The Armoury Show
| Company type | Band |
|---|---|
| Industry | Music |
| Founded | 1983 |
| Founder | Richard Jobson, Russell Webb, John McGeoch, John Doyle |
| Headquarters | Edinburgh , United Kingdom |
| Products | Music albums and singles |
The Armoury Show was a British new wave group established in 1983, comprising Richard Jobson (vocals), Russell Webb (bass), John McGeoch (guitar), and John Doyle (drums). Each artist came from notable bands: Jobson and Webb were formerly of The Skids, while McGeoch and Doyle had played with Magazine.
Taking their name from the 1913 Armory Show art exhibition held in New York, the band released six singles alongside one studio album during their original tenure.
History
After The Skids dissolved in 1981 and Magazine ended in 1982, members joined forces to create The Armoury Show. Prior to this, McGeoch had exited Magazine to play with Siouxsie and the Banshees and briefly worked with The Skids for a Peel session.
The project was initially conceived as a songwriting collective rather than a touring band; however, McGeoch advocated for live performances. Following a London showcase, they secured contracts with Parlophone and EMI America.
Their first single, "Castles in Spain," was issued in 1984, followed by "We Can Be Brave Again." They recorded their only album, Waiting for the Floods, at Manor Studios under producer Nick Launay. The album, along with singles "Glory of Love" and a reissued "Castles in Spain," appeared in 1985.
Over time, Jobson's participation diminished; by 1986 both McGeoch and Doyle had left—McGeoch moved on to Public Image Ltd., while Doyle collaborated with Pete Shelley.
After returning from modeling work in China, Jobson reunited with Webb and added Dave Lockwood (guitar) and Ray Weston (drums) for new material. This lineup released singles including "Love in Anger" and "New York City." The band dissolved in 1988; their intended second album, Monkey Cry, was instead issued as Jobson’s solo debut titled Badman. Subsequently, Jobson shifted focus to directing television and films, while Webb pursued solo projects before joining Public Image Ltd. in 1992.
In 2019, the group reassembled under the name the Armory Show with Jobson as the only original member, accompanied by Nickolas Young, Rory Cowieson (both from Domiciles), and Nick Hernandez (Foreignfox).
On 28 March 2025, Richard Jobson revived the Armory Show with a new album titled Dead Souls, marking their first release nearly forty years later.
Personnel
- Richard Jobson ("The Captain," 1983) – vocals, guitar
- John McGeoch ("The Legend," 1983) – guitar, vocals
- Russell Webb ("Universe," 1983) – bass guitar, vocals
- John Doyle ("Doylie," 1983) – drums
- Ray McVeigh (ex-The Professionals) – guitar (succeeded McGeoch in 1986)
- Dave Lockwood – guitar (followed McVeigh)
- Ray Weston – drums (took over from Doyle)
Discography
| Year | Type | Format | Title |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1984 | Single | Parlophone 7R6079 | "Castles in Spain" / "Innocents Abroad" (UK No. 69) |
| 1984 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6079 | "Castles in Spain" (Wubb Dug Mix) / "Innocents Abroad" / "Is It a Wonder" |
| 1985 | Single | Parlophone 7R6087 | "We Can Be Brave Again" (Remix) / "A Feeling" (UK No. 66) |
| 1985 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6087 | "We Can Be Brave Again" (Extended Version) / "A Feeling" / "Catherine" |
| 1985 | Album | LP ARM 1 / EMI 17163 / EMI 2403591 | Waiting for the Floods (UK No. 57) |
| 1985 | Cassette | MC TC-ARM 1 | Waiting for the Floods |
| 1985 | Single | Parlophone 7R6098 | "Glory of Love" / "Higher Than the Instrumental" (UK No. 92) |
| 1985 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6098 | "Glory of Love" (Universal Mix) / "Glory of Love" / "Higher Than the Instrumental" |
| 1985 | Single | Parlophone 7R6109 | "Castles in Spain" / "A Gathering" |
| 1985 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6109 | "Castles in Spain" / "A Gathering" / "Ring Those Bells" |
| 1987 | Single | Parlophone 7R6149 | "Love in Anger" / "Tender Is the Night" (UK No. 63) |
| 1987 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6149 | "Love in Anger" / "Uptown Downtown" / "Tender Is the Night" |
| 1987 | Single | Parlophone 7R6153 | "New York City" / "Whirlwind" |
| 1987 | 12" | Parlophone 12R6153 | "New York City" (John Robie Remix) / "New York City (N.Y. Agogo)" / "Whirlwind" |
| 1987 | 12" | Parlophone 12RX6153 | "New York City" (John Robie Dance Remix) / "New York City (NY Agogo)" / "Whirlwind" |
| 2001 | Album | Track Records TRK1008CD | Waiting for the Floods (reissue) |
| 2013 | Album | Cherry Red Records CDBRED564 | Waiting for the Floods (two-disc extended reissue) |
| 2025 | Album | Last Night From Glasgow | Dead Souls |