Maps

This Is Not a Good Scene (But We’re Still Proud)
Sketches from the London Scene 2005.

2005 saw major press attention turn away from the nations capital for
the first time and focus on ‘New Yorkshire’, a motley collection of bands
from the north of England, spearheaded by the eclectic tones of the
Long Blondes and Forward Russia. In truth this needed to happen. For
a couple of years now the London scene had become stale and
contrived, dominated by meat and potato rock bands who were
obsessed with the Libertines and dreams of Arcadia, delivering
whatever diluted message they had in an increasingly contrived and try-
hard manner. Week in week out I would turn up at London venues to
watch Pete and Carl wannabe’s like Thee Unstrung and The Others ply
their trade in the simple hope that the bloke from Poptones might sign
them, or at least put them on at the Rhythm Factory. Ironically, when the
media attention focussed on London shifted away to the north, a new
group of bands emerged in our capital with the room to breath and
develop as the saw fit. These bands didn’t dress the same or act the
same, but they instead became part of a community that promoted
individuality through music.

Other highlights of 2005? Try the dance floor mash-up of Ladfuzz’s ‘Oh
Marie’ single, or the way Snow White spent 2005 inducing tinitus of the
whole of London with some of the most intense showings of Big Black
style punk rock outpourings before turning around and in true punk style,
splitting up. They left us with this special message posted on their
website- "a big FUCK YOU to all the sound tech’s, crap promoters, shit
bands and general twats who made some of our gigs unbearable."
Classic. Its also worth acknowledging the assimilation of former London
underground heroes Art Brut, Bloc Party and The Rakes into the
national consciousness, proving that indie music doesn’t have to be for
the select few.

And what about 2006? Well, there is the debut single from London’s
punk queen Theoretical Girl to look forward to, as well as the rest of the
Fake Product record labels roster- The art punk teen flip outs of Pink
Riot, the huge post rock of Collapse. Klaxons are the most exciting
band I’ve seen recently, mixing the hedonism of old school rave music


This Is Not a Good Scene (But We’re Still Proud) Sketches from the London Scene 2005.
2005 saw major press attention turn away from the nations capital for the first time and focus on ‘New Yorkshire’, a motley collection of bands from the north of England, spearheaded by the eclectic tones of the Long Blondes and Forward Russia. In truth this needed to happen. For a couple of years now the London scene had become stale and contrived, dominated by meat and potato rock bands who were obsessed with the Libertines and dreams of Arcadia, delivering whatever diluted message they had in an increasingly contrived and try- hard manner. Week in week out I would turn up at London venues to watch Pete and Carl wannabe’s like Thee Unstrung and The Others ply their trade in the simple hope that the bloke from Poptones might sign them, or at least put them on at the Rhythm Factory. Ironically, when the media attention focussed on London shifted away to the north, a new group of bands emerged in our capital with the room to breath and develop as the saw fit. These bands didn’t dress the same or act the same, but they instead became part of a community that promoted individuality through music.
My favourite of these bands was undoubtedly Good Shoes, for me, the band of 2005. From Morden at the end of the northern line, their sound as streamlined and angular, following in the tradition of numerous amazing post punk bands, but with a youthful energy and pop song writing suss which was fresh and inspiring. I was lucky enough to catch them for the first time at the beginning of the year, playing to a handful of revellers at the New Cross Inn when no-one knew or cared who they were. Their songs were instant classics, and I fell in love. ‘Blue Eyes’, ‘Never meant to hurt You’ and ‘Small Town Girl’ took simple everyday subjects and layered them thick over memorable melodies and choruses directed straight at the heart. Each gig I attended saw Good Shoes fever grow, and one fateful evening at the Saturday night meat market know as ‘Frog’ they became my new favourite band. During that gig everything that could go wrong did. Instruments broke, microphones went missing, and the sound was awful, yet the power of Good Shoes' songs and the enthusiasm of the crowd blew me away, and I knew I could be watching a very important band for 2006.
For every light there is darkness, and as Good Shoes got the party started four young men from Finsbury Park in North London took it upon themselves to bring a little shade into all our lives. Twisted Charm’s sound was dark and derelict, their lyrics lambasted scene fakers and London's myriad of bad points, but they did it to a dance beat that was righteous and thoroughly addictive. Their single ‘London Scene’ was the definitive 7" of 2005, all frenzied drum and bass action, parping James Chance-esque sax (who would have thought that one of our top bands would be influenced by James Chance!) and Nathan Doom's apocalyptic vocals. London finally sounded on fire. Neil’s Children had always been a band ahead of their time. They had originally been thrown in with the Rhythm factory crowd and featured in NME’s famous ‘London’s Burning’ article in 2004, but in reality their music had always been more intelligent and intense then any Libertines comparison. In 2005 they took their sound to a new level, embellishing their PIL meets The Jam beginnings with traces of dub reggae and pop
and disco hooks, and cementing their reputation as one of London’s most exciting and visceral live acts in the process. White Rose Movement proved that having style doesn’t mean lacking substance. Five good looking kids, in ‘Love is a number’ and ‘Alsatian’ they provided two of the best pop singles of 2005, combining the synth overtones of the likes of the human league with the black heart of Killing Joke. There next single 'girls in the back' is their best yet, and their album 'kick', scheduled for a february release, will be the soundtrack to many people's 2006. Battle was another band turning heads. If other London groups were intent on rocking out it was battle who reminded us that introspection can also be fun. Their songs have depth and class, referencing the Smiths and New Order, and Jason Bavanadan is currently one of the best vocalists and lyricists in London.
Other highlights of 2005? Try the dance floor mash-up of Ladfuzz’s ‘Oh Marie’ single, or the way Snow White spent 2005 inducing tinitus of the whole of London with some of the most intense showings of Big Black style punk rock outpourings before turning around and in true punk style, splitting up. They left us with this special message posted on their website- "a big FUCK YOU to all the sound tech’s, crap promoters, shit bands and general twats who made some of our gigs unbearable." Classic. Its also worth acknowledging the assimilation of former London underground heroes Art Brut, Bloc Party and The Rakes into the national consciousness, proving that indie music doesn’t have to be for the select few. And what about 2006? Well, there is the debut single from London’s punk queen Theoretical Girl to look forward to, as well as the rest of the Fake Product record labels roster- The art punk teen flip outs of Pink Riot, the huge post rock of Collapse. Klaxons are the most exciting band I’ve seen recently, mixing the hedonism of old school rave music
with New York indie dance cool on standout track ‘Gravity’s rainbow’. Check out their myspace page to be blown away. Angular Records return with the Debut EP by Wet Dog, three young ladies who have clearly been ingesting the Slits and The Raincoats for lunch, and thank god for all of us that they have. In fact if I have one prediction for 2006 it is that women will be the future of London rock. You should also google these bands- The Sailplanes (Sonic Youth attack) Teenage Mutants (Two Girls, Star Wars Costumes, amazing songs that last 10 seconds) Kissing Cousins….the list goes on. The truth is that London is alive with the sound of music. Hearts beating as one in sweaty clubs, on the dance floors of Brixton and Old Street, in the cramped rehearsal rooms of New Cross and in student digs the length and breath of our great city. Fuck Pete Doherty. That stuff is over. Vive le Rock. Vive London. The future is here. By Andrew Moran * Andrew plays drums in The Violets and guitar in The Swear. They are good too. www.theviolets.co.uk .....www.the-swear.co.uk Photography by Paul Madden