Ey’ Up Rude boys, UK Ska legends Bad Manners are inbound and about to pull on the braces and strap up the laces on a tour of down under. Frontman and the ‘anti-Christ of etiquette’ Buster Bloodvessel had a chat with Glam Adelaide, and he’s actually quite a nice chap as it turns out. He does though, have an extraordinarily long tongue which features heavily in his shows.
“The last time in Oz was about 3 years ago, we love it there and always have a blast. Australian audiences love their music and know how to have fun!”
At 58, Buster (real name Douglas Trendle), is a shadow of his former 31 stone (196kgs), and is now a healthy 12-13 stone (86kgs) after having gastric bypass surgery in 2004. At 58, he’s mellowed somewhat and comes across more gentlemanly than his wild, zany, stage persona. Once he hits that stage though, it’s on! “Honestly, we’ve never stopped since 1976. We might have had hundreds of members over the years, we officially stopped counting at 300, but we’ve always had fun when we’re playing regardless of who it is, and our audience has a great time always.”
I ask what about the ska genre he found appealing, having spent the past 40 years or so barely moving from that sound and the answer is almost philosophical. “Ska and 2-tone were basically white people playing black people’s music, so it was actually quite harmonious & multi-cultural. With the music came the ‘skinhead/rude boy fashion, and it was far from sinister, just working class kids having fun really “he remarks wistfully.
Known for their songs Lip Up Fatty (a Brit school boy term meaning ‘shut up’), My Girl Lollipop, and probably the best version if the Can-Can ever, Bad Manners are a testament to the yearning for nostalgia in terms of music tastes. We’ve seen a string of 80’s revivals over the past few years, and whilst some of those rebellious ‘Skins’ of the 70’s and 80’s might be a little rounder, more responsible, and mortgaged to the hilt, they still flock to see Buster weave his magic on stage. “We get great receptions wherever we go, and it’s amazing how many younger people are coming to see the shows, probably with mum and dad,” he laughs.
He also has great relationship with other notable Ska bands such as Madness and The Specials, who will be headlining Womadelaide 2017. For fans of Ska, it really is a celebration not only in terms of having some great acts coming here, but it’s Bad Manners’ 40th Anniversary! To quote Buster Bloodvessel- “Be prepared for lots of non-stop fun, you won’t be able to keep from moving!”
Buster Bloodvessel and Bad Manners will be here in Adelaide on November 4th at The Gov. If you don’t like it, then Lip Up Fatty!
By Dazz Hassan
Australia
Wed Oct 26 – Maroochydore, Sol Bar
Thurs Oct 27 – Brisbane, The Triffid
Fri Oct 28 – Sydney, Factory
Sat Oct 29 – Sydney, Basement
Sun Oct 30 – Canberra, Transit Bar
Wed Nov 2 – Hobart, Republic Bar
Thurs Nov 3 – Melbourne, Corner Hotel
Fri Nov 4 – Adelaide, The Gov
Sat Nov 5 – Perth, Rosemount
Sun Nov 6 – Bunbury, Prince of Wales Hotel
TICKETS From: http://www.metropolistouring.com/badmanners
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