'DANCING IS A PRIMAL THING THAT PEOPLE WILL ALWAYS WANT TO DO'
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DO 0 O O 0 Sandra Marron talks to the folk behind DIVINE! as they reach their 15th birthday with the longest running residency in Glasgow.
hat a year I990 was. ()Id iron knickers
Maggie Thatcher resigned over some Poll
'I'ax rioting. Nelson Mandela was freed. Iraq invaded Kuwait and Madonna was showing us all how to vogue. And if all that wasn't enough. a new (ilasgow club night was gearing up for what was to be its first in a IS-year stretch. IIark one and all as Divine? celebrates a whopping l5 years at the Art School this month. making it the undisputed longest running unbroken residency (same venue. same DJs) in old (ilasgow town. something Andrew ‘Andrew Divine~ Symington. the club‘s promoter and resident 1)]. sees as no small miracle. ‘When Divine! began. the point
was just to get a good club night tip and running to hear
the music I loved and meet like-minded people.’ he explains. 'I never really thought about how long it might run. (‘Iubs were pretty dodgy back then. Venues were always shutting down and managers were always changing. so I never really thought about it reaching its first birthday. never mind l5th.’
.-\ self-confessed ‘vinyl-fiend‘ Mr Divinel. along
with fellow ‘vinyl archaeologist‘ and spinning partner
Ilushpuppy. is something of a proud purist when it comes to the most important element of the night the music. ‘You can tell we're genuinely passionate about the music.‘ says Symington. "I‘here are far too many wee guys who get into I).Iing because they love the idea of jetting around the globe. coupled with plentiful sex and free cocaine. The tnusic is way down the agenda and I think the punters can tell.‘
In the 15 years since the club‘s inception. we‘ve danced and glow-sticked our way through the explosion of house music. the infamous electroclash
movement (and arguments). the rise and fall of the
trance scene and are now slap bang in the middle of
the small live band/indie night frenzy. It‘s no small wonder then that a night playing northern soul. heavyweight funk. Tamla Motown and 60s freakbeat has not only survived the fashionistas‘ musical whims and the frivolous scenesters‘ 'next big thing' attitudes but continues to attract a new following. Symington agrees: ‘I think the music is diverse enough that it appeals to new and old punters. We make a conscious effort to mix up the genres and mix in plenty of hits with the obscurities. so I think we manage to get a good balance between playing classics which don’t alienate new punters while mixing in more obscure selections to keep the regulars happy.‘ Symington is also proud of the ever-changing Scottish scene in which he is a major player. ‘(ilasgow has evolved incredibly. with one of the most vibrant club scenes in Britain. As more and more clubs open. I'm not convinced that more people necessarily go clubbing. but this has forced venues to put on smaller. more specialist nights which can only be a good thing. really.‘ One has to wonder then if some towel— throwing would ever be an option for Glasgost prince of funk and if he can keep going for another IS years. ‘I think dancing is basically a primal thing that people will always want to do and if there‘s a crowd wanting to dance to my records in IS years then I certainly hope to be still playing them.‘ he happily concludes.
Divine!, the Glasgow School of Art, Glasgow, Sat 10 Dec.
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‘I'I Modern Lovers Fifth Birthday My how time flies. especially when one is dancing to fine soul, jazz. ska and garage. Cocteau Lounge, Club Ego, Edinburgh, Fri 2 Dec. Pinup Nights Swimmer One. the Ads and the Hussy‘s play live. Woodside Social Club, Glasgow, Fri 2 Dec.
55 Boots A truly unbelievable line-up. The creme de la creme of Trojan artists. Carnival Arts Centre, Glasgow, Thu 8 Dec.
Mungo’s HiFi Ditching the roots and reggae and playing a one-off special featuring everything from bluegrass and grime to throat singing to Celtic ditties. Woodside Social Club. Glasgow, Fri 9 Dec.
Mekanik Kompakt Showcase It's innovative labels like Kompakt that have helped keep techno interesting. Dominik Eulberg and Gabriel Ananda are two such interesting purveyors. The Arches, Glasgow. Fri 9 Dec.
li- Haptic Fifth Birthday Gianni and Colin are joined by Erol Alkan faves and remixers extraordinaire Spirit Catcher. who play live. The Liquid Lounge, Glasgow, Sat 70 Dec. 4? Motel Stereotype‘s side project welcomes slicker than a slick thing DJ/producer Yousef in his first Scottish appearance for three years. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Sat 70 Dec. ‘7 Cosmic Fury London‘s most mental club, Impotent Fury, teams up with the legendary Cosmos. with a one- tune-each soundclash finale from Tom Middleton and Fred Deakin. The Venue, Edinburgh. Sat 70 Dec.
*3 I Fiy Spitfires Indie anthems a go-go with Pro- forma, Fickle Public and thee Comrades and Shitdisco live. Cabaret Voltaire, Edinburgh, Sun 17 Dec.
1;. if Not. 200:" THE LIST 39