The Worship St Irregulars » islington

Music Mondays…

vvv1979 — Mon, 20 Jul 2009 18:45:42 +0000

It’s been a week of reflection since I decided to break some unwritten rules of my London. Last Monday evening I: 1) Went to a gig on my own 2) Went to a gig on a Monday 3) Ventured further north than City Road without the backup of my home-boys. I found myself having a quiet pre-gig pint downstairs in the wonderful Lexington, highly entertained by their weekly Music Pub Quiz. Upstairs lay the draw for this timely and momentous occasion. I was about to see a band from L.A. make its debut outside America known as Local Natives.

Quite apt, as upon being left awe struck at their mesmerising performance, I am sticking my neck out to say they will soon become very timely and very momentous; words I fear Jools Holland will utter before announcing them on Later. Made up of members from popular Orange County band Cavil At Rest, this 5 piece utilise 1.5 drumkits, 0.75 keyboards, 3 guitars, 4 harmonic voices plus a broken cymbal that creates a live sound that has energy unbound that takes there agile and cascading recorded sound to another level. Nothing smacks of the usual folky bandwagon loveliness, there is blood, sweat and full on rock’n'roll all over the stage. Stand out tracks ‘Airplanes’ and ‘Sun Hands’ showcase everything I’m getting excited about. I don’t want to, but I keep thinking of comparing them to Arcade Fire meets Simon and Garfunkel, but in a good way.

Local Natives – Sun Hands

[See post to listen to audio]

Support for this outstanding, and apparently quite regular, Rockfeedback evening came from YourTwenties, a fresh and melodic pop band from Devon fronted by ex-Metronomy man Gabriel Stebbing. The very much deserve a praise worthy mention, especially for the much hyped track ‘Billionaire’

Your Twenties – Billionaire

[See post to listen to audio]

Bars an’ that

chairmanmeow — Sat, 28 Mar 2009 13:32:49 +0000

Since I have some spare time on my hands, I have begun my life’s works, my Sistine Chapel if you will. The link to the Google map below highlights what are, in my mind, the best bars, clubs and pubs in North & East London. Please feel free to comment on any notable omissions and I will ignore as appropriate. Also note I have added a little summary of most of the places to assist in your decision-making process.

This will eventually be a permanent link somewhere on the site.

Best Bars & Clubs in North & East London

Things to do in North East London when you’re dead – Islington

chairmanmeow — Mon, 26 Nov 2007 18:59:18 +0000

Everyone knows Angel is haemorrhaging with bars and restaurants but my tip is to ignore the chainy glare of Upper Street and take a stroll down Essex Road, you’ll be pleasantly surprised.

Old Queens Head – this place has been going from strength to strength over the last couple of years and is a major player in the local scene, attracting auteur acts from across the musical spectrum to its unfeasibly small upstairs room.

The New Rose – officially my first local in London, hence I will always have a soft spot for this perennially packed boozer with perks. The food is good, the jukebox is not bad (although not as good as the jukebox at the Enterprise in Camden) and it attracts a fair amount of hotness for those sifting the market like a frugal East End granny.

Le Mercury – bustling French restaurant with the winning combo of ambience and affordability.

Salmon & Compass – dive in here at the bottom end of Chapel Market for booging and mayhem.

If I was making a perfect Angel-based cocktail the ingredients would be:

The Chairman’s winning Angelic Cocktail

1 meal in Le Mercury/S&M Café (Essex Road)
2 civilised post dinner drinks in Old Queens Head/New Rose
1 small slice of karaoke at Carling Academy (‘Feeling Gloomy’ nights only)
1 free pouring of rave at either Electrowerkz (Torrens St. behind Angel station) or Salmon & Compass at the end of Chapel Market.

The Chairman’s fucked up Angelic Cocktail

1 boozy lunch on Upper Street (the Bull perhaps?)
1 afternoon session (served on the rocks) flitting between the New Rose and Old Queens Head
1 zesty jaunt up to Upper Street (again) to the Hope & Anchor and Buffalo Bar to check out some bands
1 small shot of a journey on the 43/271 bus up to Nambucca for free-poured portion of rave
1 messy taxi to Shoreditch with undefined destination (54 Commercial Street, Turnmills/Fabric, Departure, the Gutter).