DJING EVERYTHING FROM DISCO TO NORTHERN SOUL TO PUNK
80 fresh and so clan
As DAVID HOLMES and FREDDY FRESH prepare to play an almighty double header, David Pollock checks out their form.
record collection to make a grown vinyl obsessive break down and weep tears of joy is
one essential requirement for any DJ worthy of
consideration as an artist in their own right. rather than just a glorified jukebox. As a listener. it's the first time burr of hearing something you don’t recognise but instantly love ~ or of hearing something you know well tised out of context -— that really makes dancing your ass off a thrilling ride. rather than an automatic experience.
Which means that the \'emie's latest self-promoted night should he a unique experience. We‘d hate to be the poor sod that gets landed with the carrier charges on the DJ boxes because David Holmes and Freddy Fresh would both surely rank in the top ten of ultimate fanboys currently spinning decks in the world today.
Of course. anyone who isn‘t aware of Holmes and at least one branch of his seemingly ever-expanding production/DJ/recording empire just hasn't been paying attention. (letting a start DJing everything from disco to northern soul by way of punk in his native Belfast during his mid-teens. Holmes also found time to run a famine and put small gigs on in toilet venues. such dedication to having a key in every door obviously standing him in good stead for the largely uncategorisable career that was to follow.
After initial success with the Disco Evangelists alongside Ashley Beedle. and with copious remixing work for the likes of St Etienne and mate Andy Weatherall's Sabres of Paradise. Holmes produced his first album of moody. cinematic electronica in l995. suitably entitled This film's Crap, Let's Slush the Seats. Between that and the follow-up. 1997's Let's Get Killed.
Holmes also dabbled in soundtrack work. scoring 1997‘s Britllick Resurrection Man and seeing a track from This Film 's ('rup . . . appear on David Fincher‘s The Game.
These days the soundtrack work has — impressively authentic garage—funk hand the Free Association notwithstanding — become his prime mover. particularly collaborations with Steven Soderbergh on (Mt (ifSight. Ocean's Eleven and Ocean's Twelve. The difference is that. where many producers may choose to cop out. take the money. and doodle with inoffensive mood mUsic to bolster their pension plan. Holmes refuses to sacrifice his individuality.
Perhaps it‘s simply fortuitous that the liaison with Soderbergh sees a director with such a distinctly focUsed approach of his own entrust the work to people who know what they're doing. but Holmes still stamps his own kinetic style upon each movie. with his stock in Hollywood no doubt increasing with each release.
Meanwhile. Minnesotan Freddy Fresh (the man who gave Norman Cook his famous 'Fatboy Slim is fucking in heaven' quote via a plundered answerphone message) started working life DJing in skating rinks and working in record shops. but now he manages to combine being an internationally recognised breakbeat jockey with a double life as the writer of The Rap Records. a list of every old-school rap record released between I979 and 1988. We can only guess at how many of them he owns. but chances are plenty will pop up here.
L'ndoubtedly an evening which promises to be a trainspotter‘s delight. and that includes the two on stage.
The Venue, Edinburgh, Fri 25 Feb
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THE BEST bAiiCEirtooiiiACIION
323 Numbers Berlin-born Gernot Bronsert and Sebastian Szary are Modeselektor. and they are playing live at this envelope-pushing party under one of the coolest hotels in town. Brunswick Hotel Basement. Glasgow, Fri 78 Feb.
:1: What? We'll tell you what. Demarkus Lewis is guest DJ act this brilliant house night hosted by Mash and Chris Harris. Liquid Lounge, Glasgow. Fri 78 Feb.
:11 Jungle Maglk The drum & bass night settles into its new home, kicking off with a live show from UK Apachii alongside DJ PhantaSy (pictured). who'll be pushing the club's new soundsystem to the max. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh. Sat 79 Feb.
if: Musotica A true legend of the underground scene as Rolando from Detroit's peerless Underground Resistance show you what techno and mixing skills are all about. The Venue, Edinburgh, Sat 79 Feb.
:2: Optima (especio) The Blood Arm make the good journey from their native Los Angeles to Jamaica Street for a live gig at the most inventive club night in Glasgow. Sub Club, Glasgow, Sun 20 Feb.
:1: Luver Birthday party for the club that really knows how to party. Top hats. top cats and frisky felines only please. The Liquid Boom, Edinburgh, Sat 26 Feb.
:2: Kazoo As well as being one of our favourite wind instruments, it's great to see it back. especially as it was the home to one of Roddy's first ever gigs. The Barfly, Glasgow, Sat 79 Feb.
17 Feb—f: Mar 2905 THE LIST 35