Richard Jobson, Fay Fife, Clare Grogan and Vic Galloway: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
I know, its a long way from Sussex, but I couldn’t let this one pass and if you are heading to Edinburgh, pay this exhibition, Rip It Up, a visit!
RIP IT UP:
If you have time to spare you can delve into, and discover the story of Scottish pop music at the National Museum of Scotland. They will lead you through a virtual tour of music, a musical journey if you like, from the 1950s to the present day. Music plays, video walls run and interviews with many of the featured artists play as you move through. An astonishing array of items from the artists themselves.
From the days of the early dance halls to the emergence of pop in the 1960s, you are taken right through the 70’s and the New Wave/Punk movemen. Rip It Up covers so many recognised Scottish worldwide stars and performers, and those important independent artists from the early days of pop and rock then they bring you bang up to date with todays new performers.
Featured artists and bands include Lonnie Donegan, Gerry Rafferty, the Sensational Alex Harvey Band, Lulu, The Rezillos, The Revillos, Midge Ure, Simple Minds, The Skids, Big Country, Garbage, Franz Ferdinand, Young Fathers, and many more. The exhibition has been brought to life through original stage outfits and instruments, many loaned by the artists themselves, plus memorabilia, props, film and, of course, music.
If you live in Scotland, or heading to Edinburgh this is a highly recommended exhibition running at the National Museum of Scotland. It runs until 25 November 2018.
Key Note Sessions:
Running alongside this exhibition, there is a line up of musical events to let you take part, and experience, Scottish pop music. There are live performances, talks and discussions hosted at the National Museum of Scotland, and even more associated events taking place across Edinburgh until the end of November.
The Panel
This event had three artists, each well known and well loved from the Scottish music scene.
Fay Fife
Fay Fife: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Fay Fife is a singer, songwriter and performer. She and Eugene Reynolds front The Rezillos and post punk band The Revillos. The Rezillos formed in 1976 and continue to perform today. Fay is also lead singer and songwriter with alternative country band The Countess of Fife.
Clare Grogan
Clare Grogan: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Clare Grogan is a Scottish actress and singer. She is best known as the lead singer of the 1980s new wave music group Altered Images and for supporting roles in the 1981 film Gregory’s Girl and the science fiction sitcom Red Dwarf as the first incarnation of Kristine Kochanski.
Richard Jobson
Richard Jobson: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Richard Jobson is a Scottish filmmaker (director, writer, producer) who also works as a television presenter. He is also known as the singer-songwriter of The Skids. He is also an author and has recently published a new book, The Speed Of Life. He is presently touring with fellow Scot Martin Metcalfe of The Filthy Tongues – an evening of music and spoken word.
The MC: Vic Galloway
Vic Galloway: Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Vic Galloway is a radio and TV broadcaster with over 19 years of experience for BBC Radio 1, BBC Scotland and BBC 6Music. He is also a musician, journalist and author of Songs in the Key of Fife and Rip It Up – The Story of Scottish Pop – the official book of the whole event in association with the National Museum of Scotland.
The Session
This was a sold out event, in fact it sold out within minutes of the tickets going “live”. The crowd filed in, after a complimentary drink and took their seats. Vic Galloway appeared from the Green Room, clutching his and audience questions along with a copy of his book Rip It Up.
The panel took their seats in front of the audience to a very warm and welcoming round of applause. It was a wonderful environment, a great seating arrangement so everyone could see, the acoustics were spot on as was the lighting, so congrats to the Museum crew who put on this event.
RIP IT UP: KEYNOTE SESSIONS – photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Truly delightful to hear the performers recall events and music from their lives. The conversation was at times hilarious with Richard recounting stories involving Steve Jones (Sex Pistols), Top of The Pops and Pans People and there were moments of reflection as the panel remembered those who had left us too soon.
Vic was a fabulous host and was finely polished with his questions, just as the panel were with their answers. Each member of the panel had equal time to speak.
Each member of the panel were invited to give the song that most impacted their earlier lives and future careers, and we were played a short snippet of each song. We were also treated to the their own creative output, their favourite own song. Richard chose The Skids Saints Are Coming , Fay picked a Revillos track Wheres The Boy For Me, and Clare selected Dont Talk to me about Love. We were then given an insight as to the reasons why the tracks had been chosen.
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- Photo by Ian Bourn for Scene Sussex
Richard told us of how he rode to London on a motorbike, in the snow, to go the Roxy Club to see Wire. He heard that Siouxsie and the Banshees were doing their first gig in Hampden. He told us about meeting Steve Severin, and how he remembered the excitement of it all at that time. Interesting to hear about the lack of promoters back then, and a lack of wanting to take risks, and how the band had been booked to play a barn dance in Inverness! Richard also told us about his new book which is now available.
Fay gave us her memories of the record that started it off for The Rezillos I Cant Stand My Baby. It was practiced and recorded in an a flat in Edinburgh, and how the spoons in the kitchen were bouncing up and down with the vibrations and were actually captured in the recording. It was a very hands on approach back then and Fay said that’s when you really enjoy making records the most. Richard said The Skids had been kind of inspired by The Rezillos as they had gone out and done it, and how they had supported The Rezillos. Fay was asked about SHAMANIC that was due to take place and also told us a bit about her latest musical outing The Countess Of Fife.
Clare told us how there was a “bidding war” for Altered Images when they started out by a few record labels. They chose Epic as they had said they could go buy clothes and stage outfits. They just loved what they were doing. Richard shared the fact how Altered Images shared a flat with him, and Clare remembered saying everyone had been so kind to them. She recalled the sudden acceptance of the band in places like London. Steve Severin also produced their first album highlighting the links across the Scottish music industry. A mention also of John Peel playing their records and the Siouxsie influences and tour.
This was a terrific evening for the audience and it looked as if memories had been stirred along with the emotions of the panel. A fabulous trip through musical time.
This was a terrific evening for the audience and it looked as if many fond memories had been stirred along with anecdotes and the emotions of the panel. A fabulous trip through musical time. Well done to all the panel members for sharing and well done Vic for keeping things together. I along with the audience would have loved another 30 minutes or so.
It was a real pleasure to be there and to meet everybody who took part. Thank you – Fay, Richard, Clare and Vic.
National Museum of Scotland: RIP IT UP
Review of SHAMANIC
Please note all images are copyright, please do not copy. If any of the featured artists would like copies of the images – or more if available – please get in touch.
All pictures – copyright to IANB/MEDIA WORKS/ Scene Sussex/ Ian “The Lens” Bourn 2018.