Another fabulous Guy Fawkes night in Brixton!

More photos

Labels: brixton, fireworks

We had a fantastic Halloween special at the Albert Offline Club last night with some great bands, dancing go go girls and much drinking.

Here's a few pics.

Loads more pics here: Offline Halloween Special

Next Offline show is at the Dogstar, Brixton on Thurs 12th November and we've got an amazing bill!

Labels: bands, brixton, club, offl, offline

We had another big night at the Prince Albert in Brixton last night with the Trans Siberian March Band plus the Wookies playing our free Offline club night.

More pics - and details of our amazing Halloween show on the 31st - here: Offline Brixton

Labels: bands, brixton, club, offline

This is well worth a visit if you're after some fabulous fresh bread, ace cheese and tasty fruit and veg. It's situated on Brixton Station Road, and it's on every Sunday.

More photos: Brixton Farmers Market

Labels: brixton

A few photos from our last lively night at the Dogstar, Brixton, with live bands, indie films, a Woody Guthrie lecture, poetry and DJs.

We've got some absolute killer bills coming up on the 23rd and 31st October so check out our club homepage for more info.  They're always FREE too!

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

She was absolutely fabulous!









One of my fave Offline gigs this year!

More pics here.

Labels: bands, brixton, music, offline

Both these bands put on fantastic shows at the Albert last Friday night at Offline.

Here's a few photos:

More pics here: The Johnsons and Autoban at Offline

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Some pics from a great Offline night on Friday night at the Albert in Brixton.

Sweet Baboo, The Spivs and Bearcraft at Offline

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Some photos from Jessica's fantastic set at the Brixton Offline Club on Friday.

More photos: Jessica Delfino at the Albert

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

I've just posted up some photos from John Hegley's amazing gig at the Albert last week. It was a true privilege putting him on!

 

More photos: John Hegley at Offline, Brixton

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Now in its fourth year, Brixton Splash is an annual street party in the heart of Brixton, offering live music, art, street theatre, sound systems and food.

I don't think I've ever heard the word 'Brixton' shouted out so many times - and the weather was great this year!

More photos: Brixton Splash 2009

Labels: brixton

Fabulous gig in the Brixton Price Albert last night with the incredible John Hegley and Jessica Delfini playing live, plus the Actionettes on the DJ decks.

Jessica's back next Friday with festival legend, Beans on Toast.

More details: Offline Club

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

I love the Lambeth Country Show - a two day festival of sheep shearing, owls, weird vegetable creatures, spliffs, ska and lashings of Chucklehead cider.

Here's some photos from the 2009 show:

More Country Show photos

Labels: brixton, brock, brockwell park

After a great day drinking Chucklehead cider at the Lambeth Country Show (photo report coming soon), I was definitely in the mood for the rivet-removing full-on rockandroll of Atomic Suplex.

And they kicked ass in industrial quantities, entertaining one of the most bonkers crowds seen at Offline for quite a while.
 











http://www.urban75.org/offline/alber...ic-suplex.html

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

We were delighted to put on the mighty Juke Baritone in the Albert on Friday and the boys put on a great show. Check out some photos:











More photos here

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

I had this fascinating photo forwarded to us of a zebra-driven carriage leaving Brixton and heading for Stockwell.

The photo wasn't dated, but I'm guessing that it was taken around 1915 (electrified trams didn't arrive in Brixton until 1904 so it must be after then).

The only real clue is the advertisement for Quin and Axtens on the railway bridge, although that seems to have changed regularly - witness the different styles seen in 1920 and a year later.

We can't even work out what the carriage is - according to wikipedia there's endless permutations for such vehicles, so it could be a trap, a gig, a fly or something else entirely.

Read more here: http://www.urban75.org/brixton/history/zebra-taxi-cab.html

Labels: brixton, history

Brixton gets a downpour.

Labels: brixton, rain

Straight after this picture was taken, the lady on the right took off one of her red stiletto shoes and balanced it on her head. Most odd.

More Gay Shame photos

Labels: brixton, gay

Too hungover to type anything sensible at the moment, but last night's Gay Shame at the Brixton Academy was fantastic fun.

Great crowd, lovely atmosphere and a helluva party!

Labels: brixton, gay

When we heard that a venue had cancelled the farewell gig for our friends The Shanners, we quickly assembled the Offline Pronto Gig Relocation crew, and found them a new home at the Dogstar for their last ever show. And it was ruddy great too!

More photos: Offline, Dogstar 25th JUne

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

A free event on Midsummer's Eve, 'The Big Event' coincided with the launch of the annual Camberwell Arts Festival, and marked the official re-opening of Myatt's Fields Park after its extensive ?3m renovation.

Designed by Fanny Wilkinson - one of Britain's first female professional landscape gardeners and a strong supporter of women's suffrage - the park dates back to Victorian times, being opened in 1889.

More photos

Labels: brixton, park

Photos from last night's ace Offline gig with Toronto all-girl punksters the Machetes and east Landahn garage rockers The Spivs online here.

RAWK AND RAWWWL!

More here: offlineclub.com

Labels: bands, brixton, club, offline

Shaking off the disappointment of Ella Edmondson cancelling at the least minute through illness, we had a great night at the Brixton Albert, with the excellent Sergeant Buzfuz putting in a great performance.

Here's a few pics from the night:

More pics here: Offline Club

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Just got chance to post up some pics from last week's Offline bash at the Dogstar with Josie Long, Voodoo Trombone Quartet, Atomic Suplex, Anchorsong and Vic Lambrusco's Cabaret Hour - plus Craft Corner.

It's great to see Offline back in its old home and pulling good crowds, but it was so hectic I didn't get chance to take many pics.

Here's a few from the night:

More: http://www.urban75.org/offline/offline59_dogstar.html

Labels: bands, brixton, club, offline

Fuck, they were good tonight - and the crowd were up for it too!

Labels: bands, brixton, ska

It's been a long weekend of partying with four great acts playing the Offline Albert gigs.

On Friday we had superb Kitchener and our favourite hip-hop act - Lady Lykez. She's lively, funny and talented and definitely one to watch.

More photos here

On Saturday, we put on the hilarious Mr B, The Gentleman Rhymer who mixed up chappage with hip hop, followed by John Peel faves I, Ludicrous.

There's not so many photos for this night as I'd suffered some hideous flu-like ailment overnight. It was so bad I had to run off during the soundcheck for a Mr Creosote-style chunder (without the need for a wafer thin mint). Eeeugh.

Happily, the excellent entertainment took my mind off things before I headed home early to bed.

More pics here

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Here's a few snaps from Friday's Offline  Club at the Brixton Albert with Sanjuro and Sergeant Buzfuz. Both bands were *fab!*

The dulcimer sounded amazing!

More pics: Offline Club, Brixton

Labels: bands, brixton, london, offline

I've just posted up a load of photos from the fantastic Offline party at the Brixton Dogstar on the 9th April. It was one of the biggest nights I've put on for a long time!

More photos here

Don't forget - the next party is on Friday 24th April at the Brixton Albert!

Labels: bands, brixton, dogstar, offline

Ruddy hell, that was a busy one! The Brixton Dogstar was rammed to capacity for the return of the Offline club night on Thursday.

We were running three rooms on two floors, with live acts in all three and at times it was so busy getting from room to room was quite a challenge.

The bill was one of the best I've ever put on, with some great live acts, poets, bands, drummers and dancers. Here's the Actionettes doing their hip shaking stuff.

The fabulous Barking Bateria put in another thunderous set in the packed upstairs Ballroom.

The night's success had been helped by quite a bit of press in the week before. Time Out ran an interview with yours truly (they'd asked for an 'action' DJ shot, but I explained that seeing as DJing usually involved me messing about and having a beer, they may as well use this one):

The South London Press also ran a good feature on the night:

I'm off to the football now (come on Cardiff!), but I'll post up more photos from the club night tomorrow.

Labels: bands, brixton, dogstar, offline

I've been holed up in bed with the stinkiest of colds ever since, but Friday night's double celebration of my own birthday and the club's 5th birthday was a heap of fun.

Here's some pics. Don't forget the HUGE party we've got going on at the Dogstar this Thursday!

More photos here: Offline Apr 3rd 2009

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Some more pics from the night. In an Offline first, both bands featured tuba players - and we've got another tuba player lined up for my birthday bash on April 3rd! Parp-tastic!

More pics here

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

I'm still beastly hungover from last night's immense Offline show - both bands were absolutely fantastic and the place was heaving again.

The crowd was, as ever, well up for a good time. Here's a few pics from the night - more coming soon!

We've got some great Offline nights coming up - April 3rd is both Offline's 5th birthday party and my own (slightly bigger) birthday, so we're putting on something really special at the Albert.

The week after we're celebrating our return to the Dogstar in Brixton with perhaps the biggest bill we've put on for years. Both events are free - see more details here: Offline Club

Labels: bands, br, brixton, offline

Rushcroft Road is an attractive street of Edwardian mansion blocks running from Tate Gardens opposite Lambeth Town Hall to Coldharbour Lane.

The street has a long association with community squatting - read the full story here: Rushcroft Road and Clifton Mansions community.

On the 10th March, 2009, two long standing squats at Hereford House and Rosslyn House were evicted by a large number of police. These photos were taken a few hours after the squatters had been removed.

More here: Squats evicted, Rushcroft Road

You can see the two blocks in this Microsoft Virtual Earth gizmo - they're the ones to the right of the circular tower.

Labels: brixton, squats

We had another rip roaring night of fun at the Brixton Albert on Friday. Here's a few photos from the drunken mayhem:


Offline fave Anchorsong, does his electronic wizardry.



There was certainly no lack of rock and roll attitude from The Tenets, with a somewhat volatile onstage interaction between the members adding a bit of extra grit to proceedings!











We've got some really amazing Offline nights coming up soon: check out the listings here

Labels: brixton, gigs, offline

Link

Offline faves and cheeky scampsters Milk Kan have just released their new video, with some of the footage shot at their excellent Offline gig a few weeks ago.

Nice one lads!

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Well, not quite, but I hope you'll find this comparison interesting:



c. 1883
A wintery scene on Brixton Road, looking north from the junction with Acre Lane, showing the roads under snow. You can see the pub sign advertising the 'Prince of Wales' public house to the centre right, with the Balls Omnibus Office partly visible on the right. (pic: Lambeth Archives)



Feb 2009
I'd waited ages to get a scene wintery enough to match the 1883 one, but on the night of the 1st/2nd February, London was hit by one of the biggest snow storms for nearly twenty years. As soon as I saw the snow coming down, I hotfooted it out and captured this scene some time after midnight.

You can see that the building line has been brought forward, with the Prince of Wales/Dex Club (with KFC below) now much closer to the camera.

More: Brixton Then & Now photos

Labels: brixton, history, snow

Link

Rising temperatures saw a lot of the snow melt over the day, but there was still enough around by the evening to give Brixton a wintery look. Woohoo!







How's this for a fine pair of 'snow angel wings' seen on a disused garage lot on Coldharbour Lane?!

Labels: brixton, snow

It might have been well past midnight but I couldn't resist going for a late night crunch through the crisp snow outside!

Here's a few photos from my walk around Brixton. It was lovely!














More here: A snowy night in Brixton

Labels: brixton, snow

Link

As anyone who checks out the urban photo section will know, I love snow. It rocks!

Unfortunately, living in London means that we rarely get little more than the lightest of dustings in the Winter (even if a few feeble flakes are enough to spark, "OMG! TRANSPORT CHAOS!"), leaving the full on snowstorms of my Welsh childhood a distant memory.

I may be on for a treat soon however, as meteorologists are predicting a ton of snow to fall over the next few days, and it's started snowing already!

Labels: brixton, snow

Our first Offline of the year saw us pull a huge crowd into the Albert for a fantastic free party. Here's a few photos of the madness!

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Link

The end of an era on Brixton Road.

Labels: brixton

Link

Happy New Year to my handful of readers!

We had a ball last night at the Offline NYE party with two great bands, loads of beers and some fabulously drunk DJing. Here's a few photos:









And my favourite...




:)

More photos here.

Labels: bands, brixton, offline

Link

Well, that was a blast. We had the electronics whizz Anchorsong playing live on our lovely new stage (yes! a proper stage!) with the fantastic Danny Fontain and the Horns of Fury headlining. I can't remember what time we finished, but boy oh boy  it was a mighty long night o'fun!



















It's a real pain packing away all the millions of sound system cables at the end of the night, but with this cute kitten chasing after every lead, it almost becomes fun!

Labels: brixton, gigs, offline

Link

There was certainly no Christmas cheer for workers at Woolworths this year with the news breaking that all 807 stores would close if the business remained unsold by January 5th, 2009.

We've been regulars at the Woolies in Brixton for years, so it's a shame to see it go.

Here's some photos of the near-stripped store:

Labels: brixton

Link

Compare and contrast these scenes, seperated by a hundred years.

Electric Avenue, 1908:



Electric Avenue, 2008:



More: Christmas in Brixton, old and new

Labels: brixton, christmas

Link

Some photos from my rainy walk around central London and Brixton yesterday...


Beheaded Belisha beacon, Atlantic Road, Brixton.

Named after Leslie Hore-Belisha (1895-1957), who was Minister of Transport responsible for introducing them in 1934, they can be seen all over the UK, Ireland and in the former British crown colonies of Singapore and Hong Kong.


Oxford Street.


Oxford Street trader.


Brixton Station Road.

Labels: brixton, london, photos

Link

The temperature inside the venue may have been bordering on sub-zero, but with a fine fare of entertainment on offer, things soon warmed up.

The bill included the David Goo Variety Band, the Actionettes, Shazia Mirza, Kitchener, Joe Cairo, Vic Lambrusco and the Dulwich Ukulele Club, and was ruddy amazing!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Some photos from Friday's Offline club night in Brixton.

Labels: brixton, offline, photos

Link

There's been some fantastic autumnal sunsets around Brixton over the last couple of days.

Here's a few pics:

Labels: brixton, photos

Link

Some photos from last night. It was a wild one, alright!




















There's another Offline on Friday with four acts, rappers, ukuleles and more. And, as ever, it;'s free all night!
Offline Club

Labels: brixton, music, offline

Link

A hefty urban75 crew assembled at the George Canning, Hobgoblin, Hootananny ready for the annual Fireworks display at Brockwell Park, and it was a good 'un.

Here's a few photos:





For a while, this far-distant firework display (Streatham?) threatened to outshine the one right in front of our eyes!









Back to the pub!

Labels: brixton, fireworks

Link

Some pics from the Brixton election parties at the Ritzy Cinema and the Madusa Club.

I don't think I met a single person who wants McCain to win.










Unfortunately, we missed all the bands and performers at Madusa.

Right, I'm off to watch the news on the tele. Go Obama!

Labels: brixton

Friday night's Offline Halloween turned out to be a great night - the place was packed and the bands were fantastic.

The bill included wild gypsy-punk shenanigans with DRUNKEN BALORDI, scuffle/skiffle madness from the UKULELE GANGSTAS and some of the funniest, most outrageous songs you've ever heard with the legendary CAPTAIN HOTKNIVES, lured down from his northern hideout by the promise of vast reservoirs of Tetleys Ale.

Here's some photos:



















More pics here: Offline Halloween party

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

We loved the Inner City Pirates when they played our Offline club back in July this year, so when we heard they were playing one of our favourite venues in Brixton and it was all for charrrideee, then we were there like a shot!



A lovely bunch of folks from my home town of Cardiff, they put in a top show and got an earful from me afterwards demanding that they should come back to Offline soon.

Talking of which, we've got a *bumper* Halloween special at the Brixton Albert tonight with three sensational acts - and it's FREE all night. Come on down!

Labels: brixton, offline

Some photos from Friday's lively Offline night at the Albert in Brixton.

Labels: albert, bands, brixton, offline

Link

Opened in 1910, Brixton Skating Rink was situated in Effra Road and was a popular venue until it closed around 1965.

If you'd gone in the 1920s you could have rocked to the dance band that included a William Robert Fuller who could wow you with his  Trumpet, Cornet, Piano, Organ, Violin, One string fiddle, Mandolin and the Swanee Whistle skills!

Labels: brixton

Link

It started with a request by Paulie for a photo of the old footbridge in Brixton on the urban75 bulletin boards.

The request was met by such head scratching that posters began to fear that he'd dreamt the entire thing up because no one seemed to recall the bridge existing.

Despite the lack of forthcoming photographic proof, Paulie continued to describe the old bridge:

The bridge was pretty much on top of the pedestrian crossing which was always there (and which most people opted for). I think it survived until the mid 70s. It was a girder monstrosity with big planks laid across for the steps and bridge span - they flexed a fair bit when a bus went underneath.

To give a more accurate placing - it ran between Tunstall Road and the tube with the stairs at right angles on the south side.



Happily, the poster 'haushoch' came to the rescue, unearthing a photo showing a section of the footbridge from 'London Anders Reisen' published in 1980 by Rowohlt Taschenbuch Verlag GmBH.

The photo was by Michael Kadereit, and the books were guides for tourists who didn't want to visit the typical tourist spots, but wanted a real insight into the place they were visiting.

More: The Mystery of the Brixton Road footbridge

Labels: brixton

Link

Offline reverberated to some lively sounds last night. I'm too hungover to go into any detail, so here's a few photos. Lots more here.

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

We had a fantastic night at the Albert on Friday. Here's some photos from the night - click here for more!













Don't forget - we've got an ENORMOUS  club night this Thursday - 40 drummers, TransSiberian March band, Shazia Mirza, DJs, comedy and the astonishing Dr Joel!

Info here.

Labels: brixton, music, offline

Link

I've just about recovered from Friday night's mad punk rock special at the Albert in Brixton. Two great bands, lots to drink and a happy, mosh-pit loving crowd. Terrific fun!









On Saturday, I went along to the Luminaire in Kilburn to see an Actionettes Go-Go Special featuring the fabulous deBretts and Theoretical Girl. Expect some pics soon!

Oh - and don't forget - there's a ruddy fantastic Offline coming up this Friday with Shazia Mirza, The Severed Limb - the incredible skiffle kids from Essex - and the wild circus/ska craziness of Danny Fontaine and the Horns of Fury. It'll be at the Albert, and - as ever - free all night!

More info: Offline club

Labels: brixton, offline, punk

Link

Just come back out from an excellent Brixton night out to discover the area around my front door taped off, and police everywhere.

It seems a 23yr old was stabbed to death. It's so tragic, and it makes me fucking angry.

Here's the taped off scene:

Labels: brixton

We had two great bands last night at Offline - and any band that has a spoon player is alright with me!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Some pics from the all-star line-up at Offline, Brixton on Saturday!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Some photos from Friday's shindig:

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Wow. Last night's Offline was fantastic - we had a special acoustic performance from fast-rising local boys The Thirst and I think the Innercity Pirates are my new favourite live band - and not just because they come from Cardiff!

The Thirst




The headliners, Innercity Pirates, put in a fantastic set. They were brilliant!





More pics.

Labels: brixton, offlie

Link

Thursday's Offline show (tonight) has got a 'Critic's Choice' rating in Time Out - do come along as there's a chuffing fantastic bill on offer and it's all for free!

Here's a flyer for the next three gigs in the Albert, Brixton.

Click on the image to see a bigger, printable version. Feel free to stick them up and hand them out to your pals!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

We've had two nice previews in Time Out for Thursday's gig at JAMM in Brixton and been awarded a 'recommended' rating. So come along and don't miss out on the fun!

Gig listing:

Star27 + Anchorsong + Apples For Everyone + Kinzli
Thu Jul 10
Jamm, 261 Brixton Road, London, SW9 6LH
* Recommended    * FREE

Off-kilter punk-pop sextet from Preston who dress up as chimney sweeps and blend Dexy's, Arcade Fire chamber pop, Sparks and The Blockheads, headline. Plus Japanese electronic beat assembler Anchorsong (aka Tokyo's Masaaki Yoshida), 'big music' made on everything from a banjo to tin whistle from the 14-piece AFE and wispy, Vashti Bunyan-style folk from Kinzli.

... and here's the review in 'Happenings':

Offline Mini Festival
 Happenings
Thu Jul 10, Jamm, SW9
Urban 75 roll out another top-shelf night of great bands, singer/songwriters, cabaret crooners, comedians and poets, and all for free. They're nice that way. Look out for Star27, Anchorsong, Apples for Everyone, Kinzli, Vic Lambrusco's Cabaret Hour, and 'a ton of top DJs'

It starts at 8.30. Hope to see you there!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

The weather continues its un-summer like path (which is fine by me seeing as I prefer the golden browns of Autumn and the crisp air of wintery mornings!)...

Here's some pics taken from my window:



Red chimney pots and Crystal Palace transmitter.


Rainbow against a dark summer sky, Denmark Hill.


Tulse Hill church spires.

Labels: brixton, photos

Friday night at the Albert with the Royal Trumpets, The Hospital Bombers and Nigel of Bermondsey was fun.
Here's some photos!











More photos 

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

We had a great live show at the Brixton Albert on Saturday with the 12-strong Trans-Siberian March Band headlining. The band bravely started their set outside on Coldharbour Lane before packing out the dancefloor inside.



I was sound engineering for the night, and I had to keep my wits about me to mix clarinets, trumpets, a tuba, a sax, vocals, acoustic guitar, hand drum and trombone!



The band were a whole heap of fun, and I hope to have them back soon...

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Sunset in Brixton, London.

Labels: brixton, photos

A quick big up for the GROSVENOR boozer at 17, Sidney Street, SW9 0TP (off Brixton Road, not far from JAMM)



It's a fabulous old school pub with two bars, a pool table and even a knees-up piano. There's large function room at the back with a growing reputation for putting on interesting rock, reggae and punk acts.

I was DJing there on Saturday night for a benefit event and quietly got happily drunk playing some thigh-slapping hillbilly/skiffle/big band tunes.

It's worth supporting venues like this, so if you're in the area, pop in for a pint!

Labels: brixton

This was one of the best Offline nights for ages - up to forty samba drummers, dancing go-go girls, comedy, dancing and more!













More pics here.

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

This was a great way to spend a Tuesday night, with indie legends Stereolab playing an intimate gig in one of Brixton's finest venues, The Windmill.

Here's a few cameraphone snaps.

Labels: brixton, gigs

Had a top night at PlanB last night, checking out Brixton boys, The Thirst doing a live gig.

Here's some pics.

Labels: brixton, gigs, plan b

The hangover's just about cleared after last night's Offline. Here's some pics:


Good chum Helen McCookeryBook plays her Offline Albert debut.


A welcome return for Mark Hibbett, blasting out his fab new single, 'Do The Indie Kid.'


The Boycott Coca Cola Experience - check out the bathtub drumkit!





Oh, I forgot to mention that the club got reviewed last week in The Londonist.

They described it as being "Like someone's friendly house party, opened up for the general public....Entertaining, friendly, and free."

Nice :)

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Some snapshots from a month in the Metropolis. 'Scure the quality - they were all taken on my itty bitty Palm Centro phone.


30th April Illicitly sneaking into the May listing is the Alabama3 anti-racism gig at the Brixton Academy - one of very favourite London venues.






Plastic glasses litter the dance floor at the end of the evening. The after-party beckons!


May 9th The fabulously lavish interior of the Shepherds Bush Empire, where we'd come to see Jonathan Richman.


It's a lovely looking venue, but the sightlines are shocking - it's the only standing venue I know where the floor appears to slope up to the stage.


After a lot of elbowing, shimmying and 'scuse me-ing, we finally bagged a half decent view.

Mind you, once we'd managed to grab a position with a view, there was no way we'd dare move to get a drink or - woe betide - try to pop off to the loo.

Jonathon Richman was fantastic, but the venue royally sucked.


15th May. The Left Outsides open up at the launch party for the debut album by Hayman, Watkins, Trout & Lee at the Gladstone in Borough.


The new album boys do their stuff. The Gladstone is a ruddy fantastic pub - warm, cosy, friendly and with some top real ale (I got stuck into the Hooky ale from Hook Norton).






16th May Cavendish Arms, Stockwell.

We loved how this little known boozer had been tarted up and the band room looked great, but the booking policy was so erratic that the place was empty and there was little empathy between the acts.

The venue has great potential though so we'll give it another go soon.


22nd May Launch party of Ivan's Retreat, Brixton Road.

This big, central Brixton boozer has struggled for ages under several names, but we went along to its latest relaunch, with the folks behind Camden's successful Lock Tavern pub now at the helm.

There was a lot of brown furniture going on, the music was indescribably bland (a bored looking DJ standing behind the decks with his arms closed hardly raised party spirits either) and the whole place felt like it should be shunted two miles up the road into Clapham.

The food looked like it might be pretty good, and the selection of the beers wasn't too shabby either, so we'll check it out again in a month or two.


22nd May Helen McCookeryBook at the Railway, Tulse Hill.

Now this is a mighty fine boozer, and well worth a visit. There's a small venue upstairs, a huge garden at the back (well, a sea of concrete mainly), good food and a lively downstairs bar.


There was some kind of super folky night going on at the Railway, and although some of the acts were quite enjoyable, when we being implored to clap along to some hippy tosh, we made our excuses.


22nd May The final gig of the night - The Amaylas at the Windmill.

The Windmill is rightly regarded as one of the finest small venues in London, and I was asked to DJ to a rather intimate crowd at an Oxfam benefit. Here's the view from the DJ decks.

I'm still not finished with the gigs yet - Friday night is Offline at the Brixton Albert, and Saturday I'm DJing at the Railway and then checking out the fabulous Actionettes at the Buffalo Bar.

Labels: brixton, gigs, london

It seemed a crazy idea: host a new cabaret night on a pub's quietest night of the week, and choose the last Tuesday of the month (when wage packets have run out) and do it the day after a Bank Holiday.



So I was all prepared for a very intimate audience at Prince Albert, Brixton, but the Cabaret Special turned out to be a heap of fun, with an ace hurdy gurdy band, top comedy/poetry acts and a headliner that got the place rocking. And lots of people turned up!



Next one is this Friday at the Albert.
We've got some great acts so come along - it's going to be a big one!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Friday was one of the best Offline nights I've ever put on with two fantastic bands and a very lively crowd.


Welsh psychedelic rockers Radio Luxembourg were really incredible - imagine a mix of ELO, Super Furries, Gorkis, Syd Barrett and punk and you might get the idea (although that does sound a bit rubbish on paper!).

Check out some of their tunes on their MySpace site, or - even better - go check them out live.



Also on the bill was the rabble-rousing, horn driven madcap ska band, Danny Fontaine and the Horns of Fury, who got the dance floor moshing wildly.



Knees up!

Labels: albert, brixton, music, offline

Link

Phew. That was a long day yesterday.

After getting suitably beered up for the trip to Wembley to witness the mighty Cardiff heroically lose 1-0 in the FA Cup Final, I had to hot foot it back to Brixton to set up the PA and sort out an Offline live music night.

Luckily, I sobered up enough to keep control of the mixing deck and the night was a hoot. Here's some pics:


The excellent 0898s onstage.


I normally hate tribute bands, but the Brixton-flavoured I Wanna Be Sedated Ramones cover band are real moshpit-filling fun.







Next Offline club on Friday 23rd May is a *really* big special with two fantastic bands: Radio Luxembourg and Danny Fontaine and the Horns of Fury. Don't miss it!

Details: Offline Club

Labels: brixton, club, offline

Link

Phew! That was a whle heap of fun last night with a fantastic bill including Shazia Mirza, Gin Riots, Mark Hibbett, The Boycott Coca Cola Experience, Vic Lambrusco, Richard Allen and DJs Nipsla, Bluestreak, Torchsong and Editor.





Comedian Shazia Mirza was absolutely hilarious, managing to insult just about everyone in the venue - and quite probably the surrounding area - while keeping us in stitches of laughter.

Look out for the next Offline on May 17th at the Albert!

Offline website

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Me: Hello Ken. I run the urban75 website where Paddick used to post
Livingstone: Is that the Anarchist website?
Me: No. The press made that up in an attempt to discredit Paddick - it's never claimed to be an 'anarchist website'
Livingstone: That should teach me not to believe what I read in the press!

Labels: brixton, ken livingstone, london, politics

Link

On Friday we headed south and up hills for an Offline gig back at the Alma, a friendly old school boozer on Church Road.



We had the No Frills Band playing a set and they were excellent as usual. You gotta love a band that packs mandolins, a tuba and a spoon player!

More pics here: Offline at the Alma



On Saturday, we grabbed a couple of beers at Mango Landing in Brixton. It's a nice, friendly bar but the service is mighty s-l-o-w.



We wrapped up the evening's drinking at the daftly named Hootananny, a large Brixton boozer which - despite some opposition from locals - has managed to get a bit of a good thing going, with free nights offering live acts.

Labels: brixton, offline, pubs

Pubs are still continuing to disappear from the area at a worrying rate of knots.

Today I took a look up Lyham Road, Brixton SW2, a road that has lost no less than four of its five pubs in the last five years or so.



I'd rushed up to catch the last rites of the Royal Oak at 2, Lyham Road - the pub was open for business only a couple of weeks ago, but the digger moved in late last week and had promptly set to work.


Attractive etched glass window on half-demolished wall. Judging by the destruction of the rest of the pub, I don't think any of these lovely windows are going to be preserved.



Another casualty was the Waggon and Horses at 206 Lyham Road, which, despite appearances, has been closed for some time.



The old Duke of Cornwall at 89, Lyham Road has had some rather bizarre alternations made to it, and the building looks quite ugly with its bolt on balconies..



There's barely anything left of the Red Lion at 191, Lyham Road, with the frontage being completely rebuilt.

Happily, the sole remaining boozer in Lyham Road, the Prince of Wales, appears to be in reasonable health for now.

See the ever growing list of closed Brixton pubs here: Lost pubs of Brixton

Labels: brixton, pubs london

Link

Last night's Offline at JAMM was a real treat with some great acts and a top atmosphere. Here's some pics:






Captain Hotknives was absolutely hilarious. We definitely want to get him back to Brixton soon!


Ukulele Gangsters sport their Slade-meets-ska image!

I later remembered that this was the 50th 'big' Offline night (so that's not including all the Albert, Alma, Charterhouse, Birkbeck College and NYC gigs). Blimey!

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

Some more photos from Friday's almighty mash-up!











Don't forget - the next Offline is this Thursday with top comedian Luke Toulson and three great live acts, plus cabaret.

More info here: Offline Club, 10th April

Labels: brixton, offline

Link

There was an almighty night at the Albert on Friday with two top bands - the DeBretts and I Wanna Be Sedated, a UK film premiere of the Last Days Of CBGBs and a stand up set from Vic Lambrusco. And it was my birthday party too!

Check out the mosh pit action!





We woke up to find a huge fire going on Brixton Road which resulted in some of our friends nearby being evacuated and the tube being closed.



Last night I was doing the sound and DJing at the Albert, with the excellent Petunia playing a live set. The (very mixed) crowd were a very lively bunch so me and Nipsla had to work hard on the decks to keep 'em entertained (and I got away with playing the mighty Welsh rockers Budgie again!)!



Best of all, woke up this morning to find Brixton covered in a layer of snow. Lovely!

Right now, London protesters are doing themselves proud turning the Olympic torch procession into a total PR farce, and we're getting ready to head off to Wembley to see the mighty, mighty Cardiff City play Barnsley in the FA Cup semi final.

Come on you Blooooobirds!

Labels: brixton, football, offline cardiff city, snow

OK, not a flake settled and it soon turned into bloody rain, but for a moment Brixton looked lovely and wintery.

I love snow. In fact, I love winter too, but the deep, thick, crisp snowfalls of my youth seem a far distant memory now.


One of my favourite memories was waiting for a train at Cefn Onn station in Cardiff after a big snowstorm:

During the winter of 1977, the snow was so bad that I found myself stood waist high in a snowdrift waiting for the morning train. Needless to say, the driver failed to see me as he hurtled past my platform, and I got blasted with a covering of snow for my troubles!

Seeing this as a sign from above to go home, put my feet up and stay in the warm, I called in sick!
Cefn Onn memories

When it comes to snow, Chicago knows how to dish up the stuff, and on my visit there in 1999 (to be a guest on the Jenny Jones Show), I was rewarded with some astonishingly beautiful snowscapes.

Chicago snow



We have been blessed with a few snowy days in Brixton over the years though, even if the snow didn't tarry for long. I miss snow.

Brixton snow 2003
Brixton snow 2004
Brixton snow 2007
Brixton snow 2007 (2)

Labels: brixton, snow

There's severe gales and heavy rain blowing in from the Atlantic tonight.



Here's the view over Brixton right now.

Labels: brixton, photos

Blimey. What a fantastic night this was. We had free freshly baked Welsh cakes, daffodils, Welsh music, Welsh video, two great bands and vast amounts of DJing till 4am.





I indulged my Welsh roots with a wildly erratic set of Welsh tunes, taking in the likes of Super Furries, Amen Corner, Manics, Gorkis, Tom Jones, Shirley Bassey, Los Campesinos, Gene, Budgie, Julian Cope, Visage and the Automatic.



More photos here: St David's Day Party

Labels: brixton, offline, wales

Link

Woot! It was great to see urban75 being listed in Time Out's "Top 50 London Websites," especially as were number one in the 'communities' section. Nice!



Elsewhere on the site, I've been obsessively updating the Brixton History features, posting up old billboards and adverts and taking a modern day look:
2-4 Atlantic Road, Brixton
58 Atlantic Road, Brixton
80 Atlantic Road, Brixton
Walton Lodge, Brixton



There's also a big feature on Quin & Axtens, a long-gone grand department store in Brixton Road.



If proof were needed that perhaps my obsession is going a little too far, my recent feature on the Public Toilets in Tate Library Gardens could be it!



Sadly the Lost Pubs section keeps on growing, with new features on the Loughborough Hotel and the Hammerton Brewery.

Still to post up are pictures from the fabulous Actionettes night at the 100 Club, Oxford Street. I'll sort them soon - honest!

Labels: brixton, london, photos, pubs

I've just finished a photo feature on this quiet little street in the centre of London.



Rumoured to be named after Jonas Hanway - the man who introduced the umbrella to the streets of London and faced of a ton of grief from hackney cab drivers for his troubles - it's a fascinating little backstreet.

See: Hanway Street feature



On a sadder note, I've had to add another entry to my growing list of Lost Pubs Of Brixton.



The beautiful Loughborough Hotel at 39 Loughborough Road, Brixton, SW9 7TB had already lost its famous ballroom to developers, but it now looks like the pub has gone too.

Read the full story here: Loughborough Hotel, Brixton closes

Labels: brixton, london, photos, pubs

Despite falling foul of what seemed like a bona fide case of the lurgy on Thursday, I felt well enough on Friday to check out the Marquis Of Lorne pub with some friends.



It's definitely not a pub for thrill seekers, party heads or ravers, but it has a certain retro charm. See: Marquis of Lorne feature



Saturday night was our first Offline of the new year at the Albert and it was a fun night as usual.



The delightful Ms Feelgood DJ'd again and made the usual mess all over the decks!

Offline pics

Labels: brixton, offline, photos

I took a little wander today around some hitherto unwandered parts of Brixton - here's some snaps from my stroll:


I'd been here before, but not when this bizarre ship-meet-mushroom slap of designerdom had been built.


Here's what used to be here - a delightful Victorian pub called The Queen, full of interesting characters, eccentric locals and frenetic late night lock-ins.

See the full story here: The Queen, Brixton



Happily, I stumbled across this beautiful pub - Marquis of Lorne - on my travels. Despite it being less than a mile from my house, I'd never heard of it before.



The pub has almost all its original features intact - look at those lovely tiles!



The walk took me past Stockwell skate park, which is still undergoing restoration.



Currently flanked by Peter's Barber Shop and a mini-cab firm right next to the Astoria, the curved windows hint at a grander heritage for the entrance to the Stockwell Partnership at 205 Stockwell Road.

The building used to host the Brixtoria Ballroom Club, which was still offering 'practice and tuition' and 'private lessons' for 90 minutes at 5/- (25p) in April 1954.

See the full walk here: Brixton and Stockwell photos

Labels: brixton, pubs, walk

A big, mixed crowd turned out to pay their respects to Khalil Nasseri, exactly a week after his brutal murder.



Family members, customers, officials and friends gave short talks emphasising community, racial harmony and the positive aspects of Brixton. The crowd then took a short walk around the market where he worked.



It was very moving and very, very sad, but hopefully the family found some comfort in the size of the crowd who showed up.

Brixton stabbing

Labels: brixton, photos

This is hopelessly, desperately tragic.

Last Saturday a 24 year old man helping out in his cousin's shop in Brixton Market was stabbed to death by a gang of men in a 'revenge' attack - over a row about a 20p orange two days earlier.



The market traders are planning a vigil this Saturday (19th) on the corner of Atlantic Road and Electric Avenue at 6pm. We'll be there.

Fatal stabbing in Brixton Market

Labels: brixton, photos

Blimey. They've certainly done a really good job on the Prince of Wales/Dex boozer in Brixton.

Last night we saw the excellent 9-strong Top Cats knocking out a storming ska set. I found myself dancing next to the 2-tone legend Jerry Dammers (from The Specials)!

The full-on, old school crowd lapped it up, and I had one of the best nights I've had out in Brixton for a very, very long time. It was fucking brilliant!



The first floor venue looks absolutely fantastic since we visited it a few years ago, with loving attention ensuring that the original features have been restored and updated.

The venue also has two floors of outside galleries, complete with a daft hot tub that anyone could jump into if they felt like it. I wasn't drunk enough for that, but there were a few folks in there, supping drinks and oblivous to the winter rain.

Labels: brixton, ska

Blimey. The Offline party at the Albert last night was such a big one I've spent all day recovering. Here's some pics - more to follow when my head gets vaguely back to normal (I fear that may take some time).









Oh, and a Happy New Year to all my readers - if there are any out there!
(I suspect I'm talking to myself most of the time, but what the hell!).

Labels: brixton, offline, photos

This year's effort -both by the council and local shops - looks even worse than last years paltry offering.





Only Brixton Station Road looks in the least bit festive, while most shops haven't bothered at all (save for some Yuletide-themed, product shifting advert or another).

More Brixton Christmas photos



Check out how it looked a hundred years ago: Brixton, Christmas, 1908.

Labels: brixton, photos