Two-tone and Ska band Bad Manners – led by legendary singer Buster Bloodvessel – returns to Newport’s Strings on Sunday (3rd December). The band played a memorable concert at Strings last December and Buster’s Isle of Wight fan base – real name Douglas Trendle – eagerly anticipates his return. Bad Manners were most popular in the early 80s when ska revival bands such as the Specials and the Selecter topped the charts. At one time the band rivalled Madness in popularity and counted Princess Diana among their fans. The band were formed in 1976 while its members were still at school in North London. Their best-known hits include My Girl Lollipop, Lip Up Fatty, Can Can, and Special Brew. Bad Manners became notorious for the outlandish behaviour of huge-tongued and shaven-headed frontman Bloodvessel. His behaviour got him banned from Top of the Pops. He was also banned from Italian TV after Bloodvessel mooned a concert audience after being told the Pope was watching on TV. The giant pop star – who used to own a hotel for fat people and once gulped down 29 Big Macs in a row – is said to fear death after his weight ballooned because he cannot resist fry-ups, curries and booze. The star currently weighs 18.5st – nearly 20 years after his gastric surgery op reduced his weight from 31st to just 13st. The 65-year-old singer has no intention of retiring, having told the Daily Star:
“I will bop til I drop definitely. I don’t know how long I’ve got left but I don’t worry about that. I just carry on.”
