New Cross scene

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The New Cross scene was the name given to the music press' recognition of the existence of a small coterie of post-punk revival bands that had sprung up in New Cross, London in 2003/2004. New Cross had long been the focus of creative enterprises thanks to Goldsmiths College being situated there, though these were more associated with art and film. However, thanks to the college, a number of bars, and music venues are also situated there (such as The Montague Arms, The Amersham Arms, The New Cross Inn, The Venue Cellar as well as various squats). It has since been referred to as the 'New Camden' or the 'New Hoxton [1]', perhaps by those disillusioned with the more touristic aspects of both former cultural hot-spots.^{[verification needed]} It has certainly benefited from being on the fringes of the East London scene currently in the ascendant (as typified by Babyshambles and Razorlight).

In 2004, Angular Records released the first of a series of compilations, Rip Off Your Labels. This had the fortune to feature future major label acts Bloc Party and Art Brut, as well as the likes of The Swear and The Vichy Government. A second compilation featured The Fucks and The Long Blondes. The bands associated with the New Cross scene and by definition Angular Records have been said to be 'post-punk' by virtue of the studied approach and repeated mentions of Pere Ubu, Wire, Talking Heads and even Adam and the Ants as influences.^{[citation needed]} However, in comparison to the New Wave of New Wave a decade before, the bands have avoided derivativeness by incorporating newer influences such as Sonic Youth and Le Tigre. It should be pointed out that the scene benefited hugely from the exposure given to the likes of Franz Ferdinand and other angular acts in 2004.

Some critics have claimed that the New Cross Scene is somewhat in debt to Britpop.^{[citation needed]} However it should be seen as more of a rock music revival for the area as New Cross/Deptford has long had a strong music scene especially punk music (including bands such as The Inner Terrestrials). The folk band The Moveable Feast were created in New Cross and the in the late 60's many of the Bonzo Dog Doo Dah Band lived in the area. The American jazz musician Gil Scott Heron once played at the Goldsmiths Tavern as did The UK Subs and The Inspiral Carpets .

Since around 2002, the New Cross scene has been championed by a younger collective of musicians and gig promoters, mostly students of Haberdashers' Aske's Hatcham College and Chist The King sixth form college. Despite frequent and popular gigs in the area, the bands involved (including Colonel Mustard, Junior Asthma Club, Holly Escapes!, The Ubernators, Eleven IQ, Gebus, and Baculum) have not received much media attention. However the New Ska/Reggae/punk outfit from Thamesmead SE28, The Rank dleuxe, have recently taken New cross and London by storm. With appearances on XFM, Radio 1, And numerous write ups in NME magazine they are putting SE14 on the map once again.