A big weekend is planned in Deptford and New Cross on May 5th and 6th, with loads of live music happening in local pubs and other venues (including one very exciting international act, fingers crossed). Keep an eye on Rocklands for emerging details. Anyway for the programme I've come up with a Transpontine Top Ten of songs/artists linked to the area. In no particular order, here it is:
1. The Only Living Boy in New Cross (1992): Carter the Unstoppable Sex Machine had a top five hit with this tale of ‘greboes, crusties and goths’
2. New Craas Massakkah – Linton Kwesi Johnson (1984): dub poet’s take on the 1981 New X Fire.
3. Up the Junction – Squeeze (1979): South London kitchensink drama from band who started out on Deptford Fun City records
4. Mad Dot – The Band of Holy Joy (1986): ‘when I walk up the New Cross Road when I’m starved and I haven’t been fed’.
5. Nancy Boy – Placebo (1996): former Drakefell residents who met in a pub in Deptford.
6. Action Time and Vision – Alternative TV (1978): Deptford and ATV’s Mark Perry started Sniffin’ Glue, the original punk fanzine.
7. Gravity’s Rainbow – Klaxons (2006) :first single on Angular records when they were just a little band in New Cross. The song title references Thomas Pynchon’s novel, which features a rocket explosion in Greenwich Park.
8. Cloudbusting – Kate Bush (1985): Kate started her career living in Brockley and playing gigs at the Royal Albert in New Cross Road and the Rose of Lee (now Dirty South)
9. Judy Teen – Steve Harley & Cockney Rebel (1974): glam rocker grew up in New Cross.
10. Death Cab for Cutie – Bonzo Dog Doo-Dah Band (1967): Bonzos met at Goldsmiths in New X, performed this song in The Beatles ‘Magical Mystery Tour’ film and gave a name to current US emo rockers.
Fairly arbitrary I know, the list could be a lot longer. What would your suggestions be?
I just discovered your blog searching out Band of Holy Joy tracks. I've read it from head to toe and am now fascinated enough to read some of the sister blogs about South London too. I live in New York City, but was born in Louisiana, and raised in Colorado. I've been to London once, years back. Loved it actually, but you're take on South London has me intrigued. Should like to look up more info on the subject. Oh yeah, and thanks so much for Mad Dot! I hear BOHJ have reformed, I hope with Johnny Brown!
ReplyDeleteGood - not sure about Klaxons credentials though. I saw them play at the old Distillery in Deptford but I'm sure if they are from the area I think they were just passing through. But I could be wrong
ReplyDeleteImagine putting together a CD of songs referencing New Cross and Deptford!