Boards
Burn Koko
hah
'Burn Koko' song puts music fans in a spin
nlnews (at) archant (dot) co (dot) uk
27 June 2007
A new single called Burn Koko about the famous Camden nightspot is dividing opinion among music fans.
Koko, which used to be known as the Camden Palace, was at the heart of the indie music scene in the 1990s - playing host to bands including Blur, Pulp and Suede.
It was taken over and re-branded as Koko in 2004 and since then acts ranging from Coldplay and Babyshambles to Prince and Christina Aguilera have played there.
The song Burn Koko by indie band Subliminal Girls is an attack on the current indie music scene and features the lyrics "Burn Koko, to the ground, send them all back to the Ministry of Sound".
Rory Berrie, 26, of Harmood Street, Camden Town, said: "The song is pretty punchy and they do have a point.
"Indie used to mean non-mainstream people enjoying the music for the content and the meaning, not the context or the clothes. The thing that puts me off Koko is the 'NME' thing - it means it'd be full of snotty teenagers in skinny jeans and I'd feel old!
"Koko wasn't on my live music map until Coldplay launched their album X&Y there. It isn't on my normal list of indie venues like The Forum, The Garage and Alexandra Palace."
But Ray Charles, 19, of Camden Town, said: "I've heard Burn Koko and it's alright, but I think Koko is alright too - you can still go there and have a good night.
"It's quite a big statement for the Subliminal Girls to make, especially when they're a new band and aren't very famous yet."
Nicky Biscuit, 25, who plays synth in Subliminal Girls, said: "I like 'spit and sawdust' indie nights where it's a pound a pint, and where the kids are there because they like music, not because it's the place to be seen."
She added: "It's not so much Koko we hate. Koko is used as a common focal point for people. Koko itself is a nice venue but it's so over-priced."
No comment was available from Koko as the Gazette went to press.
Subliminal Girls are playing at 8pm at the Proud Galleries in The Stables Market, Chalk Farm Road, Camden Town, tonight (Wednesday).