HMHB News Archive
January - June 1999
Website Moved (14/6/99)
After a few years at BTInternet, it's time for the site to move. If you've been accessing this site
via the
http://surf.to/hmhb
route, then carry on - you shouldn't notice any change. If you've been using the
http://www.btinternet.com/~hmhb/hmhb.htm
link, then this will eventually die - use the
surf.to/hmhb URL. I'll put an automatic forwarding link up on the BTInternet page tonight, so you shouldn't get lost.
If anyone wants the real URL of the new site, it will be http://cobweb.quantisci.co.uk/hmhb.
It went up at 9.30am this morning.
My mail address has also changed - gez@oxphoto.co.uk
is the new addy, and you can use that now.
Probe Plus Website (8/6/99)
Probe Plus now have a website. Still in the construction stage, but HMHB
material will soon be available direct over the internet.
http://www.probe-plus.com is the place to go.
The Zuyder Zee (8/6/99)
Dougal McKinnon says:
"I don't know if you heard Peel a couple of nights ago, but as part of the Peelenium, he played (from 1907) a track called By The Side Of The Zuyder Zee by Gerald Adams and the Variety Singers,
a typical old music-hall style song. Possible reference to Moody Chops, perhaps?"
New Single (24/5/99)
Details are emerging regarding the new single. The lead track will be current live favourite "Feedback",
although it seems likely that there will be a title change before the single hits the shops. The other
tracks will be "Eclesiastical Perks", and another Shropshire Lad-like track (you know, Nigel +
drum machine + Neil if you're lucky). A 3-tracker, so HMHB are obviously aiming for a high chart
entry...but you'll have a bit of a wait yet - the lead track has been recorded but not mixed; the last track
is still to be taped.
Still In The Studio (24/4/99)
In case you were wondering, Nigel and co are still (sporadically) in the studio. A few tracks
are down, but no titles as yet.
Times Metro revisited/revised (22/4/99)
Seems that there's a bit of an inaccuracy in the Times Metro magazine
article from last month. It transpires that N.Blackwell thought of the HMHB monicker
in the bath one day, and then "loaned" it to Instant Agony. So now you know. Ta Andy!
Search Engine, Mailing List (13/4/99)
I've put a Search Engine on the front page, to help you find those references more easily.
The mailing list info is remaining at the top of this page from now on; the traffic is pretty low.
I tend to post new stuff (and the odd rumour) on there before I put it on here.
Frank Lazarus (12/4/99)
Pete Fenelon:
Was listening to R4 last night and one of the actors in their rather poor
adaptation of Stephen Baxter's rather good novel "Voyage" was called...Frank Lazarus.
One of the Four Lads Who Shook The Wirral...
Nigel tales pt 2 (13/3/99)
As mentioned below Martin Bryant interviewed Nigel at the Hebden Bridge gig.
The full interview is now up on his 14 Sandwiches website
- well worth a read.
Back In The D.H.S.S. revisited (8/3/99)
Ta to Bob Stevens for making me aware of this:
HMHB are featured in the Vulture column of The Times Metro
magazine today. The column claims to pick over the bones of contemporary culture
and features and album a book and a film on a weekly basis.
The review is as follows:
BACK IN THE DHSS (1985)
Four Lads who shook the Wirral, Half Man Half Biscuit took their name
from a song by fellow Birkenhead Punks Instant Agony, who were
describing Prince Charles. Turning dole tedium to their advantage, they
began writing songs inspired by the television they watched. Though the
level of musicianship could not yet match their imagination, nor their
pockets stretch beyond rudimentary studio, this debut album was the
year's biggest independent seller. Their subsequent TRUMPTON RIOTS EP,
included on the CD-reissue, also topped the indie charts. Titles alone
confirm that bo other band ever had a sense of humour so arcane or
perverted. F**king 'Ell It's Fred Titmus and 99% of Gargoyles Look Like
Bob Todd are listed alongside I Left My Heart in Papworth General and
Venus in Flares.
Nerys Hughes, Matthew Kelly, Lionel Blair and Una Stubbs are among the
celebrities being lampooned, while the rersidents of Trumpton,
Camberwick Green and Chigley are treated with inordinate respect. The
bands happy go lucky playing was as eccentric as their world view.
Thankfully John Peel liked them and became their champion, or we may
never have known about them. Belligerently uninterested in stardom Half
Man Half Biscuit turned down the opportunity of appearing on the Tube in
1986 because Tranmere Rovers were playing that night.
© The Times 1999. The author of the piece is uncredited.
This Leaden Pall revisited (3/3/99)
The NME has now decided that This Leaden Pall is now a 'classic LP', in their 'Classics Revisited'
feature this week...
Nigel tales (1/3/99)
Martin Bryant managed to grab an interview with Nigel at the Hebden Bridge gig.
The full interview (well worth a read) is at his
14 Sandwiches website,
but here are some choice qoutes:
On music:
"I like to wind up Beatles fans by saying that what the Beatles were
trying to do, ELO actually achieved. Saying Roy Wood was better than
Lennon is a good one as well"
On the fans:
"There seems to be a loyal following that's built up now. It's
gratifying but at the same time it's extraordinary that people still
come and watch us. I like that cos we now are doing the same thing we
were doing 12 years ago. It sounds so shite doesn't it? But we are,
we've got a few new songs but we still get the same feeling from it
and it's great."
On signing to a major label:
"The temptation's never been put before me, people have approached the
record label, but no-one has ever sat down with me and suggested a
deal. I've got no view that I should stay doggedly independent. If
someone came up to me and offered me a load of money I'd seriously
consider it. But the problem is by their very nature, big labels
would want us to tour and I just wouldn't have that. It's certainly
not an indie ethic of mine, I've never been born into that scene cos I
don't know any other indie bands. I don't know anything about that
way of dealing with people".
He also said a new album was due for September. The full interview
will be in Martin's fanzine 14sandwiches (when it gets finished).
Studio news (26/1/99)
Or more like "no studio news". HMHB didn't in fact make it into the studio before Xmas,
and unfortunately don't look like getting there in the immediate future, as it's proving
a bit difficult for everyone to get time off work etc. at the same time. So it could be a while
before any new HMHB release. However, Nigel has written around 8-10 new songs, which are beginning
to get airings at gigs. Three were played at the recent
Star & Garter outing, including the "monumental"
(© Geoff Davies) Feedback.
Future gig possibilities (26/1/99)
As well as the gigs listed in the Gig Guide, there are a few more
possibles - Wolverton, Exeter (at the Cavern) and Southampton have all been mentioned. I'll
keep you posted.
Other Probe Plus news (26/1/99)
Recently, Geoff has been branching out a bit, and has been able to work with other
artists besides HMHB. Look out for...
- SAFEHOUSE - one bloke, pounding dance, and fast guitars.
- DEAD POPPIES - new LP
- JD & THE HOLY SOULS (Calvin Party) - John has 5 new songs,
planned for recording in the next 3 weeks. Expect a release mid-March.
- MR AMIR - He was Probe Plus's first ever release, back in 1984. There will
be a new LP combining previous material (LP, mini LP and single) with new
stuff. John Peel was a big fan of the '84 material, so hopefully there'll
be more airplay this time.
Festive 50 (1/1/99)
Only one entry in John Peel's Festive 50 - Turn A Blind Eye, at No.25. Surprised that there
was no appearance for A Country Practice...
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