Bull and Gate – Down At The Front

2013 Review Addendum – A sad goodbye to the Bull and Gate

Paul Hudson — Mon, 06 Jan 2014 21:43:49 +0000

Something I forgot to add to my review of 2013 was a special mention of the closure of the Bull & Gate pub.

The Bull and Gate has been a stalwart on the London gig scene for 30 years with bands such as Blur, Nirvana, Manic Street Preachers, Muse, Coldplay, PJ Harvey all played this venue. But it was also the first opportunity for countless less successful bands. I suspect if you know somebody who has played in a band in the last 20 years, they probably played this venue.

I have to admit, I didn’t use the venue as much as I should have. I’d occasionally drop in to see a random band and always pop in for a pint before a gig at the Forum. But I have fond memories of friends’ bands playing here. So I was sad to see it go.

Maybe it’s a sign that the music landscape of London has shifted westward towards Shoreditch, or more likely it’s a sign that there’s more money in ‘gastro pubs’. But it’s sad when a venue with such a strong history is closes.

The pub closed in May to be gutted and re-open as a ‘foodie pub’ in the autumn. Sadly, when I walked past the venue in November, it was still closed and there was no sign of any work having started.

Sad day.

Barabica – A friend’s band playing at the Bull and Gate in 2004

The Ukrainians in 2011

The Naturals in 2012

Cold in Berlin in 2012

The Chapman Family in 2012

Ultrasound playing the closing evening

Ed Harcourt closing the evening with a good old sing song

Bull and Gate closing evening

Paul Hudson — Fri, 17 May 2013 21:05:33 +0000

Chapman Family

Paul Hudson — Mon, 02 Apr 2012 18:33:29 +0000

I stumbled across the Chapman Family through the excellent documentary ‘Sound It Out’, a documentary about Teesside’s ‘Sound It Out Records’. The excellent soundtrack features a number of Teesside bands. Their first single was actually released through record label ‘Don’t Tell Clare’ which I think was ‘Sound It Out Records’ short lived record label.

I’m from Teesside. It’s an area with little going for it. As an area that built-up around heavy industry, it’s struggling with the closure of most of them. Successive governments have failed to tackle the high unemployment. Leaving many kids without much future. The Chapman’s Family’s music very much represents the area. All Teessiders have a ‘them and us’ attitude and this comes out in their music. Kingsley, the lead singer, is clearly annoyed with the way much of the country is oblivious to the effect of successful governments policies on Teesside through their pandering to the Middle Classes in the Home counties. A view most Teessiders agree with and it’s a view I agree with.

Tonight’s gig at the Bull and Gate, suffered from some sound problems, with Kingsley’s vocals a little too low in the mix. But the energy and passion of Kingsley means that they’re always watchable. Tonight was no exception.

The Naturals

Cold in Berlin

Chapman Family