I, Ludicrous - I've Never Been Hit By Mark E. Smith {2003}

#alternative_music

Album/Single/EP : The Museum Of Installation

I, Ludicrous are a British group, formed in South London in 1985 by John Procter (guitar) and David Rippingdale (AKA Will Hung) (vocals). A drum machine completed the lineup. With a confirmed Fall influence at work musically, some have likened the group to Half Man Half Biscuit, largely it would seem on the basis that they too write songs that are occasionally satirical or sardonic, containing social commentary and referencing popular culture. They also have a few songs about football.

I, Ludicrous gained media attention and airplay in April 1987 with their very first release, a flexi disc issued with the fanzine "Blah Blah Blah" that contained the cult song "Preposterous Tales". They supported The Fall in London that May on the back of it. In mid-1987 they were invited to record a Peel session, an event which saw them became a trio with the temporary recruitment of Mark Crossley on bass. In September 1987 the group issued their debut LP, "It's Like Everything Else". A second LP, "A Warning To The Curious" followed in 1989, with a third, "Light & Bitter" emerging in 1990. That same year, "Preposterous Tales" was re-recorded and issued as a single.

Following the release of the album "Idiots Savant" in 1992, the next ten years were rather fallow for the duo, with no record releases and only occasional live performances. However, the group returned in the next century with a single, "Approaching Forty" and then in 2003 a new LP "The Museum of Installation". In 2007 a career-spanning double CD "20 Years In Showbiz" was issued through Sanctuary Music. In early 2008 the duo became a trio with the recruitment of former Voice Of The Beehive bassist Martin Brett. The group continue to produce music and play live, primarily in London or Brighton, although in 2013 and 2014 they appeared at the Rebellion punk festival in Blackpool. In July 2015 the outfit released a new LP, "Dull Is The New Interesting". It was their first to feature new material in twelve years. This was followed two years later by another LP, "Songs From The Sides Of Lorries".

I, Ludicrous have supported The Fall for one-off gigs over the years - specifically in 1987, 1992 and 1995. In December 1990 they accompanied The Fall on a short UK tour. This experience was later celebrated in the song "Bloody Proud". In March 2008 the group were invited to tour again with The Fall, only to be ejected from it after four dates apparently due to Mark E Smith's unhappiness that front man Will Hung was writing a blog about the experience for the Guardian newspaper. They did not support The Fall again.