Earlier in the day while exploring Cambridge and remembering that there isn’t much to see in Cambridge. HMHB were mentioned on Radio 5’s Fighting Talk, who asked the panelists for a song that mentions a sports star, with Eleanor Oldroyd picking Bob Wilson Anchor Man. Weird coincidence, but it helped get me into the mood causing me to re listen to their latest album

As is usually the case. The band didn’t take themselves too seriously. Both themselves and the audience seemed to be really up for the gig with a lot of banter between the two and frequent breaks in music as Nigel returned quips with the audience. Despite it being a mainly older audience, the few younger people in the audience, started a mosh fairly early on and the atmosphere throughout the gig was really good. Both playing off each other.

The set list reflected their entire back catalogue. I think there is pretty much a song off every one of their albums. The set list mixing fan favourites with some less heard gems. I have to admit, the last few albums haven’t grabbed me too much. But with the songs sitting amongst the more well known songs (or at least to me), many of the new songs took on a new life. None of them felt out of place rubbing shoulders with Trumpton or Fred Titmus.

Fittingly for the start of the World Snooker tournament, the Len Ganley Stance got an outing. It did make me wonder how many of the 80s cultural references in HMHB songs are understood by the younger fans. But I also reflected on the much needed absurdity HMHB bring to music and why they have such a dedicated following. I mean, who writes a song about a snooker referee?

The evening flew by in no time. Next time, I will not let 8 years pass before I next see them.

• She’s In Broadstairs
• Running Order Squabble Fest
• Bob Wilson Anchor Man
• Bane Of Constance
• Rock ‘n’ Roll Is Full Of Bad Wools
• Petty Sessions
• Awkward Sean
• Fuckin’ ‘Ell It’s Fred Titmus
• I’m Getting Buried In The Morning
• Renfield’s Afoot
• The Bastard Son Of Dean Friedman
• A Lilac Harry Quinn
• Vatican Broadside
• Dickie Davies Eyes
• The Light At The End Of The Tunnel Is The Light Of An Oncoming Train
• The Len Ganley Stance
• Rogation Sunday’s Here Again
• Every Time A Bell Rings
• Terminus
• Midnight Mass Murder
• All I Want For Christmas Is A Dukla Prague Away Kit
• The Trumpton Riots
• For What Is Chatteris
• National Shite Day
• We Built This Village On A Trad Arr Tune
• Joy Division Oven Gloves
• Oblong Of Dreams
• Another Girl Another Planet
• Everything’s AOR

Tonight, they were definitely on form. Nigel was in talkative mood which is always a good sign. Unusually, they concentrated on a lot of material of their more recent albums and I really enjoyed hearing some of the less played songs

Support was from a folk group called Sonnenberg.

The venue, ‘The Junction’ sits in a ‘leisure park’, one of those no go areas for anyone over 25. But this was Cambridge after all, and it all looks very civilised. The venue is small and intimate, perfect from HMHB. As usual the crowd was male and old.

There was no support for HMHB. Instead it was straight on to the main event. HMHB came on about 8:30 and for nearly two hours blasted through a number of crowd favourites and newer tracks.

The gig was the usual relaxed affair. With the usual air of ‘amateurishness’ and regular banter with the crowd, a HMHB gig always feels like your part of the gig. A slick HMHB just wouldn’t work.

The set list covered the majority of the band’s output, with songs from most of their albums. For me it wasn’t necessarily as ‘crowd pleasing’ as it could have been. HMHB played a number of songs of Csi:Ambleside, such as ‘National Shite Day’, ‘Bad Losers On Yahoo Chess’ and ‘Evening of Swing (has been cancelled)’ are all good songs, but a number of firm favourites such as ‘Four Skinny Indie Kids’ and ‘Secret Gig’ weren’t included.

As usual crowd pleasers such as ‘Joy Division Oven gloves’ went down a storm. Although fewer people than normal had brought theirs, it didn’t stop the crowd from joining in with song.

A HMHB rarely fail to deliver and despite the set list, tonight was no exception.

Photos

Half Man Half Biscuit photos on Flickr

Videos

Trumpton Riots

Joy Division Over Gloves