Save the Hopetoun, a photo from New South Wales, East

Photographer's Note

the Hopetoun Hotel in Surry Hills in Sydney's inner city, lies dormant, an empty shell.
Until recent times, this small pub was a great music venue, particularly for the left of field and unbderground music scene. I saw many bands here, The Beasts of Bourbon, Rowland S Howard, Kim Salmon, You Am I and many more.
The place would be packed liked sardines, it would smell of stale beer, the walls and carpet were old..and the music was good, subversive and never dull.
Most bars are now trendy and look like airport lounges with no soul. There are not many grungy old artful places around like this. Only a 'bogspot' can save the Hopetoun now..in this world of gentrification, I hold only small hope this place will be resurrected.

BennyV, kordinator, delpeoples has marked this note useful

Critiques | Translate

BennyV (12785) 2010-09-15 8:21

A sight that fills me with sadness, dear Justin. You are so right about those trendy club places looking like airport lounges. I'd go with the stale beer anytime, haha!

And God bless the mighty Beasts of Bourbon, I think I must have seen them about 5 or 6 times and they were great ALWAYS.

With big cheers and a round of applause!
(and I hope there's hope...)

Benny

iainsp (2626) 2010-09-15 10:04

Hi Justin,

Having spent my late teens and early twenties following what, even to South Africans, are obscure (but in my opinion fantastic),South African underground bands - through a series of beer-smelling dives that no longer exist, I am really, really sympathetic to this photo. Let's get the bogspot going.

regards and good luck, Iain

kordinator (13411) 2010-09-16 7:01

Hello Justin
An excellent text, a bit nostalgic.
We all have to catch your favorite place to ruin the rich, buy it for a small amount of money and destroy part of one's memories.
Beautiful black and white composition.
Fine texture.
Nice contrast and fine light.
Excellent work.
Respect my friend
Saša

fplohoff (0) 2010-09-16 9:38

Tristesse oblige. You follow the new topography, strict but no diverging lines just clear reality. There is no make up in this picture. Outstanding on this blog. Good work. BW, Frank

delpeoples (44960) 2010-09-16 14:44

Hi Justin, oh dear...I didn't know! This icon is closed? Maybe we should start up a political party "Save The Aussie Pub"? There are too many going the same way: The Brendan Behan in Redfern, The Newtown, The Imperial in Erskineville. It's a disgrace. I loved going to this pub for the live music (although the last time we were there we accidentally saw the worst band I've ever seen in my life "Waiting for Guinness") but this interestingly cropped photo tells a very important story. TFS and I hope you have a good Friday, Lisa

AKITA (15125) 2010-09-17 19:25

dear Justin,
an excellent B&W image of tasteful scene in the modern city,
this sad and lonely mood is like old blues music of 50' or 60'...
gradational tones of gray color are beautiful,
thank you for your still shot,
Akihisa