The Peel, Kingston: one in a series of profiles on music venues
Kingston Upon Thames is already familiar ground to many for its shopping and leisure facilities, university and easy reach of the capital. What is less well known is that it’s home to a thriving music scene. Aside from the weekly indie club night, New Slang at The Hippodrome (put on by local record store and promoters Banquet Records) and The Fighting Cocks, there is The Peel – the venue which really kick-started it all.
Founded in 1939 – a date that has recently been incorporated into its retro brand name 1939 at The Peel – the venue started out as a pub named after the eighteenth century prime minister, Sir Robert Peel. Its days as a pub ended some time around the turn of this century, however, and today it’s better known to the cognoscenti as a joyously sweaty setting for music lovers to mosh to their heart’s content. At a capacity holding of around 250, it’s the perfect place for an intimate audience and when there’s a full house, breathing is something of a luxury. Whenever you turn up for a gig, you just know the atmosphere will be electric, unfettered by the overzealous security you find at many soulless, corporate-owned venues dotted across the country these days.
For the best part of the last decade, the Peel was a favourite of a number of punk bands and was instrumental in shaping the movement. Acts such as Capdown, Sonic Boom Six and even Gallows frequented the venue in their early years. And, paying tribute to the establishment at their gig in December, new frontman Wade McNeil said “When I joined Gallows we decided the first thing we should do is play The Peel to get back to where it all first began.” Many Surrey bands have taken the first steps on their music career here, including Hundred Reasons, Reuben and Tellison. But aside from punk, the venue plays host to a number of progressive rock acts, thanks to the House Of Progression promotions company. Over the past few years, we’ve seen the likes of Oceansize, ex-Marillion frontman Fish and Katatonia pass through.
In recent times, however, The Peel has started to book more high profile acts. In 2009, britpop sensations Ash chose to play the venue as part of their A-Z tour, with Kingston representing the letter K. Last year saw two big names in punk, The Bronx and Against Me, play to packed-out crowds. And to top it all, as part of Rock Sound Secret Sessions, in conjunction with last year’s Sonisphere festival, local band You Me At Six played a special homecoming show. It was the first show the band had played here since they found commercial success.
The only real gripe with the venue is that it’s next door to a strip club but you can’t have everything. Notwithstanding, The Peel is definitely a place you should visit if you are seeking out live music in Surrey. Here’s to more exciting nights at one of my favourite venues.
