Page 18 - DemoZone Magazine Issue 003

How have things changed since the old school days of partying and events, to what's happening now?
The scene’s mostly legal now LOL. Digitisation and social media have massively changed and due to the internet, there is so much more information. Drugs and Ecstasy in particular were prolific factors back in the 90's and though I don’t condone them, were an essential cog in the wheel. I feel though and have witnessed the most fundamental element in Clubland has been lost – ATMOSPHERE and probably due to the reason I just mentioned-Eeees.
Ironically, personally I think the music scene is back to its best, especially the Techno scene I am involved with and resurgence of Acid, the old school sound is in demand. What is needed though, are more quality promoters putting more than just a DJ line up and thinking more of the Experience for the clubber, giving more value for money too. That’s one of the reasons I want to come back, as the older clubbers will remember our nights where we would have scantily clad girls handing out Phallic Lollipops at “SEXO SEXO”, Whips and Horns at “HOT’n’HORNY”, girls glamorous underwear at the infamous but short lived “LOVEJUICE” (closed due public outrage at the name of club in advert of the local press
and the shenanigans that went on behind the doors), Fun-bags containing Whistles, air horns and Glow Sticks @ Equinox.
Did I mention the early 90's was all about SEX, DRUGS and HOUSE!
Rumour has it that a groundbreaking event different from the “norm” was the “rave on the waves”. Can you tell us about that?
My former DJ partner was Darren Brechin (DEEBS) who had moved to Dubai as an Event Director, to run one of the biggest AV exhibition show’s in the world - PALME. Darren was involved with the biggest Brands on the planet due the nature of his business.
After making allegiances with no less than one of the Princes of Dubai (also head of tourism), Darren managed to pull of a coup, first of its kind and probably to this day-only one, A legally licensed “rave on the waves”. Alcohol and All Night events were illegal in Dubai then. This event was on a multi-million pound three levelled yacht, sponsored by Diesel (who handed out promo shades from new range to all clubbers), Technics (who supplied the decks) and Smirnoff and Red Bull (Free all night) and Sony (who supplied a 65” screen and latest Playstation on top deck). Definitely the most prestigious event I played. I don’t know about groundbreaking as we were at sea, but anywhere I’m
involved we’re talking more - Tsunami.
Do you have any regrets or confessions you’d like to come clean with as we heard a few stories regarding your shenanigans?
OK. Sorry Dean Thatcher (The Alloof). Dean was one of the biggest names back then (1993) and it was “SEXO SEXO” first birthday. He dropped the tune of the night ..... By Techno Cop. Like a typical DJ I asked him what it was. He answered in true international DJ superstar stylee by telling me, him and Ashley (Beadle) had just made it and there were only three copies in the world as it was acetate. He then hops over when I drop a top tune and requests the title of my floor killer. Naturally I answered in typical international DJ stylee and told him it was a test pressing and only a few existed. He was slavering at the lips, naturally assuming I would bow to his international DJ fame, and he asked if I would give him it.
I said I would give him it as he had two copies of “Techno Cop", he should give me one. He rescinded. Later we went up to the bedrooms after the gig. We wanted to celebrate a top night, Dean “international superstar DJ” wanted to go to bed as he was playing at The Hacienda, Manchester the following night.
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