Once my brother had skipped off to college, I had some music suddenly at my disposal. I still don't know why my brother left some of his music -as much of it was quite good stuff. One album in particular affected me: London 0 Hull 4. When I think about this album my mind immediately flashes a picture of the casette case. I thought it was so cool. I then always recall mowing the lawn while listening to The Housemartins. Yes, the Housemartins were a regular in my lawn-mowing rotation, and since have been one of the most influential bands in my ever-growing love for music. How this band went away, why weren't they bigger, and where are they now are questions that have lingered. Following their demise, lead singer Paul Heaton sarted the acclaimed UK band, The Beautiful South. Drummer, Hugh Whitaker, went on to play with The Gargoyles. And the bassist, Norman Cook, we all know as Fatboy Slim. Their lyrics, combining themes of Marxism and Christianity, were original for the time. They used claymation -a style that was in vogue during this period. They also heaped up some controversy with the title of their 2nd and only other album, "The People Who Grinned Themselves to Death", apparently a disaproving nod in the direction of the royal family. Did the royal family kill The Housemartins? Or was it Andy Rourke?? I'd love to see an 'E' True Hollywood Story take. Alas, the Housemartins vanished without a sound. But if I ever have mow a lawn again, you best be knowing I'll be breaking out my Walkman and blasting "Happy Hour" once again.
As you may have guessed, the lads were from Hull, England. They often reffered to themselves as The "4th Best band in Hull."
The album title, London 0 Hull 4, is a reference to a football (soccer) game.
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