What’s In A NAME?

Since we started brewing in 2016, many people have commented how much they like our name, but only a few have asked about its meaning. The overwhelming majority like it because it’s synonymous with Muswell Hill and lots of people (of a certain age) know it’s linked in some way to the Kinks. As we venture out further into north London it’s a good time to explain why we like our name and why we intend to keep at least part of it, as we launch a new and exciting venture in Bowes Park.

The name matches our brand and vision which is to be local, independent and different.

Local

Hillbillies are local. The term Muswell Hillbilly most clearly shows where we are originally from, our brewing roots. The term is most often linked to the Kinks 1971 album titled ‘Muswell Hillbillies’. The Kinks were from Muswell Hill and remain one of the most revered British bands in the history of popular music. As we have sought to expand across north London we have frequently looked at spaces for a new project and discussed changing part of our name. For example, we could have been the Winchmore Hillbillies, the Crouch Hillbillies or the Alderman’s Hillbillies. If there was a hill near Myddleton Road we would happily become the Bowes Hillbillies. However, we also know that we do not necessarily need to change the geographical part of our name. Camden Town Brewery for example has kept its name despite brewing most of their beer in Enfield, while at the same time being present in almost every pub in London, and increasingly across the country.

We are happy to drop ‘Muswell’ from the name of the new space in 101 Myddleton Road. Our business name ‘Muswell’ Hillbilly will however remain the part of our brand that shows our identity, as north London neighbours who support and promote other local individuals and businesses.

Independent

Hillbillies are independent. The album ‘Muswell Hillbillies’ by the Kinks, from where we found our name, is an interesting album. It did not sell well, but it was critically acclaimed as a seminal Kinks album. Musically it saw the Kinks expand into a more country rock style, which not everyone liked. Thematically however the lyrics were about stories of working class people being transported into a sanitised, middle class, gentrified area of north London called Muswell Hill. Some of the lyrics express alienation and rebellion and echo current issues of the impact of gentrification in London. In the lyrics to the song ‘Muswell Hillbilly’ Ray Davies sings that "they're gonna try and make [him] change [his] way of living, but they'll never make [him] something that [he's] not,". He explains "they're putting us in little boxes, No character, just uniformity. They're trying to build a computerised community," but vows that "they'll never make a zombie out of me." This sentiment is one of the reasons we like being Muswell Hillbillies.

Muswell Hillbillies do not support your right to say whatever you want. We believe that what you do and say should respect other people's culture and tastes. For example, we do not intend to try and make you all beer drinkers. As an independent business we will however try to make ethical and rational decisions on who we work with and what we do. Our brand will remain independent and we will support other independents who share our values.

Different

Hillbillies are different. So what is a ‘hillbilly’? In some cultures, such as in North America, the term 'hillbilly' has been used as a term of abuse, but through no fault of the hillbillies! It has been used as a derogatory term, originally aimed at poor people living in the Appalachian mountains. It’s not too dissimilar to the term ‘white trash’, although this was used as a social economic and racial slur by mainly the urban middle class, describing the ‘lazy’, ‘criminal’ and ‘dangerous’ mainly urban working class who had chosen a life of crime. Interestingly the term ‘white trash’ has been appropriated by some music artists as a badge of honour, celebrating stereotypes. ‘Hillbillies’ however were stereotypically rural working class, who because they were so isolated held their views because they didn’t know any better. In this country ‘hillbilly’ is a less pejorative term and is at worst a term used to ridicule the rural working class ‘country bumpkin’, more a character you would find in a ‘Two Ronnies’ sketch. Despite its use in humour, calling someone a hillbilly can still be felt as an insult that can cause hurt, but using the term as an insult or joke shows a lack of respect for both rural and working class culture.

The Kinks were aware of the negative use of the term and in particular the role that a TV series popular in the 1960s called ‘The Beverly Hillbillies’ had played in ridiculing ‘hillbilies’. The media, particularly in the US, has in general through TV and Film (eg The Deliverance) created the stereotype by portraying ‘hillbillies’ as backward, white farm workers who were uneducated, inbred, ‘rednecks’, who were to be mistrusted and feared because of their ignorance. In commenting on the song Muswell Hillbilly Kinks guitarist Dave Davies has said "It was kind of like a London version of The Beverly Hillbillies in a humorous way." (Guitar World, February 27, 2023)

Significantly the Kinks had at the time been banned from travelling to the United States, for what can be called fairly typical ‘rock and roll’ behaviour. You could argue that the term ‘Muswell Hillbilly’ was therefore a dig at the US establishment, but also a dig at prejudice, and insults aimed at those who are different from yourselves. Given the nature of the lyrics ‘Muswell Hillbilly’ could also be seen as a representation of working class unity and celebration of working class culture (although you would need to ask Ray Davies more about this, if you can find him). Indeed prior to its character assasination by the media ‘hillbilly’ culture was known for its staunch independence, as well as for its respected and much loved hillbilly and bluegrass style of music. Indeed Hillbilly music was the forerunner of the world wide popular ‘country music’ and the media representation of hillbillies is arguably why the hillbilly style of music is now known as ‘country’. Like all stereotypes and insults the media perception of what it is to be a ‘hillbilly' is not a true reflection of what makes a true Hillbilly.

We like being different. Ultimately the term ‘hillbilly’ has been used as an insult to those who are different to a ‘normal’, that has been promoted by a media that promotes uniformity. It’s not always good to be ‘normal’. To us Hillbilly means to be proud of being different. We can celebrate the term Hillbilly as a symbol of our differences and celebrate diversity. As Hillbillies we our proud of the different way we make beer, and encourage other artisans who make hand made, small batch, ethically sourced products. We will also seek to promote diversity and inclusivity in all social classes, gender, sexual orientation and race. Hillbillies aim to produce and promote individuals, products and events that are different and to celebrate differences.

So what should our name be?

The provisional working title for our new space on Myddleton Road Road is the ‘Hillbilly Social’. We will be keeping the ‘Hillbilly’ both because it matches our core values and it is a locally known brand which will attract more people to visit Bowes Park. We are known for the cool vibe of our Muswell Hill Taproom and for making different, interesting and tasty beer. While recreating the welcoming atmosphere of Avenue Mews, the ‘Hillbilly Social’ will however be different from our existing taproom and from the Taproom already in Myddleton Road (hence it will not be called a Taproom). Our different drinks offering (far more than just beer), food offerings (we’re looking forward to the pop ups) and events (local and cultural) will just be part of what makes us unique. We are looking forward to meeting and welcoming you all.

Finally we would like you to tell us what you think would be a good name for the new space. We have thought of things like “Hillbilly Social 101’, ‘Bowes Park Hillbilly’, ‘Myddleton Road Hillbilly’, ‘Hillbilly LTN Social ’ (just joking). Remember it must have the word Hillbilly in it. Otherwise it’s up to you.

Please email me below if you have any thoughts on the name or why I like being a Hillbilly so much.

Martin Hodgson

Muswell Hillbilly Brewers