New Town Killers

IT'S early evening but a bleary eyed Richard Jobson is having breakfast. The film director is well and truly on night shift, making his latest movie, a dark, high-octane thriller called New Town Killers.

Starring Hollywood heart-throb Dougray Scott, it is set to be Richard's most commercial movie to date. Despite his fatigue, he cannot help but become animated when talking about it.

"It's pretty dark," he nods. "It's about two forms of social invisibility. On the one hand you have kids who have fallen off the social radar then the other end of the spectrum of social invisibility are these hedge fund managers who control our economy."

Essentially, the film is a game of cat and mouse – two young private bankers, Alistair (Scott) and Jamie, (played by Monarch of the Glen star Alastair Mackenzie) get their kicks by playing a game of hide and seek with desperate people from the margins of society.

They are hunting teenager Sean Kelly – energetically portrayed by James Anthony Pearson – who lives with his sister on an Edinburgh housing estate.

"The Alistair character is so nihilistic, his view of the world is just a game," says Richard. "He sets people up to hunt them down. Dougray is playing him with an incredible charm and luxuriousness that you kind of like him until you really see what he does."

Just this week, arts body Scottish Screen awarded Jobson almost £400,000 towards New Town Killers, boosting its budget to £1 million.

While the cash pot is small compared to that of mainstream blockbusters, it's a significant sum, especially when you consider that Richard is used to working with budgets closer to £400,000.

"Scottish Screen really helped me out on this one, which was great, and we've been picked up by Warner Brothers, so it's all looking really good," he adds.

Jobson displays uncharacteristic nerves when asked if his film will be a hit. He explains that much of the extra cash is being spent ramping up the action with a series of rooftop chase scenes.

'I want it to look like a proper big movie'

During the last week, the cast and crew have been enduring sub-zero temperatures on the top of former bank buildings on St Andrew Square.

Richard's most adventurous scene is inspired by parkour techniques – where athletes use their physical prowess to overcome obstacles – and sees Pearson negotiating Market Street rooftops. At one point, he falls on to a canopy before narrowly avoiding being hit by a car.

It's exciting stuff and difficult to execute – especially in icy weather conditions. It's a challenge to capture on film, but Richard is in his element.

"It is really exciting," says the 47-year-old. "I wanted it to look really stylish, like you're watching a proper big movie, even though it features kids from a housing estate.

"I think I am doing something that is potentially commercial which is where I think I'm headed anyway.

"I feel I've done all my arty stuff and now I can go on and use all the things I've learned to do technically and try and apply them to a bigger palette."

While Richard's ideas might be getting bigger and bolder, one thing that he has not tired of is Edinburgh – the city he returns to repeatedly to film and where his movies 16 Years of Alcohol and A Woman in Winter are set.

He particularly misses living here. The father-of-two gave up the Royal Mile flat he owned for 15 years when it became too small and he's currently looking for a new city home in the West End.

While he's living in the New Town during this filming session, the man who remains a subversive at heart says he doesn't feel entirely comfortable with the location.

"I couldn't stay in the New Town permanently – I'd feel like too much of a hypocrite," says Jobson, who made his name as the 16-year-old lead singer with the punk band The Skids.

"But I do like the Old Town/New Town split in Edinburgh," he adds. "The title New Town Killers won't mean anything to someone in New York or Tokyo but it means a lot to me.

"It's like there's an infrared beam going round the New Town – that's how I used to feel as a kid when I was hanging out. If people like me walked into that world, you almost set off an alarm bell, so I've used that idea in the film."

Richard, however, does admit to encouraging Dougray, a fellow Fifer, and his wife Claire Forlani to experience city centre life in the New Town.

"Dougray really wanted to come back to the east of Scotland to make a film, but that might have been so he could go and see Hibs, I don't know," quips Richard.

He adds: "Both Dougray and I are from central Fife so I think we share a common sense of humour and there's a lot of laughter on set.

"Alastair Mackenzie is also a very funny guy, so we've been having a blast.

"It's undoubtedly the best experience I've had as a writer-director – the sheer fun I'm having making it – although the scenes we're dealing with are dark."

Jobson's inspiration for his film noir comes from his involvement with the charity Circle which supports vulnerable children and families in some of Edinburgh's most impoverished areas.

He agreed to become a charity patron three years ago after the Prime Minister's wife, Sarah Brown, saw Jobson's film 16 Years of Alcohol and asked him to get involved.

He is now expecting Sarah and Gordon Brown to attend his premiere of New Town Killers when it is released early next year.

He adds: "I'm a very privileged person to get the opportunity to not only make films, but to do that in my favourite city – the most beautiful city in the world."

BILL SIMPSON

What a fantastic night and a priviledge to share a stage once more with such good friends and wonderful musicians;- thankyou Bruce, Jamie, Mike, Jane and the mighty Cob!

It was a pleasure to meet so many Skids fans, some travelling from far and wide to attend, and the many great friends who make these gatherings so special; Smid, Hendy, Pete, Malcolm, Alan C, Paul G, Willie and Welder.

Many thanks to everyone who worked hard to organise the event, especially Cal, Cob, Welder, Willie and Ghoulz. Thanks also to Mike W and the owner and staff of the Corner Music Bar.

It was great to see Ally, Russell and JJ there and to meet up again with Anke, Mazz, Hazel, Paula, John G (Happy 50th Birthday) Chris, Geeman (LOL) and Michael Jobson.

We all had a ball

BRUCE WATSON

Thanks to all who came from far and wide to support this great event. It was a pleasure again to be asked to play with these people who I regard as my friends as well as great musicians and songwriters. Hopefully do it again real soon, Would be cool if Tony and Mark came up next time and we could do a BC set as well, food for thought.
once again big thanks
BW
ps great to see Russell Webb performing again, the guy is a major talent

JJ JOHNSON

Many Thanks to Cob and Cal, for the invitation to 'The Masquerade Ball' on 5th of July in Dunfermline ! Special thanks to you and all the Organisers the Musicians, Fans, and people. Michael Jobson, Brian Jobson, the Bands, 'TV STARS', Bill Simpson, Mike Baillie,Bruce Watson,Jamie Watson, Cob, Jane Button,'The Axidents', Russell Webb,etc. The Fans, Graham and Susan, Drew, Steve, Alex, the boys from Stoke and the North East, (and all the people and names that my frazzled database of a memory has failed to mention ! ) Also, special thanks to Steve, Anita, and Family over in Kinghorn for the Accommodation, Hospitality, and Transport. " In all Honesty, I would have to say that I cannot recall a time where I have experienced such a Genuine, Open, Real, Fun and Enthusiastic bunch of Musicians and Fans, who were determined to Joyously celebrate the Band and the Songs " !

" A Special Night " !

Bruce Watson's Tribute

Big Country legend, Bruce Watson has paid tribute to Stuart Adamson and the Skids by recording an amazing version of the Skids classic 'The Saints are Coming'. For a limited time only, we had added this superb version to the official skids myspace player. We hope you enjoy this version as much as we do. Thanks Bruce. To listen to the track, please visit www.myspace.com/theskids

Stuart Adamson's 50th Birthday

The music was loud, the mood was fantastic as fans celebrated STUART ADAMSON'S 50th birthday. Tappie Toories in Dunfermline (Stuart's former pub) was jumping with music all day and night from THE SKIDS, BIG COUNTRY and THE RAPHAELS. Fans were also treated to a solo set from Big Country legend BRUCE WATSON and son JAMIE, (with me on backing vocals!). Thanks to everyone who turned up to pay their respects to Stuart. Skids legend, Bill Simpson also joined in the celebrations taking the time to chat with fans, great stuff. Unfortunately, Richard Jobson could not make it due to work commitments, but did send this message for all us fans, cheers Richard.

Message from Richard Jobson

Hi all you skids fans out there.......

I am currently immersed in filming my new movie in Edinburgh, so will not be able to join you all in Dunfermline tonight to celebrate what would have been the 50th Birthday of the late great Stuart Adamson. But I will take a private moment to reflect and remember his genius and his wonderful spirit, like you, I loved the way he played, so today, let's get his music playing everywhere. Have a great one everybody. Richard Jobson

A Message from Bill Simpson

Stuart, you were a giant among men and a true guiding light. I cherish the friendship we had and the times we spent together in High School, Tattoo and The Skids. ll never forget you and wish we had never drifted apart. RIP my friend. Bill Simpson

Message from Mike Baillie

Thinking back all these years to when I first met Stuart it seems unbelievable that I was playing music with him. I realize now how fortunate I am to have known him, not only as a friend but as a musician. His loyalty to his family, friends and fellow musicians has always been an inspiration to me. I believe that Stuart was the most inspired and influential Scottish songwriter of our generation, his genius reached us all. I am privileged to count myself as one of the many who loved him.

SKIDS WEBSITE NEWS

Due to a change over of server accounts, THE OFFICIAL SKIDS WEBSITE can now be found at www.theskids.co.uk . We apologise for any inconvenience. SKIDS MYSPACE is now doing well, with almost 3000 on the "friends" list. For those who have a MYSPACE PAGE, add THE SKIDS TODAY! MYSPACE is a great marketing tool and we use it to promote THE SKIDS MUSIC worldwide. For a limited period only, we have added fans favourite ALBERT TATLOCK to the myspace player. This is the new version recorded for BILLY SLOAN'S RADIO CLYDE SHOW on July 1st 2007. Totally and utterlly ridiculous! Wotever you do, don't hurt him! www.myspace.com/theskids