Spilt Ink
'Bad Woodsman' c/w 'Broken Arms Again'
'Bad Woodsman' c/w 'Broken Arms Again'
released September 1st 1969 Bereft Records BRF 008
Humph Berkeley (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Ian Mint (Piano, Vocals), Dingle Camel (Lead Guitar, Trumpet), The Odour (Bass)
Humph Berkeley (Lead Vocals, Guitar), Ian Mint (Piano, Vocals), Dingle Camel (Lead Guitar, Trumpet), The Odour (Bass)
Undoubtedly, Spilt Ink's main claim to fame was having the most violent manager in the history of pop music.
At the age of twelve, Cheeky Charles Hampton was abandoned on the streets of Soho because his parents were scared of him."Cheeky worked as a doorman at legendary watering hole, The Tradesman's Club", says pianist Ian Mint. "The club was often empty because members were too petrified to go in. You were OK if Cheeky liked you. Problem was, Cheeky Charles didn't like anybody".
Spilt Ink's booking agent, Donny Hound: "Cheeky clearly thought he had what it took to be a manager", recalls Hound. "His cruel and arrogant manner was combined with an absolute disregard for the morals of society. This marked him out as someone who could be a mover and shaker in the music biz".
Cheeky's first act as manager of Spilt Ink was to assault their drummer, Les Loft. "Cheeky went round to Les's flat to give him a piece of his mind", says Ian Mint. "Les stood up to him, so Cheeky stuffed Les in a wicker basket and kicked it all the way up Ladbroke Grove. Les was scared of picnics for the rest of his days".
Ian Mint is the only surviving member of the band. "Although it ended in a bad way, Cheeky was there for us. He would stand at the side of the stage and scream at the audience to clap, occasionally diving in and whacking anyone who wasn't paying attention".
Despite getting Spilt Ink a lucrative deal with BER Records, the band eventually fell out with Charles. "He basically took all our earnings", says Mint. "I know all managers do this to a certain degree but Cheeky used to steal our clothes and food, too. I developed rickets. When Humph and Dingle asked for some cash to buy potatoes, it all turned a bit sour".
Cheeky was imprisoned for the murder of Humph Berkeley and Dingle Camel. The Odour (bassist John Cunliffe) vanished soon after. "I don't know where The Odour is, though sometimes I think I can smell his presence", says Ian Mint.
Mint joined the short-lived Hump in 1970.
Cheeky's first act as manager of Spilt Ink was to assault their drummer, Les Loft. "Cheeky went round to Les's flat to give him a piece of his mind", says Ian Mint. "Les stood up to him, so Cheeky stuffed Les in a wicker basket and kicked it all the way up Ladbroke Grove. Les was scared of picnics for the rest of his days".
Ian Mint is the only surviving member of the band. "Although it ended in a bad way, Cheeky was there for us. He would stand at the side of the stage and scream at the audience to clap, occasionally diving in and whacking anyone who wasn't paying attention".
Despite getting Spilt Ink a lucrative deal with BER Records, the band eventually fell out with Charles. "He basically took all our earnings", says Mint. "I know all managers do this to a certain degree but Cheeky used to steal our clothes and food, too. I developed rickets. When Humph and Dingle asked for some cash to buy potatoes, it all turned a bit sour".
Cheeky was imprisoned for the murder of Humph Berkeley and Dingle Camel. The Odour (bassist John Cunliffe) vanished soon after. "I don't know where The Odour is, though sometimes I think I can smell his presence", says Ian Mint.
Mint joined the short-lived Hump in 1970.
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