SHAM 69 IN BITTER SPLIT

British punk rockers SHAM 69 have split on the 30th anniversary of their breakthrough, after a bitter fall-out between frontman JIMMY PURSEY and guitarist DAVE PARSONS. Parsons claims he and drummer IAN WHITEWOOD sacked Pursey because of his lack of desire for playing live. Pursey denies the claims and now both parties are laying claim to the HURRY UP HARRY band's name. Pursey says, "Parsons has walked out of the band. I am Sham 69." Parsons and Whitewood claim, "Sham 69 have left Jimmy Pursey." MIKE HARRIS, spokesman for the other band members, says, "The reasons behind it are that Jimmy seems to show no great desire to play live and is constantly pulling out of gigs at the last moment. "The rest of the band want to get out there and kick ass on stage. At the moment, they're just being held back all the time." Pursey insists he only turned down revival gigs that were booked for the sake of money. He said, "I can turn down a nostalgia gig. I don't want to do that and I've never wanted to do that. I play for today." Parsons and Whitewood have reportedly found a new bassist and will start auditioning singers shortly with the intention of carrying on as Sham 69.