Back in the day, the yummy mummy heartland of Hampstead was the scene of some rather less-than-yummy activities. Hampstead Heath was, and is, known for racy nocturnal activities and not-very-twee cottages frequented by such illustrious figures as Joe Orton.
Still fairly messy, but less illegal, was the fantastic indie night club called Sausage Machine, held in the titchy basement of the White Horse Pub (on the corner next to the bus terminus by the Royal Free Hospital). Put on by Paul Cox, from Too Pure record label, all kinds of cool bands played; Gallon Drunk, PJ Harvey, Therapy, Silverfish, Th’ Faith Healers, The Keatons, Teenage Fanclub, Pram, Moonshake. Lots of Riot Grrrl, and proto Riot Grrrl bands like Huggy Bear, Mambo Taxi and Bikini Kill. They also had the best, and messiest, New Year’s Eve parties.
Some gigs featured pretty big names.
Ok, Suede weren’t that big in 1992, but they were bigger than the White Horse.
There was always lots of ‘Camden lurching’ going on and the room was so small that there was always a crush and people falling over the front of the, very low, stage. The basement room was reached by a treacherous spiral staircase; the scene of many a tumble.
I don’t have any photos from the Sausage Machine, just a few flyers and posters.
This poster for the 2-day 4th Birthday party in 1992 (?) has clues about which four bands were playing.
Can you guess?*
If I find any more posters or flyers in the course of my rummagings, I’ll post those later.
TTFN
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moose and hobbes 