The Coro, Ulverston gig – 16 May 2025
This charming town. Mediterranean weather, and a Laurel & Hardy museum too. Almost seems like a chore to head inside for a gig. But I’m sure it was all worth it. Here’s what folks thought…
This charming town. Mediterranean weather, and a Laurel & Hardy museum too. Almost seems like a chore to head inside for a gig. But I’m sure it was all worth it. Here’s what folks thought…
✉ Letters Sent (50)
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(1 year ago by Alex)
Chris The Siteowner
Well this is nice. Not sure quite how accurate it is, and it definitely missed off Ireland, Switzerland and Germany but never mind…
16 May 2025
D list paul ross
I saw a bigger version with Ireland on it roughly Luimneach, Doire and Dún na nGall at a guess.
16 May 2025
LNBO
Hmm, 2 of us here travelled over from Dublin this morning. 🤨
16 May 2025
Ben w
Great gig. Well, I wasn’t expecting Deep House Victims Minibus Appeal.
16 May 2025
Scoff
Good gig. At least I don’t feel like I’m missing out not seeing Dinosaur Jr this week now…
16 May 2025
Sloppy
Enjoyed the unveiling of some new material (Horror Clowns). I get the feeling that may become a regular. I (and most around me) had no idea what the cover was.
Great night.. The chippy down the road might want to employ a few more staff next gig though.
17 May 2025
Scoff
@sloppy – The cover was “Freakscene” by Dinosaur Jr. IMHO one of the best songs of the early 90s, but your mileage may vary…
17 May 2025
Woodnoggin
Dinosaur Jr?! That’s a left field choice for them. I wouldn’t have guessed they’d pick something so “modern”. Pleasant surprise, though.
17 May 2025
TwistedKiteMike
The Coro is quite posh! A thoroughly nice venue and a pleasant (and quite) busy in the evening little market town.
They chucked in some new material, which was only hinted at on the set list that I saw as an inevitable question mark. There was a brief “huddle” prior to it and the kind of nods that said; “let’s have a go.”
Anyway, for those that could not be in attendance (your apologies have been accepted), here was the running order:
Broadstairs
Bob W
Renfield
Light Tunnel
Awk Sean
1966
Fred
Geraldine
DPAK
NSD
27 Yards
Terminus
Left Lyrics
Rug Sale
Lilac HQ
Surging
Look Dad
Deep House
Oblong
Bell Rings
MMM
Trumpton
Trad Arr Tune
Horror Clowns are Dickheads
JDOG
………………………………………
Bob Todd
Feak Scene (Dinosaur Jr cover)
AOR
Another fine evening. Some enthusiastic moshing was in evidence, you don’t get that at Eurovision. As ever, the musings of the Biscuit Shakespeare are eagerly awaited. A nice precis from Nigel of the many similarities between Barrow and Birkenhead, which I’m sure will follow.
All in all, at an age when many of the audience are physically starting to struggle, our mental health is robustly maintained by a dose of HMHB every six-to-eight weeks. If only the authorities could replicate the benefits available to us……….
See you in The Cave.
Mike……………………………
17 May 2025
Chris The Siteowner
I think it’s fair to say that the band didn’t want to try any new material before album release day as they’re very aware of online chatter, and how a new song complete with mistakes would become canon in the meantime. However, with Horror Clowns officially out in the wild, they were happy to try a live version. That’s my theory anyway.
17 May 2025
TwistedKiteMike
I agree Chris. Nigel is the antithesis of a publicity-whore!
Also, the waiting will make the arrival of the new album a big event. I’m probably not the only one counting the days. And the release of the fixture list three days later. I can barely contain the excitement!
Mike…………….
17 May 2025
Johnny Kwango
Sitting in the beer garden of the Old Friends public house I had my first listen to HCAD about an hour after the cut-off for Fantasy Biscuitball entries. “Oh shit,” I said to Mrs. Kwango, “that sounds like a very gig-friendly number and I opted for Goodbye Sam, Hello Samaritans (which also sounded promising as well) instead.” You can guess the rest. Track 1 vs Track 2. Small margins. Very enjoyable evening nonetheless. Will sort out videos and post links over the next couple of days.
17 May 2025
dic aberdaron
life battery replenished.. boss gig, boss venue, boss drive home
17 May 2025
Johnny kwango
@TKM
Did they actually play 1966? Neither of us remembers it though it was on a set list I subsequently photographed. Crumbs.
17 May 2025
dic aberdaron
yeah they played it…
17 May 2025
TwistedKiteMike
I have enough trouble with my stupid amnesia as it is…..
17 May 2025
eric t'viking
Empathising with TwistedKiteMike – “at an age when many of the audience are physically starting to struggle” – though I suspect my struggles are not unrelated to donating blood on a Thursday, before drinking more beer than I’m used to now on the Friday, and then going to a gig in a venue I found to be attractive but somewhat lacking in airflow… many thanks to my gig buddy who made sure I got safely back to the hotel.
Otherwise excellent gig, with 3 pairs of oven gloves spotted being enthusiastically waved, and then an interesting chat with Marcel from Switzerland on Ulverston railway station – hope you get to another HMHB gig before too long Marcel!
17 May 2025
Alex
Only arrived in Ulverston at 5.15 so didn’t have time to look around. A shame. The highly recommended Aroma Indian Restaurant lived up to its reputation. The three of us were quickly followed by 10 more Biscuiteers before Carl could be seen pressing his nose to the window before going elsewhere.
Nice venue and there were free A3 size gig posters available at the merch table. No purchases as expecting an album cover t-shirt to appear before Castleton.
The band performed to the typical high standards with a fine set list. The audience singing along in large numbers to ‘Clowns’ despite it only being heard for the first time in the morning.
Enjoyed the cover without having any idea what it was. By the time I received an enquiry from possibly the only HMHB fan in London (that’s London, Ontario) I was able to tell them it was by Dinosaur Jr. After they told me they were a good band, I found the original. The vocals reminded me a bit of Tim Wheeler and found them a bit weak for the music. Chalk that one up as a win for HMHB.
17 May 2025
Scribbler
HMHB playing Dinosaur Jr felt like one of the greatest moments in the history of live music. And I’d only had one pint of Ulverston Brewing Co’s Half Man Half Beer Ale (3.7% abv).
Also, a pedant writes, Freakscene is from 1988.
17 May 2025
gordo
Was a great day. I checked out the Laurel & Hardy Museum in the afternoon, had a pint of Stan’s Ale in the Stan Laurel Inn, had fish & chips at The Chippy Bank, a pint of Another Fine Mess at the gig and saw my first biscuit gig since 2018. It was a great set and it was good to hear Ollie Banks get a mention from Nigel
With my dodgy knee I was glad to have a seated ticket on the front row of the balcony rather than standing up all evening. Here’s the 2 songs from the set that pointed my camera at – the balcony being quite wide wasn’t conducive to quality videography without being one of ‘those’ people who blocks somebody’s view
Deep House Victims Minibus Appeal
https://youtu.be/_HpT_ulqUOg?si=tbrjnrCF1DixWVSy
Surging Out Of Convalescence
https://youtu.be/8CASuN5m45U?si=kQhHVkN9d0tJP4yI
17 May 2025
GORDON BURNS
Another fun-packed long-distance trip for this south coast dweller. Mine wasn’t the furthest travelled of the night’s crowd, but I was pleased to be represented on the “Coro ticket booker locations map” by a little glowing red hot spot on the Sussex coast. I wonder who travelled up from Plymouth.
The long haul called for a long stay, so it was two nights in “The Dunes” – a hotel closer to Barrow than Ulverston, but easy to get to and very close to the beautiful dunes and beaches on that part of the peninsula. Early arrival allowed a recce of the venue, a leisurely visit to the Laurel & Hardy museum and a “moderately strenuous” trek up to the John Barrow Monument before heading off to find the hotel. HMHB take me to parts of the country I’d never otherwise go to.
Gig day afternoon and the town soon filled up Biscuit fans, probably outnumbering locals in the streets, pubs and restaurants. Good time was spent on the terrace bar of The Mill, nice to meet and talk with Marcel From Rorschach as he finally made it from Switzerland to his fist HMHB gig, having followed them from their beginning.
The venue itself was very relaxed compared to some of places we go to. Security was a couple of smiley people – not the paramilitary operations we see at some places. It was even possible to swap tickets (upstairs vs downstairs) if you asked nicely.
JD did what JD does best – very emotional renditions of political and social angst, while giving his guitar a seriously hard time. Amusing to see TWATS (last seen in Cardiff) on drums with him.
The main act themselves prepared and appeared from behind a theatrical curtain – very nice touch. But not (disappointingly) to “Dance of The Cuckoos” as I’d hoped.
Will they or won’t they play a new track off the album? Was discussed at length over beers in The Mill. Consensus was “no”. But consensus was wrong as “CLOWNS” on the set-list attests.
One amusing thing in the gig was Nigel putting his regular guitar down and hunting around the stage for something – almost certainly his airstream – but giving up when he couldn’t find it. It made an appearance later. I wonder if that was a senior moment or if someone moved it? Another was Nigel’s comparisons between Birkenhead and Barrow, right down to the heroin quarters of each.
Set list (shown elsewhere) had something for everyone (OOD going down very well as it always does these days). But no Floreat Inertia (booo!). Not a lot of people got the cover (Freak Scene by Dinosaur Jr), but those who got it, really got it.
All in all, another fabulous gig. But aren’t they all?
And home via Stoke-on-Trent, to see the new Lemmy statue in person. Well worth a diversion for people passing near. If only to spectate as the punters come and go.
18 May 2025
Sloppy
I’m currently packing the tent away after another cracking Biscuits weekend.
I was very much in the ‘red blob’ zone on the location map coming from The Oblong via the Holmlands estate.(following Nigel along the M53/56)
We took over the Premier Inn….and to be fair most of the town! Always nice to catch up with the left of stage group 😃
Like Gordon Burns, disappointed no Floreat or 24 Hour Garage but good to hear them unveiling some new material. I suspect Clowns will become another single along crowd pleaser.
21 mile hike Saturday and I’m about to head home with an A3 poster (thanks to the chap who passed it on, sorry forgot your name) It will be getting framed….cos I’m strange like that.
See you in the cave!!
18 May 2025
Joihnny Kwango (I Think)
@TKM
I’ve listened to 1966 several times hoping that it might reawaken the bit of my brain that was clearly only on standby when it was played on Friday, but still have no recollection of hearing it. Does anyone on here know a decent doctor? I’m desperate.
It’s my own fault for following a band whose songs all sound the same.
Yours, reaching for the milk of magnesia and some omega-3 fatty acids,
JK
P.S. Unlike Exxo’s lady “friend” I can’t even cite inebriation as an excuse.
18 May 2025
Johnny Kwango
Haven’t had time to sort out the song videos yet but here’s Horror Clowns for those folk who were unable to attend and hear its first ever live rendition.
Talking of dickheads, apologies in advance for the drunk who shouts out – for the umpteenth time that night – a hilarious comment about Nigel not sporting a DPAK. At some point I will try and edit that out but unfortunately it overlaps with the first couple of Carl’s stick clicks grrr!
https://youtu.be/0VPpWXCTQas?si=DAuGW-IUKRP6TCPU
18 May 2025
James
I’m a regular attendee at HMHB gigs (every 39 years or so without fail). Was at Ulverston on Friday night. Their playing has definitely improved since the last one I went to.
18 May 2025
Neil
@ JAMES
Oh dear, we’ll have to rectify that then.
18 May 2025
EXXO
Cracking gig as always, Neil, and always a privilege to be there when some brilliant new material makes its debut.
As others have said, much appreciation and thanks to the band for sending us to some unique places over the years, and this was perhaps the first time that two consecutive HMHB venues have involved whole weekends away on the coast for me. Hadn’t been to the North Wales coast for years, but we’ve been there for two weekends since Bethesda, and Ulverston took us to parts of sun-kissed Furness we’ve never seen before either, before we had to hurry home for Claire’s county cup final this morning (and the inevitable defeat – but she did make some top, top saves).
What a busy little pub town Ulverston seems to be, and the audience vibe certainly seemed to benefit from the fact that the hostelries and the spaces around them had been well frequented for most of the afternoon. We were delayed by a smash up ahead of us at a bottleneck on the A65, so didn’t have much time for such pre-gig delights ourselves, but I did manage a couple drive-by shoutings as we drove in past the impressive number of D-PAcKed-out pubs.
In another thread this morning, apologies if I seemed to be dissing a fellow audience member for “regaling NB with her less than coherent ravings about the horticultural superstars, prompted by NB’s mention of Alan Titchmarsh’s hard drive. It felt like the bemused looks of the band really were half-focused on me in a “is she with you?” sort of way. Have I mentioned that she wasn’t?” This is pretty rich coming from me, with the inebriated drivel I have myself shouted at gigs over the years. I think I’m just jealous ‘cos I had no chance to sample any of the Lancaster or Robinsons brewery delights until after the gig – and the bar queue at the venue itself was utterly prohibitive. At least I managed a couple afterwards, in the delightful company of long-distance Biscuiteers Thorsten from Hamburg and Marcel from Switzerland. Shame that a few off here couldn’t join us at the Farmer’s Arms, but it seemed that unaccustomed afternoon drinking had caught up with most of you by then.
Over the years, these gigs have fairly often been punctuated by the odd Tranmere fan giving it the “oh Birkenhead …is wonderful …oh Birkenhead is wonderful” song. I have even done it meself. It wasn’t me on this occasion, but this is the first time I can remember NB responding with “It isn’t though, is it? I mean look at this place, it’s great.” and then the next time with “It just isn’t.” and words to the effect of “You could try Barrow, that’s more like Birkenhed, you might feel at home there” … then listing the things the two places had in common, something like,”depressed NW coastal towns with docks, a faded shipbuilding industry and a heroin quarter.” Roger may remember a more accurate version. I also hope he’s remembered some of the lyrical variations on show in some songs – for example, in ‘Awkward Sean,’ the world cup ’74 footballers had been rearranged, but I can’t remember exactly how. I think Muller and Maier may have been what we said, not what he said. I don’t always remember these things nowadays.
Great gig, great audience. The mosh really took off with ‘National Shite Day,’ and was by no means continual thereafter, but ‘cos I definitely didn’t need a full ninety minutes myself, I was glad that it was very much opt-in and opt-out, with a well defined perimeter (that I like to think I helped to define). Well played all.
18 May 2025
EXXO
Ah, yes, they both begin with ‘B’ and Ollie Banks, that was it. Quality player, definitely missed. Roger’s review, reposted from thence, with thanks:
The Coro, Ulverston, Fri 16th May 2025 (17/05/25)
Roger Green:
Just one thought hung over from the two gigs in Wales earlier in the year… In the past when playing Cardiff, the band have covered Help Me Rhond(d)a. Not on this occasion. Ah well. There’s always next time.
And so, on to Ulverston, for a show which had originally been set for 17 April 2020. Of course that was when the country was otherwise engaged, with stuff being cancelled left, right and centre: victims of the virus
Bringing things up to date, apologies to Karl for missing out on the show in Halifax by his other band, The Band-Its. They don’t often hit our side of The Pennines, but we had to give it a miss. We were also sore about missing Nervous Twitch, who were on the bill with them. But we were able to see the always excellent Indignation Meeting at Wharf Chambers in Leeds playing a selection from their two CDs. So our gigging schedule is just about hobbling along…
We are, as has been noted by Brian, a broad church. I’m never totally sure what bands appeal to other Biscuiteers. For me, The Nightingales have always hit the spot. For decades now. I was glad to be able to pick up their new album, The Awful Truth including their song Joyce. No reference to an ode. But the awful truth was that they had to cancel their tour in May. Illness in the camp.
Vive Le Rock carried an ad for HMHB gigs in Issue 121. It listed Ulverston, Glasgow (Friday 19 September), Wolverhampton (Friday 7 November) and Manchester (Friday 30 January 2026). There was no mention of Castleton (Friday 25 July), perhaps with it being sold out early on. And it seems that Viz is now a source of information for these shows. They were the first to mention a show in London (Friday 17 April 2026). Chris seemed a bit wary when he put it on his site, so I suppose we’ll have to wait for confirmation of that one.
Friday 25 April saw the announcement of a new album. All Asimov And No Fresh Air is not due in the shops until the middle of June. Schoon’s note on Chris’s site detailed the length of time between albums. Thirty-seven months since the release of The Voltarol Years? That’s starvation rations. With four weeks still to go, there was an air of expectation tonight. How many tracks from the new release would we be hearing? And would we all have to become experts on Isaac Asimov? He wrote or edited over five hundred books. Hence the reference to “no fresh air”? I wonder how many mates he had…. There was perhaps an outside chance of some under-the-counter copies of the new album at Miles’s stall. No such luck. Gideon Coe must have it in his possession. On the Monday before the gig we heard him play The Bliss Of The Hereafter. Starvation is over. The song contains the line “Whitbread, Big Head, Trophy Bitter. The pint that thinks it’s a quart.” Indeed. Takes me back. Whitbread was very common round these parts, but I always found it was never a patch on Tetley’s. But that was in the days before independent breweries became more common. Dave and Barbara’s blackboard. That kind of thing.
A couple of days later Gideon played McCalliog And His Hens, another teaser from the album. A song for amateur detectives everywhere. “Who put away the madman who’d been re-arranging gnomes?” I wonder if McCalliog is Jim McCalliog? Signed for Leeds United in 1963, but Billy Bremner was king of the midfield in that place at that time. So McCalliog ended up at Sheffield Wednesday (scored for them in the 1966 FA Cup final), and got one of the Scotland goals when they beat England at Wembley in 1967. And in 1976, in another FA Cup final appearance, he produced a fine through ball to Bobby Stokes, who scored the winning goal for Southampton. But of course, it’s quite possible that the band was thinking of a different McCalliog when the song was written.
And then Horror Clowns Are Dickheads also emerged on the You Tube channel. At this rate, the whole album will be in the public domain before its release date.
As an aside, Karen introduced me to a song called Half Man Half Biscuit Tinnitus by Half Bam Half Whisky. A fine tribute. If that’s what it is.
That word again! John Shuttleworth’s latest book points out that James Martin has the ability to simultaneously chop vegetables and interview a guest “with aplomb”.
With reference to the line in Old Age Killed My Teenage Bride… according to the BBC site a couple of weeks before this gig “A woman from Surrey has become the oldest person in the world, at the age of 115 years and 253 days. Ethel Caterham, who lives at a care home in Lightwater, reached the milestone following the death of a Brazillian nun. Ms Caterham was born on 21 August 1909 and is the last surviving subject of Edward VII. Celebrating her 115th birthday in August 2024, she said she “didn’t know why there was all the fuss”. She explained the secret to her longevity was “never arguing with anyone, I listen and I do what I like”. Not quite word for word as it appears in the HMHB song, but it’s along those lines.
You may have noticed we have a new pope. And he has spoken about concrete measures at the Vatican, including the installation of solar panels and the adoption of electric vehicles. – but I couldn’t find anything to suggest whether or not he had heard of Slipknot. Maybe. Maybe not. He could be getting a visitor soon enough. Let’s hope their meeting is televised and that they all stick to the script from Vatican Broadside.
We travel to these gigs (usually) by train or (sometimes) by road. Reading about Niall’s traumas where there is an additional layer, crossing the Irish sea, one way or another, makes us realise how easy we’ve got it. With having to hit so many deadlines with a number of connections, Niall’s absence tonight was understandable. Our venture towards Ulverston was not helped by my dawdling and missing the bus which would have formed the first leg of our journey. Bad start but things could only get better from there. We stopped in Leeds the night before, taking in some top grub at Pie Minister. This meant we could get an early (by our standards) train out of the city. We spent the evening watching a Eurovision Song Contest semi-final. Lord, deliver us from evil.
Our morning train out of Leeds called at Shipley, Bingley, Keighley, Skipton, Gargrave, Hellifield, Giggleswick, Clapham, Bentham, Wennington and Carnforth. We changed trains at Carnforth. Andrew was on board that one, being the first Biscuiteer of the day we met.
And so to Ulverston. Everybody knows that Stan Laurel was born there. And if you don’t, then you need to visit the town, as his presence looms large. Further investigation of famous folk from the town led us to discovering that Norman Gifford was from there, and Christine McVie was originally from just up the road.
Karen, Andrew and I met with Phill at the Home And Finance caf�. That’s an unusual set-up. Downstairs is a caf�. Upstairs is a mortgage and finance office. Get coffee and cake and sort out your house insurance all under one roof. Further Biscuiteers were checked off the register when we saw John and Elizabeth walking past. Phill had travelled to Ulverston the day before and had been to see Thunderbolts at the local picture house, The Roxy.
It was a fair walk to the Premier Inn. Indeed, it felt good to drop our bags off before we headed back into town for the gig. We saw Peter in the check-in queue at the hotel, along with Huddersfield Graham and Sarah. John of JD Meatyard was loading his gear ready for the gig. It was grand to see Tony again, after missing a couple of shows following a hip operation. He now proudly shares a pic of his hip with thirty-seven staples in it to all and sundry. Lovely! Just what you want to see when you are having your tea.
In town we bumped into Gilly and Daisy, before going to The Chippy Bank (est 1978) for a spot of tea. Afterwards, while tucking into ice cream from the Lake District Prom, we met various folk. Mike and Joanne with their spaniels (unfortunately the dogs didn’t go to the gig). Chris, Postman Tony, and John with an Asimov ID badge now completing his outfit all said hello. I was impressed by the flower shop name, Floral And Hardy.
There was an international presence tonight. We didn’t get to meet Marcel from Switzerland. But Thorsten came to say Hello, with his partner Corinna (from Germany). They ran Marcel close in the Distance Travelled stakes. Sadly, Lorna could not make it from New Hampshire. She would have been the clear winner.
We ended up sitting round a table in The Sun Inn. We were joined by Alison, before Lou said hello and Gilly arrived with Daisy. Lou had been to see Bruce Springsteen on the Wednesday of this week, and then to a gig by Bruce’s drummer and his band on the Thursday. So HMHB in Ulverston completed the hat-trick.
After the pub, it was time to head to the gig. John and Kim said Hello as we got near to the venue. There was a bit of a crowd outside. Alex and Lynne, and Sue were there. We spotted Nigel and Denise skulking past with (possibly) fish and chips. Neil followed a couple of minutes later, with what could have been the same. Was it Captain Beefheart where band members were starved until they had come up with some creative output? Maybe the same rules apply to Carl and Karl, and they were locked inside the dressing room?
In the venue, they had a Heat Map, indicating the areas where the audience had travelled from. I didn’t study it for long, but it was no surprise to see a heavy concentration from both sides of the Pennines. Down at the front, Steve turned up, there was Doctor Desperate, Postman Tony and Al. It was also good to see Michael from Indignation Meeting. And Howie and Exxo both came over for a chat in the interval between the bands.
JD Meatyard were on stage at near enough eight o’clock. He was accompanied on this occasion by an electric guitarist, and we recognised his drummer as Johan, aka The Weak and The Strong. There was a curtain at the front of the stage which came down the second they finished their set. So I was unable to obtain a list of their songs. I only recognised two of them – Standing On The Shoulders and Blow It Out Your Arse. You know what you are going to get with JD. Angry and passionate. That’s him.
When the curtain came back up, HMHB were already set up and on stage. The “walk-on” music was Forty Miles Of Bad Road by Duane Eddy. Nigel and Neil were both in plain tops, Carl was wearing his Palestine football shirt, and Karl was in a t-shirt detailing The Pub, China Street, Lancaster.
A note early on in the show, from Renfield’s Afoot… “Booking is essential. You can’t just turn up on the night. And bring a flask, as the caf� won’t be open at that time”. “Anyone in from Basildon?” asked Nigel. Neil called for more sound in his monitor, and later on Nigel seemed to also be having trouble with his. The first celebrity spot of the evening was “Julia Bradbury, ladies and gentlemen.”
You would guess that this venue was on old cinema or theatre, with seats rising in the balcony at the back of the hall. “I can see right through to outside,” observed Nigel. “There’s a story attached to this one,” he announced, ahead of All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit.
Barrow was mentioned, and Nigel said that the town has a lot in common with Birkenhead. They both start with a B, Ollie Banks played for both Barrow and Tranmere, a long history of shipbuilding, and they both probably have a heroin quarter.
Nigel was asked what route the band had taken to the gig. M56, M53 and M6 was the answer. “There was a hold-up, but we’ll probably go back the same way. If you come to the next gig, I’ll let you know if we did”. He also made it clear that “Monty Don is the best dressed man on TV.” At one point Nigel walked off stage, and was searching around, but when he returned he said “something and nothing.”
I turned round to gauge the crowd singing along to Look Dad No Tunes, and saw Liam, one of the Half Man Half Bikekit chaps. “Orla Guerin, ladies and gentlemen,” was another spotting by Nigel. “I told you to lock it!”. “This is for anyone affected by the Deep House Mini Bus Appeal,” he announced ahead of that particular song.
Tony asked if Nigel had a bet on who would be appointed the new pope. He replied “Peter Scudamore”.
Nigel came out for the encore with the caravan guitar. Thanks to Phill for identifying tonight’s cover version. I had heard the song at some point in the past, but couldn’t name it or the band that played it. It all got cleared up in the end. Freak Scene by Dinosaur Jr.
As the curtains closed, we heard Laurel And Hardy’s classic On The Trail Of The Lonesome Pine over the PA. On our way out after the show, I spoke with Andy about the demise of the direct Aberdeen to Penzance train. He had travelled that journey a couple of weeks previously. As good a way as any to spend half a day, it would seem. But not for much longer. Also always good to catch up with Graham Le Taxi, and the same with Julie outside. After that, Karen, Tony, Andrew, Phill and I legged it back to the Premier Inn for beers. Except that the bar had closed. A cup of tea and a bag of Maltesers from the vending machine was not much of a substitute.
The songs played this evening were absolutely in line with Karl’s set list, even the new one was listed as “Clowns”…
She’s In Broadstairs
Bob Wilson Anchorman
Renfield’s Afoot
The Light At The End Of A Tunnel Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train
Awkward Sean
1966 And All That
Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus
Harsh Times In Umberstone Covert
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
National Shite Day
Twenty-Seven Yards Of Dental Floss
Terminus
Left Lyrics In Practice Room
Persian Rug Sales At The URC
A Lilac Harry Quinn
Surging Out Of Convalescence
Look Dad No Tunes
Deep House Minibus Appeal
Oblong Of Dreams
Every Time A Bell Rings
Midnight Mass Murder
The Trumpton Riots
We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
Horror Clowns Are Dickheads
Joy Division Oven Gloves
And in the encore…
Ninety-Nine Per Cent Of Gargoyles Look Like Bob Todd
Freak Scene
Everybody’s AOR
Big ups to the venue for the free water available at the bar. Most welcome on a clammy night.
On the Saturday morning we saw Huddersfield Graham. He was making plans to see Crapsons at various points over the summer. If all goes well, we would hope to join him somewhere along the way. We got a taxi back to the station, driven by a most pleasant chap who made haste, meaning that we got an earlier train than originally planned. And when home, Karen was straight on with booking tickets for the London gig next year. You’ve got to plan ahead with these things.
“Have a good weekend, weatherwise or otherwise,” was Nigel’s usual sign-off at the end of the evening. We certainly did, and we were already counting down the days to the gig at The Devil’s Arse.
18 May 2025
Scoff
Finally made it back to South Yorkshire this afternoon.
Made our way up on Friday on the way less traveled – M1/A1M to Richmond where we perambulated around the town centre for an hour or so. Strong recommend for the Noted Pie shop who do some tasty topped pork pies. Left Richmond for the Tan Hill Inn, hoping to get some food but it was too full so ended up finding a little cafe at a garden centre outside Kendal for a really good bacon buttie. A further stop in Bowness before our first visit to a Booths (in Ulverston) trying to find some food for the wife to take back to the hotel – the Whitewater at Backbarrow.
Left her for the gig, and got the last parking spot in the Brewery Street car park. Apologies to anyone that arrived after me. Had a quick wander around the town – which was surprisingly nice before making my way to the Coro. Agreed with the comments here about the staff and the building itself – its one of the better venues I’ve been to over the years. I thought the sound was a little poor for the support – I could barely hear anything he said – but that might be my hearing…
Really enjoyed the gig. Although I must confess I didn’t recognise 1966 or “Harsh Times in Umberstone Covert” – although it appears 1966 is on the CD only version of the album and my formative years were spent listening to a badly taped copy of the vinyl… Horror Clowns fitted right in and will be a crowd pleaser.
Saturday saw me taking the wife for a 5 mile walk around Buttermere – which eased the restless legs after the 2+hour drive there. Those there Lakes are bigger than they look on a phone screen map. On the way back we stopped off at Keswick for an explore. Didn’t recognise any of it despite going on holiday there 2-3 times over the years.
Sunday we took a stroll along the seafront at Morecambe before taking the M6/M61/M60 to the A635 and the scenic drive past the Picturedrome at Holmfirth.
Great weekend. Great Gig – probably my favourite so far this year. The next one is relatively local at Peak Cavern – a venue where I’m going for the first time next week on a family outing to see 808 State and the Orb (and the 3rd time for the Chameleons the night after HMHB play there).
18 May 2025
dr DEsperate
I should have guessed Orla Guerin (the BBC’s Senior International Correspondent) would be spotted in the crowd: I’d told Andy Kershaw about the new album the previous weekend, and he rang me on Wednesday, roaring with laughter that Nigel had texted to say he’d posted him a copy “at the same time as Orla Guerin’s”.
(Coincidentally I saw her on the BBC News the following day reporting from the Istanbul non-peace talks. It was her 59th birthday, a fact which I tried to inform Nigel at the gig but he didn’t hear, or wisely chose to ignore.)
19 May 2025
dr DEsperate
Apologies for not joining the throng at The Farmers after the gig, btw. We’d been drinking in the sun at The Mill (or vice versa) all afternoon, then put ourselves outside of a couple of bottles of medal-winning red at Betulla’s (the Friday night pizza joint) and some Half Man Half Beer at the gig, then felt drawn towards the Premier Inn, where the bar was fortunately shut.
From our table at Betulla’s we’d seen Carl walk past, and Nigel and Denise, and JD, TWATS and Tamsin (only the last three strolling together in a group, Monkees-style).
19 May 2025
Johnny Kwango
Yesterday, whilst listening back to some of the videos filmed on Friday, I asked Mrs Kwango if she ever sang along to any of the live songs. Yes she said, “99% of gardeners look like Bob Downe” … I am not sure if the lads are familiar with Bob’s work (we have seen him several times in the Edinburgh Fringe) but I am hopeful I can forget those mis-heard lyrics in time for our next gig. Although she now stands corrected, I fully expect to hear Bob’s name sung out at our next gig (by one person only).
19 May 2025
BiscuitGigs
The Data Retrieval System has been updated with Friday’s gig and some videos. Not much beyond what Johnny & Gordo mentioned earlier but I’ll keep an eye out for more being posted.
My first of the year – great gig and weekend overall. Saturday spent around the diverse taverns of Coniston.
19 May 2025
Baerts Lidaerts
Offtopic: im from Hungary and i just found HMHB. Love the stuff. I was absolutely amazed when i heard Ferenc Puskás’ name in 1966 and all that, but i cant figure it out, what does ‘so baby Ferenc Puskás to you’ mean. All i can think of that its some form of insult because Puskás and the Mighty Magyars beat England in 1953. Please help me out!
20 May 2025
Brumbiscuit
Üdvözlünk!
I think there should be a comma after ‘baby’, as it seems to be a term of endearment to the protagonist’s former partner. Quite why Puskás’ name is used is a mystery to me, but psychiatric pills are mentioned earlier in the song, so could be a reason?
Éltem Budapesten 2000-08…
Hól élsz?
20 May 2025
EXXO
They have broken up and she hasn’t returned his beloved poster of Lev Yashin. He is more upset about this than anything else.
The fact that he says “with boots on” seems to be a jokey football version of “with knobs on,” which tended to mean “the same to you, only more so,” when we were young, especially when responding to childish insults.
Maybe she has said something to him about Puskás, and maybe it was a kind of in-joke between them when they were together, or a sort of “pet insult” that they thought sounds funny? Or maybe she returned a Puskás poster instead of the Lev Yashin one? Don’t know really, but the fact that it’s been one of my favourite songs in the world for forty years I haven’t really thought about surely it means it’s nothing serious! And because the songwriter is generally writing “in character”, whenever his rather eccentric characters say something we don’t agree with, we can often just blame it on the character!
20 May 2025
Baerts Lidaerts
Thanks for the answers, i was hoping it has some known background story. Still a great song tho!
20 May 2025
EXXO
I also meant to say with confidence it’s not to do with any resentment about those mighty Magyars of ’53, because Nigel is not a strong England supporter anyway – he just enjoys good football whoever plays it.
20 May 2025
Paul f
Maybe as a teenage armchair Honved fan he was resentful about Puskas having left them for Madrid.
20 May 2025
Johnny KWANGO
Next post after this will be links to the now uploaded videos from Friday, but just wanted to mention this one thing first.
At the end of the gig Neil was handing his on stage block caps setlist in the direction of a young lass when some ungallant chap reached over (Mr. Tickle style) and snatched it. It all happened very quickly and the setlist appeared to get torn in half. Neil went off stage and then returned shortly afterwards with a handwritten setlist and gave it to the intended person. Said person was – as we say where I came from – dead made up and looked like she had won the lottery. She in turn kindly let me take a photo of the handwritten setlist:
https://ibb.co/whY4Qytt
I mention this because in the next post I chose to use the handwritten titles per link.
22 May 2025
Johnny Kwango
Please find below the links to the videos taken on Friday. In addition to the musical numbers there are three short clips involving some on stage chat which were filmed whilst waiting for the next song to start but I did not then go on to film the actual song. Tiny bits of history.
With the exception of one video where I was able to easily snip out (yet another) shout out from an inebriated gentleman regarding Nigel not wearing a DPAK, these are exactly as filmed. If you should pick up on a background noise which sounds like someone slapping a haddock (or perhaps a mullet) against a wet wall, this is in fact that (unknown) individual clapping … occasionally in time with the music.
I have included HCAD video below so that all the videos are in one post. I appreciate that I have posted it separately before. Any issues with any of the links please let me know.
Broadstairs
https://youtu.be/iBHNncW0R9E?si=YbuLhRs7ibuGfA7u
Renfield
https://youtu.be/jKyg-twzT08?si=kOD0ul_xaBEe1e6H
Light
https://youtu.be/5TPsO8RqsLY?si=Nyp2CRwI4J0puOkv
A. Sean
https://youtu.be/jKtjirPCDpE?si=TtcEn0WgI3KemWRL
Geraldine
https://youtu.be/3Av7JmVU44E?si=AAJGTIbzWw6fzvhB
27 Yds
https://youtu.be/xb_5-mwUD20?si=WbfZ1L-g7SEIOk_o
Left Lyrics
https://youtu.be/Gy9X01wsYHQ?si=MhWSTSFoCj0Z25cE
H. Quinn
https://youtu.be/Rwkb2x_PoWQ?si=rapET8OYdiQKL5VU
Deep House
https://youtu.be/J3LghhPulVQ?si=q3wHn3C63Np7–PB
ETABR
https://youtu.be/Y-91fdcszbI?si=I5lCJYY2GAOLNLjG
HCAD (not on setlist)
https://youtu.be/0VPpWXCTQas?si=4kgF3jr3vehRJGYZ
Bob Todd
https://youtu.be/Au9H08195qM?si=hvmJAXMPDpTHxDYh
Freakscene
https://youtu.be/9P4tg_Kqx64?si=AedDGRXWll9V6f1b
Weather Chat
https://youtu.be/9wktlkpycbg?si=-PaQCeEU_Eq9zlEE
Monty Don Chat
https://youtu.be/b21UNd-eBY8?si=Koe7rWRNh-AFq4iZ
“Something I put there earlier has disappeared” Chat
https://youtu.be/bV_bp66NAy8?si=T1yQ2f1Jt1mVqZli
22 May 2025
ALEX
@JohnnyKwango – Re: setlist. Not the sort of behaviour we expect. The girl and her mum (I assume) are regulars so well deserving of one. I (well my wife, to be strictly accurate) got one at Bathesda so will be working on my ‘Not interested in a setlist’ look for a year or so.
22 May 2025
Marcel from rorschach
Sorry, very late to this party, it’s been a week now and I’m still totally coro-biscuit-ised, so to say. Ulverston was the right choice for my defloration and I couldn’t think of a better «first time» in my life (okay maybe first time The Fall 1983 in a vacant hotel in St.Gall).
I travelled with all the luck in the world and knew right after the landing in Manchester and first night in a small B&B in Salford (in honour of Mark E. Smith, John Cooper Clarke, Albert Finney…) that this would be one of best short trips of my life.
I chose Ulverston because of Stan Laurel, being a fan since boyhood years and cos our teenage band in the 80’s was called The Boiled Stanleys, and because of the lighthouse (which turned out to be the John Barrow Monument). I instantly fell in love with this little town, all the green and actually I saw a bright green MG oldtimer with Kermit sitting in it. And then Ulverston got flooded by Biscuies (correct?).
Had no idea that the HMHB circuit/circle is such a warm-hearted, inspired, well-informed, friendly …community, if not to say family. BIG THANK YOU’s to like two dozen great people I got to meet! Warm welcome by the inner circle at the Mill, Lancaster Red and IPA, got introduced by Thorsten from Hamburg (and Corinna) and later had a pre-gig-meal with them at the Rose & Crown. Thank you Chris, Gordon and the man with the Visi-jacket (sorry, can’t remember all your names) for answering my stupid questions like: Will there be merch? Will they play new songs? Any chance for «The Best Things In Life»? Any chance for a Fall cover? Chris and Gordon had all the answers and the charts, of course. «The Best Things Life»? Oh, they played it here and there, about every 6th concert, so very small chance…
Thank you for all the great reviews and videos, my personal highlights were «Horror Clowns», «National Shite Day» and «Gargoyles» (tears in my eyes). And listening to Nigel’s stories, of course, especially the Birkenhead-Barrow-similarities. Crowd chanting, football terraces feeling and moshpit astonishing when never experienced before.
Thank you Nigel (Exxo, right?) and Claire (great football shirt) from Birkenhead/Leeds for explaining the horrible Tranmere Rovers developments including takeover plans from Asap Rocky & Tacopina mafia. Thank you people from Grimsby telling me about their gigs in Hull and the Northwest and the name of the little bird among all those crows around our guesthouse (chiff-chaff!). Also Tony The Postman (?) and a couple from the Wirral who stayed at the same place. Thank you Eric and Louise from Lancaster for a interesting chat at the station on Saturday, I got to see that Taj Mahal of the north.
The only let-down on my fantastic three-day-trip came on Saturday afternoon: train from Ulverston to Man Airport got cancelled («lack of staff, no one wants to work on Saturdays anymore..»), but luckily I made it 1 hr later via Preston to my flight. Disappointingly not a single bar nor TV screen showing the FA cup final (Palace vs City), but a surprisingly spacious smoking area similar to a prison courtyard. First thing I read on a screen back in Switzerland is that Bono is threatening the world with a new album. HMHB and JCC‘s «Bongo‘s Trousers» always help against evil curse.
Last night I dreamt HMHB would tour Switzerland, with support from Stan-look-a-like Gary Slade and Jeffrey Lewis (NYC), introduced on stage by Chris and Exxo. And everyboody looked like Ernest Borgnine. Guess my next gig will be Wolverhampton or Manchester. My goal is three HMHB gigs within the next two yours, so come 2027 it will be even with some of my favourite bands I saw 4 and more times (like The Nightingales, The Fall, Wire, Jeffrey Lewis…). And The Mekons. Tonight in Zurich I’ll ask Jon Langford if he ever met Nigel & Co… Can’t wait for June 13th and the first HMHB song addressing my missus: Don’t Get Me Wrong, Yvonne. Next time she has to come along with me. And a last thing: I usually avoid all festivals (never liked the all-you-can-eat-buffet idea), but Krankenhaus at Muncaster Castle has a brilliant line-up. Never had the Lake District on my musical map, until Ulverston. Wow. (Sorry for being so late and so long and for my primitive English. Will send some pictures later, Chris.)
24 May 2025
eric t'viking
In case anyone is wondering what we told Marcel when he writes “I got to see that Taj Mahal of the north” – it’s the folly that is the Ashton Memorial, in Lancaster (of course).
The view is pretty wonderful from up there, but best take a flask – the cafe has finally been condemned after years of leaks and bits falling off it…
26 May 2025
Demibisquee
I had a Saturday job at the Ashton Memorial when it first reopened after nearly being left to dereliction itself. We were kitted out in Edwardian style lacy high neck blouse and long skirt with bustle. I would drift about between selling tickets in the shop, setting off the slide show on the second level and reading PG Wodehouse at the bottom of the stairs. Pretty much my only trauma free job, despite the bum pad and occasionally feeling like a ghost.
The caff didn’t look built to last more than 20 years never mind 40. I suppose any plans for renewal have gone the way of austerity.
27 May 2025
Transit full of Keith
@Demibisquee – actually laughed out loud at “occasionally feeling like a ghost”.
27 May 2025
Demibisquee
@TFoK – day made :)
27 May 2025
OUR MARTIN ON THE OTHER HAND
Was the bass-playing on “Freak Scene” like Lou Barlow? Or…
2 June 2025
problem chimp
It’s my first time posting here and was hoping to ask a favor from the best music fanbase in the world. I returned home to the States after seeing HMHB for the first time in Ulverston and was blown away by the experience. I had high expectations and they were surpassed by the opening riffs in the first song (She’s in Broadstairs is in my top 3 songs). I never take photos at shows and now I’m regretting it. If anyone took any good shots during the concert they were willing to share, I’m hoping to get a couple framed.
If this is possible I’d be more than happy to buy you a pint next year at a show. (4,700 miles is a long way to go for a concert but I’m doing it every year from now on). Feel free to email me at sethjswihart@gmail.com
Thank you.
12 June 2025
ALEX
Should be 4 with you now Chimp. A pint is definitely not required.
12 June 2025