Half Drummer Half Biscuit

Carl Henry has worked for a few years now in Research & Development in the NHS in England. I first met him a few years ago at a conference in Manchester. We chatted over the morning coffee and the conversation turned to what we had been doing the previous weekend. It was a very snowy time and the country had struggled to keep transport moving over the weekend. I mentioned that I had been up to York to see my son who was studying at the university. Carl said that he had struggled to get back from the North East where “the band” had been playing.

I asked the obvious next question – which band is that then? Will I have heard of them.

And that was when he said that he played drums for Half Man Half Biscuit. Anyone who listened to John Peel’s show on Radio One back in the glory days would remember Half Man Half Biscuit. A post-punk band (I guess) from Birkenhead which specialised in humorous lyrics and great album titles. How about “Trouble over Bridge Water”, “Cammell Laird Social Club” or “Four Lads who shook the Wirral”?

Carl is still playing drums in the band as far as I know, but he is also working on a growing collection of solo material. He sent me the link recently to the music he is developing.

This is really exciting as he develops his own label with music he has made himself and other work that he has produced. I’ve listened to “Dream Science” a self titled album for a project he has made which is a mix of ambient and electronic rock. It’s beautiful. You can listen to it on the website or download the album. 

It’s great to see an outpouring of creativity from someone who has found the space to follow his dreams.