I'm feeling nostalgic - All because I heard some shitty news yesterday.
It turns out that despite receiving a petition signed by 35,000 people asking them not to do it - the powers that be are finally going to shut down and redevelop the site of the London Astoria.
What a downer.
More than anything else it's just a shame that the love people have shown for this venue is overlooked in favour of the more profitable option. Once again, it would seem that "money talks".
It's my understanding that the whole operation is part of regenerating London in time for the 2012 Olympic games. The site will actually become part of a huge new train station. The mayor has pledged to provide a larger music venue near to the original location, which is a nice gesture but I think he's missing the point. A larger venue would do nothing at all to retain the appeal that the Astoria has always held. It's a big enough venue to attract established acts from around the world but it's never lost it's intimate club feel.
I've been going there since I was about 16, mainly to see rock and metal shows. I've lost count of how many but off the top of my head.Love/Hate, Skid Row, Anthrax, Audioslave, Corrosion Of Conformity, Tomahawk, Bad Brains, Deftones, Korn, Alice in Chains, Fu Manchu, S.O.D., Helmet, Feeder, Apes Pigs and Spacemen, Will Haven, Backyard Babies, Queens of the Stone Age, Money Mark, Rollins Band.
By far my most memorable moment was seeing a reformed Black Sabbath in a one off club performance. Something I thought that I'd never get the chance to see. I'm still in awe that I managed to get a ticket for that one!
Good times.
In other news, I've not got much to report. Work has been fairly tough this week so I've pretty much been up to my eyeballs with that.
Downtime has been a rare pleasure, but spent listening to this.....
and this.....
And by reading this......
Until next time,
Stay safe.
It turns out that despite receiving a petition signed by 35,000 people asking them not to do it - the powers that be are finally going to shut down and redevelop the site of the London Astoria.
What a downer.
More than anything else it's just a shame that the love people have shown for this venue is overlooked in favour of the more profitable option. Once again, it would seem that "money talks".
It's my understanding that the whole operation is part of regenerating London in time for the 2012 Olympic games. The site will actually become part of a huge new train station. The mayor has pledged to provide a larger music venue near to the original location, which is a nice gesture but I think he's missing the point. A larger venue would do nothing at all to retain the appeal that the Astoria has always held. It's a big enough venue to attract established acts from around the world but it's never lost it's intimate club feel.
I've been going there since I was about 16, mainly to see rock and metal shows. I've lost count of how many but off the top of my head.Love/Hate, Skid Row, Anthrax, Audioslave, Corrosion Of Conformity, Tomahawk, Bad Brains, Deftones, Korn, Alice in Chains, Fu Manchu, S.O.D., Helmet, Feeder, Apes Pigs and Spacemen, Will Haven, Backyard Babies, Queens of the Stone Age, Money Mark, Rollins Band.
By far my most memorable moment was seeing a reformed Black Sabbath in a one off club performance. Something I thought that I'd never get the chance to see. I'm still in awe that I managed to get a ticket for that one!
Good times.
In other news, I've not got much to report. Work has been fairly tough this week so I've pretty much been up to my eyeballs with that.
Downtime has been a rare pleasure, but spent listening to this.....
and this.....
And by reading this......
Until next time,
Stay safe.
VIEW 3 of 3 COMMENTS
Question: Did any of your pictures of us from your camera turn out better than mine (light-wise or what not)...
Sorry to hear that London is destroying history to move forward. I think it's a mistake.