From
pub rock to here...
All
those back in the day music nostalgia fests consuming T.V-screw yer eyes up and
study the grainy film stock......Who is that band on the tiny stage?. F*ck me it's
Spandau Ballet! There's Madness! The Damned, Joy Division, U2, Ian Dury, The Stranglers........
The
Hope and Anchor. It's 70's pub rock/punk history is very well documented as is
it's involvement with Stiff Records and Elvis Costello/Clash manager Jake Riviera
so we wont bang on about it at length in this forum. Suffice to say the term legendary
is no exageration.
Less
is known of it's 80s squat punk era, but a valuable platform for incisive Hardcore
combos from The Stupids to Rudimentary Peni was assured.
Unfortunately
when recession hit London and gentrification got Islington in it's limp but persuasive
grip The Hope and Anchor was sidetracked into wine bar obscurity.
However
after a couple of years awaiting licences and good will Bugbeasr Bookings took
the venue back into the frontline of the North London gig circuit in 1996 and
has continued to host nights to this day,having previously showcased the likes
of The Cooper Temple Clause, Hope of the States, The FutureHeads and Ash.
The
esteemed chaps who now give ye ArtRocker also got involved introducing a
fine selection of U.S coolsters and Noodlecore beatniks (Tortoise, His Name Is
Alive et al) and co-promoting a legendary Jon Spencer Blues Explosion gig with
Bugbear.
The
esteemed songwriters showcase that is Big Note continues to provide an excellent
contrast to Bugbear's punk-funk ethos and at Neon on tuesdays you can check out the best in punk/metal/alternativeness..
With
it's low, low ceiling ,drum sound friendly brick back drop and you-can-see-up-the-singer's-nose
punk rock vibe The Hope and Anchor is a fantastic gig. There will be a refurb in
the near future and a big re-opening event, so keep hitting bookbugbearbookings.com for
details.
See
you down there!
