If HALF MAN HALF BISCUIT didn’t exist, you’d have to invent them. Since forming nearly 30 years ago, their presence has been a necessity.

In essence the vehicle for the observations, ramblings and creations of front-man Nigel Blackwell, they are a counterblast to the processes of modern life. Throughout changing times they have spanned the decades, released 13 full-length albums and dropped a thousand-and-one pop culture references; from BBC Radio’s Charles Nove to former England cricketer Fred Titmus.

Their approach to promoting their music is famously non-existent – a handful of UK gigs each year is normal. Even rarer are interviews of any kind. Blackwell himself states his biggest achievement, as “creating a situation for myself whereby I can get up of a morning and decide to go and tackle Bwlch Pen Barras on the bike, […] rather than report to a superior to await orders”.

Their existence is somehow outside of the modern world, yet also a reaction to it. Merely by continuing to release and perform, Half Man Half Biscuit serve a greater purpose – to rally against the crap that life throws up with a wry smile, and also to take joy in life’s small and simple pleasures.

HMHB are a truly genuine band, blessed with a magical capacity to make the most jaded of listeners fall back in love with music again. Witty and dry, sardonic yet never cynical, melodically infectious yet edgy sing along songs, these four lads who shook the Wirral are perhaps still to some extent an undiscovered national treasure.

Supported by Shatner at Fibbers on Friday 1st February.

Doors: 7.30pm
Age: 14+