The Scarborough scene erupted late last year with the question, Who is Graham Watson? What we have now learnt from multiple gigs is that we are ALL Graham; but this answer didn’t quite satisfy our curious minds. Enter with us the world of Graham Watson as our Editor Kath peeks behind the velvet curtain into the inner workings of these mayhem architects.
“People are always hungry at a gig” is the shrugged answer to the question of why Marmite will feature so heavily in the imminent Bacchus gig with Graham Watson. Sat in the cosy upstairs snug with three of the four Grahams for this interview, I’m kindly warned about the marmite so that I can take care not to get my camera covered in it. Oh, and there’ll be a toaster actually making toast too.
Shenanigans are – unsurprisingly – afoot; I mention that their co-headliner, UTI, had earlier asked me what they might expect from their partner band and I had said, “silliness, really”; knowing the Grahams would take no offence at this. In fact, they go one step further, tongue in cheek somewhat, and add of themselves – “professionally sh*t!”.
This sense of irreverence is what we’ve come to expect from Graham Watson, and they freely admit to influences coming from Grandads Don’t Indicate, whose own legendary musical levity has been chronicled in these web pages – links below – and particularly to them being inspired by the documentary on the Grandads, Dead Mint. Ruben (vocals and trumpet) and Elliott (guitar) were friends who had been keen to work together musically for years, but the documentary was the ‘nail in the coffin’ to bring them together. Not that they would say they are like GDI musically – “We’re not a tribute band!” – but they share an ethos and certain local thematic outlooks.
As we chat, we’re listening to the muffled sounds from UTI sound-checking downstairs, and the chaps are chatting about some new songs they’ve got in the bank; but they’re not sure whether to play them yet, having had poorly band members in the run up to the night. Bassist Reece (whom I’ve heard described as The Most Yorkshire Man in Yorkshire, and it’s apt) describes the newest song: “it’s fast and horrible.” Though Ruben adds that it’s probably the most proficient he’s been on the trumpet and he’d quite like to ‘flex those guns’. Comfortable banter abounds between these old skate park friends, though their first gig was still only fairly recently – November 2024. Elliot narrates, “Our first ever review was an angry man with his kid coming by on a scooter; he walked in to our private rehearsal space at about 7.30pm on a Summer’s evening, no one was in bed or anything, but he just walked up and said, “You lads are insufferable!”.
They’ve squeezed a fair number of (eminently sufferable) appearances into that short space of time, including charitable events for the We Shall Overcome all-dayer and Solidarity Socials, and a string of gigs on the line up as part of Scene Not Herd, which Ruben now runs, this being Scarborough’s independent DIY collective, mostly making its home at the Westover Club. Here they have appeared alongside other bands such as Active Minds, Shindig, Serial Killer Glasses, Orchard and Philip Bull – any of whom we highly recommend you go and see live as soon as you can. They’re also often accompanied by another Graham – rock and roll poet Graham Rhodes, compere supreme.
Summing up how they feel it’s been so far, they’re happy; all the gigs have gone well, and they’ve got a recording session booked in during July, aiming for some tracks to come out at the end of Summer. They’re heading to a studio in Manchester, planning to record live, barrel through and see what they get – hopefully enough for an EP, if not an album. Ruben explains the Graham Watson mantra – “small things, long time” – never expect too much! “We never expect anything!” chimes in Reece. I ponder that this might be akin to a Brian Clough quote – “Expect nothing”; but Ruben, fast as lightning, notes he’s “more of a Bernard Cribbins fan”.
It’s fair to say that the Graham Watson marketing machine is as quirky and offbeat as the overall persona of the band, and I enquire who is the main architect of their social media content. They all come up with ideas and do various things, but in the main, Reece is the ‘documenter’, and manages the Instagram posts and stories; Ruben does most of the posters but notes that if ever a poster looks professionally done, then that’s drummer Sam – who is actually a designer.
Elliott meanwhile is the ‘electrician and joiner’ Graham of the band – “I make all the instruments!” Indeed, the double headed bass – which I now learn was dubbed the ‘hydra’ – is a beast to behold, crafted in a workshop by Elliott. Though not for the last time that evening, Reece shows off his mytho-historical knowledge; “Doesn’t it need three heads to be a hydra?” Meanwhile, Elliott explains, “Sometimes we just get silly ideas and say, let’s go do it. Who doesn’t need a fretless 12-string!?”
A conversation never stays on topic, and answers go off on fantasy tangents with delightful ease. As we move on from Elliott’s ‘electrician and joiner – and gardener – Graham’ moniker to Reece’s ‘bricklayer, documenter, div Graham”, and a joke that absent-from-interview drummer Sam is ‘Schrodinger’s Graham”, we descend towards Ruben’s “independent business owner Graham; I sell cockles. Cockle man is a good Graham Watson identity….”
“It’s a hell of a grift” Elliott chips in, as Ruben continues, “…beach lifeguard; train cleaner…”
Then we start discussing the good old days of the cockle men coming around pubs… Apparently Elliott’s Dad certainly remembers them; “though he probably remembers 1912” he adds, before Reece plants, “I was there!”
Then somehow we get onto the concept of a conker match, except with cockles… complete with characterisations and dialogue. The surreality is tangible and entertaining. The interview is like a private cabaret of the absurd, and it hasn’t even peaked. Elliott flourishes, “Welcome to the world of Graham”, Ruben noting how that reminds him of the moment in Dead Mint when Tim Turnbull narrates, “The Grandads, they invite you in to their world!” I am honoured to have been invited in to this one.
The interview lasts about 40 minutes but only about 25 minutes-worth is really printable. The conversation gets a bit ‘A Clockwork Orange’, to say the least, and god forbid anyone ever listened to the recording without context. Ultra-violence scales comedic heights thanks to media-man Reece’s collection of documentary clips from nights these band friends have spent in each other’s company; I may be scarred for life, though it’s nothing compared to the damage Reece’s nose suffered in one video. If they ever ask if you want to see the video with the big, um, object – SAY NO.
(Please note, no Grahams were permanently harmed in these incidents. At least, I don’t think they were…)
As we finish up and they start to gather their kit, Reece once again schools me when I refer to his (metal, costume) helmet as Roman; “I think you’ll find it’s Greek!” I was honoured to get to try it on later – Reece wore it for part of the gig but admitted it was bloody heavy. Costume plays a big part in the on-stage activity of the band, and as well as the Grecian heavy metal, a gas mask is floating about the scene, as Ruben wears a Mitie work shirt (he does not work for Mitie) and becomes Marmite-covered, his mid-length hair smeared with the sticky stuff as he serves toast live on stage. The smell permeates, love it or hate it, as front-row fans get their light snacks; this is gig-going for all five senses.
Before the gig started, we also squeezed in some chat about future plans for the Grahams, and as you might by now expect, we’re not just talking gig dates.
There’s a potential Sports Day – using the car park and green of the Westover Club – classic sports day games with a Graham Watson twist. Ending with a gig. Also a possible theatrical event – ‘An Evening with Graham Watson’ – Reece explains it’s “more of a sit-down sit-com”.
And then the ideas start to expand… “We might do Dinner with Graham too… like Pink Floyds’ The Wall; a stage show with the album – but other people playing us.” Add a human-sized seagull… a Sunday dinner… a bus to Leeds… all the necessary elements for a tour of Graham Watson’s world are there.
We’ll let you know when any of these events come to fruition; remember, we’re all Graham, so we’re all invited.
(All photos by Kath Dunn-Mines except the last one which is of Kath, taken by Elliott Pelucci)
Next Gigs:
Westie Weirdos at the Westover Club, Scarborough, with Philip Bull and The Fuzz Junkies playing originals; 8pm, 11th July, free entry but there will be fresh merch!
ForgeFest on 24th August, at Ye Olde Forge Valley Inn, East Ayton.
Links:
Follow Graham Watson: Facebook : Instagram
Grandads Don’t Indicate: Interview : Review (pt 1 of 4)
Important Footnote: At one point, we’re happily interrupted by the arrival of Sue, stalwart of Bacchus’ entryway. She mentions that she’s turning 75 this year and worked at Bacchus for 40 year – we just feel like this fact needs marking. Lots of love to Sue.
