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004 started innocently enough. This year’s Telegraph Hill Arts Festival staged a local rock night, “The New Cross” in a church overlooking London, there were more Angular events and in February NME reviewed “The New Cross” calling it a glimpse of the future. The music press started to notice there was something going on and by Summer there was a “New Cross Scene”. It was Art Rock Central. Cool bands sounded Angular. Or something. The media version of what was going on (praising how these bands aren’t playing for A&R showcases, but for the love of gigs, without listening to the bands) became a “London Underground” of Libertines related/next Libertines Indie Punk. Some of the bands, now the epitome of music media celebrity hyped “Cool”. enjoyed deserved attention and it gave what was going on an extra boost. Meanwhile back in South East London it was great that there was some attention for what was going on, but they knew they’d be yesterday’s news when the next “scene” came along six months later, and continued with the anti-scene which continues to gather momentum as the bands became busier. They started releasing, playing gigs further afield and meeting new friends. Trips out of London had found that places like Bury St Edmunds, Hitchin, Newbury and other pockets of uncool had more in common with what was happening in the boroughs of Lewisham and Greenwich. Pop Of The Tops was very much a product of that. As small venues around the UK were systematically shut down, new alternative rock clubs galore were springing up. An explosion of bands making their own scenes. There were more gigs going on locally and new arts and media joining the party. Greenwich Pirate art/music zine launched with a mutiny on the New Cross Road at Paradise Bar in June. It sold out immediately. The Cut Throat Pirate DJs have been hectic ever since and staged a number of events since, all packed to the rafters. There is always a concession for pirates and fairies to get in cheap to Pop Of The Tops events. Bands in South East London DO play gigs for the sheer hell of it, but that’s not to say that they wouldn’t like record companies and music journalists to get off their arse and check them out. Review them etc. Musicians have to work extra hard around here for recognition, but during the fifteen minutes of “New Cross” scene, who actually heard what they had to say, or play? Not that they sit around waiting for attention. They’re too intent on creating it. All good things must end. Lewisham Council took the entertainment license from Paradise Bar due to some problems after it’s late night dance clubs. The last rock’n’roll Tuesday at Paradise Bar was on 6-July. With no drinks license it became a warehouse party - bowing out in style. Rocklands was now a real part of London so although it was a blow, it wasn’t the end of anything, with so much activity now in progress. Brixton Windmill, New Cross Inn and The Amersham Arms came on board to move gigs that had already been booked and to stage future Pop Of The Tops nights. The South London scene/anti-scene thing has leant more profile to what is going on and although progression is slower with no money, or local music paper (flyers and fly posting are still the main local media), there are a high percentage of local bands who have started to play shows out of London, pick up great slots and supports, get radio play (Xfm, especially John Kennedy, have been very supportive). Then one day you have a picnic outside Buckingham Palace, loads and loads of bands are therre for an NME photo shoot of "The next Libertines", after your wine and some straweberries bloke from Selfish Cunt and bloke from Babyshambles kick horse shit around (which you skillfully dodge) and it's all happeniing everywhere and London's Calling! Pop Of The Tops travelling circus, with no Paradise Bar, had no choice but to travel! Original Club Pages : * Club Listings Jan 004 to Jun 004 * | ||
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