Fighting for a Cause
I was
speaking to Daughter One a couple of days ago about the Sandringham Hotel in
Newtown where she works. This is one of the iconic live music venues left in
Sydney and unfortunately it has gone into receivership. Bank West has taken
over the running of the Hotel while they work out what they will do next
(although I think they may know but are not telling anyone). I’m not going to
go into the nuts and bolts of the business problem and how it appears to have
happened but the one thing I do know is we cannot afford to lose another of
these live music venues for the sake of all the up and coming musicians that
need somewhere to interact with audiences not to mention the bands that have
been around for many years that still play to packed houses.
The most
interesting side to the conversation with my daughter was the passion to fight.
They are organising rallies, contacting every person that will listen within
the industry, meeting outside work premises to strategise to save the pub. This
is the owner, the managers, the staff and patrons working together for a cause.
She made a comment that my generation was lucky, we had lots of causes to fight
for, and then used the Vietnam War as an example. Our direct involvement in
this conflict started 50 years ago this month and ceased in December 1972 so I
was a little young to be involved in protests but still have vivid memories of
news broadcasts and visiting Concord Repat Hospital and seeing wounded soldiers
being cared for.
My Daughter
is a passionate person with a love of the written word so she has been delegated
the job of creating statements and flyers. They have created a Facebook page
‘Save the Sando’
In her
words -
A haven and a hub for
creativity,
The Sando illuminates and inspires,
showcases and supports.
Whether artist or enthusiast,
this iconic venue is not only a building but a mind set.
The one hundred and twenty year old beat you feet still can't stop tapping to.
The link that binds us,
The home that welcomes us,
For the history she holds
And the future she could,
Save our Sando, Save our Scene.
The Sando illuminates and inspires,
showcases and supports.
Whether artist or enthusiast,
this iconic venue is not only a building but a mind set.
The one hundred and twenty year old beat you feet still can't stop tapping to.
The link that binds us,
The home that welcomes us,
For the history she holds
And the future she could,
Save our Sando, Save our Scene.
Below is a
message from the owners of the Sando from their blog page:
JUST A SMALL WORD OF THANKS…
To Everyone Who has Supported the Sando,
If you’ve ever attended a gig at the Sando, played
there or even just spent some time shooting the shit and having a drink or two,
we’d like to thank you so much for your support and the energy you provided us
with to keep the old place running. It’s been a labour of love and a truly
extraordinary ride. Sadly, we are no longer working at the pub but we have not
given up the fight and we will continue to try and find some solution, some way
to keep the Sando running as a live music venue for as long as we can. For now,
that’s where all our energy is being channelled.
The shows will still go on for the immediate future
(we’ll still keep you posted on what’s happening) and if there’s any chance of
saving the Sando, we need to ask you not to give up on the place but to head on
down to the peeling pink building at 387 King Street, Newtown as often as you
can. The more people that walk through the door, the more chance we can
preserve the Sando legacy. It may not be us running the show but at least
there’ll be a show. As some old bastard once said, “it ain’t over ’til the fat
lady sings” so come see a band now and make sure the fat lady never gets her
chance!
Tony and Kim Townsend
 |
| Tony Townsend |
I am very proud of Daughter one for her passionate
stance. Technically she really should be out looking for another job but
instead she is working twice as hard not just at her job but trying to save
this iconic venue. I would be doing exactly the same thing if I was in her
place.
A special fundraising show to raise funds for the
Save Our Sando Save Our Scene Campaign will shake the Sando on Thursday 16
August 2012. This very special Ska and Reggae Show features: Pat Powell &
Friends, Chris Duke and The Royals, Handball Deathmatch and Sunday Dub Club
DJs. All are donating their services for the evening to support this important
cause. All door takings will support the Save Our Sando Save Our Scene
Campaign. The Sando simply can not be lost from the Sydney Scene. Come &
support this i
mportant show! $10 Entry.
Pat Powell & Friends – Pat is a singer with serious street cred having fronted many successful bands including Club Ska, Sly-Tone, TenWedge & Neptune Street and has played many internationals supports from Queen, The Eurythmics and James Brown to Sidney Youngblood, Technotronic, Luciano and Horace Andy. He’s vocally supported many of Australia’s top recording artists over the years including Kylie Minogue, James Freud, Jenny Morris, Toni Pearen, Tina Arena, Margaret Urlich, Max Q and Paul Mac to name a few. Pat has a voice that will take you on a journey you hope never ends… strong, dark, powerful, mesmerising.
Chris Duke and The Royals are a Sydney-based six-piece party punk / ska band whose high energy, low-cholesterol gigs have been entertaining literally dozens of fans (citation needed) since 2005. Their contagious blend of lyrical wit, an upbeat sound and dynamic stage shows have been well-received in many Australian cities, with the possible exception of Ulladulla.
Handball Deathmatch - Handball Deathmatch are a 4 piece punk/ska hybrid. They enjoy a nice glass of Cottee's, some good cheese and some classic music. HBDM started out in July 2011 and began making music for your entertainment!
Plus Sunday Dub Club DJs.
Pat Powell & Friends – Pat is a singer with serious street cred having fronted many successful bands including Club Ska, Sly-Tone, TenWedge & Neptune Street and has played many internationals supports from Queen, The Eurythmics and James Brown to Sidney Youngblood, Technotronic, Luciano and Horace Andy. He’s vocally supported many of Australia’s top recording artists over the years including Kylie Minogue, James Freud, Jenny Morris, Toni Pearen, Tina Arena, Margaret Urlich, Max Q and Paul Mac to name a few. Pat has a voice that will take you on a journey you hope never ends… strong, dark, powerful, mesmerising.
Chris Duke and The Royals are a Sydney-based six-piece party punk / ska band whose high energy, low-cholesterol gigs have been entertaining literally dozens of fans (citation needed) since 2005. Their contagious blend of lyrical wit, an upbeat sound and dynamic stage shows have been well-received in many Australian cities, with the possible exception of Ulladulla.
Handball Deathmatch - Handball Deathmatch are a 4 piece punk/ska hybrid. They enjoy a nice glass of Cottee's, some good cheese and some classic music. HBDM started out in July 2011 and began making music for your entertainment!
Plus Sunday Dub Club DJs.
Check out on Face Book: http://www.facebook.com/events/271922349579710/
 | |
| 387 King Street Newtown New South Wales 2042 |
The ‘Whitlams’ got their start at the Sando and
have penned songs about it – the most famous ‘God drinks at the Sando’
‘He'll come in and sit by me
In the grainy light of four o'clock
He sits on his hands a lot
He's kind of nervous
I don't think he's got much money
But he's got the time of day
'Cause God drinks down at the
Sandringham these days
Since the Shakespeare changed its
name
He drinks down at the Sandringham
these days
He's what we call alright around here
Talks a bit, he likes to sit
Watches people come in and smiles
Somehow we're part of him
We nod and chat a while
He drinks slowly like it's holy
From a glass that always looks half
full’
Words
and music by Tim Freedman and Justin Lowe
Read more: WHITLAMS - GOD DRINKS AT THE SANDO (1997) LYRICS http://www.metrolyrics.com/god-drinks-at-the-sando-1997-lyrics-whitlams.html#ixzz23Nt6sMTZ
Copied from MetroLyrics.com
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