arctic Monkeys among others, affectionately describes the band as a 'bunch of cheeky little bastards.'

Ultimately, The Mardy Bums are inspired by their local culture of cloth caps, whippets, Hendersons Relish and Sean Bean.

The Mardy Bums will be releasing a single on hip label Thee Sheffield Phonographic Corporation on 24th July, 2006. It comes in a reversable sleeve, n'all.

myspace.com/themardybums