So what better way to celebrate my ongoing life and hypochondria than the opening night of The Drones Club? The venue is about 5 minutes away from my flat, so I didn’t even have to break my underexercised excuse for a body into a sweat on the way there. Plus it was cheap, they have good beer, and it looked like fulfilling my non-reggae music quota for the rest of the month!
Plus, it looked like a cert that there would be an interesting networking of various crews and stuff. I shan’t bother you with the map, but Jim (1) is in the Stella Maris Drone Orchestra (or at least was at some point) with Zali, who I know from off the old plagiarist/pugilist “fake stewart home novel” massif. Jim (2) was dj-ing, along with Mark.
Plus also well chuffed to see Gyrus, Dr Beck, Chris P and Alan from AAA Maya as was. With all that going on, I was happy to miss most of the night whilst catching up with people and Drinking. To me, that is more exciting than going to watch what seemed to be random drumming and screaming. Seemed like everyone there was up to something. Great stuff.
I did catch a duo I assume was Morgen und Nite doing some good synth/guitar minimalism. Bits of it sounded like Heathen Earth, which is no bad thing. Bohemian chicks and guys milled about in front of the stage looking like extras from Star Trek forced to shop in Oxfam. Groovy!
The Stella Maris Drone Orchestra took to the stage and rocked out. Apparently the line up changes each time they play, but they were assisted this time by a wicked drummer who kept up to motorik liebzeit pace with serious panache. The rest of it is a blur, but they were good, there was loads of them and they all had masks on.
Rob Parasol
Blummin’ ‘eck. Sounds good. Can’t believe its been over four years since last in London meeting up with ‘many of the above named’.
You vukking nostalic-jealousy inducing cad, you!!
R.
2004/07/19 @ 03:34 pm
Alun
A great night that has since been overshadowed by the situation Gyrus found himself in later.
http://norlonto.net/gyrus/index.cfm
If there are any positives to come out of such an incident, it is that despite the fucked-up-ness of what happened, Gyrus manages to write a wonderfully charged and strengthening reply.
best wishes
/a
2004/07/20 @ 03:24 pm
John
I can’t believe I spelt your name wrong after all these years of not remembering it! I am officially useless.
On a better note, Gyrus seems to be ok considering the horrific situation he ended up in, through no fault of his own. I’m hoping to see him at Coil. It’s inspiring to read that piece, for sure and I’m not sure if I’d be up to it in his shoes. Also a salutory reminder that homophobia can affect anyone and about the role of the scapegoat…
2004/07/20 @ 03:46 pm
Jim http://www.evergreendaze.com
Damm I wish I’d gone now , you must live well near me, still going to Coil on Sunday ?
2004/07/20 @ 04:12 pm
Jim http://www.evergreendaze.com
I meant damm wish I went to what sounds like a great gig just read about that incident thats well fucked up, you have my sympathies.
2004/07/20 @ 04:18 pm
John
Got my ticket for Coil, Jim – drop me an email about meeting?
2004/07/20 @ 04:21 pm
Alun ( / )
Anyone wanting a pre-Coil warm-up, there’s a Brazilian Ghetto tech (Funk Carioca) mash-up at the Spitz (Commersial St) from 4pm, looks like it could be fun, otherwise i would recommend the Ship (next door to the Hackney Empire) get there early and get free food… nice.
2004/07/20 @ 06:20 pm
iotar
Gyrus is having his stitches taken out today. He’s fine, but perhaps a little wary of getting on a nightbus with me again.
Nice to finally meet you, John. Hopefully we’ll have a more coherent and less beered-up incarnation of the Stellas playing next time!
2004/07/21 @ 05:33 pm
Tango-Mango http://www.freq.org.uk
Thanks John – this is exactly the sort of reaction we wanted to the night. We’ll be doing it all again in August (I hope without the senseless violence), though prolly with a completely altered SMDO (again). More drones too.
T-M
2004/07/22 @ 01:27 pm
morgen
What’s Heathen Earth?
I’m sure the other half of Morgen und Nite knows, but I sure don’t…
It was our first gig, so thanks for the mention!
2004/07/22 @ 04:28 pm
John
cool to see people dropping by – keep me posted TM 🙂 – morgen: “Heathen Earth” is an album by Throbbing Gristle…
2004/07/26 @ 11:27 am