The Psychos formed back in '79 in Chesterfield in the midlands, while the original members were still at school but it wasn't until '81 when they left the rehearsal room and started gigging. After an early exit by the guitarist, they settled on the lineup that went in to record a 4 track demo tape, Chiz (Shakespear), Mick Shakespear, Paul Riley and Neil Hawkes. The self titled demo tape had the songs, 'Not Wanted', 'Get the Band Off' and 'The Thatcher'. Released on their own label, Brain Splat Records, the band sold over 500 copies at gigs and in local record shops.
The Psychos had 'The Thatcher' and 'Not Wanted' released on the Pax Records compilation album, 'Punk's Dead? Nah, Mate the Smell's Just Summink in Yer Underpants' in 1982.
Not too long after, the band split, without releasing any more material. Chiz & Mick went on to form No Dead Meat with John Hall and Jez Bateman (from Society's Victims). Creating their own promotion agency, Noise Aint Dead, they played with bands like UK Subs, Disorder and Peter & the Test Tube Babies. They recorded a 14 track demo, but eventually split due to the lack of interest in the punk scene for the lesser known bands.
Now, after many years of being harrassed (by Pete mainly), the Psychos have reformed. Chiz & Mick have been joined by Luke & Pete who they played with in Riot Squad, and Rich who hasn't hit a drum in over 20 years ('coz he's finally found a band worth playing in ..... probably!). Keeping their same attitude towards punk music, the Psychos have expanded their set list with songs from the Dead Meat demo as well as fresh new material.
The band returned to the gig scene for the 2010 Rebellion festival in Blackpool which was hailed a massive success and have since been gigging around the country as well as returning to Rebellion in 2011 and 2012. The Psychos have since also released two CD's of new material, 'Rotten & Rancid' and more recently 'Two Wrongs Make A Riot.