The Long Blondes at the Amersham Arms

Until a year or so ago, the Amersham Arms was the glowing gem of the New Cross golden mile of pubs - somewhere to retreat after hours for a late drink which always felt like it wasn't legit, even though it probably was. Definitely no entry after midnight, unless you knew the bouncer... one of those tremendous Irish boozers without which life is much greyer.

But a year ago it shut, and late last year it reopened as, er, the Amersham Arms once again. But this was a different beast, run by the people behind the Lock Tavern in Camden and Defectors Weld in Shepherds Bush. It took me to last night to visit it, though - because the fantastic Long Blondes were giving us a peek at their second album there. A gig on my doorstep? Will wonders never cease?

And, er, well, it's a bit pleased with itself there, isn't it? A very Hoxton-ish crowd (did we not shut shut the East London Line for nothing?) with all the ridiculous hairstyles and stupid attitude that brings, too conscious of themselves to notice anyone around them. Maybe it was just the night, but it felt very cliquey there, and miles away from the scruffy old back-room venue it replaced (although they still haven't shifted the pillar in the middle).

Things were made worse by a horrendous support in risible Sheffield hip-hop act Kid Acne. And then the sound failed, meaning the band didn't come on until half-past ten. Aaaaargh...

I dunno - for years, and years, and years, we've desperately needed a decent gig venue in south-east London, ever since The Venue gave up the (credible) ghost in the mid-1990s. The new Amersham is more interested in clubs, and understandably so because the pillar ruins the sightlines. But despite the still-thriving New Cross scene, it feels a bit alien to SE14; especially when you've got home-grown talent showing its wares just a couple of hundred yards away at the New Cross Inn.

As for the Long Blondes' new stuff - the jury's still out there as well, I reckon. I saw them at Primavera Sound in Barcelona last summer, on a huge stage by the Mediterranean, and so seeing them on a tiny stage by the A2 was always going to be different.

They're clearly trying to move away from the boy-meets-girl Sheffield stuff, working with clubbing royalty Erol Alkan and moving to a more electro-influenced sound. I'm not sure if it works - the Amersham's knackered sound system didn't help - and Kate Jackson (sporting a new, shorter haircut) is such a warm frontwoman that that slightly colder sound doesn't seem to suit at first. but there's every chance it'll pick up with familiarity. But the closer they got to their guitar-pop roots they got, the warmer the reception was. Jackson's charisma also means it's hard to imagine them getting a bad reception for this difficult second album. Couples is going to be an intriguing record - I look forward to hearing it, and seeing them again when their new sound has warmed up a bit.

As for the Amersham - can't see myself going back there in a rush. But at least we've got some kind of credible venue around here these days. But it does remind me that I should get down to the New Cross Inn some day and see what's really going on down there...

Comments

[Pauly]

What else is going round that way? Wish I'd had the kanckers to buy aplace when I should go and have a look one day.

[Pauly]

Also, If you changed your template so that the permalink had the title of the post in it (I can help if you give me a shout) It'd make these posts show up better in searches I think. I can't believe you still don't have ads on here, I get a little bit of pocket money each month from mine and you must get more traffic. I often click on ads of blogs I read.

[Inspector Sands]

You're assuming I want this to be popular ;-)

As for everything else, as far as I can tell it's centred on the New Cross Inn (the Paradise Bar is a proper pub again) with installations and other things in the Goldsmiths-owned shops opposite. But I'm too old to notice now!

[Ben]

Enjoyed the couple of new songs they played at Glasto last year, but there didn't seem to be much of an electro direction signalled then. Intrigued (if not positively excited) by the sound of the new stuff.

[Ian]

.....and don't forget the Montague Arms. There's loads of nights going on there these days. Every Thursday,Friday & Saturday, and the odd Tuesday, Monday etc too. The opening of the Amersham has meant that fewer people venture that extra 1/4 mile to that end of New X. Still gets a good turn out when there's good stuff going on though. And their Sunday roast is still the best in New X.