Interview with Bad Manners frontman Buster Bloodvessel

December 1, 2023
Matthew Jacobson

Music writer Matt Jacobson interviews Bad Manners frontman Buster Bloodvessel.

Ska and two-tone band BAD MANNERS have announced a new set of UK live dates for Winter 2023.

Fronted by vocalist Buster Bloodvessel, the novelty ska favourites will be bringing their silly on-stage antics and catalogue of hits back to stages across the UK in November/December this year. Rising to prominence during the late ‘70s ska revival movement, Bad Manners quickly gained early exposure through 2-Tone Records package tours and an appearance in the live documentary Dance Craze. Securing themselves a string of UK hits including “Ne-Ne Na-Na Na-Na Nu-Nu”, “Lip Up Fatty”, “Special Brew” and “Can Can”, the band are heading into their 46th year with no signs of stopping.

Having spent 111 weeks in the UK singles Chart between 1980 and 1983, the band have relentlessly toured across the UK, Europe, America and Japan, I wanted to know more about touring, influence and playing Liverpool.

You are back on the road-how has touring changed since when you first started playing live?

Its completely changed really, and since Covid appeared the crowds are more intense and intense on seeing the band and dancing – years before Covid, it was intense, but not like this.

Do you still get the same buzz from touring?

Yes, I do, I’m addicted to touring and performing – I’m enjoying getting on that stage and… bouncing!

Does touring provide time to write new material and provide inspiration?

Well yes, it can just be a silly thought and you can write a song about it! If you listen back to our records – you can tell it’s a silly idea or thoughts! But those ideas can make a classic!

46 years you have recording and playing live – what is the motivation to continue?

You think i’d have grown up by now! Well its a love of music and performing and we are a bunch of nutters, we love performing. We love our style of ska…

Is there a ska revival?

Well ive noticed many bands playing ska and our Christams tour is always packed out – throughout the summer we have been playing festivals, so Ska is working well for us.

Do you have new influences as such?

There are great bands out there – and big in their own country, I couldn’t write a list of names but I could certainly recognise them when I hear them. I’ve seen so many great bands on the festival scene.

You spent 111 weeks in the UK singe charts from 1980 to 1983 – do you reflect on that time?

Well yes, all the time – we had 11 top 20 singles and not many had that rate of success. It was a competitive time and there was a lot of music out there – and it was good music that was selling too. Kids were up for going out and buying records.

I’m not too sure that could happen now with downloading etc?

Well no! Downloading isnt as big – you cant really carry a download under your arm – times have changed.

You opened a hotel called “ Fatty Towers” – how was the experience?

I did, it was very successful for two years, but hard work. I’d tour then be home and had to be a hotelier – it was too much for me, it was just too much really.

You are coming to Liverpool on the tour – looking forward to it?

Yes, there is always a huge buzz going to Liverpool, it’s a tough and working-class place, and I like that. The crowds are great.. And I’ve always felt they were great dancers!

After a few beers maybe we are ?

Well anyone is after a few beers!

What next after the tour?

Recording a new album – back in the studio and back to it! I still get that buzz – so looking forward to it!

Thanks Buster and very best wishes for the future.

Thanks Matt, come and say hello when we play Liverpool.

BAD MANNERS UK TOUR 2023

NOVEMBER

30 EXETER Phoenix

DECEMBER

01 SOUTHAMPTON The 1865

08 SHEFFIELD Leadmill