NEWS: Half Man Half Biscuit @ Gala Theatre

Eleven years ago, Taylor Parkes wrote a fantastic piece for The Quietus trying to set the record straight about Half Man Half Biscuit. They were not, he correctly asserted, a “comedy band”, despite their reputation, but “are, in fact, an antidote to wackiness, a bulwark against zaniness. Fiercely principled, highly literate, sometimes very close to angry…”. By the end of the piece I was almost on my feet saluting Parkes for getting it right when so many people get it so wrong.

To be clear, HMHB ARE very funny. But there’s an intelligence, anger and focus to Nigel Blackwell’s lyrics that transcends their oft-quoted daytime TV/b-list indie band gags, accompanied by a scratchy, instantly recognisable guitar sound infused with folk and blues riffs and wonky guitar solos. HMHB – who’ve been at it for 16 albums and nearly 40 years with hardly anyone noticing – rarely play live but fetch up in Durham on Friday 29^th April promoting their new album The Voltarol Years. You should probably go. Just – please – don’t wear any Joy Division Oven Gloves. It’s annoying.

Half Man Half Biscuit perform at Gala Theatre, Durham on Friday 29^th April.