Come down to the Fiddlers Elbow on Friday 6th November for the Launch of the Save London Music Campaign

As regular readers will know, The Barnet Eye has been instrumental in setting up the Save London Music campaign. We have our official Launch party this Friday. There are four great bands playing, who all showcase just what a magnificent music city we have. Why do we need a campaign?

* London Music Venues and Studios are closing at an alarming rate
* Londons next generation of musicians need venues and studios to flourish
* Music is one area where the UK leads the world but without the London music scene this will change
* People come from all over the world to listen to music in London venues, as they close, London becomes a less attractive destination
* Musicians come from all over the world to use Londons excellent music studios, if they close, we will lose his vital source of creative regeneration.

To whet your appetite for this fantastic event, here is a taster of what you can expect. We've chosen an eclectic line up featuring London based musicians, with roots all over the world. Entry is free and the fun starts from 7.30pm

Our headliner is the Mighty Dell Richardson of Osibisa





Next on the bill are The False Dots. Here is a taster from their forthcoming album "Songs of Love and War"




Then we have the amazing Hamptons




And the simply awesome Black Doldrums

The Bohemia Music Night - Friday 4th October

Hamptons live at the Bohemia music night

Regular readers of the blog may have noticed we've been less prolific in our output than normal recently. Unfortunately (or perhaps fortunately) for our readers, we have other work commitments and have been exceptionally busy of late. This means that the time for researching various themes we normally cover has been restricted. Much as I'd love to spend all my hours working on the blog, I have to pay the mortgage and buy food for the kids & dogs. I have several big projects on the go. Perhaps the biggest is the new documentary film about Capita. For the two films we made last year, we simply got a stack of people of interest locally to come in and talk about subjects that they care about. For the new film, we need to do a whole stack of research and the interviews are located around the country. The logisitics of what we are doing are ten times greater.

I also have my other business interests and work to do. This is busier now than any time in the last couple of years. In all of the juggling of interests and work I have to balance, the thing which has suffered most is my music. I have had little chance to pick up a  guitar, let alone spend time writing songs. This has been a source of much grief to me. Since the age of 15, I have dedicated the vast majority of my spare waking hours to making music. To have no time to do this is a huge strain.

On Monday I received a text from my friend Helen Michael, who runs Cafe Buzz in Finchley. The new tenants in the Bohemia had decided to have a music night. Could I provide a sound system and lights? As my business is a music studio and hire business, dedicated to promoting the local music scene, I could hardly refuse. Helen also asked if I could supply some musicians. I would have dearly loved to have played myself, but having no time to rehearse, niothing prepared and most of my regular collaboraters available, I had to sit it out.

Instead I took on the role of sound man/stage manager for the night. I arrived at 6.30pm  with a PA, lights and a Dj station to get the show on the road. I arrived to meet Pete Phoenix, the organiser and work out the program. Due to the lack of lighting, the first phase was to set up the stage lights. Local green activist, Mike Gee had built a stage and so the area was well prepared. Having set up the lights, the nest thing to do was set up the PA and get some music on. For such events, I find that some chilled out reggae is a pretty safe bet. Having got the music going, I quickly soundchecked the mics and we were ready for the acts.

As I was working and pretty busy all night, I didn't have the luxury of a pen and paper to write notes. I was quite excited to find out that one of the performers was Charles Shaar Murray  who was a writer at the NME when I was a young punk rocker. Seems like he's a big friend of the team at occupy who reopened Friern Barnet Library. I'd have loved to have had a beer and a chat with Charles about rock and roll, but I had to keep busy and keep my mind on the job. 

As with many such "Open mic" arrangements, the evening evolved. It started off with Pete Trip, a bluesey song writer, We then had Ellie, a 12 year old singer who gave a stirring performance, much to the delight of the large contingent of friends and family. Next up was Anna Chen, poet and collaborater with Charles Shaar Murray. Carole gave a few readings which chimes with the crowd. For her final reading Charles joined her, on his dobro slide guitar. Charles then played a few solo numbers, reminiscent of his finest hours with Blast Furnace and the Heatwaves.  As an officianaodo of such music, it was a rare treat. Next up was the real star of the show. This is where the lack of a notepad etc came in. I didn't catch her name (wait for Mrs Angry's blog I am sure she won't make the same schoolboy error as me). Anyway, for her act, a piano had been provided. She gave a barnstorming set of music, despite an out of tune piano and a whole host of other problems. How to describe? Well if Little Richard was a white female from the London Borough of Barnet, with a sprinkle of filthy humour, you'd be pretty near the mark. 

Rock and Rokll Sons live at the Bohemia

Next up were the Rock and Roll Sons. They played an acoustic set of fine rock and roll music, with a slight flavour of country rock thrown in. I must add that this is not their normal set which is full on rock and roll. I thought that the acoustic treatment gave the songs a real edge and a great feel and showed the depth and strength of Fil Ross as a songrwriter.

Then we had another guy who I didn't catch the name of, who is a star of the Occupy/ssquatting network. He gave us a diverse and humourous set, getting across a few important points in the mix. He shot off after three numbers as he had to "be in Deptford".

The penultimate band were "Hamptons", featuring Charlie Honderick, who gave a rousing acoustic renditition of some of their finest numbers. Last up were a new band, so new I didn't catch their name, but they gave us a good sing along to a few recent hits. 

All in all it was a great night. Arranged at short notice, no alcohol on sale (but food and drink available at Cafe Buzz over the road), well over 100 people turned up and everyone had a great night. 

There was also some good news from Phoenix. The landlords are working on a custodian deal with the occupiers, whereby they are granted leave to stay on agreement that if and when suitable tenants are found they agree to leave amicably.

Many local right wing pundifiles have made all manner of disparaging comments about the occupiers. Most of these are ill informed. Firstly the occupation is not illegal. The occupiers have not broken the law. They are meticulous in their observance of it. Secondly, it has been suggested that the occupation would make North Finchley less attractive. This is nonsense. The worst thing for a town centre is empty shops. A community run centre with activities and entertainments is a boon. There has also been a string of comments about "taking other peoples property". This is again nonsense. All along the occupiers have said they would vacate upon a suitable tenant emerging. They are just making sure an empty building does not go to rack and ruin. Having people in a building safeguards it. Pipes don't burst, fires aren't started by rats chewing through cables. The new tenants are meticulous in their concern for neighbours. In the course of the evening, Pete Phoenix took regular sound readings and was keen to ensure neighbours were not disturbed. My guess is that of all the places having music and events in Barnet last night, the best one to live next door to was the Bohemia.

My hope is that Mitchells and Butler, the owners find a great tenant. In Mill Hill we've a couple of excellent pubs, such as the Adam and Eve and the Rising Sun, run by management who know what they are doing and who have enhanced the area. If we can make Barnet a place where there are good pubs and great communities, we all win.

A mega weekend of music on your doorstep !

I am just about to set off to the Adam & Eve pub in Mill Hill for an evening with legendary guitarist Alan Warner. Alan has played with legendary soul outfit "The Foundations" since the 1960's. Admission is free and it will be a great night. This will be the fourth gig I've been to in three days. On Friday night, we went to Kenwood House to watch Suede and British Sea Power. It was a fantastic setting and a great show. Brett Anderson was on top form. There can be few nicer ways to spend an evening than listening to music in the grounds of such a beautiful place with the one you love. It is rather magical.

On Saturday night, I played host to two excellent up and coming local bands at Mill Hill Music Complex. Hamptons are an excellent rock/pop band, headed by documentary film director Charles Honderick. Checkout their track "Peace" - I believe it is a classic


He is an excellent singer and frontman.  On friday, the band will open the Brownstock festival. I predict great things. The other band are Mill Hill Rockers "The Rock and Roll Sons" lead by Fil Ross. They are a heavy but melodic rock band, again picking up widespread interest. They were featured in a radio show on Friday in Newcastle and took over the show for 40 minutes ! If you like your rock and roll they are a band to keep an eye out for. They have a string of local dates booked.

This lunchtime, I went to the Highgate Jazz Festival to see the Scott Hamilton/Alan Barnes Quintet. This festival is staged by Bradely Allen,  a talented Sax player and customer of mys studio. We were official sponsors. The show was at Lauderdale House on Highgate Hill, another excellent venue. It was a most pleasant way to spend Sunday afternoon and the fun continues tomorrow.

People sometimes say that nothing much happens round here. I beg to differ. I have seen some excellent music on my doorstep. You just have to know where to look !

Our Barnet - Barnet unites to reject an uncaring council

NSL traffic warden tickets car whilst parked on yellow line

What a day it was. It started for me at Cafe Buzz in Finchley. I had the role of organising the music side of the days entertainment. I had arranged to meet the bands and finalise arrangement at Cafe Buzz. I had barely rolled up when an NSL parking warden arrived, parked on a yellow line and proceeded to ticket a car (whilst still wearing his helmet which is a contravention of the rules). You can see Barnet blogger Mrs Angry watching with disbelief in the foreground. Amazing that the outsourced parking firm seem to think they are above the law, which applies to the rest of us.

The death of trust in Barnet Council

Outside Santander Bank on Finchley High Road, traders had set up a symbolic display to mourn the death of the High Street. A coffin adorned with posters explaining the effects of Barnet Council policies on local trade and adorned with the number plate "DEATH" greeted shoppers. The band HAMPTONS, serenaded the parade from this location as it passed. Rather bizarrely, someone asked me if the coffin was a PR stunt for the new Batman film as the bus rolled past?? Clearly there is more work to be done getting the message across.

The protest bus rolls up to victoria park

The bus was adorned with messages and slogans

Having watched the parade and the bus pass through North Finchley, myself and Charles Honderick, who was filming the parade for the follow up to"A Tale of Two Barnets" jumped in the car and made our way to the entrance of Victoria Park to await the arrival of the parade and the bus. The sight was magnificent. The one thing you cannot ignore is an open topped double decker bus, resplendent with balloons and posters. Especially when it is lead by a march of hundreds of people. Barnet Council may lead the way in stupid unpopular people, but they are losing the battle to win the populations trust.

The parade arriving

Hamptons entertain the crowd at Cafe Buzz afterwards

The bus was decorated with all manner of placards, posters and slogans. The entire back of the bus was covered with a Save Friern Barnet Library banner. This was a graphic demonstration that the protest was not simply about protecting the jobs of Union members, but rather a rally of the whole community against a sustained attack. A whole host of speakers addressed the crowd. We had Rabbi Newman, explaining that as a community we have to ensure the council supports the weaker members. We had Stan Davison, a Barnet pensioner, explaining how the council are making life impossible for local pensioners.

GLA rep Andrew Dismore explained how his election and the removal of Brian Coleman had allowed the London Fire Authority to reverse 

Colemans ban on the public addressing the authority and how he is working for the people of Barnet and Camden. Youth Parliament member Elliot Forlan explained how young people are bearing the brunt of the policies of the government.  I also spoke and explained how Barnet bloggers were cooperating with the Parliamentary committee to end the practice of highly paid executives working as consultants to dodge tax at Barnet Council. Afterwards one disabled old lady told me she thought this was disgusting at a time of cuts. Quite true !

After the rally finished, many of those in attendence made their way to Cafe Buzz in Finchley High Street, for music, food, drink and entertainment. Music from Hamptons, Radfax and Keith Martin and delicious food from the Cafe (with Councillor Andreas Ionnedies jumping in to assist with the cooking as crowds grew) was a suitable end to a tumultuous day.

After everyone had gone home, I was left in Cafe Buzz finishing my beer with Helen Michael, the owner. Helen told me she was off to dinner with Tirza Weisel, the BAPS organiser of the rally. As I looked at Helen mopping the floor of her cafe, a strange thought occurred.

It is only a year since Barnet bloggers found out that Councillor Brian Coleman was about to abolish pay and display parking in Barnet. I wrote a blog detailing Colemans sneaky plans to nobble the local High Streets. Just suppose I was Dr Who and I had a Tardis? If I went back exactly one year and had walked into Cafe Buzz and said "Helen Michael, how will you be voting in the GLA elections next year", she would have replied "Conservative of course, I've always voted Conservative".

If I had then said "Helen, exactly one year from now, you'll be a hero of the anti Conservative movement in Barnet, you will have appeared on national TV (ITV Tonight) denouncing the policies of the local Council, you will have been interviewed by the anti terrorists police for your activities against the local Conservative GLA representative, your business will have been nearly brought to it's knees by their policies, you will have featured in countless press and blog atricles, your will have had a coffin displayed outside your cafe, with a picture of the local Conservative Candidate on it and in One year's time you will be speaking from the top of a bus, adorned with slogans supporting Trades Unions, addressing a large crowd of members of the Labour Party, the Green Party, Trades Unions as well as hundreds of local residents, to tumultuous applause", I'm sure she would have kicked me out of the cafe and called me a lunatic. That is what the policies of Barnet Council have done to Helen and many other local traders. 

In fact the story is so completely bonkers, that I wouldn't believe it myself if I read it in a book or saw a film of it. Maybe Helen Michael should ring her cousin George (you know the one who likes a bit of a sing song and sometimes falls asleep in his car when he's tired) and see if he fancies backing the production of a film about it? I think it's a great story (unless you happen to be Helen who simply wants to run her business).