If Half Man Half Biscuit did not exist, it would be imperative to invent them. Since their formation nearly 30 years ago, their presence has been a necessity. In essence the vehicle for the observations, ramblings and creations of front-man Nigel Blackwell, they are a counterblast to the processes of modern life. Throughout changing times they have spanned the decades, released 13 full-length albums and dropped a thousand-and-one pop culture references; from BBC Radio's Charles Nove to former England cricketer Fred Titmus.
Their approach to promoting their music is famously non-existent – a handful of UK gigs each year is normal. Even rarer are interviews of any kind. Blackwell himself states his biggest achievement, as "creating a situation for myself whereby I can get up of a morning and decide to go and tackle Bwlch Pen Barras on the bike, […] rather than report to a superior to await orders". Their existence is somehow outside of the modern world, yet also a reaction to it. Merely by continuing to release and perform, Half Man Half Biscuit serve a greater purpose – to rally against the crap that life throws up with a wry smile, and also to take joy in life's small and simple pleasures.
HMHB are a truly genuine band, blessed with a magical capacity to make the most jaded of listeners fall back in love with music again. Witty and dry, sardonic yet never cynical, melodically infectious yet edgy sing along songs, these four lads who shook the Wirral are perhaps still to some extent an undiscovered national treasure.
Back in 1985, Half Man Half Biscuit 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, and you could 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.
That 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.
“('Back In The DHSS') came at a time when music in general was starting to get a little bit po-faced” - John Peel
With tracks such as 'I Hate Nerys Hughes' and 'I Love You Because (You Look Like Jim Reeves)', HMHB could never be considered 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 12 albums, with Nigel Blackwell 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 No-one Cares About Your Creative Hub sees more of Nigel’s surreal observations on everyday life. A few shining examples are 'Knobheads on quiz shows" and 'Man Of Constant Sorrow (With A Garage In Constant Use)'. So grab your Joy Division Oven Gloves and don your Dukla Prague away kit, as The Biscuit are coming to town.
