Rob Deering Interview

British Comedy Guide chats to musical comedian Rob Deering...

Hi Rob. You started off writing music and directing plays... what convinced you to switch to comedy?

I don't think it was a switch; before I wandered into comedy I was always looking for it, I just hadn't realised it was an option. Everything I did before was just a product of my lifelong quest for an audience.

Since then you've performed an impressive seven solo shows at Edinburgh, does it get easier each time?

It was scariest the first time I suppose, but I don't think it gets easier, because each show really ought to be better than the last. Plus as you get older the festival experience outside the shows shifts from being a month-long party to more of a stamina exercise; these days I don't have time to be 'recovering' until the beginning of November.

You lived in the city for a few years. You're English. Brave man!

I loved it, still do whenever I'm there. There is anti-English feeling, but it's often expressed very directly, which is, well, refreshing. I'm a Southerner, and a Londoner, so Scotland doesn't have the monopoly on making me feel unwelcome - Liverpool is my number one unfriendliness destination.

Your last Edinburgh show - 'Boobs' - was in 2008 (incidentally, the poster for which is still burnt on our retinas)... why the gap?

Boobs 2008 to give it its full title. And yes, with that poster I overshot silly and hit disturbing - apologies. The only reason I don't do a new show every year these days is to stop familiarity breeding contempt, but I always turn up some time in August and do some gigs - you can't keep me away.

Well, now you're back with 'The Rob Deering Experience'. What can people expect?

Pure, unadulterated Deering. The 'Experience' is three-in-one, like a dishwasher tablet; it's the multi-dimensional audience experience I provide with my guitar, lips, wit and big face, the life experience I share in my most revealing show yet, and it's my band, a la The Jimi Hendrix Experience. My band consists of me...

Will you have your awesome pedal on tour with you?

But of course. That's what makes my one-man-band schtick so much hipper than the traditional bass-drum-on-the-back, cymbals-between-the-knees type deal.

If your house was on fire, how high up on the priority list of saving things would your Stratocaster guitar be?

Well, high, but let's never forget it's only a thing. I think my family would be higher. I am strangely jealous of the attention my guitar gets too, so part of me might be secretly, malevolently chuffed to see it burn.

Ha ha. Over the years you've mocked various people's lyrics and songs. Have you subsequently met any of these people / bands?

The only time that's happened it was retrospective; I'd been slagging off Natasha Bedingfield - this was a while ago - when it was pointed out to me that I'd met her a few times before she was famous, when she had, of course, been really nice. I did some soul searching that day. Well, I thought 'whoops!' Someone who worked for Eric Clapton came backstage at a gig - there was at least one joke I was glad I hadn't done that night. The Kaiser Chiefs were in once, but I don't do any of their songs or make any jokes about them - maybe that offended them.

TV can obviously help boost live ticket sales, but there doesn't seem to be much of an outlet for musical comedy on telly. Any thoughts on why this is - surely musical comedy would make for excellent telly?

There is a snobbery about musical comedy - or there used to be - but I'm not out to be a poster boy for it - that's Tim Minchin's job. If and when I am on telly it's nice to get away from the guitar and do some banter. When you see a stand-up on a panel game or a chat show you don't want to feel like they're just recycling their set - and that's all my guitar is; I like to think I'm funny without it too.

Good answer Rob. So, final set of questions... what's your favourite comedy song?

Frodo - Don't Wear The Ring by Flight Of The Conchords; Fingertips by They Might Be Giants; and Total Eclipse Of The Heart by Bonnie Tyler.

And favourite artist(s)?

Impossible question. Vegas-era Elvis? OK Computer-era Radiohead? Flaming Lips? Fleet Foxes? Dolly Parton? William Shatner? Everyone risks malnutrition if they don't get a balanced diet. Except teenagers.

Good point. OK, how about - Desert Island Discs style - if you could have just one song on your MP3 player, what would it be?

Whatever I choose, I'm going to despise within about 48 hours, so... Careless Whisper. Why not. "I feel so unsure / as I take your hand / and lead you to the dance floor..."

Nice one. Cheers Rob, and best of luck with the rest of the tour!

For all things Rob Deering visit: www.robdeering.com