Bad Manners are an English Second Wave (2 Tone) ska revival band. They quickly became the novelty favourites of the genre through their bald, enormous-bodied frontman’s on-stage antics, earning early exposure through their Top of The Pops television exploits and an appearance in the live film documentary, Dance Craze.
Fronted by Buster Bloodvessel (born Douglas Trendle), the band was formed in 1976 while the members were together at Woodberry Down Comprehensive School near Manor House, North London. They were at their most popular during the late 1970s and early 1980s, during a period when other ska revival bands, such as Madness and The Specials and The Selecter, filled the charts.
Bad Manners spent 111 weeks in the U.K. Singles Chart between 1980 and 1983. After becoming popular in London, Bad Manners signed to Magnet Records in 1980 for a six-figure sum, and then became more well known.
Some of Bad Manners’ more notable hits include My Girl Lollipop, Lip Up Fatty, Ne Ne Na Na Na Na Nu Nu, Lorraine, Just A Feeling, Walking In The Sunshine, Can Can and Special Brew.
One of the main reasons for their notoriety was their outlandish huge-tongued and shaven-headed frontman, Buster Bloodvessel. His manic exploits got them banned from the British B.B.C. television chart show Top of the Pops. The band was also banned from Italian T.V. after Bloodvessel mooned a concert audience, after being told that the Pope was watching.
Tickets for the Bad Manners show on October 10th at Manchester Club Academy are on sale now from the Box office on 0333 3446250. Tickets are priced at £22 in advance.