Longtime Western Mass. musician Rob Skelton fancies himself more John than Paul, and it’s the former’s influence that inspires his writing and activism to this day.
“Lennon had it so right when he wrote and played ‘The War is Over’ before the war ended,” he says. “Artists are supposed to suggest the future and depict it so folks can wrap their minds around the changes coming. Right now I’m working on a song prophesying the impending closure of the evil nuclear plant in Vernon, Vermont.”
Skelton has been rocking his brand of pop-folk-punk in the Pioneer Valley and beyond for a few decades now. His quirky, thoughtful and clever tunes home in on universal topics as well as more local concerns like the Enfield Shakers, the Quabbin Reservoir and the aforementioned power plant.
He cites a long history of playing on street corners for informing a home-brewed style he calls Farmers’ Market Punk-Ass Folkasaurus with Cornfield Polka and Stratocaster Funk on the Side. Or, alternately, Lyrical and Melodic Groovemeister with Angular Jangles and Muscular Riffs. Or, Leftfield Deviation from Blues Rock with a Folk/Reggae Infusion.
Guess it depends on the day.
Besides the surrounding environs, Skelton cites influences like Peter Gabriel, Dan Bern, Jonathan Richman, Elvis Costello and Ani DiFranco. Closer to home, he draws inspiration from Bim Skala Bim founder Will Cluster, Inside Charlotte, Joe Pernice [of Scud Mountain Boys], John Coster, Kevin Keady and Zoe Lewis, John Cruz and Joe Keenan, Amy Fairchild and the late great Joe Kennedy.
Although he certainly can play guitar and sing, he bills himself more as a songwriter and bandleader.
“[My band] Pitchfork is my vehicle,” he explains. “I’ve written a body of diverse songs, and all roads have led to my current songwriter/bandleader position. We play two or three gigs a month. Very few are in bars.”
The group has featured a steady lineup for the last five years: drummer Jim Humphrey, bassist Brian Rodrix, trombonist J. Starpoli and lead guitarist Tom Ricard.
Recorded material includes Rob Skelton’s Rasputin, released over a decade ago, Rob Skelton, Yeoman and Rob Skelton’s Baked Dozen, produced by Dave Durst. Meet the Press, from his ’90s band Free Press, is now available on Facebook, and he’s uploaded over 30 songs on YouTube.
Skelton hasn’t slowed down much over the years. He says he’s currently working on something called Maple: the Musical!, and plans on recording a new album anchored around his tune “Hey Beautiful River,” which won the Connecticut River songwriting contest. He’s also experimenting with hip-hop beats and “compiling some sonic pastiches a la Beck.”
“And right now we are providing backup music for poets, which is a great marriage of lyricism and improv,” he adds.
This year Skelton and company are slated to rock farmers’ markets in Greenfield and Shelburne Falls, a Creative Economy Summit conference, a sculpture gallery opening, a gallery opening celebration at the Orange Innovation Center, the Ashfield Lake House and the Turners Falls Water Under the Bridge Music Festival. The crew also jams regularly at Burrito Rojo in Turners Falls.
For more info, track down Rob Skelton on Facebook or YouTube.
