by Vicky Halliday
Mr B is your alter-ego, is it hard to stay in character and what helps (if anything)?
Character? Alter-ego? I’m sure I have no idea what you’re on about my dear!
As a chap about town, do you have any recommendations for those interested in becoming a gentleman?
Tweed for the colder seasons, a nice irish linen for the warmer. A pipe, when carried with the correct amount of je ne sais quoi can add a tad of gravitas. A decent pair of high-waisted trousers (corduroy for the autumn and winter), a tie (or cravat if one is feeling a little dandy, so to speak). All of these things help.
You are well known for your parodies of particular genres, is there a style you have yet to cover that is on your “to-do” list?
I have just started performing a ‘madchester’ medley, it seems to be going down well. At the moment though, I am concentrating largely on original songs.
Do you identify with the term “chap-hop”? Or do you feel it is an attempt to categorise you?
I certainly do, as it was a term invented by yours truly, so to deny it would be to deny my very self!
“Straight out of Surrey” became a bit of a cult hit, did this surprise you and how will you better this?
It was an unexpected pleasure, but when I thought about it, I realised that of COURSE it should be a huge cult smash! As far as bettering it, to be quite frank I think I have far stronger material than that these days. That was the second Mr.B number ever penned.
What have been the high points of your career so far?
Crikey, it has been such a splendid wheeze altogether it’s hard to pick out a winner. I was rather delighted when the ex-editor of US Vibe magazine told me ‘The only interesting thing happening in Hip-Hop now is you’. That was rather nice. Apart from that, my appearances at Glastonbury and Latitude festivals this year were rather raucous and splendid I must say. 400 people unable to get into the tent for be-tweeded chap-hoppers. Certainly an ‘I was there’ type of moment.
When can we expect the next album and will you be taking a new musical direction or sticking to the tried and tested formula?
‘The Tweed Album’ shall be available early next year. There will be familiar sounds and a few oddities. One has to keep things fresh, but I’m not about to go all dubstep or what have you.
Have you had any involvement with The Chap Olympiad? What would be your event of choice?
I’ve missed the last couple, unfortunately. ‘Tis always an important date in a chap’s calendar though. The last time I was there I competed in a spot of orange fencing.
What does a typical day look like in the life of Mr B?
Breakfast, elevenses, brunch, lunch, a spot of nympholepsy, tea, some music-making, dinner, after-dinner-sherry, supper, single malt, midnight feast, brandy, bed. That’s when I’m not performing, in which case ‘showtime’ comes in between after-dinner sherry and supper.
What bands/artists do you listen to? Any recommendations?
The Correspondents are good chums of mine, Busdriver, Ronald Frankau, Tommy Dorsey, Noel Cowerd, Jack Buchanan, Public Enemy…
Mr B The Gentleman Rhymer plays at Waster on Friday 9th December. For more information, please see the Facebook Event https://www.facebook.com/events/175972322488111/?ref=ts or visit http://www.gentlemanrhymer.com
