That occasional event, a gig in a town mentioned directly in a lyric. Beautiful, healthy and sparkling …and that’s just the performance, probably. Third gig of the year where the band finds itself back in a venue it last played in 2009.
That occasional event, a gig in a town mentioned directly in a lyric. Beautiful, healthy and sparkling …and that’s just the performance, probably. Third gig of the year where the band finds itself back in a venue it last played in 2009.
Andy Parsons
Cracking show. Lively crowd and a pleasing setlist full of old classics. The Beegee’s Tragedy featured during the encore and the garage attended had to deal with a bus full of the local Stoics society (featuring Steve Claridge) and Mad Macca: a local nutter from the estate. Nigel appears to be his own sat nav, reeling off the roads on the way down to the gig. Shout outs to the underrated Arnold Ridley (Godfrey in Dad’s Army) and Julia Davies (Jill in Nighty Night).
Joke of the evening: Sad news about Ken’s mouse Elvis: it was caught in a trap…
21 September 2012
Tim Burrows
Third show of the year for me and rob. Introduced Andy to the HMHB experience-whilst not as anal as me about the band, he was pleased to recognise a substantial proportion of the set list.
Good mixture of old and new. Great audience participation in Fred Titmus and an increasingly lively(and well aged) mosh pit at the front. No Ordinary tonight (shame). Ongoing discussions about Honved-Nigel stating that they didn’t know how to play it any more. And the encores were fantastic-Broadstairs with Nigel on bass, stage right (as you look at it), a storming Tragedy, Vatican and AOR.
No set list from me, but the bloke in the Dukla prague away kit next to me was noting it all down and I’m sure that roger will update us shortly. Great venue, an hour from home-as has been the case with Bilston and Oxford as well. There are some advantages to living in Gloucester.
Think that will be that for me this year-looking forward to the announcement of the 2013 dates.
21 September 2012
twistedkitemike
There is a short short-list, Tim; sadly I might be that bloke. For you set-list completists, here is the hymn sheet: –
27 Yards
Light Tunnel
Evening Sun
Fred
Asparagus
Leeuwarden
Turned Up
Restless Legs
Vitas G.
Totnes
Rita
Squabfest
L:’Enfer
Look Dad
Bob Wilson (nice shirt, whoever had it)
Shite Day
DPAK
Trad Arr Tune
24 Hour
Sunshine
Chatteris
Bad Wools
Fix It
JDOG
Encores
Broadstairs
Tragedy (cover)
Slipknot
AOR
More to follow if the work piles can be diluted slightly.
Mike………………………………..
21 September 2012
Tim Burrows
Thanks Mike.
I spent all night trying to remember what they had opened with. I’m guessing you were next to me. You seemed quite animated at the Pringle Price announcement-1p out weren’t you?
21 September 2012
twistedkitemike
It always makes me guffaw. I should draw a graph and send it to the Big Four, to help their pricing policy.
Without talking out of turn (Geoff told more than just me), Bilston and Leamington are ‘under discussion’ for next year. Good venues and handy for you, it seems? Don’t blame me if contract negotiations fail!
Mike…………………………
21 September 2012
Gregg Z
Christ, that sounds like quite a gig. Would’ve given anything for Asparagus and 27 Yards.. Hoping to get over for another gig in the new year.
21 September 2012
Tim Burrows
Thought Bilston was a brilliant venue. Wasn’t so impressed with Oxford.
Last night was very good as well. Sort of hoping that they might return to Gloucester at some stage. The Guildhall is just the right size, although the centre of Gloucester leaves a huge amount to be desired.
I’ve come late to the Biscuit party (if you’ll pardon the phrase). Was aware of them at the time of DHSS, but only really picked up on them again when Shite Day appeared on a freebie CD (Mojo IIRC). Downloaded Bono on the strength of that and was hooked. Now got everything they’ve ever released (inc Peel sessions) and bore the family rigid, although caught the GLW and daughters (16 and 13) singing along to AOR the other day.
At 51 I’m of an age where I get all the references. I’m not too shy to try and get some of them in to my day job (Criminal Defence lawyer). A small act of rebellion, perhaps, but it sort of helps with the ennui….
21 September 2012
Android, Eyes Rolling
Agree with the above, I thought it was an excellent gig. Highlight, apart from the songs, was the Carlos Valderrama/Hair from the Hair Bear Bunch lookalike in the mosh pit. Lowlight was buying two tee-shirts afterwards then getting home only to realise I’d been given an Achtung Bono shirt instead of the 90 Bisodol one I’d asked for. I’m treating everyone at work (dress down Fridays are great) to the Satisfying the bloodlust of the masses… shirt. I’ve had admiring and baffled glances, but sadly not in equal measures.
21 September 2012
Third Rate Les
I had to leave during Bad Wools to get my train, so sad to miss the rest. A bunch of us at Bath Station in the same situation.
Still loved it though. 27 Yards is a favourite so it was ace to start with that, and Totnes was another highlight.
Pringles were £1.84, the garage attendant was reading The History of Castrol GTX, and had bought 50 Shades Of Grey because he thought it was about Humbrol (as good a reason to buy it as any, if you ask me). There was also a good aside about being top of the league, with youngsters in the crowd singing “we are top of the league” and older ones singing “we’ll be 6th by October”, which Nigel suggesting that he puts a tenner each season on finishing mid-table.
Great venue, great sound, and a Pizza Hut right over the road where I slouched for a pleasant hour reading a book before the gig.
21 September 2012
John Burscough
First 27 Yards for nearly 7 years, as far as I can make out. I’ll be King Euphoria (as opposed to Of Hi-Vis) if they play it at Newcastle.
21 September 2012
Andy Parsons
The gentleman with the big hair is Big Jeff (or Jeffrey Johns to his mum). Bristol gig going legend/pain in the arse depending on your point of view. He goes to pretty much every gig in the Bristol/bath area and is down the front inspiring/terrifying people for the whole set. Frankly I’m often glad when his hair isn’t blocking my view.
21 September 2012
Matt Harpham
Having been a fan since about 1988, it’s a venal sin that I haven’t been to see them live until last night. Cracking night – mosh pit was indeed ‘lively’, occasionally verging on violent – sponsor that, Gabriel!
The guy in the Barnestoneworth top must have been delighted with the full team run-down. Talk about a feedline. (For the record, he was wearing no.11, Davitt)
A couple of bon mots:
“Sudafed is in fact a stimulant.”
“This is a song we wrote on a jetski” (Bob Wilson – Anchorman)
“Quiet Street – was expecting Loud Street round the corner from it, then SubPop Street”
“Have you seen what they’ve been giving the penguins in Bristol Zoo for dinner? An hour like everybody else”
“What time’s yer train? Half eleven? I’ll think on. Not in the way you want me to think on though. You’re spending in the night in Aquae Sulis!”
The full (abridged) sat nav exploration:
“We’re hardcore, we’re back tonight. Came down today, going back tonight. M53, M56, M6, M5, M4, two junctions, off at 18, A46 to Bath, A4, and then when it forks left forks right, ignore the Paragon, go left down Walcot Street, access only – what else is it going to be?
You’re staying over are yer? That’s Yorkshire for yer that.”
It won’t be me last.
21 September 2012
DT
Third Rate Les – I think it was “Safe by October, we might be safe by October”. Which strikes a chord with a football pessimist like me who, even when we’re challenging for the top, lets out a little cheer when we reach the perceived ‘points for safety’ target.
Cracking gig last night, enjoyed every minute.
Superb website btw.
21 September 2012
Chris The Siteowner
DT: presumably mathematically safe.
21 September 2012
DT
I actually posted that on my facebook page at the precise moment last season! Which actually wasn’t until the final fortnight so it was apt.
21 September 2012
SIMON P
Bollocks! I got there during Fred after the car had a fit near Stow On The Wold and I had to call the AA because I’d left my toolkit in the other car – it was only a split hose….so I asked the gent next to me what I’d missed – he said he didn’t know the first song which was immediately worrying. Was hoping it might have been Enschede – gah. Also gutting – was only 4p off on Pringles and still not the closest! Cracking gig though. Leamington and Bilston – yes please – 10 and 30 minutes away respectively!
21 September 2012
Android, Eyes Rolling
Thanks for the ID of Hair Bear andy, he didn’t look like your average HMHB fan (there’s the fact that he had hair, for a start) but he was moshing away like he meant it. I was watching from the raised area by the bar, so my view wasn’t obstructed by his antics.
21 September 2012
Deacon with misguided trousers
The Hair Bear guy was moshing in a reasonably respectful way,mind. I was in there and had my glasses on the whole time and they never came off.
My first HMHB gig and well worth the drive down, great great stuff. Especially loved Shite day and Bad Wools. Loved the Barnstoneworth shirt, gotta get me one.
21 September 2012
Third Rate Les
actually, speaking of shirts, well done to whoever it was in the Curry Night tour shirt.
Chapeau!
21 September 2012
That Swan
That was my mate Jan in the Curry Night shirt, he’ll be pleased to be mentioned on here. I was the twat in the Styx World Tour shirt 🙂
Big Jeff is indeed a Bristol gig ‘legend/pain in the arse’, if you ever go to a gig in the Bristol area and he’s NOT there, you start to get the uneasy feeling that you may have backed the wrong horse and be missing a better gig somewhere…
21 September 2012
99%
Superb gig as per usual. Bilston and Leamington – will look forward to both them.
21 September 2012
Paul
First HMHB gig since the Tropic club in Bristol in 86. (Famous guest in that night as well I think). Fantastic, laughed most of the way through, Shite Day my favourite. Hoped to hear Stipperstones because it always reminds me of the Land of Lost Content in Craven Arms.
Tim: you defended me once (not guilty), you are a good man, I would have bought you a beer if I had recognised you. Lamotrigine is a life changer, along with rambling and a dog.
Booked already for Holmfirth, Nook beforehand.
22 September 2012
Andy Parsons
Yes: top marks to the curry night t-shirt. Slightly less for the styx one!
22 September 2012
BrumBiscuit
The Barnstoneworth Utd shirt is on Toffs. I paid extra for the lettering. Go a size larger though.
22 September 2012
Deacon with misguided trousers
OK, will do. I also noticed someone with a Primark FM shirt.
22 September 2012
BrumBiscuit
Ah, that was me! Custom made that one. The trouble is I can’t wear it anywhere else, as the Eamonn Holmes picture on the front gets attention of the wrong type.
23 September 2012
Mr Galbraith
Excellent gig, once I found the venue – the Bath one-way system might be smooth but its not commendable if you are in a rush. Loved Fred Titmus and Squabble Fest, and was highly impressed with the Tragedy cover. Particularly enjoyed the response of ‘Why, is she here’? to the lady who asked if she could have Nerys Hughes.
And hats off indeed to the different t-shirts on display, I saw the Curry Night one at the Exeter v Aldershot JPT game a few weeks ago, I can’t believe there is more than one!
24 September 2012
not Roger Green
Once again I’ve bundled Roger’s review from the other place into the back of the van and run it through the old Banda machine for you, before replacing it where I found it, and nobody none the wiser.
Roger Green:
There was a slightly disappointing start to the day, when I discovered that The Star closes at 2.30 in the afternoon. This pub had been highly recommended, and I had expected slightly more than a bolted door, after an uphill walk with my rucksack on my back. No matter. The ale tasted all the better in The Coeur De Lion (“Bath’s smallest pub” which served a fine plate of ham, egg and chips) and The Porter (“Bath’s only vegetarian pub”, where presumably ham is not on the menu). But I got nowhere near to matching Daz and Gomez’s list of twelve pre-gig pubs. They did well to get past security in that state, and a couple of hours down at the front while the band played was admirable.
The support band was the same as at the previous show in Leeds. Roja were keen to point out that there is no “n” at the end of their name. Delighted to be able to clarify these things. I can’t add much about them though. The singer was still wearing the same hat, the trumpet gives their music that Spaghetti Western feel, and they do a fine Pixies cover version.
I’m not much cop with my definitions, but there was hint of “ambient” to the music being played prior to HMHB’s appearance. It was immediately replaced by Glenn Campbell’s Wichita Lineman, as they took to the stage. “Leave it on, it’ll only go downhill from here,” said Nigel before starting the set. Not sure that everyone would agree with that. There was a spot of heckling during one of the longer gaps between songs. “No rush, Nigel! We’ve got a train to catch!” Asparagus Next Left was introduced as a cover version of a song by the comedy prog rock act Hall , Stairs And Landing. Carl made sure he got that drum bit in at the end of Asparagus. Nigel mentioned Arnold Ridley, late of this parish. It gave him the opportunity to quote his favourite line in the history of TV comedy, by Captain Mainwaring. “This is war, Godfrey. There is no place for rice pudding.” There was more recollection when Nigel harked back to a festival many years ago when HMHB were on the same bill as Steeleye Span and It Bites. The guy at the front standing next to me and Tony made a valid point after Restless Legs, with its line about milk and Sudafed. “I hate to be a pedant, but Sudafed is a stimulant!” Nothing wrong with being a pedant, and you’re certainly not out of place at these gigs. At 9.34 Mr Blackwell requested more vocals in the monitor. A good recent run at Prenton Park was discussed. Apparently Tranmere fans have been chanting “We could be safe by October.” L’Enfer C’Est Les Autres led to a bit of chat about the nearby Quiet Street. “Is there also a Loud Street, and a Sub Pop street?” The security staff were kept busy. I was ticked off for leaning on a monitor. And there was a spot of “six of one and half a dozen of the other” in the mosh pit, but nothing beyond that. Nigel spotted a Barnstoneworth United top in the crowd, giving him the excuse to rattle through their team sheet. An old favourite joke was brought out. “What do the penguins at Bristol Zoo get for lunch? Half an hour.” The crisps at the garage were £1.84. The eight people in the queue behind Nigel were all from The Stoic Society, who had just had Steve Claridge as their guest speaker. (Stoicism was a topic of conversation with Tony as we breakfasted at The Boston Tea Party on the Friday morning. He told me about Zeno Of Citium who was of the stoic persuasion. Apparently he believed that destructive emotions result from errors in judgement, and a person of moral or intellectual perfection would not suffer such emotions. It is virtuous to maintain a will that is in accord with nature. Virtue is sufficient for happiness. So now you know. Or maybe I just wrote it down wrong. And was this Zeno any good at darts?) One of the stoics wanted Haribo Tantastic. We also bore witness to the introduction of Mad Macca. “There’s one on every estate. He’s got a shaved head and a Scottish surname.” Mad Macca asked for malt loaf, merely because that is further away than the Pringles. He also likes the question about why Hull City are unique among teams in the league (you can’t colour any of the letters in). And the visual joke about how tall is Adolf Hitler, and where does he live? You had to be at the gig for that one. We also found out a bit more about the guy who works at the garage. He is reading a History Of Castrol GTX, and he bought Fifty Shades Of Grey because he thought it was a history of Humbrol. Not a lot else to report over the remainder of the gig. Neil and Nigel swapped instruments for “Broadstairs”. And there was some more Glenn Campbell when they left at the end, this time it was Rhinestone Cowboy. Oh and for the first time I was using a Henning Wehn pen, which I picked up when I went to see him recently. It did the job OK.
9.05 27 Yards Of Dental Floss
9.08 The Light At The End Of The Tunnel
9.11 When The Evening Sun Goes Down
9.15 Fred Titmus
9.19 Asparagus Next Left
9.23 Joy In Leeuwarden
9.27 Turned Up Clocked On Laid Off
9.31 Restless Legs
9.35 Outbreak Of Vitas Gerulaitis
9.39 Totnes Bickering Fest
9.43 Excavating Rita
9.47 Running Order Squabble Fest
9.50 L’Enfer C’Est Les Autres
9.53 Look Dad No Tunes
9.59 Bob Wilson Anchor Man
10.01 National Shite Day
10.09 All I Want For Xmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
10.13 We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
10.18 24 Hour Garage People
10.27 Little In The Way Of Sunshine
10.29 For What Is Chatteris
10.32 Rock ‘N’ Roll Is Full Of Bad Wools
10.38 Fix It So She Thinks Of Me
10.41 Joy Division Oven Gloves
Encore:
10.47 She’s In Broadstairs
10.51 Tragedy
10.55 Vatican Broadside
10.56 Everything’s AOR
24 September 2012
Pop-Tart Mark
There are of course different types of Sudafed.
It wouldn’t say “non-drowsy” on the wonderful over-the counter speedy stimulant one (the Sunday morning rain, the touchline refrain: he’s on the ‘feds) if there wasn’t also a drowsy one which is out on the shelves where everyone can help themselves.
24 September 2012
MORE LIKE KEN BARLOW
I too was in Bath last week. First live gig was Cardiff last year and have since been to Bilston, Leeds and now Bath. Hoping to get to Newcastle. My tee shirt, bought for my 50th by my brother, has a picture of me holding a tennis racket up against my face……………………..
26 September 2012
Mr Jan
@Mr Galbraith – I can confirm that it was the same Curry Night shirt at the City game the other week, complete with hasty mis-spelling of ‘Marlborough’.
Bath was my first ever Biscuit gig and, of course, it was great. 24 Hour Garage People was the first HMHB track I ever heard and it was a particular highlight, especially the Mad Macca bit. I’ve also got an even great appreciation for Bad Wools that I had previously, and naturally the Tragedy cover left me with a big grin.
Counted 7 Dukla Prague away kits (and one home) and disappointingly didn’t manage to get to the Quantocks on the drive home (although made customary Bridgwater comments).
26 September 2012
Age-old Eel
I was the very-drunk-oldish-tall-speccy bloke with the Space Invaders T-Shirt. Not seen them for ages so got a bit excited. Which was nice.
Thanks to the person that gave me a glass of water when I felt (and presumably looked) a bit delicate. And I’m sorry if I p’ed anyone off with my drunken antics.
I thought they were great. Oven Gloves was a highlight, Bickering Fair struck a chord.
I’ll try and get to Newcastle in a slightly soberer state. Coherent would be a start at least…..
26 September 2012
Flipper the Guinea Gap Dolphin
Funnily enough, listening to Dinosaur Jr as I type. Re: Sudafed, the original formulation comprises pseudoephedrine (hence the name) which acts as a vaso-constrictor. It’s adverse effects include CNS stimulation, insomnia, nervousness, excitability, dizziness and anxiety. It is, interestingly, also used as first-line therapy of priapism. I felt I ought advise Nigel of the inaccurate indication, as I would not wish punters to experience inadvertent post-gig insomnia resulting from misuse of this otherwise efficacious over-the-counter remedy.
28 September 2012
Duchess of Westminster
Sudafed does nothing for me except make me feel ever so slightly better. Having just recovered from a stinker of a cold I have tested this thoroughly.
They changed the formula years ago. Thanks to Nigel for an entertaining afternoon Googling “Stimulant effects of cold remedies”. I was shocked to find myself in the dark underbelly of the internet reading about all sorts of semi legal excitements. Apparently if you get the original formula and boil it down to ash in a microwave you can smoke it for a modest rush.
Quite took my mind off the day five stuffed up and slight cough misery.
1 October 2012
hendrix-tattoo
Poor Ken’s pet mouse Elvis has died….
https://youtu.be/BaY-WCa_izg
It was caught in a trap.
Priceless…..
Cheers Geckosoup.
15 September 2017