Music Is the Answer (London Friday march 12) click on the picture

Legendary London club promoter Patrick Lilley chatted to Skrufff this week about his new monthly party ‘Music Is the Answer’ and revealed he’s been inspired by New York house music.

“The concept for the club is that it’s a new social, sexy and funky party, and to be honest it’s Queer Nation with a new name,” he admitted.

“I just thought it was time to do something under a new banner and right now I LOVE the sound of real New York house, specifically soulful, bass driven, vocal and deeply uplifting house music. Friends kept on asking me to bring those New York sounds and styles back to London and that’s what I’m aiming to do,” he said.

“I’d like to believe that we are part of the great British House Music revival, which you can see is happening with the return of DTPM, Queer Nation and I hear FLESH, the famous Hacienda night,” Patrick continued. “I think it also got mentioned in the Sunday Times, who who located the birth of the House Music Revival to . . . a club in Shoreditch,” he laughed.

Music Is the Answer kicks off this weekend (Friday March 12) at Vauxhall’s Bar Code with DJs including Pierre Nedd and dboyz spinning old skool disco, salsoul, Philly and new house music and will be targeted at the more unconventional clubbers he’s always drawn to Queer Nation, said Patrick.

“Most gay men over thirty tend to be musically conservative and are often politically conservative too- watch to see how many homos are fooled by (Conservative leader) David Cameron at the next UK Election in May,” he predicted.

“On the other hand, 75% of young gay white guys under 25 are simply pop queens; if it’s not (Lady) Ga Ga they turn their noses up,” he said.

“Those who think they are radical do electro. Sorry Skruffies, but frankly the new electro rarely touches the quality of either early 80s music such as Soft Cell and Blacmange, etc or New York Electro; Man Parrish, Hip Hop Be Bo.  Mind you that is being revived now too!” he laughed.

Skrufff (Jonty Skrufff): The last time we chatted it was just after a failed bomb attack on a club in the West End, what do you make of London’s vibe at the moment? (- is the city in any way more dangerous than in previous years?

Patrick Lilley: “There are more homophobic attacks reported than ever before and the question is; is it because queens feel able to report the crimes (there are so many gay police these days) and something might get done? Or are there more homophobes out there? Or are there more queens reclaiming the streets of inner city areas at 4am?  I think it’s a combination of all of the above. Plus all the queens are gorging on this ‘plant food’ supplement Methadrone so they are not gonna’ run away if they’re attacked.

This has all gone on for years and will continue: it’s about the dilapidated inner city colliding with arty gays cruising and colonising urban waste lands. I call it Castro-ification after what happened over years 40 ago in San Francisco. It happens continually in New York too; the gays move 5 blocks north every 5 years.  It’s a cycle, just like house music. Mugging queers on K (ketamine) is like taking sweets from children so that’s a factor too. And then gays are always targets for right wing religious zealots and working class closets; it’s been like this since Oscar Wilde’s day and before.”

On the other hand in London thanks to Tony Blair and new Labour gay enjoy equal rights: we can die for the country and join the army and be out, we enjoy the protection under the law equally in so many areas of life, civil partnerships have brought queers in from outside of families to being part of families.  If that is what you want. Even the Tories are paying homage to the homos (well, before the election that is coming soon.)

Skrufff: What do you make of this house revival: did it ever really go away? Why is it happening now?

Patrick Lilley: “Everything is in a constant state of revival. At one point soulful house music stopped being flavour of the month it went back underground. During that period the volume of exceptional, truly great house music records declined but having said that hundreds of wonderful records ‘got away’ unnoticed and all these can still be played and feel new to most people. And then there are some great news songs like Hey Hey Dennis Ferrer and Craig David’s new one.

During these ‘musical ice ages’ there is always a disco revival, as regular as clockwork. In the mainstream, electro and sub genres of house take over (such as trance which is great for a global audience as no English is required). When it becomes exciting is when something old inspires something new. That happens in all musical areas but especially in house which is the most post modern of art and musical forms. 80s hip hop electro is being revived by the New Boyz in LA, UK garage has reinvented itself and is now called UK Funky. They are just a road map of terms. And the map is not the territory.”

click on the picture for more on Vintage

Skrufff: What’s your involvement exactly in this new Vintage Festival?

Patrick Lilley: “I’m working with (Red Or Dead) designer Wayne Hemmingway on the event as the festival’s official ‘Glambassador’ i.e. gay brand ambassador). It tales place in August at Goodwood, and taps into the revivals of 40s, 50, 60s, 70s and 80s- and is aiming to restore the link between music (festivals) and fashion (and design). There will be the Buzzcocks, Don Letts, Heaven 17, Sandy Shaw, rock n rollers and rockabillies, Horse Meat Disco, Mods, burlesque, Joey Negro, Alvin Stardust, The Wailers, Mike Flowers Pops, Graeme Park, old reggae from 70s (that is HUGE now!).  A celebration of 5 decades of British cool at a stately home and stunning estate owned by Lord Marche and everyone is encouraged to dress up. As Wayne Hemmingway said, “This is a festival you can wear high heels to.”

http://www.vintageatgoodwood.com/

Music Is the Answer: Friday March 12

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com) : Follow Jonty on Twitter

silly fishing moments (click on the picture)

Click here for a funny fishing video (nothing to do with music/ club culture but hilarious)

Click on the picture for more on Bone

Underground Detroit techno legend DJ Bone chatted to Skrufff this week about the economic crisis affecting his home town and downplayed recent press reports that the city could totally collapse.

“Detroit is in horrible shape, sure, but it has been like that in the hood of the D for as long as I remember,” said Bone.

“What the city and State officials can’t seem to understand is that the city needs to be repaired from the inside out. When someone has cancer, the doctors don’t start with fixing the patient’s hair or dressing them nice. They go straight to the worst area and heal that first.”

The Subject Detroit label chief became one of Detroit’s most popular DJs in the late 90s, regularly attracting 1,000 strong crowds to his the Motor Lounge weekly residency in Hamtramck and has long been recognised as one of the city’s most ardent supporters. Describing himself on his biography as ‘an uncompromising, hype hating, 100% independent, real Detroit native . . . that cannot be bought’ he stressed thus week that his recent relocation to Louisville, Kentucky had nothing t do with Detroit’s woes.

Honestly, I moved so that I could be with my fiancée,” said Bone, “I still OWN a lot of property in Detroit so anybody who thinks I don’t maintain my base there is sadly mistaken. I don’t speak about my houses much at all but just know I’m there even if people don’t see me. I stopped hanging out years ago. It’s all about business and family,” he explained.

He also downplayed recent suggestions by commentators including Michael Moore and financial wizard Marc Faber that America could soon become bankrupt, telling Skrufff ‘I’m concerned but not worried’.

“The US government is too proud to actually go bankrupt. The citizens have been suffering for quite some time though, especially in the inner city areas. Poverty in the US is not new, it’s just now that it has hit the somewhat wealthy areas, so NOW ‘they’ i.e. the US government and the media; want to blow it out of proportion,” he said.

“I talk about this all the time with my family and friends. Not coming from wealth has made us more alert to the fact that we need to be very smart with our money,” Bone added.

“We’ve never had extra money to invest or build a stock portfolio so we stacked our many by using other means. The US news outlets only cry about the economy when the RICH lose money.”

“If America did go bankrupt though, I think there would be a huge class war, rich vs poor,” he suggested, “The divide between the two classes would be more evident with people segregating themselves according to wealth. More US companies would pack up and move to other countries for cheap labour.”

He also responded thoughtfully when quizzed about Marc Faber’s prediction that asymmetric war could lead to the internet collapsing, a situation Bone said he’s remarkably well prepared for.

“With all the technology that’s available I’ve always made it a point to keep a paper fax machine and a landline, corded telephone. These are in case of a power outage or loss of internet. It’s not a outdoorsman survivalist thing but an inner city survivalist thing. In Detroit the power STILL goes out every once in a while so we’re always prepared,” he chuckled.

“I also deal in vinyl so I wouldn’t have to worry about losing all of our label income because no one could download my music. I treat the Internet as a great tool but I’ve never placed all of my livelyhood in its hands.”

“There are so many DJs and labels that would disappear if the Internet went down. Not me though (or Subject Detroit). Plus, how would they tweet EVERY single aspect of EVERYthing they do EVERYday?” he laughed.

http://dj-bone.com

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com)

Click for UK official anti-drug website 'Talk to Frank'

George Bush’s one time spiritual issues adviser John J. Dilulio, Jr., called for cannabis to be decriminalized this week and provided a detailed analysis of why America’s war on drugs is failing.

Back in the 90s, Dilulio wrote a zero tolerance themed book called ‘How to Win America’s War Against Crime and Drugs’ with notorious prohibitionists Bill Bennett and John Walters, though this week confessed he’d been wrong.

“Last year there were more than 800,000 marijuana-related arrests. The impact of these arrests on crime rates was likely close to zero. There is almost no scientific evidence showing that pot is more harmful to its users’ health, more of a “gateway drug,” or more crime-causing in its effects than alcohol or other legal narcotic or mind-altering substances,” Dilulio pointed out in an essay published in the journal Democracy.

“Prime-time commercial television is now a virtual medicine cabinet (“just ask your doctor if this drug is right for you”). Big pharmaceutical companies function as all-purpose drug pushers. And yet we expend scarce federal, state, and local law enforcement resources waging “war” against pot users. That is insane,” he added.

Dilulio’s comments emerged weeks after Slate Magazine published an in-depth feature examining how America launched an official federal poisoning program in which killed over 10,000 people in the 1920s in a brutal experiment to terrorise drinkers away from alcohol.

New York City’s medical examiner of the era Charles Norris accused the federal government of being ‘morally responsible’ for the deaths labeling the program ‘our national experiment in extermination’. The deaths only stopped when alcohol Prohibition was abandoned in 1933. (Slate Magazine)

The link between Prohibition and poisoned substances was emphasised by Erowid this week, in a detailed report examining the implications of up to 70% of the world’s cocaine supply being contaminated with animal worming chemical levamisole.

The respected drugs portal noted the link between the DEA’s message of ‘Don’t use cocaine; it’s a dangerous drug’ and the emergence of levamisole and warned ill people to always tell doctors they use cocaine to avoid the risk of being misdiagnosed with HIV (AIDS), leukemias, and parvovirus.

“It is essential that those seeking medical care for a condition like high fever be honest with their health care providers about the illicit substances they have taken,” Erowid urged, “In order to improve their chances of being diagnosed properly and recovering quickly.” (Erowid)

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com): Follow Jonty on Twitter: http://www.twitter.com/jontyskrufff

click on the picture to book your cruise

Superstar trance icon Paul Oakenfold has announced he’ll be hosting a four day rave on a cruise ship this October, offering partygoers the chance to enjoy multiple sets of ‘the epic sounds that he’s become known for’.

Tickets for Perfecto at Sea start from $599 per person, including meals, free tea and coffee and use of the ship’s ‘giant waterslide’.

“Oakenfold and friends will help keep the party going 24/7 and deliver a cutting edge, music-meets-leisure experience that simply cannot be missed,” the event’s website blurb promises. “There will be theme nights, gambling, pool-side cocktails, and a seadeck turned dancefloor.”

Ticket buyers curious about who they’ll be cooped up with for four days, can rest assured they’re unlikely to be billeted with former Time Out Chicago Nightlife editor John Dugan who blasted both Oakey and his fans in a retrospective article last week.

“In 2006, I caught him at a Winter Music Conference party that turned out to be a Jersey Shore episode from hell: 1,000 muscley dudes from Jersey, a smattering of females and me beside a pool,” he said.

Oakey, who was getting over a flu he picked up in Mexico, was barely functional; he fumbled his set at one point, leaving dead air,” he recalled. http://tinyurl.com/yfrrzdu

Click here for more info: the earlier you book, the better cabin you can get)

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com): Follow Jonty on Twitter

click on the picture for Pioneer's videos

CDJ market leaders Pioneer revealed details of their new top-of-the-range mixer the DJM-2000 this week, just weeks after launching their CDJ-2000 digital decks.

The ultra-flash new mixer comes with high-tech touch screen technology and ‘removes the need for an external effects unit’, said Pioneer and will be retailing in shops for €2,000.

Pioneer’s ‘Europe Press Department’ emailed Skrufff about the new product (anonymously; ‘they don’t want to put their name to it as they get bombarded’ their publicist explained) and said the new machine is aimed towards club owners rather than bedroom DJs.

“The DJM-2000 is targeting the club installation market and top professional
DJs, we would expect the ratio between clubs and individuals buying them at home to be heavily weighted towards the club installation market,” they explained, “The CDJ-2000 / DJM-2000 is designed and built for the very top pro DJs for continuous reliable use in club environments.”

Asked whether they have any concerns that the high price tag will leave upcoming DJs unable to compete with wealthy established jocks, Pioneer stressed that soon-to-be-launched additional products will incorporate the new technology ‘in a more affordable package’.

“More focus than ever this year will be placed on product at the entry / mid level,” they promised.

“These products will function in a way that is consistent with the top end products so that a young DJ playing on the entry level products will feel more natural using club standard product.  Future CDJs at all levels will be compatible with rekordbox DJ music management software included,” they said.

The hugely successful DJ equipment company also sounded notably bullish about the commercial prospects for their new mixers and CDJs, indicating that international dance culture is continuing to thrive.

“If the market for DJ products is a reflection of DJ/Club culture then globally we see a consistent growth, especially in emerging economies. It’s never been stronger with more options for DJs then ever before,” they said. They also sounded impressively magnanimous towards the declining numbers of veteran DJs still holding out on vinyl turntables.

“Whilst our core competencies are in digital technology, we have never been anti-vinyl and simply want to develop the best possible solutions for DJs,” they insisted, “We respect the history of DJ culture and will continue to contribute to developing a market that is rich in diversity.”

Jonty Skrufff (http://skrufff.com): Follow Jonty on Twitter

Click on the picture to access ADE's site

Amsterdam’s annual dance conference (ADE) has revealed that new wave dance pioneers Tom Tom Club and old skool A&R legend Miles Leonard will be keynote speakers at this year’s event which takes place between October 20 and 23.

Skrufff chief Jonty Skrufff will also be at the conference in its entirety, having joined the ADE team in January as a panel moderator and on-stage interviewer.

“I attended ADE last year for the first time to appear on Dave Clarke’s panel and thoroughly enjoyed both being on Dave’s panel and attending the conference itself,” he said.

“I met stacks of old contacts and more than a few virtual friends I’d never met in person before and the conference itself was small enough to be both friendly and productive. I came away feeling excited and enthusiastic to return. I’m delighted to be working with ADE and very much looking forward to October already,” he said.

Over 700 DJs and artists will also be performing in clubs and venues across Amsterdam for what will be the 15th edition of the annual event. Widely recognized as the world’s leading electronic music conference, ADE has sold out well in advance in recent years, though head organizer Richard Zijlma said they have no plans to expand its size.

“ADE is a highly focused niche conference and with its current size, it’s still possible to reach out and connect with delegates easily,” he explained. “You can do lots of business spread over three or four days with music industry representatives from 52 countries, a fact I believe is one of ADE’s greatest assets.”

He also singled out the massive range of parties that run concurrently with ADE, attracting tens of thousands of additional clubbers partying alongside delegates. Despite attracting such huge numbers of additional tourists, he said Amsterdam authorities remain relatively lukewarm in lending support.

“During the first few years, City of Amsterdam authorities weren’t really interested in ADE, but over the years, as we’ve become stronger and as they’ve began to recognise creative industries as important instruments to promote the city, they’ve recognised us more and more,” he said.

“Though we remain realistic; we still have to struggle every year for support. As a festival, we’re in competition with all major venues, museums classical orchestras and the national ballet etc. You can image how this works for us being a festival focused on electronic music.”

ADE takes place between October 20 and 23 in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

http://www.amsterdam-dance-event.nl/

Seb Mortimer (http://skrufff.com)

New York club legend Lady Bunny

New York nightlife diva/ alternative superstar Lady Bunny will be contributing stories to Skrufff.com, adding her distinctive perception of America’s club and queer culture.

Click on the picture for Bunny's recommended link

click HERE

Alisson & Jonty Skrufff (click for lots more Alisson)

We’re delighted to announce that ubercool queen of Brazilian nightlife,  avant garde superstar Alisson Gothz is joining the Skrufff team, and will be contributing regular reports on her adventures in Sao Paulo nightlife.  Check below for a selection of pictures of Alisson in action:

David Harrow

In his own words: ….

David Harrow: Artist  Producer Remixer

moved to LA about 10 years back,  took some time off after 20 years of non stop touring with Dub Syndicate/ Lee Perry/On U  Sound/ Technova.
had a couple of kids  ,built a studio/ digital production/recordlabel

scored  some hollywood movies/tv shows/adverts
LASVEGAS /  the LOANER/  SEXLIVES IN LA  / FORD FOCUS
produced some award winning albums
JAMES HARDWAY
SDUB http://www.salmonelladub.com/discography
got involved  in controllerism

started making live  video/audio  remixes

http://www.youtube.com/user/workhousedigital

remixs  this year  include
billieray martin/caberet voltaire/ box kids / martini bros

A night out with the Visionaries/LVX Collective at the Airliner, East LA

“It’s funny you know when I moved to LA 10 years ago,  as cool as it was, the music scene was still stuck  in the 80s: that big hair rock era of the Sunset Strip complete with aging rockers  sporting 50 Gee’s worth of hairplugs.

Sure, there was a little Chinatown art scene that was quietly blooming  with after show parties at Roger Herman’s Black Dragon Society, and C-level  but the music was still not the main focus but NOW LA  has slowly  become a contender for  Berlin’s title of  premier electronic music city

The east side has blossomed from Echo Park’s dubstep nights @ the Echoplex on saturdays, the rammed out Dubclub on wednesday competing with Daddy Kev’s Lowendtheory @ the Airliner (I alternate my wednesday choice!)

DJs @ the Echoplex

You know when a club is hot when they  don’t bother to clean up the pools of water from out one week a year flash rain;  the atmosphere reminds me of  Jah Shaka’s sound  in the 90s. The Alphapup Records connection to Lowendtheory manifests itself  in the most  dandy figurehead of Daedalus with his side whiskers and tails and ever present monome moves us to sundays at the downtown independent cinema where  the above  performs along with  the host  Flylo  and  a host of far reaching machine benders congregatefor the BRAINFEEDER sessions.

Brainfeeder

Over on the west side  at the Hammer museum  sees Flux Video night, a 3 venue simu-screening of brand new videos and short films, beatrix jar performing with inspiring OICHO video/audio artists. More artists of merit  than you can shake a stick at; Gaslamp Killer , Nocando , lvx Collective, Nobody,Free the Robots,  the  list is endless as they say……

Brainfeeder Flylo's night downtown