‘I'LL BE PLAYING, FOR THE MOST PART, WHAT I CALL MY GREY AREA SOUND'
Southern dicmfort
Internationally renowned DJ Robert Hood takes David Pollock on a musical odyssey from Detroit to the Deep South.
tarting off their own personal clubbing years
with one of those metaphorical bangs we do all
so enjoy. Pressure have coaxed a customarily splendid line-up together for their Janttary event. It's a classy roster. with Dave (‘larke headlining. regulars Slam making an appearance. and high quality supporting DJs in Andy Weatherall. Tom Middleton. Ivan Smagghc and Silicon Soul.
Yet among such a bill of familiar and guaranteed-to- rock names. one might stand out as being a little less familiar to the majority ol‘ Scots clubbers. Not that Robert Hooth place in dance music‘s history isn't assured. however. lie was a founder of the seminal Underground Resistance collective in his native Detroit alongside ‘Mad' Mike Banks and kit Mills. but has latterly concentrated on his own M-Plant label. Among the others he's recorded for are Axis and l’eaccl‘rog.
‘I really got into making music and DJng around 8‘). ()(l‘. recalls the laid-back llood. ‘I had met Juan Atkins already. but just through my day job when l was doing some sleeve artwork for him. He inspired me at the time. The Detroit scene was already there. I remember it was abottt 1985 when l was listening to lilectric ('ra/y People on the radio. guys like Derrick May. Juan. Kevin Saunderson . . . There was an underground scene and a college scene at the time. a lot oi parties. It wasn't even called house or techno then. it was just progressive music.
‘thn l lirst met Mike Banks he let me play him a tape. and he liked the drtnn programming on it. They were doing a compilation and he asked me to do a
couple of tracks for it. so we went to .lel'l‘ Mills’ hottsc to record them. I remember. and that‘s where I met him.‘
The year 2004 saw Hood move to the much more peaceful climes ol' Ari/ona. as his wil'e is from there and the family got a good deal on a live-acre plot to build their own house. Ask Hood why he lel‘t Detroit. and the answer. he says. will be buried deep within the set he'll be playing here.
‘1’” be playing. tor the most part. what I call my ('ircy Area sound.‘ he says. ‘It‘s sort of desolate. For want ol‘ a better world. it's minimal. liven when the sun‘s out in Detroit there's a grey tone in the atmosphere. There are abandoned buildings and houses but still some nice neighbourhoods. there are corrupt cops yet still some good people. man. It's CXII‘CITTCs of black and white. and when you ptit it all together it’s golf come out grey.
‘lt‘s the same situation in the world. looking at the war in Iraq and even just getting on a plane every other weekend. You gotta watch out. .\'ow I'm a city boy. but being down here in the Deep South is where (iod wants me to be. We've been taken out of our coml‘ort /one and now we live on a dirt road. But y’know. I speak to some older white guys who may have been racists in the past. and we‘re shaking hands by the end. ()ne ol these guys told me we’re here to add to the sum ol‘ human kindness. and that’s what I want to do with my music. liven without lyrics. you can sing a song with the high hat that goes straight to peoplch hearts.‘
Pressure is at the Arches, Glasgow, Fri 26 Jan.
=1: Chew the Fat Do yourself two favours: firstly. go buy Fabric Live 30 courtesy of Stanton Warriors. and secondly, go to this night and see them. Sub Club, Glasgow, Fri 19 Jan.
:1: Soul Biscuits The best in UK hip hop from special guest Skinnylvian (and son). Cabaret Voltaire. Edinburgh, Fri 79 Jan. =1: Fast Arthouse. warehouse types XVectors dish out the live punk funk. The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Fri 26 Jan.
3:: Friday Fling It's a ceilidh but with DJs scratching and mixing over the music. Classic Grand, Glasgow. Week/y Fri.
:2: Friday Street A new venue for Mikey Collins and Paul Molloy. This fortnight they are joined by funk and soul man Andrew Divine. Blackfriars. Glasgow, Fri 26 Jan.
:2: Dance Party The Hold is the hot new venue in town and this is the night to check out. Billy Woods and ProVinylist Karim take no prisoners. The Hold, Glasgow, Sat 27 Jan.
:12: Headspin It's a big birthday weekend as Headspin hit their ninth year of top funk, hip hop and house action. The Bongo Club, Edinburgh, Sat 27 Jan.
:1: Manga The drum & bass collective celebrate their 1 1th birthday with DJ Craze on guest duties. The Liquid Room, Edinburgh, Sat 27 Jan.
2i: Stereotype Tough house with a hard electro edge from Mason behind the huge 'Exceeder' as he swings by for a Scottish exclusive at this fourth birthday. Ber/in, Edinburgh, Sat 27 Jan.
:i: OHM Consistently good music from Charlie and Co at this quality house night. The Soundhaus, Glasgow, Sat 27 Jan.
its .Jti't
' For: .’t')ll.‘ THE LIST 29