Bad News are a British spoof heavy metal band created for the Channel 4 television series The Comic Strip Presents.... The group first appears in 1983 in the series’ opening run and is presented as an incompetent touring rock act in a spoof rockumentary format.

Members and characters

The band’s line-up consists of Vim Fuego on vocals and lead guitar, played by Adrian Edmondson; Den Dennis on rhythm guitar, played by Nigel Planer; Colin Grigson on bass, played by Rik Mayall; and Spider Webb on drums, played by Peter Richardson. The character names are given alongside their real-life performers, with Alan Metcalfe named as Vim Fuego’s alternate identity in the programme material.

Television and live appearances

Bad News makes promotional television appearances on Channel 4’s The Tube and on the BBC talk show Wogan. Their debut screen story, Bad News Tour, follows the band on tour and is set up as a documentary about their ineptitude, alongside an equally incompetent film crew.

Recordings and releases

The group releases a self-titled album made up of thrashy rock songs and arguments between the band members. Brian May of Queen produces the record, which includes a cover version of Queen’s “Bohemian Rhapsody”.

Performances and related film

Bad News tours theatres, universities and colleges, and plays Reading Festival in 1987. They also perform an opening set at the Monsters of Rock festival at Castle Donington. That appearance is later featured in the second Comic Strip film, More Bad News, which broadcasts in 1988.

Context

The group originates in the United Kingdom and continues as a spoof heavy metal act associated with comedy rather than a conventional recording band.