NM[E|A] / Set the GPS for the heart of the pit

[hirez]

Inspired by re-enacting an invasion of York (Swedish craft, Norwegian passengers, confused English pilot), here's an entertainment for the weekend: a venue quiz. Gig-going types with t-shirts of a certain age should have no trouble with any of them

Comments

[nemesis_to_go]

I'm rather surprised at myself - I just zipped through the list in an off-the-top-of-my-head manner, and got a fair chunk of them (with a few doubtfuls along the way).

I'm assuming you're thinking of the Metro in a certain major city in Illinois, as opposed to all the other Metros out there (like the one on Oxford Street, for example)?

I also seem to recall there were two Town & Country Clubs at one time...

Supplementary question: one well-known London venue has changed its name four times over the last 20-odd years. In the early 80s it was known as the Sundown. In the later 80s it was Busby's. Name its two more recent identities. [Clue: you've almost certainly been there to see goth bands!]

[hirez]

Metro: Yes.

The thing about the venues on the Peel/NME/T-shirt Indie circuit is/was that they were always prefaced by the location. I can't now think of one without the other.

I'd forgotten about the London one. There's a fascinating section in an early collection of Tom Wolfe essays ('The pump house gang' IIRC) where he's covering the Mod scene in London, and goes on at some length about something that sounds like the basement of Kenny Market, but that lives under Oxford Street. I can only guess that The Metro is what's left. I wonder if there are abandoned cellars in the place stuffed with three-button suits?

Um. Borderline?

I was going to put The Red Eye in, but can't remember where it was.

[nemesis_to_go]

something that sounds like the basement of Kenny Market, but that lives under Oxford Street. I can only guess that The Metro is what's left.Maybe he meant the Marquee. That venue actually started out in Oxford Street as a jazz club...and then all the modernists started going down there to see blues bands, and the rest is history

[zotz]

Copenhagen Street. Back of Kings Cross.

[bogwitch64]

Ok, totally off topic but every time you use that particular user pic, I always think you have a reeeeeally long cigarette in your mouth. Just thought I'd share. /g/
Wish you were coming this side of the pond for the reunion in August.

[hirez]

Going for that Clint Eastwood/James Coburn vibe? I fear I'm closer to Clint Mansell.

August would be a complete laugh. Oh for a private income.

[bogwitch64]

We'll be a few laughs short without you but we'll raise a cup your way and then maybe another...and another...

[jozafeen]

Your boxes are too small for some of them sir! Perhaps that just indicates I wasted too much time raking round the uk watching bands.

[hirez]

No, it just means that I've not been to many northerly gigs. I should probably have put in Wigan Casino, too.

[lucifein]

Thing is there's two Cricketers for me. Mod scene and all that. 100 Club isn't up there, I see. Nor is the Hungry Years. >:P

[hirez]

The one I'm least unfamiliar with is in Cambridge. Where's t'other?

[lucifein]

Sarf london.

After doing this quiz, I came over all nostalgic. I had been thinking back to the times when I lived in London and hung with the Untouchables. Went to clubs like The 100 with the likes of Conrad Mobley, Maz, Tony Class, David Lennie etc. none of these names mean much to anyone unless they were part of the Mod scene in Northmpton or London in the 80's. >:P

[echo_echo]

Some of those are chains...so Top Rank and Bierkeller could be several locations