On this day, 25 August 2011, Birkenhead band Half Man Half Biscuit played Cardiff University.
Known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, the band comprises lead singer and guitarist Nigel Blackwell, bassist and singer Neil Crossley, drummer Carl Henry, and guitarist Karl Benson.
Their debut album, 1985's Back in the DHSS, topped the UK Indie Chart and reached number 60 in the UK Albums Chart. Its title was a play on The Beatles' "Back in the U.S.S.R." and also a reference to the DHSS, the government department that dealt with the unemployed, Nigel Blackwell having been on unemployment benefits since 1979.
The band's first single, "The Trumpton Riots", topped the UK Indies Singles Chart in 1986, and they went on to perform at Glastonbury Festival. The second single, "Dickie Davies Eyes", also topped the indie chart. In late 1986, the band split up, giving as reason "musical similarities". The album Back Again in the DHSS, containing previously issued, unreleased and live tracks, followed.
The band reformed in 1990, with a performance at the Reading Festival following, and a new single, "Let's Not", issued before the year was out, followed in 1991 by a collaboration with Margi Clarke on a version of Edith Piaf's "No Regrets". Half Man Half Biscuit were championed by DJ John Peel, for whom they recorded twelve sessions, and it was on his programme in 1990 that the band announced their return.
Half Man Half Biscuit turned down the chance to appear on The Tube, as Tranmere Rovers were playing that night, even though Channel Four offered to fly them by helicopter to the game. Blackwell has been a fan of the team since "sometime after the Coventry City cup win in 1968".
Andy Kershaw has described Half Man Half Biscuit as "England's greatest folk band"[16] and "the most authentic British folk band since The Clash".
Setlist
The Light at the End of the Tunnel (Is the Light of an Oncoming Train)
When the Evening Sun Goes Down
Fuckin' 'Ell It's Fred Titmus
Play Video
Monmore, Hare's Running
Uffington Wassail
Petty Sessions
Bob Wilson - Anchorman
Surging Out of Convalescence
Running Order Squabble Fest
Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off
All I Want for Christmas Is a Dukla Prague Away Kit
Restless Legs
Tending the Wrong Grave for 23 Years
For What Is Chatteris...
Left Lyrics in the Practice Room
National Shite Day
Twenty Four Hour Garage People
Look Dad No Tunes
We Built This Village on a Trad. Arr. Tune
Them's the Vagaries
Vatican Broadside
(preceded by There Stands The Glass)
The Trumpton Riots
Joy Division Oven Gloves
Encore:
Tommy Walsh's Eco House
Calon Lan
([traditional] cover)
Help Me, Rhonda
(The Beach Boys cover)
Everything's A.O.R.
99% of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd
