Venues again

More London music venues we've liked

In the beginning, there was a canal, with a few twee, hippy-type shops around it and a music venue called Dingwalls. At least, that's how I remember Camden Town in the early 70s. I found Dingwalls a bit beery, smelly and depressing (maybe I just had a few bad nights there), but it was a good place to see medium-sized gigs, as well as being something of an institution, thanks to its location and relative longevity. It became Jongleurs when someone decided that comedy is the new rock 'n' roll and has now been revamped as Lock 17.

The Bass Clef: Hoxton - when it wasn't fashionable

The Bass Clef was a jazz club in an area which was, in the mid 80s at least, profoundly unfashionable, namely Hoxton. At night, it was dead - except for the Bass Clef which I remember standing out from the surrounding area because it was the only building that wasn't completely dark. The BC was a little more civillised than your standard rock venue, in that at least it had a restaurant that served food you could actually eat. More to the point, it also had something about it that made you feel you were getting more than the mass produced, rock ritual experience offered by most venues at the time. The BC I remember coincided with the (very) brief jazz resurgence of the mid-to-late 80s, but I think it might have become more dance-orientated as the area trendified around it. It became the Blue Note in 1993, where, I must admit, I have never been.

The George Robey RIIP

Finsbury Park in North London was once quite a musical place, what with the Rainbow and the George Robey. I once saw this described as a 'dog on a string' type of pub, which isn't completely fair, although it has to be said that it wasn't the most salubrious of venues. Extended to include a music venue and club, and painted a startling shade of blue on the outside, the Robey was opposite the Rainbow, and in the mid 80s played host to numerous bands, as well as club nights, noteably the legendary Club Dog. In 1996 it briefly became Powerhaus, part of the Mean Fiddler operation, but is now empty.

What were your favourite places to see bands?

Where did you like to get on down of a night? Leave us a message about your old stomping grounds.

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Messages

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Message:	12/12
Date and time:	09/11/2009 at 21:48:05
Sender:	Mark Ellicott - Manager Bass Clef 91-4

Hi Peter and all. Sorry this a year late ! Hope all is well. Working at the Bass Clef in those days such a privilege. A wonderful time. Went on to Fridge, Forum, Astoria and now at Heaven in Charing Cross. mark@heavennightclublondon.com

Message:	11/12
Date and time:	17/09/2009 at 14:56:10
Sender:	Mark13

I loved the old Robey back in the day for punk gigs and trance allnighters, and then worked for the place after the Fiddler took it over. The atmosphere wasn't quite the same, but there were still some great nights there - D.O.A., the regular Warp Records night, even Rammstein played there the first time they came over to the UK. I had hoped it would be refurbished again, as work started on it a year or so back, but that seems to have stalled, and it's been a shell for ages now. I expect it will be flattened and replaced with more bland blocks of yuppie flats as happened to the pub round the corner (the Globe?). Other sad losses over the years - the Marquee, the WAG, Gossips, the Limelight, the Astoria, the LA2, the Ghetto, Sin and Metro. Not a lot of point in going into town looking for fun these days, really...

Message:	10/12
Date and time:	12/04/2009 at 13:16:11
Sender:	Tom Barwood

I worked at the Bass Clef for years as a Sound Engineer. It was an unforgettable experience. On a good night it was packed, hot, sweaty, smokey and unique. It was poorly paid and the conditions often exasperating for the engineers, but the vibe was unbeatable. To work alongside world class musicians at such close quarters was magical. The staff were amazing. There were a lot of artists, musicians and other creative people and we had a ball! For all the difficulties I remember it with great affection. Thank you Peter, Barbara, John Armstrong and all the rest for a special time. With love Tom

Message:	9/12
Date and time:	24/03/2009 at 17:44:51
Sender:	David

I worked in the Bass Clef for 3 years while a student. It was a very special place 'clublands best kept secret' Norman Jay used to say. It hosted many musicians from around the world in fields of Jazz, Latin and African music. Venues today seem sterile in comparison. Peter I think Mark went on to work for The Forum / Brixton Academy.

Message:	8/12
Date and time:	11/02/2009 at 19:33:13
Sender:	TonyF

The Manor Hse pub Tubby Hayes, Vic Feldman, Jimmy Deuchar etc. Them were the days Maggie !!

Message:	7/12
Date and time:	11/01/2009 at 12:58:22
Sender:	Peter Ind

Hi I am glad some people remember Bass Clef! I am writing a book about it if anyone wants their comments added.I am interested to know who wrote the original description above? But I responded to this because I am trying to get in contact with Mark - we all lost contact and we sent him a card but he must have moved - Mark where are you? Peter

Message:	6/12
Date and time:	13/11/2008 at 00:29:39
Sender:	Nigel

The Prince of Orange Rotherhithe_great jazz venue, went to see rent party everytime they played there . Microgroove just about everywhere they played-The Orange club in Fulham, Bass Clef Hoxton, Amersham Arms

Message:	5/12
Date and time:	12/11/2008 at 10:15:59
Sender:	Steve

Move back up north from London in early 90's - shame these venues have closed - have good memories of them both. Played the George Robey the same night as my mate's band - they had Mari Wilson singing backing vocals for them as a favour. The same year I saw Alan Holdsworth at the Bass Clef. Niiiiice!

Message:	4/12
Date and time:	08/09/2007 at 23:16:13
Sender:	brianrault@hotmail.com

FANTASTIC JOINT MISS THE DOG NITES PUNK ALLDAYERS ALL THE BEST GIGS WENT ON IN THERE GREAT PLACE JERSEY PUNX

Message:	3/12
Date and time:	31/07/2007 at 17:14:53
Sender:	Big Mark

I managed the Bass Clef for the owner Peter Ind around 1989. It was a fabulous place with fabulous atmosphere. I miss the club and have many fond memories of this time.