Graham (Shipcote) Anderson, is a Geordie musician with a purpose, and as
well a kent face, as is possible on the streets, in the venues and
riding the late night taxies of Newcastle. Legend has it, the taxi
drivers of the Toon collectively gave him his nick name "Shipcote"
because, if needs be, Graham can simply jump in any taxi on Tyneside and
as long as he can say the name of the region he lives in, (Shipcote) the
taxi company, which ever one it is, knows exactly where to take him. A
handy skill to posses in a town like Newcastle, and in a job like his.
Shipcote has been a highlevel roots promoter (he helps run and helped
establish the world famous Jumping and Hot Club ) nearly as long as he
has been playing highlevel authentic Jug Hokum Jazz Rockabilly and Blues
on dog house bass and always with a smile, (with The Hotlicks Cookies
with Round Eyes Ray and Martin Stephenson's Toerags amongst others) He
now writes the songs. Would he want the world to sing them? Rob Ellen
asks the questions and reviews the album.

1. Your father was heavily involved in playing and promoting
music too, are you a chip of the old block do you think?

Well I dont know aboot that.He played Trombone & could drink me under
the table.Him & his trumpet mate started the first Jazz club in
Newcastle around 1948.I think that was because they wanted somewhere to
play.He did organised lots of jazz events though & one was the first
ever gig me & Martin did,a Pie & Peas Supper,supporting The Vintage
Jazzmen.. He was a very popular character so that's the gift we both
were given!!!

2. What was the original motivation behind the Jumping and Hot club?

I used to run a fanzine called"Jumpin & Hot" which was all about local &
occasionally international roots music.My good buddy Adam was a big
acoustic roots music fan,& had a crazy idea of running an evening per
week with records,films & live music,so we kinda half looked around to
find a venue,to sell the mag & have a good night.Newcastle had
'Riverside' but that was it!!.This was 1985.We almost fell into the
basement cellar @ The Bridge Hotel,& the manager( an ex musician) was
looking to put some jazz on.We bluffed our way into doing an acoustic
Blues night for him,& as I had lots of contacts(I was a musician then
too),Newcastle had a reputation for supporting the underdogs & Adam was
very enthusiastic,within 6 month we had rockabilly ,ska & singer
songwriters booked & the place was Jumpin.We never did do a film or
records or even jazz night,& the fanzine folded almost immediatly!!!

3. The Club now finds itself in the cosy and congenial (if not more
formal) surroundings of The Live Theatre, and is now very much part of
the city's cultural fabric, what are the differences from that and The
Bridge Hotel days? Which are welcome. Which do you miss?

The Jumpin Hot Club is an organisation which uses 3-4 venues in
Newcastle.As you know we do 2 Festivals per year too.So its a proper
company.We worked for 10 years learning how to get sponsership etc &
nearly every week had to go to the cashpoint,to pay the bands
then!!!.The atmosphere in the old Bridge cellar was magical though.A
smokey,dark & dank cellar bar & perfect for blues,country & so on. Such
a small place for some of the acts who we flew in there,& it cannot be
bettered.We outgrew it though.The Live Theatre welcomed us,9 years ago
with open arms..They didnt do much music so were happy for us to help
them.It is more a Theatre but the best venue in town, yet still has a
easy atmosphere.You can sit down or possiably stand at the bar,the sound
system is great & every artist seems to love the small Theatre.I know we
do.I also love The Cluny which is more for your gritty rock N roll
audience & The Tyne Bar which is a simple pub with good people & a
listening crowd.

4. Please describe an incident that best sums up the spirit of The
Jumpin and Hot Club either at The Bridge Hotel or The Live Theatre

Monday night(May 24th 04') 5.50 pm walking quickly along the quayside to
Jumpin Hot Club.Very very excited.We had Amos Lee playing,I hadnt even
heard his music but after 19 years,I guess Im still looking forward to
every gig we do!!!

5. The Hotlicks Cookies, play 30's Barrel House and Hokum Blues and
were at the time of asking the only British band to be invited to The
New Orleans Heritage Festival. I dare say you could and should write a
book, but give me three enduring memories from the career of Round Eyes
Ray and Shipcote, on the road down the years.

1) Playing New Orleans then playing Morpeth,Northumberland the night we
returned & a young lady putting £5 in the jukebox,so not to hear us
play.Welcome back!!!

2) Busking outside Windows Record shop with Roundeyes & a lady buys
flowers & puts them in our hat with big THANK YOU card on.Ray tries to
get her number!!!!

3) Taking the crowd outside most venues we played(1986-2001)for a
musical walk about.

6. Martin Stephenson...... How Come?? ( no more than 1000 words
please...sorry!!!)

Met Martin while on the number 194 bus to Washington,when we were about
17 years young. Wish Id caught the next bus! :-)

7. The albums, have these songs been itching under the skin, or did
you just decide to sing your thoughts one day.

My thoughts ,thought if Martin can do it...no,I wrote just a few tunes
for Hot Licks Cookies over the years but it wasnt until I started
playing with Jack Burness'Corner Boys"(local songwriter) he inspired me
to write my own songs.He was writing all the time & I had been doing a
bit of the lyrics on some Toe Rags tunes anyway & found it quite easy
to make the melody up too...& why not

8. What would be the best thing possible, that you would hope for
from the album (other than getting your money back)

I'll be honest here...maybe interest them enough to give my other album
a listen

9. Newcastle is a music town, your family history alone would
confirm that. Why do you think, in particular, that Jazz, Blues and
Country music, all American forms, are so well supported in your neck of
the woods?

They say that South Shields was easily accessiable as a naval
port/college for
much American Blues/roots, records/music.That must have filtered into
our system.Joe Ely played S.Shields Country Festival in 1979!! People
like Ray Stubbs, Hokum Hotshots,Junco Partners & Archie Browns Young
Bucks have each been together playing for about 30 years.Thats quite
unbelieveable these days.Nice to grow up with them too...

10. Tell us about The Tyne Bar and the The Yard Dog,,, Bar B Q.

Playing every kinda music in country,out in the back yard of The
Tyne.Under the viaduct
An all day/night A live americana ball from all around the
world..Inspirired by the Showcase afternoon parties in Austin Texas
during SXSW & 'free' too..I can almost smell the BBQ..the spirit of
Austin lives on.......
Featuring Usa's Wrinkle Neck Mules,Australia's Chucky Munroes,Scotlands
John Millers Country Casuals & various North of England countrymen
like"Country Irregulars,Something Spooked The Horses,SwillBillies,& Jack
Wilkinsons mob. Everyone welcome!!!
Even You Rob

Good luck and keep on keeping on Shipcote!!

Oh Yes ,I will Rob!


1. WHERE WERE YOU BORN, WHERE DID YOU GROW UP?
Born in Newcastle Upon Tyne & grew up in Felling

2. WHAT IS YOUR EARLIEST MUSICAL MEMORY?
Hearing"Cakewalkin Babies Back Home" on gramaphone

3. WHAT WAS THE FIRST RECORD YOU OWNED?
David Bowie"Alladin Sane"?? album

4. WHEN AND WHERE WAS YOUR FIRST PERFORMANCE?
About 15 years old playing with my Dads band @ a Hotel in Newcastle

5. WHO IS THE SINGLE BIGGEST MUSICAL INFLUENCE ON YOUR WORK?
John Ross/Roundeyes Ray Burns/Martin Stephenson

6. WHAT IS THE MOST MEMORABLE CONCERT YOU'VE ATTENDED?
Really,far too many to mention

7. WHAT IS THE WORST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD?
Transport Clerk

8. WHAT IS THE BEST JOB YOU'VE EVER HAD?
Musician/Promoter

9. WHO IS YOUR FAVOURITE ARTIST (ALL MEDIA)?
Really,far too many to mention

10. WHAT IS YOUR ALL-TIME FAVOURITE BOOK
A short Story - Ernest Hemmingway "Old Man & The Sea"
Long Books - Spike Milligan's War Memoirs

11. WHICH IS YOUR FAVOURITE INSTRUMENT?
To play-Double Bass
To Hear-Trombone

12. WHAT IS YOUR FAVOURITE SONG YOU'VE WRITTEN?
I like "Millies Song"&"Just A Little Time"
Tomorrow I'll go for "Butcher Boy"Depends on what side of the bed I get
out

13. WHAT IS THE FAVOURITE SONG SOMEONE ELSE HAS WRITTEN?
Really,far to many to mention

14. HAVE YOU EVER COLLABORATED IN SONGWRITING?
I wrote the lyrics for some Toe Rags songs
Martin Stephenson wrote the tunes

15. CAN SONGWRITING BE TAUGHT OR IS IT A GOD-GIVEN TALENT?
Yep,You can be taught to write a song.Its better if you arent

16. WHAT SINGLE THING HAS HELPED YOU MOST IN YOUR CAREER?
Not worrying about money.Havnt had much!!!

17. WHAT SINGLE THING HAS HINDERED YOUR CAREER?
A job from 1978-1985

18. WHAT'S YOUR FAVOURITE DRINK?
Water with yeast & stuff added

19. WHO'S YOUR FAVOURITE POLITICIAN?
Rob Ellen

20. ( THE ADVERT) IN LESS THAN 100 WORDS DESCRIBE YOUR LATEST DISC.
Easy on the ear,nose, mouth & limbs.Like early Elvis it can help you
move your vertebrae too!

the Hot Licks Cookies website...

Review of the latest Shipcote CD by Rob Ellen ...HERE