CityLife

Half Man Half Biscuit in rare city show

IT was around this time of year back in 1985, that Half Man Half Biscuit had been sat comfortably at the top of the indie album chart.

This may not seem so much of an achievement, unless you take a look back at the other contenders in the chart at that time.

Acts such as Depeche Mode, New Order and The Cult were all on the scene.

I can also guarantee that none of them managed to hit the number one spot with an album that had been recorded in just a couple of days and for around £30.

The album was Back In The DHSS, it became an instant success after it was championed by the late John Peel, for whom they did a total of 12 sessions over the years.

As soon as he heard the white label test pressing, he was smitten.

In his words, “It came at a time when music in general was starting to get a little bit po-faced”.
 
Po-faced

With tracks such as 'I Hate Nerys Hughes' and 'I Love You Because (You Look Like Jim Reeves)', they could never be considered as po-faced. Even though this was their debut recording, it went on to sell over 200,000 copies.

Since then, they have released a further 10 albums with Nigel Blackwell and his ever changing line-up never taking the music business too seriously.

According to Nigel, the reason he started writing songs, was due to the fact, that when he left school in Birkenhead, the only other option was to become a heroin addict.

With lyrics such as, “She’s the main man in the office in the city and she treats me like I’m just another lackey. But I can put a tennis racket up against my face and pretend that I am Kendo Nagasaki,” nobody could dispute he chose the correct career path.

Their latest album CSI: Ambleside, sees more of Nigel’s surreal observations on everyday life.

A few shining examples are 'Bad Losers On Yahoo Chess' and 'Took Problem Chimp To Ideal Home Show'.

So grab your Joy Division Oven Gloves and don your Dukla Prague away kit, as The Biscuit are coming to town.... and on a Friday* too!

*The Wirral outfit never used to gig on the last day of the working week so not to clash with their beloved Tramere Rovers' traditional home fixtures.

Half Man Half Biscuit play Academy 1 on Friday, January 30. Bushart and The Calvin Party support. £15. Call 0161 832 1111.