Interviews....

Chris Tobin....

July 2003

For our first interview, we are interviewing Chris Tobin from Coventry!

Covfolk (CF): Where are you at the moment?

Chris: Relaxing the garden. I just like relaxing. I like the opportunity to relax!

CF: Now lets start at the beginning - When did you first start playing (A musical instrument!)

Chris: Before I started playing I used to sing. When I was about 3 or 4 and I was out shopping with my mum, when we went into a shop, I used to stand on a chair and start singing and get sixpence for it.

CF: And did you?

Chris: Yeah! Probably to shut me up! And I used to sing, 'Your Cheating' Heart' and 'Moonlight Gambler'

CF: When did you start playing?

Chris: When I was at school. Probably 12 or 13.

CF: Can you remember where your first gig was?

Chris: Erm.....It was a village hall just outside Banbury, but I can't remember where exactly.

CF: What sort of music were you playing?

Chris: Rock and Roll.....All bands would play 'Green Onions'!....Beatles, Lovin' Spoonful.

CF: Did you ever go into the studio?

Chris: Only a couple of times. Once the groups were established, we used to like playing live.

CF: Have you got a favourite gig looking back?

Chris: No, not really. It's easy to remember the bad ones!

CF: Can you tell us about any?

Chris: I remember being attacked by a gang of skinheads because we wouldn't play any Slade numbers! And another one having to stand behind a snooker table, so they could only see us from the waist up! - Just the way the club was laid out.

CF: Who are your influences?

Chris: Marie Lloyd!....I suppose the people I admire, I wouldn't say they influenced me because I wouldn't even begin to think that I could play like them. Probably Ray Charles was the first person that made me think about, what I call, 'drop dead chord sequences'. When I first heard 'Georgia', I suppose I'd latched onto 'mature' music. My favourite guitarist.....There's lots of guitarists, but if I had to put one on a pedestal, it would be Django Reinhardt. There was no effort behind it, playing just came as naturally as walking to him. So much melody in his improvisation. I don't attempt to do DR stuff, just someone I admire.

CF: Have you got a favourite concert you've been to?

Chris: Everyone says they saw The Beatles, The Who or The Stones, but when these bands were at their height, I was an apprentice and I couldn't afford to go and see these bands. I was either playing or working and I didn't get the opportunity to see many bands. I've seen bands in recent years replaying what they used to do, but never at their best times. But, they don't have to be big names to entertain me!!

CF: When did you first start playing solo on the local music scene?

Chris:Only a couple of years back.

CF: What was it like the first time?

Chris: Terrifying really. People think, I don't know why, I'm sort of confident and it comes easy, but it doesn't. Before I play, I'm very fidgety and I can't relax. And people might be talking to me, and I suppose I'm answering, but I'm on 'auto-pilot'! People say, "Do you remember when I said that to you?" and I don't know what they're talking about! Once I'm up there and I start playing, then I'm fine. I'm almost in a world of my own.

CF: When are we going to see a debut solo album?

Chris: A lot of people have asked me about that and I've got quite a few tracks already that can be put onto a CD.

CF: ..... So we should be seeing something in the near future?

Chris: Well, I wouldn't like it to be all originals. Some of the other material I do, that I enjoy playing.....Perhaps people would like to hear those as well. I'm just pleased that people want to hear them anyway - Well, at least I hope they want to hear them. Either live or on CD.

CF: And have you got any gigs coming up?

Chris: Most week's I'm playing somewhere whether they want me to or not! But on August 9th, John Neil, who's quite a good guitarist, (in joke!) has asked me to take part in a charity event for Mencap at the Bedworth Arts Centre, which I'm looking forward to. Should be a good night! I don't know where I am from week or the other! I have to check my gig list to see where I'm playing! Just look on my website, www.christobin.co.uk

And finally.....

Favourite TV Show: The Office
First record bought: 'Singing The Blues' by Guy Mitchell
Last record bought: 'Singing The Blues' by Guy Mitchell
Favourite album: Probably The Beatles White Album.

The photo of Chris is owned by http://www.christobin.co.uk

© Copyright Covfolk 2003