Drifting Through The Streets - Episode 1 - Sex Pistols in Rotherhithe and The Crunchy Frog

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"Drifting Through The Streets" is a new series where Neil 'Controlled Weirdness' and Neil 'Transpontine' tell stories and tales around areas and locations of esoteric subcultural interest. Welcome to Episode One, set in Rotherhithe, South London where in 1975 "The Sex Pistols" rehearsed and tried out a variety of singers for their new band.

Everybody knows about the Sex Pistols and the Kings Road, but what role did a rehearsal studio in Rotherhithe play in their early days? Digging deeper, the building sometimes known as the Crunchy Frog was a rich cultural hub in the 1970s and 1980s, home to Waterside studios and the Warehouse theatre and linked to alternative music and theatre subcultures.

In the first episode of 'Drifting Through the Streets', Neil Controlled Weirdness and Neil Transpontine discuss how 99 Rotherhithe Street connects experimental/radical theatre scenes, Early Music, 1980s jazz nights and pre-rave warehouse parties with a cast including Peter Christopherson (Throbbing Gristle/Coil), DJ Nicky Holloway, Lol Coxhill, longstanding folk band Blowzabella, and Tiffany's dad from Eastenders (socialist actor Gavin Richards). Deeper still we discuss the earlier history of the building as a dockside granary and its role in the 1889 dock strike led locally by Tom Mann and the South Side Central Strike Committee. We also touch on other tales from the immediate area including the now demolished house associated with Princess Margaret, John Betjeman and Marlene Dietrich (59 Rotherhithe Street), Jessica Mitford's stay at no. 41 and the link to the Krays murder of Jack The Hat McVitie. Thanks to Linsey Pollak for sharing some memories and flyers, and to the Salt Quay pub for serving up some cool pints on a hot riverside afternoon in Rotherhithe Street.

If you visited, performed at or were associated with The Crunchy Frog/Waterside/Warehouse Theatre please tell us about it in the comments as we would love to know more.

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If you enjoy this video then also check out my podcast "Tales From A Disappearing City" which features other untold subcultural stories from past and present. Link below as well as other places you can find us.

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