He moved down from leicester with the rest of the crew, didn't he?
But yeh, from the little I know of him he seems to have sucked up some of the less palatable elements of rasta and forgotten the good bits.
Characters of Brixton....
- Thread starter Netski
- Start date
He moved down from leicester with the rest of the crew, didn't he?
But yeh, from the little I know of him he seems to have sucked up some of the less palatable elements of rasta and forgotten the good bits.
Utopia
"Jackanackanory"
yeh have seen that rasta fella loads of times..he lives on rattray rd..he always reminds me of clint eastwood
I think his names Joseph, a very wise fella....though sometimes gets a little angry/
What are the less palatable bits of rasta? (interested - don't know much about it)
Etymologist
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characters...
I read an article about Brixton in the observer a few years back with a most remarkable statistic: "1% of the UK's mental health patients are housed in Brixton". It sounds implausible but that doesn't stop me from quoting it every time anyone asks me what it was like growing up in Brixton. What does it even mean, "housed"? And who qualifies as a "mental health patient"? Still, it could be true. One in every hundred mad people in the UK lives in Brixton. Sorry, thats not very PC of me. Anyway, as Mark Twain said, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
The guy with the Afro and the headphones is amazing. His name is Robert. He walks very slowly up and down Brixton Water Lane with the strangest shuddery gait. Before I learned his name I used to call him the Water Lane Wanderer. He doesn't make any bones about urinating openly in the drain on the side of the road by the Brockwell Park entrance. I once saw him come into the Hobgoblin and stand stock still in the doorway with his hands up in the air like a conductor. He stood there slowly twisting his hands as if they were antennae trying to pick up a signal.
Fanon house is home to some interesting characters. Water Lane Wanderer, cigarette man, and the mos def guy too I think. There is also a guy who sits on the front wall of Fanon House and never seems to go anywhere. He is about 6 foot five and has a massive head of shaggy hair. They all seem troubled.
She's been around as long as I can remember. Its quite remarkable that a human body can withstand so many decades of tenants super strength lager. She used to shout abuse at me when I was walking to sudbourne primary school on my own when I was about 8. Absolutely terrified me. I ran all the way from Lambeth College (her haunt) to school when I saw her. Most of what she said was incomprehensible but I could almost always hear "fucking children!" in there. Evidently she's not a fan of children. She's always outside the police station nowadays.
Some are crazy, you have to admit it, but some are just people you notice a lot yeah. I love how many memorable people there are shouting and acting unusually in Brixton. The man who sells Reggae/Ragga on his bike has some spledid (albiet sometimes rude) invective which makes waiting for a bus outside iceland a pleasure. I'm not trying to sound like a 19th century anthropologist, honest.
Where else do you get Chinese Choir's singing about Jesus on the pavement (outside KFC) while across the road (in Tate Gardens or whatever its called) a man with old quad rollerskates perfects roller disco dancing on his own in the shade of the big tree?
I miss the old "big big biggie" big issue man from about 8 years ago. He was such a nice man. Apparently he moved to america and became a preacher or a preist or something. I don't know where I heard that.
Loonies? Thats not very nice...
I read an article about Brixton in the observer a few years back with a most remarkable statistic: "1% of the UK's mental health patients are housed in Brixton". It sounds implausible but that doesn't stop me from quoting it every time anyone asks me what it was like growing up in Brixton. What does it even mean, "housed"? And who qualifies as a "mental health patient"? Still, it could be true. One in every hundred mad people in the UK lives in Brixton. Sorry, thats not very PC of me. Anyway, as Mark Twain said, there are lies, damn lies, and statistics.
The guy with the Afro and the headphones is amazing. His name is Robert. He walks very slowly up and down Brixton Water Lane with the strangest shuddery gait. Before I learned his name I used to call him the Water Lane Wanderer. He doesn't make any bones about urinating openly in the drain on the side of the road by the Brockwell Park entrance. I once saw him come into the Hobgoblin and stand stock still in the doorway with his hands up in the air like a conductor. He stood there slowly twisting his hands as if they were antennae trying to pick up a signal.
Fanon house is home to some interesting characters. Water Lane Wanderer, cigarette man, and the mos def guy too I think. There is also a guy who sits on the front wall of Fanon House and never seems to go anywhere. He is about 6 foot five and has a massive head of shaggy hair. They all seem troubled.
Oh christ. I remember encountering her on coldharbour lane once. She was sitting on a doorstep with her dress up around her waist having a wank
She's been around as long as I can remember. Its quite remarkable that a human body can withstand so many decades of tenants super strength lager. She used to shout abuse at me when I was walking to sudbourne primary school on my own when I was about 8. Absolutely terrified me. I ran all the way from Lambeth College (her haunt) to school when I saw her. Most of what she said was incomprehensible but I could almost always hear "fucking children!" in there. Evidently she's not a fan of children. She's always outside the police station nowadays.
The comb lady, the guy with the colourful robes and staff, the white rasta at the top of the tube steps? I've never classed any of them as crazyThey all look perfectly sane. They're just people you notice a lot.
Admittedly "characters" does seem to be getting a tad muddled with drinkers and/or people with mental health problems
Some are crazy, you have to admit it, but some are just people you notice a lot yeah. I love how many memorable people there are shouting and acting unusually in Brixton. The man who sells Reggae/Ragga on his bike has some spledid (albiet sometimes rude) invective which makes waiting for a bus outside iceland a pleasure. I'm not trying to sound like a 19th century anthropologist, honest.
Where else do you get Chinese Choir's singing about Jesus on the pavement (outside KFC) while across the road (in Tate Gardens or whatever its called) a man with old quad rollerskates perfects roller disco dancing on his own in the shade of the big tree?
I miss the old "big big biggie" big issue man from about 8 years ago. He was such a nice man. Apparently he moved to america and became a preacher or a preist or something. I don't know where I heard that.
Is that the slim guy with a whispy goatie. He scares me and half the people queing in the Ritzy Cinema. Rude rude rude! No thank you no please when he crys 5p!!!!!!. I heard a women at the bus stop say she would take him to get a sandwich and he just herld abuse at her! Rude.
I love the lady who rattles her tin and paints pictures of fish and sits on a crate.
I also hate the man with the stick who hates the Irish and life its self......So much anger in Brixton and not enough Love.....Cost nothing to smile!
extra dry
Happy to be here
^^this...yes just imagine for a minute, your life turned upside down, you have been abused, sectioned, medicated, now your back in 'normal' society, uncared for unloved and made fun off by may people. The last thing you would do is smile.
Some people just break under the stress and strain of life and go (for want of a better word) mad.
Some people just break under the stress and strain of life and go (for want of a better word) mad.
Etymologist
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^^this...yes just imagine for a minute, your life turned upside down, you have been abused, sectioned, medicated, now your back in 'normal' society, uncared for unloved and made fun off by may people. The last thing you would do is smile.
Some people just break under the stress and strain of life and go (for want of a better word) mad.
Exactly. The unloved don't smile. Why should they?
coccinelle
Active Member
Does he have a bit of a grey beard?
I'm not sure but I think it's Rauf Adu, who had an excellent track out about 20 years ago called 'Echoes From Teletania'. Try and find it: it's worth a listen.
Sorry, no, his big (?) hit was called 'Human 2 Human' and you can hear a bit here http://www.sternsmusic.com/disk_info/ADCD1003
story
Changing the facts
coccinelle
Active Member
Blacka Dread is a bit of a character, standing outside his record store on Coldharbour Lane. He used to run Brixton's own Sir Coxsone Sound System but gave it back to Lloydie Coxsone a few years ago. His son was shot a couple of years ago and now he does a lot of anti-gun work. He also had a lively dialogue with Peter Tatchell about anti-gay lyrics in reggae music.
ajdown
Posting in this thread
That's his actual name? I've seen the shop and been in it a few times.
coccinelle
Active Member
His real name is Steve Martin!
coccinelle
Active Member
There was another interesting resident of Brixton, about 15 years ago called Jack Adams. An oldish guy (late 50s/early 60s), he was a well-known associate of the Krays: a real old-school gangster, not just a squitty little thug. He ran a studio under the arches in Barrington Road and it was he who brought all the old-time London gangsters to do an album for Tricky. People like Great Train robber Tom Wisby and Tony Lambrianou and Mad Frankie Fraser. Jack was on the album too
He was in the Prontaprint on Coldharbour Lane one morning in the mid 90s when it was steamed by a gang of Peckham yoot. Jack decked about two of them and bit off the cheek of another before he was knifed and had to be taken to hospital in an air ambulance.
He built up a chain of petrol stations with money from Charlie Kray and, when he retired (gangsters retire?), for tax reasons he made them all over to his wife. She promptly divorced him.
He was in the Prontaprint on Coldharbour Lane one morning in the mid 90s when it was steamed by a gang of Peckham yoot. Jack decked about two of them and bit off the cheek of another before he was knifed and had to be taken to hospital in an air ambulance.
He built up a chain of petrol stations with money from Charlie Kray and, when he retired (gangsters retire?), for tax reasons he made them all over to his wife. She promptly divorced him.
REPENT. AND BE. BAPTISED.
Good monicker for him, as that’s how he speaks, but I know he is called Gustav Adolphus Warren. He used to proclaim his name during his morning preachings outside the tube station. I have a soft spot for him because he does not appear, like most of them, to have lost his sense of humour when he lost contact with reality.
There is a much grimmer, mid-30s, white guy with blond hair who does a similar schtick to Gustav Adolphus. I seem to recall someone did a piece on telly about the white blond guy, which I remember noticing because I thought Gustav Adolphus would have made a more interesting subject. He has the physique of a boxer.
Other character: I don’t know if he is the same as Blacka Dread. The Mighty Wanderer. Is he not the grey-haired Rasta selling incense at the tube station? He used to give talks at the local primary schools.
And who can forget the Twelve Tribes? They used to stand outside the tube station – way before the new Sainsbury local went up -- with their stall. Not very funny people as they were real gay-bashers – in fact I think they got locked up over that – but the costumes were to die for – they were like replicas of George Clinton/Bootsy Collins /Parliament of funk stage costumes. A total scream.
Good monicker for him, as that’s how he speaks, but I know he is called Gustav Adolphus Warren. He used to proclaim his name during his morning preachings outside the tube station. I have a soft spot for him because he does not appear, like most of them, to have lost his sense of humour when he lost contact with reality.
There is a much grimmer, mid-30s, white guy with blond hair who does a similar schtick to Gustav Adolphus. I seem to recall someone did a piece on telly about the white blond guy, which I remember noticing because I thought Gustav Adolphus would have made a more interesting subject. He has the physique of a boxer.
Other character: I don’t know if he is the same as Blacka Dread. The Mighty Wanderer. Is he not the grey-haired Rasta selling incense at the tube station? He used to give talks at the local primary schools.
And who can forget the Twelve Tribes? They used to stand outside the tube station – way before the new Sainsbury local went up -- with their stall. Not very funny people as they were real gay-bashers – in fact I think they got locked up over that – but the costumes were to die for – they were like replicas of George Clinton/Bootsy Collins /Parliament of funk stage costumes. A total scream.
^^this...yes just imagine for a minute, your life turned upside down, you have been abused, sectioned, medicated, now your back in 'normal' society, uncared for unloved and made fun off by may people. The last thing you would do is smile.
Some people just break under the stress and strain of life and go (for want of a better word) mad.
O.K thats fine, but i shouldnt feel uncomfortable when they invade my personal space. Also, why do they congregate in Brixton? ? ?
The guy selling incense outside tube is Patrick. He's an amazing gymnast and does sessions for Whippersnappers and schools from time to time. Patrick, and lots of other local people/traders made it into the SW9 film.
Winot
I wholeheartedley agree with your viewpoint
Sad bump - the woman referred to here - who was called Patricia - apparently died over the Christmas period.
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
The one with the short cropped hair?
oh gosh this thread made me laugh and also remember. i nearly still know all the characters listed here.
rollerskater guy is quite amazing.
chinese choir and other dancers are amazing. also steelband i always really enjoy.
vicky the artist who plays comb too. superfriendly and not crazy. really value her art.
also some 9 years ago was a very troubled but friendly man who lived outsided brixton tube. he telephoned the entire time on the public phone.
there is a lady on mayall rd sitting there most of the day on the steps outside gym hall smoking fags. and drinking. always friendly.
rollerskater guy is quite amazing.
chinese choir and other dancers are amazing. also steelband i always really enjoy.
vicky the artist who plays comb too. superfriendly and not crazy. really value her art.
also some 9 years ago was a very troubled but friendly man who lived outsided brixton tube. he telephoned the entire time on the public phone.
there is a lady on mayall rd sitting there most of the day on the steps outside gym hall smoking fags. and drinking. always friendly.
Minnie_the_Minx
someinenhhanding menbag and me ah bollox
Mayall Road lady is still there, looking massively rough. She's not always friendly - she told hendo she was going to kill him the other week when he refused to give her money.He was not impressed.
Find all the old useless foreign coins you have and give her them
Ha a few come to mind. On Coldharbour lane the white guy with a shaved head. Often walks around with no shoes. Shouts abuse to passers by. Speaks in a Jamaican accent.
Who is the rasta that walks around with a walking stick? Often talks to himself and sometimes shouts random things out. I am sure he came to my primary school once and did some gymnastics
Who is the rasta that walks around with a walking stick? Often talks to himself and sometimes shouts random things out. I am sure he came to my primary school once and did some gymnastics
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Two totally different people.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
I'm not sure abput the 'in Brixton' bit but I know that there is a particularly high proportion of people with Mental Health issues in Lambeth and this is because of the unusually high number of places such as the Maudsley, South Western Hospital etc.
John, big big biggie, did indeed move to the US but I can't remember whether it was anything to do with religion. He was (still is) a good friend of the ex of a good friend.
The biggie biggie guy used to sell the big issue by Covent Garden tube station then moved his patch to Brixton if I recall correctly.
Does anyone remember the black woman who used to dress up like a ghost- she would literally powder her face white, wear a white wedding dress, a white wig and walk around Coldharbour Lane in the early to mid-90s.
Does anyone remember the black woman who used to dress up like a ghost- she would literally powder her face white, wear a white wedding dress, a white wig and walk around Coldharbour Lane in the early to mid-90s.
Mrs Magpie
On a bit of break...
Yes to both of those, except big big biggie would do Covent Garden sometimes and Brixton sometimes.
also i remembered last night.
the tall skinny black man (good looking) who walks barefoot. this guy is incredible he just doesn't wear shoes come rain come sunshine. he also drives a little lorry/large van around occasionally.
sorry about the mayall rd lady. i suppose she is sitting there many years now (she must be living in the street too. we used to squat just opposite her steps).
the tall skinny black man (good looking) who walks barefoot. this guy is incredible he just doesn't wear shoes come rain come sunshine. he also drives a little lorry/large van around occasionally.
sorry about the mayall rd lady. i suppose she is sitting there many years now (she must be living in the street too. we used to squat just opposite her steps).
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