Documentary Are They Hostile? charts the punk scene and its home

Well, we all know South London is basically the centre of the musical universe. OK, perhaps champions of Manchester and the Mersey Beat will have something to say about that, but those of a certain age will point proudly to the role our neck of the woods has played in one of the seminal musical and cultural moments of the 20th century – punk rock, writes Yann Tear.

And a local fan of the genre who was immersed in it has helped put together a documentary about it all.

Called Are They Hostile?, the film charts the punk and new wave scene between 1977-82 in what they say is the birthplace of UK punk – Croydon.

Created on a shoestring by Ian ‘Griff’ Griffiths and his movie maker pal Mark Williams, it documents bands such as Johnny Moped, The Daleks, The Straps and the Bad Actors.

The film’s premise is that while there were other more famous bands who have had plenty of recognition, such as The Damned, and the Sex Pistols, this film shines a light on some of the lesser-known bands, who were very much part of the scene.

“It’s also a film about being young, being passionate, being part of something,” Griff said.

The bands all played live in the area many times, especially The Straps, a bunch of Battersea lads who usually performed at The Star Pub in West Croydon.

The title Are They Hostile? takes its name from The Bad Actors’ first single, featuring a 15-year-old Griff on drums – the youngest member of the group.

Griff, now 59, and still living in Croydon, retains the energy of that schoolkid drummer as he rattles off anecdotes at 100 mph.

He was a professional drummer for 23 years and a stand-up comedian, and went on to own a furniture company for a time.

“It was so funny, because at school the girls weren’t interested in me, then suddenly we were in Sounds and Melody Maker [magazines] and everything changed,” he said.

“They were really exciting times for us. Being in bands and playing live. It felt like a lot was going on.

“Our band kept going for four years, until 1981. A lot of those around then also lasted about that long before people went on to become insurance salesmen or car dealers.

“One joined the RAF and flew Tornado missions in the Gulf. We were all very young. “But some stayed on as musicians. One joined The Voice of the Beehive . There were always one or two in each band who carried on with music careers.

“In those days it was all very sociable. Kids do music on their phones in their bedrooms these days, but we played live and there were tons of venues.

“The Greyhound Club, The Underground Club, The Cartoon, which was a music venue, and the Red Deer. None of them exist any more.”

The film itself is fast paced and full of humour, as befits an era which gave rise to the manic energy and subversiveness of punk – and has had three airings at the David Lean Cinema in Katharine Street.

A compilation CD and limited-edition vinyl LP of the soundtrack are available on the Damaged Goods label too, for anyone wanting to enjoy the 18 tracks on offer.

“I think it’s an important part of social history and we’re still editing the film we’ve made and testing the interest in it,” Griff said.

“It will be interesting to see whether it captures the imagination of people outside of Croydon.”

With Croydon becoming London Borough of Culture next year, the timing could hardly be better.

 

All pictures: Mark Williams and Griff Griffiths