When I first visited Puppy Mansions (Westbere Road), I remember Brett and Tony reminiscing about when they used to squat in Covent Garden. Brett had a strange tale of a model pigeon he used to dangle out of the window on a piece of string and how passing tourists would try to grab a hold of it – but Brett would jerk it out of reach. There were many other even stranger tales of this and other squats which are only now being told…
This particular squat, as mentioned in the bit by Bob Short below, was opposite the offices of Sounds music paper – which was above Covent Garden tube station. For some reason the squat came up in a conversation with a few years later with Sounds journalist Johnny Waller -who mentioned how over excited/ hot and bothered glimpses of the squat got the Sounds lads [Story confirmed by Tony D. in graphic detail in a Comment here somewhere].
Here is Bob’s description of the place / time [ full text below] :
Slaughter and the Dogs had wondered where all the boot boys had gone but we didn’t have to look far to answer their query. They’re in your bloody audience you myopic, bald headed gits. Gary Bushell sung their praises from the Sounds office in Long Acre. It was perched above the Underground and I could see him through my window. I very much wanted a sniper rifle for my birthday.
Covent Garden Station has something ridiculous like two hundred and eighty odd steps. I knew them well because you had to climb them in order to bunk the fifteen pence fare. Across James Street, behind a façade of plywood and corrugated iron, was a huddle of old shops and offices awaiting demolition. The last eviction notices had been served and the wrecking ball was booked. All that remained was a motley crew of squatters awaiting the sheriff’s men.
But before the eviction came a benefit for Tony D. – in transition from his Ripped and Torn incarnation to his KYPP one. Jeremy Gluck of the Barracudas wrote for KYPP 1, Charge were interviewed in KYPP 4. Stu P.Didiot (sadly no more) of Charge became part of the extended family (of noise) that was and still is – the Puppy Collective.
