Martin Metcalfe and Richard Jobson – Bar Yellow

Having filmed several events for Martin Metcalfe over the years, it has become something of a standing arrangement that if he’s planning something interesting, I’ll usually ask if he would like it documented. So when I heard he was teaming up once again with Richard Jobson from The Skids for a short tour, I got in touch to see if he needed a cameraman.

In truth, Martin may have been more interested in Emma’s photography than my video work. He had already used some of her photographs to help promote the tour, which was probably a stronger endorsement than anything I’d managed to produce. Regardless, Martin kindly arranged entry for Emma, my son and me at Vortex in Bar Yellow, giving us another opportunity to capture the evening and enjoy the show.

As with the previous tour, Martin opened proceedings with a few solo songs before being joined by Richard. The format worked beautifully. Martin’s music created the atmosphere before Richard took over with readings and stories from his latest book. The last time we saw them together, Richard had been promoting one of his novels. This time the focus was on a collection of anecdotes from his years in The Skids and beyond, and I have to say the stories were even more entertaining.

What made this evening particularly engaging was that many of the tales involved people and events that anyone with an interest in music would recognise. Richard shared stories about Top of the Pops, encounters with Jimmy Savile and various adventures from decades spent in the music business. One anecdote involved Shirley Manson, whose conversational style apparently left a lasting impression on him. Emma, naturally, felt she could relate to that particular story more than most.

Listening to Richard talk made me think of an interview I once read with Linda Ronstadt. She explained that touring with bands full of men often encouraged women to develop a particularly colourful vocabulary simply to survive the environment. Perhaps Shirley Manson’s approach came from a similar place. Then again, perhaps that was simply Shirley being Shirley.

The evening wasn’t entirely about looking back, however. Richard had recently enlisted Martin’s signwriting talents to contribute artwork for the forthcoming Skids album, and we were treated to a song from that project alongside material from both artists’ extensive back catalogues. It was a reminder that neither man is content to live solely on past achievements. Both continue to create new work while celebrating the old.

After the performance I had a chance to chat briefly with Richard while purchasing a copy of his book. As before, he was friendly, approachable and generous with his time. I also picked up Martin’s book, although not without creating unnecessary confusion for myself. Having run out of cash, I asked if I could pay him via PayPal, which he was perfectly happy to do.

The problem came later.

The book, Scenes: Words, Pictures, Music, included a vinyl record attached to the back cover. For reasons known only to myself, I had somehow convinced myself that the vinyl was merely an optional deluxe extra and not an integral part of the package. It was only afterwards that I realised I had misunderstood completely. In fairness, the Guinness may have played a small role in my confusion. Fortunately, Martin kindly sent me the MP3s, which was probably for the best given that I don’t actually own a record player. Had I understood what I was buying in the first place, I would probably have reached exactly the same outcome, just with fewer questions.

Looking back, this was another excellent evening that combined music, storytelling and a genuine sense of connection between performers and audience. Richard’s book is packed with entertaining stories and fantastic artwork, while Martin’s paintings, music and creative projects continue to impress me every time I encounter them.

My thanks once again to Martin for allowing us to document and share the event. It’s not every day you get to spend an evening in the company of two people who have contributed so much to Scottish music and culture, and it’s always a pleasure when you do.

As they done the last time we saw them Martin started with a couple of solo songs.

Last time they were promoting a novel Richard had written and this time it was for another book of anecdotes from his time in The Skids.  I bought both.  His stories were much more engaging this time as they were of familiar people like Jimmy Saville and his antics at Top of the Pops and other tales like how Shirley Manson used to talk about her fanny often which Emma could relate to. 😉

It made me think of an interview with Linda Ronstadt where she said she had a mouth like a sewer when travelling with the men in the band just to kind of survive. Perhaps that was Shirley’s shield or perhaps not.

Richard has employed Martin’s signwriting services to help with the new Skids album and they played one from that as well as a few other classics from their back catalogue.

I had a quick chat with Richard when buying his book, as I did last time and then asked Martin if I could paypal him the money for his book as I’d ran out of hard cash. 

He was cool with that but I didn’t realise the Vinyl at the back of it was an integral part of the book as it was called SCENES, Words Pictures Music . For some reason I thought the Vinyl was just a deluxe version.  The one Guinness must have went to my head. Luckily Martin sent me the mp3s which is just as well as I don’t have a record player anyway….which was why I didn’t purchase that in the first place.

Thanks again to Martin for giving us the opportunity to share his work and I really recommend the Richard Jobson’s, The Story of the Skids, book as the stories are great and the artwork fantastic and of course Martin’s paintings and music speak for themselves.

The Photos

Cheers!