The Peak Cavern, (Devil’s Arse Cave), Hope Valley gig – 25 July 2025
Third visit to this magnificent venue, after gigs in 2019 and 2022, scenically located in what must surely be one of the highest concentrations of PBRs in the world. How was it?
Third visit to this magnificent venue, after gigs in 2019 and 2022, scenically located in what must surely be one of the highest concentrations of PBRs in the world. How was it?
✉ Letters Sent (44)
Skip to the most recent comment
(1 year ago by Biscuitgigs)
Chris The Siteowner
Answering my own question, really good fun. Unquestionably now my favourite place in the country for the whole pre- and post-show experience. Brilliant to have both Neil and Karl at the pub beforehand chatting to everyone; a lot of starstruck gig-goers around. Can’t begin to list all of the people new and old that I ran into, but great to see you all. As for the gig, we all correctly guessed there’d be a fair few new songs, so learning those would mean that otherwise, the band would probably just stick to the tried-and-tested stuff, right? WRONG. I mean, False Grit for the first time live, ever? Really? A set list for the ages.
25 July 2025
Woodnoggin
I didn’t realise they’d never played False Grit before. What a funny choice with a new album just out. Not that I’m complaining. It was great to hear some of my favourite new songs get their first outing. Jack’s Been to the National was a highlight.
It was also exciting to learn Nigel’s choice of funeral song: Dirty Boy by Cardiacs. Possibly the greatest song ever, so good on him. Link here if you’re not familiar with it: https://youtu.be/PL_SBGwG3Yk?si=4l94tPJEDTvDsOcc
25 July 2025
Cody Jarrett
Fantastic gig, brilliant venue, the only slight disappointment was the absence of “Falmouth Electrics” (despite the “Got any Gauhaus?” sign on the merch stand), but the “Waiting for my Man” cover more than made up for it.
26 July 2025
Exxo
The untypical nature of the venue and some of its restrictions result in oddities like me making notes and attempting to post a setlist. But then realising that although the notes are complete, he can’t read his own writing and the list might be any number of songs short. Sorry. We await better efforts by those who could see what they were writing. But i do know that the 5 ive listed off the new Lp are correct
Rawlplugs
Light Tunnel
Irk the purists
False Grit
Horror Clowns
Shit Arm
Dickie Davies Eyes
Blue Badge Abuser
Terminus
Record Store day
R&R Bad Wools
Xmas Dukla prague
God Gave us life
Everythings AOR
Village
NSD
Jacks been to the National
Birmos
Etabr (hedge)
Trumpton
Oblong
Encore:
McCalliog
Waiting for my Man
JDOG
26 July 2025
HVOSM
Fantastic show, wasn’t sure how conducive to good acoustics a cave would be, but my fears were entirely unfounded. I was chuffed to be part of the serendipitous DPAK five-a-side team in the lower section of the pit, we even had a “coach” in a Dukla Prague tracksuit top!
I even joined in the pogoing for Everything’s AOR, and then carried on once I’d stashed my bag to one side- that’s the most exercise I’ve had in ages… the first airing for False Grit was a particular highlight for me, as was McCalliog in the encore. Even Horror Clowns is growing on me now, having heard it live.
Pogoing is one thing, however. Slamming into others (unless they’re happy to be slammed in to) is taking it a bit too far though, especially in a venue that has a bloody big drop over to one side of the space with a fence that is probably (but not definitely) strong enough and high enough to prevent someone being sent through or over it. There were one or two folk there who probably had their evening ruined by selfish twonks who want to make it all about them. It is in fact possible to pogo on the spot, you don’t have to chuck yourself about at random strangers. Rant over.
Even made decent time on the drive home, despite Google maps sending me into the chaos that is the Tramlines festival around Hillsborough. With hindsight I should have braved the perils of Mortimer Road, even in the dark. I’ll possibly also get a ticket due to Sheffield having a “Clean Air Zone”, but alas we live and learn!
26 July 2025
HVOSM
P.S. Oblong still makes my eyes a bit damp, and I wasn’t the only one.
26 July 2025
Sloppy
Hvosm, I was in the “orange zone” last night (think I spotted you!) I was the one out of uniform. Must try harder!
And, being in Birkonian/Holmlands girl the “estate memories” gets me every time.
I agree Chris, definitely the best venue.
Enjoyed the new songs, particularly Neil’s chicken effect.
Good to see the front row gang again, see you all at the next gig…..now to get back to trying to consume instant porridge with a small fork….
26 July 2025
Quantocks checker outer
Sounds like an absolutely brilliant gig. Oasis at Wembley Stadium? – pah!
26 July 2025
Scoff
Great gig in easily the best venue in Derbyshire. Ok so it’s the only venue I’ve been to that still open in that county, but it is still pretty special.
Enjoyed it from the upper level – although the “pit” on the lower level made me regret my life choices halfway through.
I thought the sound was a little loud at first, but I might just be sensitive about my hearing being damaged at gigs.
Great to hear the new songs. Does anyone know who was wearing the horror clown mask?
Typically, Castleton is too close to justify staying and I’m back again tonight for the chameleons – who are also the reason I won’t be in Glasgow…
@HVOSM – I also “accidentally” missed the Mortimer Road turn but probably for the best I don’t like that road in daytime with the hairpin bends… I avoided the tramlines traffic by going past northern general. If you stuck to the ring road, you’re fine but you can check on https://www.sheffield.gov.uk/clean-air-zone-sheffield
26 July 2025
TwistedKiteMike
@Exxo
I agree with the set-list, with the single exception that Birmos was between Trad Arr Tune and NSD.
Nice place, Castleton. I need to work on my bird impressions.
Mike…………………………
26 July 2025
wobs
First time in devil’s arse, and I to we’re worried about acoustics, but it was great. Castleton is a fab place to take family with sites to see and a bit of history, and oh look, Biscuit happen to be playing there
…..
Found myself down the front on lower level, with a team Dukla. It seems Dukla & Honvid get on.
So much new material! There’s just so much gets missed off.
Now about to pack camping gear away in rain. Same as it ever was.
26 July 2025
dr DEsperate
Excellent gig in all departments, including Vincent Whyte as support. Disappointed he didn’t get to play ‘Meet Me in Dwygyfylchi’, which I’d especially learnt how to pronounce, but we did get ‘The Overspill Ground’ (see Pre-Gig Chat post 589).
Speaking of which, I managed to have the best of both worlds, starting in the upper level with the usual suspects (that was Postie Tony in the Horror Clown mask, @Scoff) then moving down to the lower when I noticed the DPAKs seemed to be having more fun. There was a bit of slammage going on, in which I was happy to be slammed, but I can see how it could potentially have been more perilous than at the average venue.
On tae Glasgow (O2 Academy app permitting)!
26 July 2025
Sloppy
@scoff think the horror clown was Tony the Postie
26 July 2025
Cream Cheese and Chives
Always a treat and a real pick me up after the last few months of domestic turmoil. I thought the sound this time was loads better than last and the setlist was fantastic though typically nothing like I predicted.
I was dead in line with Nigel on the steps and it meant I couldn’t see Neil at all but I could certainly hear him.
I saw Nigel on a pre gig wander in baseball cap and glasses. He did look -inadvertently I am sure- like a celeb trying to avoid detection.
A special word for the cover. Magnificent.
26 July 2025
Hunty
2nd time in the Arse for a gig – HMHB both times. Sound so much better than I’ve heard them anywhere else. Loving McCalliog….
@HVOSM – Sheffield clean air zone doesn’t include private cars
26 July 2025
EXXO
Ooh H-Tat was there, soz missed we missed you, Tony – Claire says ‘hi’. Likewise anyone else we missed. Got delayed by a crash blocking what I now know to be the famous Mortimer Road (first time into the peaks from that direction by car for me), and everything got a bit tight for time. Third gig in a row that traffic has really made things pre-gig more rushed than we like. We approached the cavern entrance at exactly 8pm, thinking there’s no way they would start earlier, and heard the audience roar bouncing off the cliffs, NB’s “Be nice when it’s finished” getting the approval of the jackdaws and the “you OK for bags?” before the first chords of ‘Rawlplugs.’
Gobsmacked to hear that my setlist is basically OK and there were only 24 songs. Felt more. This must mean that all my other illegible scribblings are about shaggy dog stories, solos and harmonies. I should pad those out in another post later in the weekend, perhaps.
Great to catch up with Niall and herself for a beer after. Sorry I’m so shit with names. Only banged my head on that beam 4 times this year.
26 July 2025
Alan
Great night and magnificent cover. Only problem is I’ve broken down 10 miles from castleton waiting to be towed home for £400!
RAC – He’s never early, he’s always late
First thing you learn is you always gotta wait
I’m waiting for my man
26 July 2025
Johnny Kwango
@EXXO #4
Isn’t that six tracks off the new album then, not five …
I was swathering between five and six based on previous “first gig after album release” info but settled for five, though it appears I was still closer and delighted to take the trophy home for a year (I promise to look after it).
Commiserations to my very worthy opponent in the final – well played sir.
Sounds like it was a great gig and frustrating to miss out, but with Rebellion on the horizon the contents of the gig coffer was looking a tad low.
Hope someone captured False Grit on video, would love to have seen and heard that.
Tickets secured for all other upcoming gigs so looking forward to hearing the new tracks live.
26 July 2025
Exxo
Blimey yeah 6! Got to be 17+ years since 25% of a full-length gig was from same album
26 July 2025
Darren the lollipop man
It’s Waiting For THE Man
26 July 2025
Peregrine Ezekiel d'Antic
It’s I’M Waiting For THE Man
26 July 2025
Exxo
In the pub or the car park at half past midnight its whatever approximation we could be arsed with cheers.
26 July 2025
Embrace the margin
Excellent night. I was also lower front on the edge of the enthusiasm. It wasn’t too bad really. Hoping the note taking picked up the latest unwanted gifts from God, as I can only remember Andrew Tait and Alan Carr.
26 July 2025
alan
PD’A & DTLM I was waiting for my (RAC) man
26 July 2025
Stephen G
Great night, fantastic cover. Two minds about the amount of new tunes, stand outs like ‘Jacks Gone To The National’ terrific but can do without the likes of ‘clowns’, coming as they did at the expense of tracks from their last (and best imo) album.
26 July 2025
proFESSOR ABELAZAR WOOZLE
Good to meet people in the Cheese yesterday afternoon (surprisingly, it’s the first time I’ve ever been in as I generally drink in the George or the Castle when I’m in Cas), thanks to Chem Trail Brian for selling me his spare ticket.
Cracking gig, really chuffed to have been present for the live debut of “Birmos” and taken aback to discover that I’d witnessed “False Grit” losing its live cherry after ten years too!
26 July 2025
dr DEsperate
Odd that the first two songs should both contain the same half-rhyme (Eyam/seem, Museum/theme). Not interesting, just odd.
26 July 2025
EXXo
@Embrace
Those deposited in the Room 101 of ‘God gave us Life’ had all been featured in previous years:
Rod Liddle
Esther McVeigh
Alan Carr
VAR
Andrew Tate
Fiona Bruce
Him over there
Lionel Blair.
26 July 2025
Scoff
@Embrace The Margin
Esther McVeigh was another.
I don’t know if it was me, or did Nigel flub the line on ETABR – something like “worship Froome dog on the altar of Wiggo”? Although it might be my hearing going.
And it was good to see someone out in Castleton in the red Asimov t-shirt tonight. I was following them along the road from the cheese to the George jealously wishing I’d bought one yesterday…
26 July 2025
GORDON BURNS
Another wonderful and memorable outing in the Peaks. For me this was the best ending possible after a week of wandering them. There aren’t many bands out there, where the crowd really, genuinely want to hear stuff from the latest album. And it was good to hear a fair amount of the new stuff in a live setting. Jack’s Been To The National was superb live.
As before, one of the great things about this venue is that the crowd doesn’t just disperse on hitting the street. We all get to retrace our steps back down from the cavern to the village together, happy and satiated.
Some minor items to note:
There was more stage admin than normal: Nigel borrowing Karl’s guitar, then asking Carl to go and fetch his from back-stage. Neil doing a lot of messing with Nigel’s amp (up to 11?). All done with much mirth.
I think Nigel completely missed a line towards the end of JDOG, letting Karl & Neil carry it, coming back in on the next line.
And there was the issue of the fly that took a liking to the back of Nigel’s hand. I wonder how many songs it spent there after he showed us?
Getting a puncture on the way home wasn’t in my plan. But it didn’t stop me from getting to Brighton in time for Cud’s gig upstairs in a cosy venue. And boy was that a good gig too!!
Looking forward to Glasgow…
27 July 2025
Irish Niall
@HVOSM I hear ya brudder. Oblong triggers my tear ducts too. I hope it’s not distracting to bystanders but, with the given that these events are for many attendees marinated in alcohol abuse, the phenomenon has reared itself enough I’ve developed something of a habit of burying my head in my chest and just letting it happen. I’m not into performative grief but my mum was on the home straight with dementia -liberally garnished with leukemia, when TVY came out and listening to it in the car was something my younger lad and me bonded over while bringing her to and from oncology.
It’s actually quite strange that it’s Oblong and not (so much) Slipping the Escort where this manifests but of course Oblong has featured live much more prolifically and long may it continue. The venting of a minutes worth of tears is far healthier than my alcohol abuse anyway mate. :-)
27 July 2025
Hendrix-tattoo
Yeah! I was the dickhead wearing the horror clown mask.
(And I’m sorry Neil for throwing it onto the stage)
I also agree with CtSo it’s the best venue in the country for the best gig experience. A big thanks to everyone who made my day and night a fantastic one. Especially Niall and his lovely other half. Glad you both got home safe and sound. I’m sorry Exxo that I didn’t see you on the night, Say hello to Clare for me.
Roll on Glasgow….
27 July 2025
Darren the lollipop man
Couple of landmarks for me: My tenth time seeing them, and my 100th different song seen (and 101st and 102nd) including thirteen covers.
The omission of Wilson, Titmus and Vatican means there are just five ever-present songs remaining: Dukla, JDOG, Tunnel, NSD and Trumpton.
27 July 2025
Neil
@ H-T
Not a problem for me that your mask ended up on the stage, I just thought it would get damaged.
27 July 2025
AUTOMORPH
Fantastic venue (my first visit) and fabulous show. I adore the new album, so loved the liberal sprinkling of its gems through the set’s strata. Lovely to catch up briefly with folks too – maybe longer chats next time.
I’ve now posted some videos on YouTube. This comes with multiple apologies:-
Sorry for delay posting and sharing – needed to travel home first on Saturday, then watch a Cardiacs livestream in the evening (even though it didn’t include Nigel’s funeral song).
Sorry for even shakier footage than usual. For most of these videos I was perched a bit precariously on the side railings just to be able to see anything. With one leg wrapped around a post like a geriatric pole dancer, I thought I was fairly secure, if shaky on the zoom shots. But security forced me down, eventually noticing me after the first 75 minutes and arguing health and safety reasons, despite my protestations of stability.
Sorry there is only a brief clip of the start of ‘False Grit’. I had started to slip off my perch like a gassed canary, so that’s why it ended a bit abruptly. Maybe that security bloke had a point after all…
Anyway here’s a link to one of those videos (there’s another 7 on the same channel, if you want to collect the full set). This song covers a subject close to my guilty heart.
https://youtu.be/8fRCTr_fNoE?si=wJZX9VJubO1rwsMR
27 July 2025
The Tutor With The Beard and The Polio
Love how the rest of the band all seemed to stop and appreciate that bass before the “b-sides” line.
27 July 2025
Toby The Married Man
Oh hi everyone. So it was me who got interrogated by Nigel about my marital status during the gig. It was what started that interlude early on where he gave us his tip for a good funeral song.
I thought you might want to know the full conversation, ‘cos other than me and a few people stood near me, I doubt anyone else heard it.
It must have been about 4 or 5 songs in. Here’s how I remember it, slightly edited for brevity – might not be 100% accurate so corrections are welcome.
Nigel (looking right at me): You sir, are you married?
Me: Yes, I am.
Nigel: What was your wedding song?
Me: Love Cats by The Cure
Nigel: Have you chosen a funeral song?
Me: Er, no. Got any recommendations?
Nigel: Yeah, Dirty Boy by Cardiacs. You’ve got to listen right to the end though.
Me: Thanks, I’ll check it out.
(Then I remembered what my old mate Colin had chosen for his funeral. It had us in stitches at the crematorium.)
Me: How about Don’t Fear The Reaper?
Nigel: That’s a good one.
Nigel (pointing at Karl): And he can actually play it!
Some random bloke on the upper level: My Way!
Nigel: Right, so “Your Way” then.
Err, I think that was pretty much it?
I keep thinking he had some great comedy one-liners in stock but unfortunately the answers I gave didn’t give him the feed he needed to use them.
Oh, and in honour of the occasion I have finally given myself a nom de plume to use on this site.
28 July 2025
CARRIE ANNE
Roger’s review from the hmhb.co.uk website, with thanks to Gez. My only very slight disappointment was that Midnight Mass Murder was dropped. Otherwise, fantastic gig as usual.
Peak Cavern, Castleton, Fri 25th July 2025
Roger Green:
Errors And Omissions. Complete overhaul of the reporting system required. The song listing for May’s show in Ulverston included one called Everybody’s AOR. You probably know this already, but that should of course have read Everything’s AOR. Slapped wrists all round. Well, just mine actually… And thanks to Johnny Kwango for recording a load of the songs from Ulverston. Nigel often includes the “Do you know me, Bert?” line when playing Every Time A Bell Rings. It was missing on that occasion, but it was still a great rendition of a great song. Also, I noticed the report from Marcel in which he mentions seeing his other favourite bands (“The Nightingales, The Fall, Wire, Jeffrey Lewis”). Any of them would be a fine night out for me, although of course The Fall are slightly fragmented these days.
In the days following Ulverston, songs from All Asimov And No Fresh Air continued to filter through to 6 Music. We tapped our toes as Marc Riley played Goodbye Sam Hello Samaritans. Dandelion Radio must also have had a pre-release copy, as we heard Horror Clowns Are Dickheads on there. Stewart Maconie played Rawlplugs Of Yesteryear on Freak Zone. Andy Kershaw chipped in with Record Store Day. And so on and so on until the CD was released for public consumption in the middle of June. Record Store Day got another airing, this time from Radcliffe And Maconie nice and early one Sunday morning.
When the dates of all the future gigs were printed in Viz, Dominic Strogen posted a message “Still no NZ tour!” Well, I’m ready when you are, Dominic. It’s just that I’ve got my doubts that it’s going to happen. But let’s keep hoping.
As things stand, these HMHB dates need to be in your diary… Glasgow (Friday 19 September), Wolverhampton (Friday 7 November), Manchester (Friday 30 January 2026), London (Friday 17 April) and Nottingham (Friday 29 May). Buy now, if you haven’t already done so. You should know how tickets fly off the shelf, particularly at the smaller places.
I noticed a comment from Steve regarding the complicated way of ordering tickets these days… “What I would give for a nice little piece of printed card.” I’ll second you on that, Steve. It’s got nothing to do with the songs, the albums, the band’s performances, the people in the band, or the people that you meet at the gigs… When I stop going to these shows, it will be because of the shite that you have to go through, in order to gain access.
Came Friday 13th June. It saw All Asimov And No Fresh Air landing on doormats up and down the land (but not all doormats). It’s been a grower – getting better with every play. You know how it goes. You spot a little subtlety here and there, that you hadn’t noticed previously. The release date (a month before this gig in the cave) provided the listener with plenty of opportunity to learn the words in anticipation of a good old singalong. The cover has a map of areas of the brain. I would never have thought that there were areas for Cow Location or Hens. But every day is a school day. The album notes also contain a dedication to Geoffrey Laurence “Mandy” Davies (15 April 1943 to 12 September 2023). Nice touch. I’m sure it has met with his approval.
The album continues to grow. It’ll do. I agree with the comment from Embrace The Margin on Chris’s site… “I always find first listen of a new HMHB album is like putting on a new pair of specs. Everything bit askew but it resolves itself quickly enough.” In fact, Dan Fulker’s comment sums up my thoughts…”The whole album is magnificent. They’re all my favourites.” Although perhaps I will allow myself an extra play of Falmouth Electric. And do you want a tearjerker? You’ve got Possible Side Effects.
“Seventeen years at Falmouth Electric.” I had nineteen years in my last job before they gave me the hoof. I had never thought of getting a ventriloquist dummy. It’s not too late to do that, I suppose. I found it impossible to follow the progress of Phil Bauhaus in the Tour De France without the “Got any Gauhaus” line coming into my head.
September’s issue of Uncut referred to the new album. “Biting dispatch from veteran outliers, still shaking the Wirral and beyond.” And they gave it 8 out of 10. The review said “there is something warmly reassuring about a HMHB song”. Agree. And the review finishes off with “If this record doesn’t move you on any level, you really do have a wooden heart.” Agree again. There is also a Q And A section with Nigel. He claims, “It’s not particularly clever to sing about rawlplugs.” Disagree.
Karen and I discussed McCalliog And His Hens, particularly in relation to the career of footballer Jim McCalliog. Not sure if everyone picked up on the fact that he initially signed for Leeds United but never made the first team. He moved to Sheffield Wednesday, for whom he played and scored in the 1966 FA Cup final against Everton. He also played and scored for Scotland when they beat England at Wembley in 1967. There was more glory on the same field in 1976 when he supplied the killer pass for Southampton’s winning goal in that year’s FA Cup final against Manchester United. And after the end of his career, my mate remembers being served by Jim, who had become landlord of the George And Dragon pub in Wetherby. Jim subsequently moved back to Scotland. And the George And Dragon is now (possibly) a toy shop.
On a sunny Sunday afternoon a couple of weeks before the Castleton show, we headed to Sidney And Matilda’s in Sheffield to see Half Mandolin Half Biscuit. They are a fine quartet who play HMHB covers, giving them a folky style. They have been mentioned previously in these reviews, usually playing on Saturday afternoons after HMHB have been in the city on a Friday night. Ed, who has participated in the band in the past, was in the audience too, and was good enough to write down the players on this occasion. Trev Thomas (mandolin), Will Hiorns (guitar), Tegwen Roberts (vocal) and “Smiley” Dave Young (fiddle and saw, though not at the same time) were the ensemble. HMandHB were on the bill after Oranjabanj, and before Poke. Three bands in one afternoon meant a shorter set than previously for HMandHB. Nevertheless, it was all very agreeable, giving a different edge to the songs. We’ll be back to see them some time. They played the following…
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train (described in authentic Blackwellesque style as “a true story”)
We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
Evening Of Swing (Has Been Cancelled)
Paintball’s Coming Home
When The Evening Sun Goes Down
Look Dad No Tunes
And there was just time to squeeze one in the encore…
Bottleneck At Capel Curig
It was a jolly Friday morning jaunt to Castleton. A delay of only half an hour at Fitzwilliam Station, which meant we were behind schedule when we arrived in Sheffield. “Modern stock on Victorian infrastructure,” as a fellow passenger observed. (That could also be an early contender for the title of the next HMHB album.) Nevertheless, we were able to hop on board the 272 bus to Castleton. With all the climbs and dips, at times it was a bit like being on that bus at the end of The Italian Job. Except that we pulled in safely to Castleton bus station. We checked in at The Peak Hotel. Lunch was baguettes from the deli next door. I went to what I thought was the newsagent, only to be told that papers are no longer available in town. What? None? So the only paper to review was the Metro which I had picked up when we were still in Yorkshire. Too far away for any HMHB mentions. The traumas on our journey were nothing compared to Andy, whose long-range journey was sabotaged by cancellations and having to shell out for replacement tickets. He made it in the end though. While out and about, I saw Chris and John (no Elizabeth unfortunately). Drew of Half Man Half Bike Kit was also loitering around.
The afternoon was spent chilling and watching the Tour De France. After that, more grub, a change of HMHB t-shirt, and we were ready to go. It was approximately ten minutes walk from our base to the venue. During which time, we saw three quarters of the band (Nigel, Neil and Karl, together with Denise) on their way to the chip shop with the massive queue at the bottom of the hill. If you were there, you’ll know the one I mean. Karen and I arrived at The Devil’s Arse ridiculously early. The staff were just starting to assemble the ticket desk. We had a fair wait. Plenty of time to study the ads for other bands playing there, such as Ultimate Bowie, Southmartins and T Rextasy. I’m sure that HMHB can’t be the only band who play there performing their own songs.
Other folk started to show. Lorna retained her Travelled Furthest award (or did she?), jetting in from New Hampshire. Tony had given her a lift to the gig from Brum. John and Kim were there. As were Alex and Lynn, Phill, Gilly, Daisy, Andrew and Sue. Thanks to Brian for the pressie for Karen. Much appreciated. Brought back many happy memories. Very kind.
John Desperate was standing behind us and joined in with a lot of the songs by Vincent Whyte. Vincent had supported HMHB previously (I think it was in Newcastle). A bloke with a guitar and some sort of drum pedal. A fine set. I wrote down his songs as best I could.
Let’s Not Be Strangers
Clive
The Overspill Ground
Something Is Alive In The Garden Shed
The Old Head Of Kinsale
Thank You For Saving My Life
I couldn’t tell the title of one of the songs he played. It was something about folk music. The sound was not great at the front. Very loud. Understandable. There are plenty of places for the decibels to disappear to. But mainly the noise disappeared into my ears. They were still buzzing on the Saturday morning. Note to self. Take ear plugs next time.
In the interval, I saw and nodded to a few others. Steve, Lou, Andy and most notably Postman Tony, wearing a Horror Clown face mask. He ended up throwing it onto the stage, so in the future if you see anyone wearing one of these masks, it could be one of the chaps from the band. Grieg’s In The Hall Of The Mountain King was played in the interval, but not even Tony with his phone app could identify the walk-on music.
When on stage, Karl revealed the Black Sabbath lettering on his t-shirt, and Carl was wearing his Palestine football shirt. Nigel remarked about the venue, “It’ll be lovely when it’s finished,” Nigel was playing an acoustic guitar with a hole at the front. Except that it was plugged in. Electracoustic? I don’t know much about these things. It all got a bit too much hassle, and he ended up borrowing one of Karl’s guitars, before sending out back for his own. Neil was on hand to remind Nigel to plug it in.
“Are you alright for bags?” Nigel asked. And then he enquired “Is anyone in from Pickering?” He was just wondering what the place was like. The first celebrity spot was “Jessica Ennis, ladies and gentlemen.” “Did you sort that out? Hydrochloric acid and dense woodland is what you need. Then leave it to the animals.”
Nigel did a bird impression. He drank some water and said “Swallow”. And he gave us the starter at the Grand National. He needs to get his application in, to do the job at next year’s race.
The lyric was changed in Dickie Davies Eyes. It was Romany “girl” tonight. There was a chat about songs for funerals and weddings. Dirty Boy by The Cardiacs was mentioned, along with The Love Cats and Don’t Fear The Reaper (“he can play that one”, said Nigel, pointing towards Karl). There was also a mention of Alternative TV’s Another Coke. And Nigel pointed out “ACDC: the poor man’s Nazareth.”
Nigel predicted that the “errrr” at the end of Dukla Prague Away Kit would rebound around the cave, and would then return in ten minutes. Among the names listed in God Gave Us Life were Rod Liddle, Esther McVey, Alan Carr, VAR, Andrew Tate, Fiona Bruce, him over there and Lionel Blair. Think I may have missed someone out. Nigel drew attention to a fly which had been on his hand throughout God Gave Us Life. Divine intervention?
Another celebrity in the audience was Jodie Comer. “Just leave the canvas bag at the merch stall”. There was also an outing for an old favourite… “Who sang Tiger Feet? Was it Mud or The Sweet?” When the answer came back that it was Mud, Nigel followed up with “That’s right. That’s right. That’s right. That’s right.” A punter shouted out “You make me so happy!”. Nigel replied that she should go on a tour of the cave.
On the line about careering out of Boots without due care or attention, Nigel did the “walking” thing with his fingers, a la Yellow Pages adverts from days of yore. And he said he was in Tesco earlier. He heard one of the till attendants talking to her colleague. She could tell whether or not a male customer was single just from his purchases. To prove this, she rings through a guy’s shopping on the till, and says “You’re single, aren’t you?” The customer replies “Yes, can you tell just from the things that I buy?” She says “No, it’s because you’re an ugly bastard.”
When the band came back for the encore, a packet of rawlplugs was thrown onto the stage. Nigel said thanks, but he would never use them. During McCalliog And His Hens, he adopted the Tom O’Connor pose, resting his elbow on his mike stand. A slapstick moment came at the end, when Nigel’s guitar slipped off his strap and onto the cave floor.
More Hellos (and Goodbyes) at the end of the evening. Graham Le Taxi and Julie were being shoved towards the exit with us. I enquired at the merchandise emporium about an Asimov t-shirt. None available in my size. Should have tried on my way in. I’ll give it another go at the next gig in Glasgow.
Thanks a lot to Gilly for letting us take a picture of the set list. This was checked against the songs which were played, as follows…
Rawlplugs Of Yesteryear (Breaking The USA)
The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train
Irk The Purists
False Grit
Horror Clowns Are Dickheads
Shit Arm Bad Tattoo
Dickie Davies Eyes
Blue Badge Abuser
Terminus
Record Store Day
Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Full Of Bad Wools
All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
God Gave Us Life
Everything’s AOR
We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
Birmos In The Cowshed
National Shite Day
Jack’s Been To The National
Every Time A Bell Rings
The Trumpton Riots
Oblong Of Dreams
And in the encore:
McCalliog And His Hens
I’m Waiting For My Man
Joy Division Oven Gloves
Alehouse Futsal was on the set list but did not appear at the gig.
And from here we move on to Glasgow in a couple of months. The morning after the show, we got talking to a couple of overseas Biscuiteers. Niall was checking out how to get to Manchester from where he would be flying back to Ireland. And another Andy got on the bus back to Sheffield with us. He snatched the Furthest Travelled award, having come from Melbourne (the one in Australia). I’ll be happy to be proved wrong, but I don’t think there is much chance of HMHB returning the compliment.
28 July 2025
Lauren
I’m a relative newbie having seen HMHB three times ever, but I’m just happy to see others reporting wet eyes at Oblong Of Dreams. I was on the upper level, broke down at “there will be daffodils” and thought I was just being a bit silly til the song ended and I saw another fellow dabbing his face with his handkerchief.
Great venue! Wish I’d remembered my earplugs though, much more comfortable with than without. And delighted to know False Grit has NEVER been played before!
28 July 2025
Chris The Siteowner
Some noteworthy stats about the set list:
☆ There were only 23 songs (+1 cover); the last time there were that few was Cardiff in 2019, 40 gigs ago;
☆ 16 of the 27 songs played at Ulverston were dropped;
☆ “False Grit” got its first ever outing, over 11 years since other songs from “Urge For Offal” were played for the first time;
☆ “Shit Arm, Bad Tattoo” was played for only the second time since the Leadmill, 24 gigs ago;
☆ “Bob Wilson – Anchorman” was not played for the first time since Stowmarket, 13 gigs ago;
☆ “Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus” was not played for the first time since Llangollen, 10 gigs ago;
☆ “I’m Getting Buried in the Morning” was not played for the second successive gig, after an unbroken 16-gig run;
☆ “Midnight Mass Murder” was not played for the first time since the Leadmill, 24 gigs ago;
☆ “Renfield’s Afoot” was not played for the second time in three gigs, after a previous unbroken 45-gig (!) run;
…but of course we got six songs from the new album, five of them for the first time.
28 July 2025
Darren the lollipop man
I assume that was a joke above, about not being able to identify the walk on music, but it was Black Sabbath’s eponymous belter.
28 July 2025
EXXO
The soundscape of that cave is so patchy that you wouldn’t be surprised if you couldn’t hear a note, while the Shazam in someone else’s pocket 3 yards away picked it up fine.
28 July 2025
Lauren
I felt like not doing Renfield’s Afoot was deliberate, as there were a couple of teasing mentions of bats maybe living in the cave…
28 July 2025
BiscuitGigs
I’ve finally been able to update The HMHB Data Retrieval System with the Devil’s Arse setlist and videos. I’ve only been able to find Automorph’s and a couple of others from Jim Fletcher, so thanks to them for their efforts and uploading. Mostly new ones.
It as reminded me that Andy uploaded loads a couple of months ago, will try to get them done soon but will let the current ones sit on the home page for a while.
Cheers
4 August 2025