The last gig I did with HMHB was the London New Cross Venue last December (Carl Henry couldn't make it and I was in London anyway) it was quite good - brand new dressing room.
"A somewhat less enthralling experience than the previous gigs (eg. Bridgwater) due to low turnout, a floor that bounced up and down alarmingly and less than ideal acoustics. The band was naturally able to rise above these potentially de-motivating criteria. Two local sixth form students attempting to sell their pre-purchased tickets outside, after they had clocked the other clientele entering the gig were persuaded to change their minds. We bought them a drink to boot, yet nevertheless they both left after the third number.
Those who went : Tom the Chelsea bloke / Tim from Taunton / Clive
P. / MPR.
Apologies for absence : Fred. Dealing with high maintenance partner.
Should have been there : Ross
Football note : Nigel took stick for defeat at Reading."
"The gig at Fibbers was on Saturday 23rd November - I remember it 'cos it was a week before my birthday! Most memorable feature of the night for me that earlier that day one of my friends said they'd never been to see a real live band before - well, what an opportunity! Having never heard any HMHB stuff in their life, and having no idea what their music was like, the look on her face as they opened with "Fuckin' 'Ell, It's Fred Titmus" had to be seen to be believed.
It was another 'greatest hits' type set, with a few of the newer songs (at the time) getting a airing, although Nigel apologised for not bringing the keyboard with them. Much banter again (many of the crowd were recognisable from the Leeds gig), with Nigel commenting on the 'Minstermen' and their recent results between songs. Best bit of banter of the night was when Nigel complained he couldn't switch his effects pedals on properly as they were on his left and "I can't use my left foot", to which someone shouted out "A bit like John Aldridge", so Nigel spent the next few moments pointing out what a good player he was, and what league York are in!
Anyway, a top gig, plus three encores, the final one of "I
Hate Nerys Hughes" being played after the house lights had
gone up and all bar about 20 of us had gone home. One of the most
energetic performances I've seen them put in. Can't remember the
support band though, so either there wasn't one, or they weren't
very good (the latter I think)."
"HMHB always go down well at Fibbers, and the November gig
was no exception -- one of the biggest and most appreciative crowds
I've seen them get there. My glasses decided to leap out of my
shirt pocket at one point and one lens was reduced to powder.
Oh well. Nigel on particularly top form with remarks about Amon
Duul fans (though the only Amon Duul fan I know wasn't there!).
Some of the older stuff sounds a bit different with the new four-piece
lineup, but Neil is still truly one of the unsung heroes of the
bass. Very much looking forward to 21/6 -- should be out there
in force with a number of other addicts."
"The gig at the Duchess in Leeds way back in October wasn't bad, I seem to remember. The support was from a band called 'People Like Us' or 'PLU', who regularly do supports there (I'd seen them supporting Cardiacs a couple of months earlier), and aren't that bad, but aren't exactly awe inspiring!
I seem to remember the set being a bit of a 'greatest hits' set,
with a spread of stuff from all the records, plus the then new
"Eno Collaboration", and the crowd really got into it,
with loads of banter between Nigel and the crowd, some of whom
where definitely worse for wear! First time I'd seen them as a
four piece, and they still looked a bit hesitant about some stuff
and made the odd mistake, but all the songs were ones people could
join in with, so they went down well."
Biscuits on fine form. This was the first time I heard "Paintball's
Coming Home", and the crowd were in stitches. Can't remember
too much else about the gig, apart from Geoff giving me an "Eno"
T-shirt, Carl's late arrival cos he'd been to a funeral, and chatting
with some of the regular Biscuit crowd in the Tottenham after
the gig."