Paul Daly Venues:
Rattlesnake (Angel)
Zigfrid Von Underbelly (Hoxton)
Roadtrip / The Workshop (Old Street)
Press Release for the launch of ‘Rattlesnake’ (July 2012):
When celebrated designer Paul Daly embarked on a road trip across central America, he knew he was setting out on a journey that would take in the sights and sounds of his youth – the Great Outdoors, the open road and scenes from the films that shaped his childhood.
But he didn’t realise he would return with a vision that would shape his third London site and lead to the capital’s newest live music venue springing from the rubble of a long-defunct Islington bar.
Now the award-winning designer is preparing to launch RATTLESNAKE, a live music bar and kitchen inspired by the open road, the dive bars of the USA, and the spirit of 1969’s Easy Rider.
Britain has long had close ties with our brothers across the Atlantic, and far from being an American theme bar in England, Rattlesnake will combine the two cultures to create a unique English-American experience as told by an Irishman.
As with all Paul Daly venues, design is at the forefront of Rattlesnake – from the creative use of space to the Paul Daly neon art lights and the focal point of the front bar area – the jukebox.
As Paul says: “I see my venues as constantly changing art installations that people can experience, enjoy and interact with. And at the centre of Rattlesnake will be a jukebox filled with the best music: early Bowie, Joy Division, INXS, Velvet Underground, The Black Keys, Girls, We Are Augustines etc – proper music.
“There are lots of live music venues in London that I have a lot of respect for, but few can offer great live bands, a designed bar and good hearty food. That’s what Rattlesnake will try and bring to London.”
Rattlesnake will follow a rich vein of rock ‘n’ roll history along Upper Street. Seminal punk outfit The Clash played their first ever London gig supporting The Sex Pistols at a cinema, yards from where the Rattlesnake will open its doors, while venues along the road – once dubbed ‘The Devil’s Mile – have played host to bands as diverse as Madness, Spandau Ballet and Shakin’ Stevens.
Daly’s career is born out of live music, too. He used to front a band in Dublin in1981. One of his earliest design jobs was to create stage props for Irish megastars U2’s world famous ZOO TV tour. He then designed Dublin’s health food brand Nude owned by Bono.
Rattlesnake will boast a 300 capacity, with booths inspired by the studded leather panniers of the great Harley Davidson touring bikes. A customer- facing kitchen will offer Texican food while customers will be able to sample cocktails, tequilas amongst a full range of spirits, draught and bottled beers and a wine list from the main bar.
The live room will house a killer Nexo sound system and large 40-track mixing desk (specs available). The venue will show video art on two Daly-designed ‘Vanishing Point’ screens curated by Open Gallery (opengallery.co.uk). There will also be works by artist- photographer Marcus Tomlinson whom Daly met at a concert in Harare Stadium in 1980 (marcustomlinson.com).