...Places of Southend Punk Significance...
The Van Gogh
Punk Rock
Sue and Van Gogh Promoter Dave Tulloch
Entry in Dave Tulloch's diary for Van Gogh booking
Evening Echo news clipping 1978
Solid Waste and The Vandals - Live at The Van Gogh - 15.05.78 - Press Advert
The Vandals - Live at The Van Gogh
The Vandals - Live at The Van Gogh
Mik Bostik
Mik Bostik
The Van Gogh - Audience
The Spurts Live at The Van Gogh
The Spurts Live at The Van Gogh
The Spurts Live at The Van Gogh
The Spurts Live at The Van Gogh
'25th Anniversary Pogo' - Ticket
Dave Tulloch outside The Van Gogh (now offices)
Punk Rock
Evening Echo news clipping 1978The Van Gogh in Paycocke Road, Basildon was one of the key punk friendly places in the area in 1978, and provided a great focus for the evolving local punk scene. Dave Tulloch, the co-founder of Strange Stories and co-manager of The Machines had originally booked a series of dates at the venue to give The Machines a weekly residency of several weeks, but unfortunately the band was in the process of disintegrating and so Dave started to cast his net wider and started a series of classic nights at The Van Gogh, commencing on May 8th, 1978 with Grinder and Left Hand Drive (Small Town Rumour didn't actually appear, as listed in the Echo.)

The following week saw The Vandals play there with Solid Waste from Chelmsford and local 'punk surfer' Mik Bostik. More bands soon followed and a great scene developed, with artists playing such as The Heat, The Spurts, Idiot, The Vicars, The Opposition, Norman & The Worms etc, as well as Reggae bands and even New Wave acts from Swindon (Frenzee), and many more. Later in the year however Dave departed, although a new promoter did put on a seminal show there - Raped, The Spurts and The Vandals. A few more shows were put on before different promoters changed the emphasis of the night and the punk scene moved on. The above photos and virtually any Strange Stories from 1978 however, go at least someway to capturing the story.
Punk Rock

 

 

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