Back In The D.H.S.S. - Half Man Half Biscuit

I was brought up on this album. For a while in the mid-eighties it was all my Dad would listen to and it filtered down to me, and I love it now just as much as he did then. This CD is not only Half Man Half Biscuit's first proper album, but it also includes their debut EP. Ok then, so it sounds like it was recorded in a dustbin and they may not be the finest musicians in the world, but that is part of the band's appeal. The thing that makes this band special and that kept this album at the top of the Indie charts in 1986 is Nigel Blackwell's lyrics. All based on pop culture, the monotony of everyday life, TV, childhood memories and keen observations. Although this album ...  Read the complete review

It's twenty one years since the quaintly whimsical Merseyside band Half Man Half Biscuit, whom I shall from now on refer to as HMHB, released their debut album - Back in the DHSS. The title refers to a ditty by that slightly more well known Liverpool band The Beatles. For the information of readers under the age of thirty and those who have never hit hard times, the DHSS used to be the place to go and sign on the dole, (now known as jobseekers allowance), which has gone through a few attempted image revamps and name changes since then. Unlike the first release which was on vinyl and cassette, the CD contains tracks from the Trumpton Riots 7" and E.P. and the Dickie ...  Read the complete review