New ROSE: 40 Years of Croydon Punk
22 OCT
Across Croydon
Saturday, 4-6pm
The launch of the St George’s walk New Rose art display (under the old Nestle tower, outside the former Greyhound) with live music, an open bar and punky/reggae DJ action. Prints of original artworks can be ordered. Short talks from key people who were part of the scene at the time, and an ‘open deck’ opportunity for old punks to bring along their cherished 45s and not only have them played, but also have a chance to say a few words and share memories from four decades past. Live acoustic sets from St Evel, LaFlamme and a full band set from Neck.
4pm start (DJ / open deck)
4.30pm Stuart Collins introduction and Captain Sensible
4.50pm DJ / open deck
5pm St Evel / Laflamme acoustic sets + DJ / open deck
5.50pm NECK (full band)
6.30pm close and up to The OVAL TAVERN
Saturday 7-11.30pm
The punky reggae party moves to the Oval Tavern, with more classic punk standards and modern twists on the punk ethic from St Evel, Matilda’s Scoundrels, and LaFlamme.
All supported by Croydon Council, Croydon BID and Punk London…
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Forty years ago, on 22 October 1976, Croydon’s The Damned released their song New Rose. This is acknowledged as the first commercially available punk single, and marks a truly significant date in the Punk London calendar, as the capital celebrates 40 years of this important subculture.
Not only were The Damned a Croydon band, but they regularly played at The Greyhound (more recently known as the Blue Orchid) alongside all of the other main punk acts of the era. During the heyday of the scene The Greyhound was one of the most important live venues in South London and Surrey.
The art that punk built – and a punky reggae party On Saturday 22 October, 40 years to the day after the release of New Rose, the area around the entrance to the former Greyhound will be transformed with historic and contemporary artwork that commemorates the anniversary of the release of New Rose. The walls of St George’s Walk and the windows of the old Nestle building will be covered in a montage of old and new artwork – from record sleeves, badges and posters dating back to 1976, to modern interpretations of the punk ethic created by modern artists. One of these, Gavin Kinch, has recently produced the hugely well-received ‘town that love built’ series of prints depicting modern Croydon viewed through the lens of stylised film and travel posters.
