Turks sing The Smiths and a Punky Reggae Party



Checked an interesting video piece at the Photographers' Gallery, London which featured people from Istanbul singing - and sometimes (ahem) 'interpreting' - songs from the Smiths.

I liked the idea that Morrissey's words were clearly resonating with singers from a different culture - one woman was in tears at the end of one performance - although some were clearly doing it for a laugh.

Photographers' Gallery feature



Punky Reggae Party

On Friday, I DJ'd at the 'Punky Reggae Party' at the Redstar Camberwell. Put on by the mighty Unsound Party Crew, there was an amazing line-up with roots reggae from Nucleus Roots and some killer ska from the nine piece Number 1 Station.

My DJ set was a bit of an ordeal. I'd prepared a ton of tunes on CD, but I arrived to find that only one CD deck was working - and I'd only bundled in a handful of vinyl discs in my bag as an afterthought!



In line with the party's theme, I'd planned on knocking out a set of punk classics, but as soon as I slipped on what I thought would be a brief reggae breather, the dance floor filled and I was committed to an hour of ska and reggae.

So the records went from a top tune on the CD decks to something produced a mad scramble amongst my punk 45s. Luckily, I just about winged it thanks to ska-sounding tunes from the Clash, Specials, The Beat etc. Phew!

After that, we got down to some serious rug-cutting and danced till the wee small hours.

The Redstar is a fabulous venue with a great, old-school Brixton feel. Respect to the crew!

Actionettes Action!

A bit late posting 'em up, but here's the Actionettes doing their hip-swivelling thing at Goldsmith's College, London last Wednesday:



And some inter-galactic silver dress shaking from their excellent club night at the Pleasure Unit, Bethnal Green:



With some Action Men high-kicking!



Actionettes website

Richmond - Kingston, urban75 walk



This was a cracking walk - the weather was fantastic, there was a big turn out of urban folks and the beer was delightful!



Check out more pics here

Good news from the Raven, NYC!

Happily, the building has passed the city's inspector's tests and - with luck - may be reopening in a month or so!

urban75 bulletin board users posted up their appreciation of this fabulous East Village bar:

Mr Retro: "I do hope they get it back together. It's one of those bars that is nothing special on the surface but lots of small things makes it special.

For example the buy back system seems to have died out in many NYC bars around the gentrified areas but not at the raven. Even when it's packed the barman will always remember your 4th beer and give it to you with a enthusiastic "Cheers guys!!!!""

duval: "My lasting memories of the Raven are of a friendly place where my friends and i could sit in the dim lighting and enjoy some liquor and fine tunes. I was last there on Dec 29th, 2005.

In 2001, Joey Ramone had just died (although we didn't know it at that time)....my friend and I were walking and saw the sign out the front 'RIP Joey Ramone'. We staggered in and were greeted with free shots (well, we are Australian), a smile and Rock n' Roll High School on the TV screen. A night that is still talked about every time we catch up.......

Let's hope this place is rebuilt and another LEGENDARY New York bar isn't lost."

Latest Raven photos by Jim

Another lost Brixton pub



Was out and about on my bike this afternoon, snapping a few pics around my 'hood and came across this glorious old pub in Flaxman Road.
Built in 1868, it's now - inevitably - a load of yuppie flats...

» Lost pubs of Brixton

Bad news from the Big Apple

Last night, my very favourite New York bar, The Raven, suffered a serious fire and there's a chance that the place may have to be demolished.

They'll know for sure tomorrow, but with the entire area yuppifying at a rate of knots, there may be a whole load more financial incentive for the landlord to demolish the bar and slap up some swishy 'lifestyle' flats on the site instead.

It would be a tragedy to see such a fabulous neighbourhood bar disappear. To Harold, Ria, Jim and all the employees and regulars of The Raven - we're with you. Let's hope the bar is back in business very soon.

Raven website
Fire aftermath pics here
Offline club at the Raven

urban75 photo competition

I'm absolutely blown away by the quality of the entries in this month's urban75 Photo Competition - some of the work is breathtaking!

Check it out here: photo comp and see previous winners here.

'Nuff respect!