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I grew up in Croydon, which was a cultural graveyard made only partly bearable by the fantastic Warehouse Theatre. (It’s still a cultural graveyard, but now with added Ikea and knife crime.) Music was my only outlet, but there was a serious lack of live music, so it was two turntables (and occasionally a microphone) for me. I spent an unhealthy proportion of my time hanging around in record shops, listening to 12″s that I couldn’t afford and waiting for something exciting to happen. Nothing exciting happened, so I got out of Croydon as soon as I could.
I vaguely recall Big Apple Records in Surrey Street being one of those record shops, purveyors of white labels so obscure that even I had no idea what they were - all shiny black sleeves and illegible marker pen. Now I discover that Big Apple Records was the spiritual home of dubstep in its early days.
Bastards. They could have told me they were planning a musical revolution.
Tags: Big Apple Records, Croydon, dubstep
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June 24, 2008 at 2:14 pm
L-Dog
Well how quick you are to ‘dis’ your roots! I use the word ‘dis’ to illustrate exactly the culture that Croydon supports and nurtures. It is a cultural experience in itself, touched by Streatham yet deeply rooted in Warlingham filled with roaming gangs of hoodies who meet at South End with gangs of soccer mums to see who has the best ride; a blacked out SUV with 20″ rims or a black SUV with 20 kids. Like many other cultural gifts the diverse South London mecca has imparted to this world, I feel I must highlight Kate Moss, the Croydon Facelift (look it up!), highest density of Reebok Classics per square metre and of course Luna House, where sexual favours come free, or not if you’re an immigrant allegedly.
I must also add that Big Apple may have been the spiritual home of dubstep, but lest you forget that Wax City Records played an integral part of the rise of early drum and bass in London, God rest its soul, R.I.P.
June 25, 2008 at 7:22 am
Paul Currion
L-Dog - while I respect your intimate knowledge of Croydon and agree with all your points (especially about Wax City), I can’t help but notice that you sold your flat in leafy East Croydon and moved even further away that I did from our ancestral home…
June 25, 2008 at 12:59 pm
L-Dog
Indeed you are correct, I saw that the australian culture not dissimilar to our own was ripe for conversion to the ways of Croydonites. I have moved to spread the word and the cultural acceptance that it’s okay to wear sports casual clothing at all times. So far its not been the success we had hoped for, the natives are more into vests and workboots, country music is popular and utes are plentiful.
The next step is to try the introduction of ‘innit’ into the vernacular.