THE crucial role played by Wirral band Half Man Half Biscuit in shaping the sound and ethos of indie music is examined in a new book.

In 1986, the NME released a cassette that would shape music for years to come. A collection of 22 independently signed guitar-based bands, C86, which included HMHB’s track I Hate Nerys Hughes, the tape has been credited at the point at which ‘indie’ was born.

Now, 35 years on, writer Nige Tassell has tracked down the stories of each band featured on the tape in Whatever Happened To The C86 Kids? An Indie Odyssey, which includes a whole chapter on HMHB, who along with Primal Scream and The Wedding Present, are arguably the most successful of the acts included on the tape.

“Half Man Half Biscuit were the least ambitious band on the cassette and, indeed, split up for a couple of years after C86 came out,” said Nige.

“It is therefore supremely ironic that, three and a half decades later, they are still in the finest of fettles and releasing some of their best records, while the more ambitious C86 outfits fell by the wayside half a lifetime ago.”

Formed in Birkenhead in 1984 by Neil Crossley and singer, guitarist and songwriter Nigel Blackwell, HMHB, have become known for their satirical, sardonic, and sometimes surreal songs, with their 1985 debut album Back in the DHSS, regarded as an indie classic.

They released their 15th album, The Voltarol Years, earlier this year which made number 37 in the UK album charts.

“That they regarded themselves as outsiders back in 1986 still rings true today,” added Nige.

“They have survived despite, not because of, music’s changing tides.

“Somehow they knew that songs referencing obscure faraway towns and long-forgotten characters from popular culture could find a loyal and lasting audience in their particular province of rock’n’roll.”

Whatever Happened To The C86 Kids? by Nige Tassell is published by Nine Eight Books.