There was rock and roll reverberating along the streets of east London last Sunday, as the Urban Voodoo Machine led a march to the Clerkenwell Festival after party.
Rock’n’Roll in the streets with the Urban Voodoo Machine at the Clerkenwell Festival Read More
A while ago, I wrote a piece entitled, “Building and buying an extra small, super-portable drum kit for gigging drummers,” and it proved to be one of the most popular …
Bash! Thwack! It’s a Dennis The Menace drum kit! Read More
I can’t remember the last time I saw a fully-fledged one-man band in action, so it was great to see this fella knocking out tunes on a full traditional rig in …
A traditional one-man band strums and bangs on Cardiff Queen Street Read More
The posters on the urban75 boards have voted in their top 30 albums of the year, and there’s a cracking selection on offer. Over 200 albums were nominated, and there’s …
Top 30 albums of the year for 2013 as selected by urban75 Read More
Born Ronald Wycherley in Dingle, Liverpool in April 1940, Billy Fury worked as a deck hand on the Mersey tug boats while teaching himself to play guitar and write songs. …
Billy Fury remembered by Liverpool docks sculpture Read More
I guess it was only a matter of time, but it was still sad to see that the long-serving JB’s record store in Hanway Street, central London has closed down.
Another West End record store bites the dust as JB’s, Hanway Street, London closes Read More
There’s a lot to be said for using a modern small drum kit: they’re less hassle to move about, lighter to carry and can be put up and taken down …
Building and buying an extra small, super-portable drum kit for gigging drummers Read More
Sad to hear this morning that the independent UK monthly music magazine, The Word, will be publishing its last issue in July 2012.
So, farewell The Word Magazine, you’ll be missed Read More
On Saturday night there was a big Brummie party to be had at the fabulous Spotted Dog pub in Digbeth, as part of the Flatpack Festival.
Doing the Digbeth Shuffle: Actionettes at the Flatpack Festival at the Spotted Dog, Birmingham Read MoreI trust you’ll forgive me if my memory about this Offline Club night isn’t as good as it might be, but it was my birthday party too!
The Worry Dolls at Brixton Offline – and my birthday! Read More
Wedged between fashionable recent incomers in Brixton Village (Granville Arcade) is the Music Temple record and CD exchange, a fantastic place to track down rare reggae records.
Vinyl reggae galore at Music Temple records, Brixton Village Read More
There may be a certain truth to the assumption that working in the music business is a cool job, but after spending years working at gigs and clubs in a wide …
From bands to DJs to soundmen: The Hierarchy Of Cool At A Gig Read More
People can talk about the death of the music industry and throw figures around, but nothing brings its demise into sharp focus more succinctly than this graphic plotting sales over various formats from 1973 to 2009.
Here’s what the death of the music industry looks like Read More
Mrs Mills was discovered while working as the superintendent of the typing pool in the Paymaster General’s office in London in the early 60s. Her catchy piano style and jolly, …
Mrs Mills, pub party pianist extraordinaire – we salute you! Read More
Prompted by a thread on urban75, here’s two of my worst reviews – and boy are they shockers! This one below appeared in NME about my punk band, Beggar. We …
My worst ever band reviews in music papers Read More
This is why Brixton is the best place to live in London: where else can you see a fine bill of indie bands, curious acts and a girl tap-dancing to, …
The curious case of the Tap Dancing Smiths fan (video) Read More
She was absolutely fabulous! One of my fave Offline gigs this year! More pics here.
Ella Edmondson at Offline Club, Brixton Read More
I’ve seen some great gigs at the Astoria in central London, but the end came on 14th Jan, 2009 when the venue was closed to make way for the construction …
London Astoria: nearly gone Read More
Allow me to introduce a youthful photo of me near Rockaway Beach, on the Rockaway Peninsula in the New York City borough of Queens, circa 1986 – a trip taken …
A trip to Rockaway Beach, 1986 Read More
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 …
Offline Club mayhem! Read More
We love the 12 Bar Club. It’s one of the few old-school live venues left in central London that hasn’t either been closed or turned into a ghastly style bar. …
We love the 12 Bar Club, London Read More
Last night, we went east to The Boiler House, in the Old Truman Brewery, right in the heart of trendy Brick Lane to see the mighty Human League in full …
Human League live in Brick Lane Read More
We managed to blag our way into an invite-only Cherry Red party tonight at Dingwalls in Camden. And there was free beer! On the bill was JimBob (from Carter USM) …
The Monochrome Set at Dingwalls Read More
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 …
Offline – skiffle, ska and comedy mayhem! Read More
We had a hoot at the Kilburn Luminaire on Saturday with ‘Go-Go A-Peel’ a show out on by our favourite 60s all-girl dance troupe, The Actionettes. The Action Men, Theoretical …
The Actionettes: Go-Go-A-Peel, Luminaire Read More
There’s a great free exhibition of rock photos by Keith Morris at Proud Galleries, 32 John Adam St, WC2 (back of The Strand). There’s excellent archive photos of the Damned, …
Nick Drake photos @ Proud Galleries, London Read More
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 – …
Radio Luxembourg at Offline Read MoreAccording to the BBC, Morrissey is considering representing the UK at the 2007 Eurovision Song Contest. After posting the news on a thread on urban75, several wags offered suggestions for …
Morrissey for Eurovision! Read More
The urban75 selecta have listed their 30 top CDs from 2006 – check out who’s been rocking their world here:urban75’s albums of the year 2006 Happy bloody Christmas, Brixton 2006 …
Christmas in Brixton & the Top 30 CDs of 2006 Read More
In case you’re wondering what the above is about let me explain – the first is the written sound of the mighty drum roll intro to the 1980s stadium-thumper, ‘In …
Flats in Dagenham! Flats in Dagenham! Kate Bush! Read More