Australia is being toured by Bad Manners.
Buster Bloodvessel remains bald, still possesses a fat tongue…yet he has shed some pounds.
Established in 1976 in North London, Bad Manners achieved nine top 40 singles during the early 1980s.
Having battled with Morbid Obesity, Buster underwent a gastric bypass in 2004.
The procedure appeared successful. Initially weighing 196 kg, he has since lost 114 kg, currently weighing 82 kg.
In my past job near London Bridge, I had a colleague named Hilary, mother of one of the horn players…I believe he played the trumpet. We once crossed paths socially (his name escapes me now). He came across as a decent fellow, quite normal, reflecting working-class values…just, you know, typical.
Hilary often shared, “The entire band were friends from school,” “…during school holidays, I’d head out to buy some cigarettes – they were just 10, and kids could be left alone back then,” “…but I’d only be gone for about 15 minutes. Upon returning, the front room would be completely trashed.”
Yet she also remarked, “They were a real bunch of bastards…but they had a lovely charm.”
I guess one must see them live.
Expect no profound lyrics like, “Lorraine punched me on the nose, so I slapped her round the head, then we talked the whole thing through, and went straight to bed,” from the less-than-deep track ‘Lorraine.’
Moreover, in the song ‘Special Brew,’ some lyrics include, “I love you, yes I do, coz I know that you love-a me too” – a tribute to the beer favored by the band. For the record, Special Brew lager is approximately 9%…and has a syrupy thickness…but it does get one intoxicated.
The classic ‘Lip Up Fatty’ and the simply marvelous ‘Walking In The Sunshine’ stand out.
Even if music doesn’t entice you, the fun-factor will.
I can confidently say that when you catch Bad Manners live, you will undoubtedly leave with a grin on your face.
So go ahead…have a great time.
by
Wallace McTavish
Dates listed below:
29 Oct 2016 – The Basement, Sydney, NSW
2nd Nov 2016 – Republic Bar, Hobart, TAS
3rd Nov 2016 – Corner Hotel, Richmond, VIC
4th Nov 2016 – Main Room, The Gov, Hindmarsh, SA
5th Nov 2016 – Rosemount Hotel, Perth, WA
6th Nov 2016 – Newport Hotel, Fremantle, WA
