An Interview with Buster Bloodvessel of Bad Manners

Bad Manners rose to fame in the early eighties with hits ‘Lip Up Fatty’, ‘Walking In The Sunshine’ and ‘Special Brew’ amongst others. Led by the charismatic Buster Bloodvessel the band became a regular fixture on Top of the Pops and toured successfully and continue to sell out venues. Their post-Christmas bash at the Holmfirth Picturedrome has become legendary, with the band supported by Max Splodge providing the perfect excuse to shed those extra pounds gained over the festive season.

Ahead of the tour, Graham Clark spoke to Buster…

Who is the Bad Mannners audience in 2023?
We have a real cross mixture coming to the concerts – there are the original Bad Manners fans plus a new generation of younger fans coming through too. Everyone is welcome at our gigs and all always seem to have a good time.

The tour comes to Leeds and Holmfirth places you have played many times, what do you like about Yorkshire?
The audience are always enthusiastic in Yorkshire. London, Brighton and Bristol are good too. Holmfirth Picturedrome is an unusual venue – with it being in the middle of nowhere fans come from Lancashire and Yorkshire, there is a good fish and chip shop in Holmfirth we always visit too. Leeds is always a good one too – we have been playing the city for over forty years now.

Have you always had to watch your weight?
My weight has fluctuated over the years – back in the eighties I got up to 34 stones, since then I lost quite a lot and even got down to 12 stones. Though since the pandemic, I have started to put the weight back on again.

What are your best memories from the eighties?
I have lots of good memories – most of them will appear in the book I will eventually write. The band have toured all over the world and it has all been very exciting. Once we were booked to do a live television show in Italy with lots of big names appearing, such as Barry White. I remember it was a very middle-class crowd. We went on stage and towards the end of the song I dropped my trousers and exposed my bottom to the camera! Straight away afterwards we got a call from the record company who were not pleased – they had been told that the Pope was watching the programme.

What was it like appearing on Top of the Pops?
We became regulars on the programme as our singles kept getting into the charts. For us all it was a great experience as the band had been together for many years without much recognition, so when we did eventually get on there, we were going to enjoy it. I used to dress up in many different roles – people old enough might remember my Henry VIII outfit. I miss watching the programme – like most people who grew up watching the show. I think that the music industry has gone downhill without the show, though today it all seems to be about social media and downloads. I still listen to music, though I find myself listening to older tracks rather than the newer stuff.

Have you any plans to retire?
Not yet. I have had thoughts about it. I live in Bulgaria now – the cost of living is much cheaper; the food is good, and the women are nice too! I still enjoy playing the concerts though, but if I did retire, I would have plenty to occupy me. I like doing building work, probably at my age I should be taking it easy but now that is not for me. Even today I have been out putting a roof onto a building – a bit of a contrast to my singing career!

Bad Manners play the following Yorkshire gigs:
Friday 8th December – Sheffield Leadmill – tickets
Monday 11th December – Hull Welly – tickets
Thursday 21st December – Brudenell Social Club – tickets
Thursday 28th December – Holmfirth Picturedrome – tickets