[Music] Half Man Half Biscuit

[Peteinblack]

One of my all-time fave bands - I think Nigel Blackwell is a lyrical genius.

What's struck me about the last two albums is that amidst the customary satire and wry mocking of ex-TV stars, retired footballers and Z-list celebrities, are the melancholy songs about approaching mortality and the loss of loved ones. 'Terminus' brings a lump to my throat every time I hear it - "hand I once held no longer there ... trying to get used to me and not us, where I'm going, I'm not sure that I care" - and on this year's album, 'Big Man Up Front', and 'Slipping the Escort' (about a partner dying slowly from Dementia') are beautifully melancholic.

 

[Wozza]

From the same author (a friend of mine), a couple of hilarious books...

The Card: Every Match, Every Mile
https://www.amazon.co.uk/s?k=The+Ca...every+match+every+mile,aps,165&ref=nb_sb_noss

Wall of Sport: My Descent Into Multiscreen Madness
https://www.amazon.co.uk/gp/product/1910906239/ref=dbs_a_def_rwt_hsch_vapi_taft_p1_i1

 

[Grassman]

For me, absolutely brilliant to listen to on CD, vinyl etc etc, but shockingly bad live. You want to hear the genius lyrics, because at times the musicianship was a tad ropey. That was the main reason we never tried to book ‘em for The Forum in Tun Wells.

With Goth on our side and of course the Christmas classic It’s cliché to be miserable at Christmas, the Trouble Over Bridgewater album was my fave.

 

[Peteinblack]

For me, absolutely brilliant to listen to on CD, vinyl etc etc, but shockingly bad live. You want to hear the genius lyrics, because at times the musicianship was a tad ropey. That was the main reason we never tried to book ‘em for The Forum in Tun Wells.

With Goth on our side and of course the Christmas classic It’s cliché to be miserable at Christmas, the Trouble Over Bridgewater album was my fave.

They have improved enormously since the early days, when they sounded like they were playing Woolworths guitars. Musically now, they're really tight. They've also got a new guitarist, which has helped.

Saw them in Bristol two years ago (just before the first lockdown), and it was one of the best gigs I've been to (and I've been to 100s over many years) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=QwOsWulrC3E&t=19s

 

[thedonkeycentrehalf]

A football related love song of sorts...

 

[attila]

A much deserved and ridiculously delayed tribute.

One of the greatest bands in the history of the world, certainly the finest four piece ever to come out of Merseyside, led by a lyrical genius.

Every time I burn my fingers while cooking, get a cold call from a loft conversion company, negotiate Bridgwater, hope to negotiate Capel Curig without delay, have a chat with my mate Dean Friedman, hear a mention of Virginia Wade or contemplate the unbelievably snobbish, cliquish, fossilised response of the early music fraternity to my decision to combine it with punk, I think of them.
And after the release of their latest album, I think of them most of all while dragging my boxes of books, vinyl and CDs to and from the car while on tour.
When watching Farnborough Town v Councillor Robina Baine’s beloved Northwich Victoria many years ago I wanted to ask the home teams’s physio if he was the one who wrote ‘Standing In The Road’ by Blackfoot Sue, but realised that his small size meant it must have been a predecessor.

Them’s the vagueries. And there are literally hundreds more. Thanks, Biscuits, for nearly forty glorious years.

 

[Iron Butterfly]

Superb inventive band. I was at the gig in Southwick, seem to remember it was a benefit for BISA funds, the era of 'philosophy football' T shirts.

 

[Worried Man Blues]

https://youtu.be/qHFxndZeUiQ

 

[Peteinblack]

Two more of their footie-related gems:

 

[Psychobilly freakout]

A fantastic band, and one that appealed all sub cultures (not counting Nazi Skins) back in my student days, the dance floor would be full of Goths, Indie Kids, Skins (The left kind) and us Psychobilly stompers wreckin to Half Man Half Biscuit....

Great memories, my fav obviously.

https://youtu.be/1FR842KUaOw

 

[pearl]

I saw them at Glastonbury in the 80s on the small stage. They didn't seem too happy to be there. They didn't finish the set, threw their gear down and went off to watch Tranmere ...

Also saw them at Southwick (mid-90s?). There was a queue to get in. It was a great night.

And I'll wipe my snot on the arm of your chair as you put another Roger Dean poster on the wall

 

[Wozza]

Nice article, but he isn't as much of the superfan he claims to be: "Their 1985 debut album Back in the DHSS.... featured songs about Subbuteo (All I Want for Christmas Is a Dukla Prague Away Kit)"

No it didn't. 'All I want for Christmas...' isn't on 1985's 'Back in the DHSS'. It first appeared on their first Peel Session late in 1985, was on the reverse of 'The Trumpton Riots' released the following year, 1987's follow up album 'Back Again In the DHSS' and on the 1988 re-release of the debut that had the Trumpton Riots EP added.

Pedantry I know. The dog will bark and I'll be banned from his house.

This has been updated online.

I noticed you missed the 'Tour Jacket With Detachable Sleeves' error though....