‘IT HELPS PEOPLE IDENTIFY WITH OTHER LIKE-MINDED TYPES'
Feline groovy
Sandra Marron talks to the team behind the CATHOUSE relaunch and MARC ALMOND, the first DJ to play in the new look venue as part of Glasgay!
‘ e've even found windows. There is actual natural daylight coming into the Czttltottse.’ exclaims (‘l’lfs Group PR and
marketing manager Kirstie Macdonald. How the Goth kids are going to take that news is anyone's guess. but when they see the newly refurbished. remodelled three- level venue. a shaft of natural light might not be such a concern. Stairwells are getting ripped out. bars are being demolished. toilets are getting a major facelift (rumour has it the hoys‘ urinals are in the shape of a woman's mouth) with each of the floors becoming more conducive to its particular type of activity.
Level One. for example. will have the centre bar removed and pushed back against a wall. making it more suited to live gigs. and Level Two will benefit from a larger bar capacity for busy club nights. liye- catching features to look out for include L'V-shaped cobwebs on the ceiling. chain mail around the seating area plus stunning hardcore cartoons adorning various walls from underground artist Deadboy.
It officially opens its refurbished doors on Hallowe‘en weekend but if you want a one-level sneak preview the week before. then Soft (‘ell‘s Marc Almond is taking over Level One as part of queer arts festival Glasgayl with. in his own words. ‘electro. electro-clash. nostalgic remixes. and more electro‘. lilectro isn’t exactly what you would expect from the (‘athouse btit then again neither is hip hop. rock karaoke. pole dancing or an alternative gay night but they are all going to form part of the new programme of events. Purists needn‘t worry. though. because the meat and two veg that is the C‘athouse‘s staple will not be
sacrificed in any way. Punk. rock and hardcore will still take pride of place as the venue will remain first and foremost a dedicated rock haven. As Macdonald explains: ‘You always know what you are going to get when you go to the (‘athouse and we are not messing with that. The only actual change to the existing programming is that Martin Bates is going to Level One on a Friday night. Everything else on the existing programme from the Wednesday until a Sunday night will remain. but we are going to build on top of that. We currently have two nights with two levels opened. We are going to go for six nights with two levels open.'
The set from Almond is his first in Scotland since his motorbike accident last year but he is excited to be playing in Glasgow as part of Glasgay! ‘I love DJing and the last time I played in Glasgow was really great. the crowd were amazing.’ he says. ‘lt helps people identify with other like—minded types.‘ explains Almond of why it‘s important that high-profile gay artists such as himself should be involved with the festival. It‘s only fitting then that his gig should be at the (‘athouse As Macdonald sums up the ethos the (‘athouse has always been famous for. 'It‘s diverse. it's eclectic and it's for anybody who likes the alternative side of life. We‘ve tried to take loads of people‘s definitions of alternative and cater for that. Alternative is many things to many people. We're diving into the bag of alternative and pulling out a real pick‘n‘mix of options.‘
Marc Almond DJs as part of Glasgay! at the Cathouse, Glasgow, Fri 21 Oct
Obscene v React v Dogma The drum & bass collective lay it on the line and take on a double bill of techno residents in a fight to the death. The Venue, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Oct.
77;: Subculture v Slam And it's another showdown in the city as the Glasgow big guns hit the capital. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Fri 27 Oct.
Colours In 2004 Dutch trance superstar Armin Van Buuren released the album A State of Trance which catapulted him into the international spotlight. Noisy. fast and furious. The Arches, Glasgow, Sat 22 Oct.
Plec A new weekly night with Beat 106's Martin Bate. Ever wondered what was in Aidan Moftat's record collection? You can find out tonight. The Liquid Lounge, Glasgow, Sun 23 Oct.
= Utter Gutter They may be Queer and Loathing in Glasvegas. but they know how to throw a bash. Dress up and join the Gutter crew as they celebrate with their first birthday Hallowe'en party. Riverside Club, Glasgow, Fri 28 Oct.
4' Rockstar The fantastic Mr Lee Fields joins Jo Mills from Ibiza's Space and DCi O at this new crossover night. Two names you would never expect to find on the same bill. The Corinthian, Glasgow, Sat 29 Oct.
“.',r Vegas! It's another big Vegas birthday for another big band and Rat Pack-inspired night with the usual cast of characters plus burlesque from Miss Lilly White (pictured) and two live sets from Craig McMurdo. Ocean Terminal, Edinburgh, Sat 29 Oct.
"‘73 Optima Espookio One of the best Hallowe‘en parties in Glasgow with punters making a huge effort costume—wise. Sub Club, Glasgow, Sun 30 Oct.
20 Oct '3 Nov 200:3 THE LIST 29