FORGET the civilised tea parties or fun days and prepare for some serious head banging to usurp the Golden Jubilee cele-brations in Swindon.

An anti-monarchist concert, called Never Mind the Jubilee Let's Party, is being held in the Drove Centre on May 25, a week before the official jubilee.

And the bands taking part are performing for free because they feel so strongly about the event.

Four famous local groups, Anish, Charred Hearts, Ham-sters from Hell and British Beef will be providing alternative entertainment for fellow royalty poopers.

Eamonn Treanor, bassist in Charred Hearts, is supporting the concert because he believes the royals epitomise everything bad about Britain.

He said: "Elizabeth Windsor and her dysfunctional family have been sponging off the state for a long time now. It's a bit rich to celebrate how long she has got away with it."

Eamonn has fond memories of the Silver Jubilee when the Sex Pistols were at number one with God Save the Queen.

"The Royal Family are no more popular now than they were 25 years ago. They symbolise snobbery, privilege, inequality, lack of democracy and our terrible colonialist history," he added.

Andy Newman, event organ-iser and spokesman for the Swindon Socialist Alliance, said: "People shouldn't have to sacrifice their principles for the sake of a party.

"So we're having our own bash for non-believers in the Queen."

But Andy was keen to stress that the occasion is not strictly for royalty bashers.

"We've even had two pen-sioners booking tickets. The aim is to provide a fun night for people of all ages who don't fancy toasting the Queen," he added.

It is hoped some 300 anti-royal revellers will attend the venue, which boasts a bar and Indian food. Andy said: "From punk to power pop, there will be music to suit all tastes. We're keeping the food simple with samosas. So far, it has been well received."

More a mini-festival than a concert, there will be stalls from organisations such as Swindon Animal Concern, the Anti-Nazi League and the Alternative Book Club.

Tickets, costing £3, can be bought from Rockin Emporium on Swindon 542545.