Saturday 17 November 2012

Half Man Total Genius



In 2003 Half Man Half Biscuit played the Cluny . The gig was sold out but I blagged tickets from the then manager of the place Dave Campbell . I thought it may be my only chance to see them . Theres a review of mine here. A year later they were back at Northumbria University , two gigs in 12 months I was beeing spoilt.

Then they were back again on 15th November 2012 at the O2 Academy in Newcastle. Half Man Half Biscuit may seem to be like any other band but they are not. The support band I think were Lovecraft , the sort of band HMHB take with a spoon of salt, Anyway eventually they came on , the mosh pit was packed as the band opended with The Light At The End of The Tunnel.

Blackwell
Zod
Nigel Blackwell was looking more than a little like General Zod, as the band powered through song after brilliant song from there huge back catalog until eventually finishing and returning for the encore opening with a cover of The Beatles' Help with Nigel on his custom caravan guitar.The songs they played run into a blur but "Fuckin' 'ell It's Fred Titmus" , "Everythings AOR" , "National Site Day" , "99% Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd", "Joy Division Oven Gloves" were in there much to the crowds delight. The whole band were awesome as always and the banter scouse , laconic and funny. Incidentally when they came on Nigel asked if they won the jackpot on Pointless which we had been watching before going to the gig.

Anyway this a band you MUST always see if you have the chance , as Andy Kershaw reckons , the greatest British folk band , always domumenting what is current in society these days.

Also its the first time I've seen the merchandise stand as packed after the gig as it was before the gig . A brilliant night again , thanks to the band,

There website will all the details , T-shirts and merchandise and free sessions including the indisesible "Brampton Live" is here.