11 Apr 2008
Euphemisms, Audrey, Euphemisms!
Asparagus Next Left suddenly transforms Half Man Half Biscuit into a public information service, warning that road signs on our country lanes may not be what they seem. Which we all know to be true. I’m not sure anybody knows who Phyllis Triggs is though. Thanks to Patrick and Dave
See lyrics to Asparagus Next Left
18 Letters Sent:
Craig
Second last verse – it’s ‘bands have become ridiculous’.
Apr 22nd, 2008
chris
Are you sure? Anyone else agree?
Apr 22nd, 2008
Gordon Burns
No – definitely Vans
Apr 24th, 2008
Craig
I’m pretty sure. The verse is about bands having tour buses and not travelling in transits anymore (unlike HMHB) and I don’t see how a van can have a strategy
Apr 24th, 2008
chris
“Vans” makes sense becuase it’s a comment on how all vans now belong to “strategic logistics solutions providers” rather than delivery companies…
Apr 24th, 2008
Martin Taylor
I always thought it was “Bands have become ridiculous….” rather than just piling into a transit.
The logistics companies angle makes sense too tho. Hadn’t thought of that.
May 7th, 2008
Sanchez
So who was Phyllis Triggs?
May 8th, 2008
Paul F
Definitely vans.
May 19th, 2008
Ian in CO
Bands. Agree on the points made – a dig at corporate rockers, surely.
May 24th, 2008
billybookcase
We recently went down the A550(?) towards Queensferry and saw an Asparagus next left sign and wondered if this was the inspiration.
Aug 1st, 2008
Neil
Two things:
1. It’s definitely ‘vans’.
2. Phyllis Triggs is a member of the Springfield Arts Council in Springfield, Ohio, USA. That’s what happened to her.
http://www.ci.springfield.oh.us/aacf/aacfss.htm
Aug 9th, 2008
Dave F.
Evening all
Well surely that’s the ultimate guerrilla gig.
“Asparagus next Left” who says ?
It’s a bit clearer on the (superior) Peel session version.
Is there a reason why a few words are capitalized? Aubergines, Tractors, Turning etc?
Cheers
Feb 16th, 2009
Chris The Siteowner
Thanks. I’ve capitalised everything which would appear on signs. I’ve even done some more now, to be consistent. Because I can.
Feb 16th, 2009
dj
no mention of phyllis triggs but i sense a connection
http://www.bbc.co.uk/blogs/thereporters/markeaston/2010/02/the_rhubarb_triangle.html
Mar 4th, 2010
@steve_nicholls
I feel the need to point out here that the British Asparagus Festival has started ( until June 21st )
http://www.britishasparagusfestival.org
May 4th, 2010
Germ
I was watching the North East local news on the BBC today (Breakfast time before work) and they announced that the recent cold spell is threatening the asparagus crop up here.
Anything that sends me off to work singing a HMHB tune and wearing a smile is a bonus!
May 12th, 2010
Germ
Oh,and as an aside,I always heard the line as “Remember Phyllis drinks”.Warning us to take care driving down country lanes in case we run into some tweed-clad old lush.
May 12th, 2010
Exxo
It is definitely Phyllis Triggs I’m afraid. Just another old-fashioned name (c.f. Joyce, Thelma, Maud et al.) that NB 57 likes the sound of. As a doyen of such names he mentioned that one day he’d like to write a song about a Norma, and it seemed quite logical that this should be his wish….
But before we went our separate ways, and remembering my one-man campaign throughout ’06 to get this song on the set-list, NB57 was kind enough to show me an early hand-written version, in which aubergines, rather than asparagus, took the title role.
Lucky, really. A shower of aubergines could have done serious damage, that fateful night in Holmfirth.
As when someone requested it recently in Cambridge, Nigel also explained the reason they’ve never played it onstage is that this is a Neil Crossley tune that he (Nigel) can’t do justice to in a live environment.
May 12th, 2010
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