Those who've been around Oxford longer than me may remember the good old days when bands like Radiohead, Slowdive, Ride et al were still relative unknowns playing the local pub circuit. The days before haunts like the Jericho and the Point closed their doors to live music.
Old townsfolk and new students alike should be pleased to hear that the Jericho Tavern - where Radiohead themselves were first discovered - has been restored to its former glory and will be reopening on the 27th April.
Even more pleasure is to be derived from the news that soulless and garishly-decorated student chain pub monstrosity "It's a scream" have been kicked out on their yellow-painted asses by new owner and Oxford music scene veteran Alex Shepherd. In their place he's set to introduce speciality draught beers, gourmet burgers, Sunday roasts, and believe it or not a giant hand-painted mural of Radiohead, Supergrass and the much-missed John Peel!
Seeya down there.
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
Ask your parents.
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
*dances on the ashes of another chain pub dying*
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
Ah well, this is probably better news for modern music I guess.
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho is Back!
While the Jericho's been a it's a scream pub they've tried many times to get live music going in there, and every attempt has always died off, either because the way they treat promoters in the place, or local music fans refuse to go to any of the gigs in it because of the way live music in some pub venues in Oxford were killed off in some of the M&B pubs. I won't go into the full argument here, but have a look at the discussions that pop up constantly on the nightshift board.
Re: The Jericho is Back!
We got a press release from the guy reopening it. As I understand it the new owner isnt associated with the pub chain, presumably put up a fair bit of cash to buy it off them. It says he's an ex-president of brookes alt rock soc.
"A decade on from being consigned to the theme pub wasteland, what is currently known as the Jericho is going back to its roots as the city's indie haven of the 90s and from 27th May will no longer trade under the 'It's a Scream' banner.
The man behind the project is former Oxford Brookes University student
Alex Shepherd, who founded the University's 'Alternative Music
Society' in 1991 and was a key player on the local music scene."
Although actually its not entirely clear from that whether its the same company or not. Hopefully not, although I think continuing to boycott it would be a bit petty, the guy's clearly making an effort to support the local music scene.
The Jericho is Back!
The Jericho Tavern is owned by Mitchells & Butlers, a company now dedicated to pub retail.
However in it's new guise the pub will be run independantly by a team already operating a number of pubs in London.
Having been present at a number of gigs at The Jericho during my time at Oxford Poly, I fully appreciate the relevance the venue holds for the residents of Oxford and the joyfully ecelctic music scene.
We fully intend to re-establish the pub as a live music venue and will welcome approaches by promoters, bands, and DJ's.
On top of that we hope to provide a truly great pub for the residents of Jericho.
You are all most welocme!