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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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Ahead November 06th Preview: Scott Bond explains why he is AHEAD of Gatecrasher
Reported by Macavity
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Submitted 07-10-04 11:17
Earlier this year Gatecrasher fans were shocked and saddened when its co- founder, promoter and resident dj, Scott Bond announced his departure. To many Scott was synonymous with the scene and were worried it signified the end of dance music culture. Surely the person who had always been one of the most enthusiastic pioneers of the scene wasn’t going to give it all up? What was going to lie ‘ahead’?
Thankfully his fans didn’t have to wait long and a few months later Scott was back doing what he does best – Creating the best parties.
This time the party was AHEAD which he launched just as successfully at The Adelphi in Sheffield in May 2004 with his partner Andrew Gallagher (of Fantazia fame). To Scott his departure from Gatecrasher certainly wasn’t the end of an era, just the beginning of a new one.
Let’s find out a little more from Scott, who took time out of his busy schedule to tell us about his new club night, his label and why music’s coming home.
Why did you leave Gatecrasher?
It was a collection of things really. I did not agree with a lot of the decisions being made over there and basically I’d just had enough. I had been there 10 years and they were a great 10 years but it was just time for a change.
Scott Bond at Gatecrasher at Heaven
Ahead launched in May? It’s had great reports. How is it going now?
We could not have wished for it to go better. Since launching we’ve released one Ahead album, signed up Slinky for a five album deal, held an arena at a mini festival and already had a string of tour dates around the world.
The Slinky Trans – Atlantik album is released on 18 October and we have a 35 date world tour to support the album.
We have also secured a deal with Passion for four dates there per year. The first one is on ninth of October and we are back there on Boxing Day. Our Sheffield parties have grown and grown and we now have a very loyal following in the North and it’s about to get bigger.
You founded and now promote AHEAD with Andrew Gallagher of the Fantazia. How did this come about?
I have always been friends with Andrew. Before I had put any albums out I used to badger Andy for gigs at Fantasia. Then I’d pester him to get a DJ mix album with Fantasia I never did get one though
When he was at Sony Andrew also worked on the first five Gatecrasher albums with me - including Black, Red, Wet and Disco Tech.
Then when I left Gatecrasher and was planning my next move I called him to see if he wanted to get involved. He said yes and brought some ideas over for discussion. After that we both agreed to move forward with our plans……Ahead.
At the beginning of the whole phenomenon the music policies were more eclectic, then nights seems to become more niche. Do you think we are just reverting to this?
Ahead is not about one music policy, it’s about a varied night out. It was one of the big issues that came up in our research. People like different styles of music, they don’t want to listen to one sound all night they want variety, a journey. We put trance, breaks, house, progressive, techno and electro on all in one night, all in one room and if you program the night right it is amazing. That’s how it used to be when I first started going out - Lots of different styles. I believe there are only two types of music- good and bad. That’s why I believe we will succeed.
Describe AHEAD? What’s the thinking behind it? Surely this is very daunting after you’ve already been involved in such a clubbing phenomenon?
I like the challenge. With Ahead we’re offering something new in a very tired scene. People moan about most clubs these days. The message boards are full of disappointed clubbers. No one is really happy with the current scene.
That is the reason we launched. We believe we can make the difference, give the people what they want and inject life back in to the scene. It’s already working in the North and we are set to take it nationally.
Tell us about the record label?
It’s called Ahead Music and it’s where we release the Ahead CDs but in addition to this we are signing more and more products. Slinky is the first but we have our eye on three other projects. We would like to have a different album out very 6-8 weeks; the people we sign will all be different and will, not compete with each other. We will also be releasing vinyl versions of our albums throughout 2005.
How did you get in to the whole club land thing?
I started going out to nights at the Hummingbird in Birmingham. Then on to early acid house parties and large events. When I started djing I certainly didn’t do it for the money or the fame. None of that was there. I just did it for the love of the music and that’s the reason I am still doing it today.
Tell us about what will be happening on November 06th. Why should we be excited?
We have Gabriel & Dresden all the way from San Francisco playing a three hour set. We then have rising starts Leama & Moor, French techno Dj Agoria and then of course me and Ben Lost.
Clubbers should expect a killer sound system far to large for the space which means it will be very crisp and clear. Our resident VDJ Steve Gormly and the rest of the Ahead lighting and décor will also mean the place will look fabulous. But the one thing that sets Ahead ..ahead is the crowd the people who come. They create the vibe, the atmosphere and, well, the club .
What’s the secret to successful promotions?
Know your market and give them what they want. Don’t believe your own hype and keep your feet on the ground.
Scott Bond
Some sceptics think club culture is dying. What are your thoughts?
I would agree to a certain level. Club land became boring. Clubs were using the same line ups week in week out. The same ten djs were on a circuit around the UK and basically it just burnt out.
People have not fallen out with dance music it’s just going through an evolution. People fell out with rock clubs for a while but all of a sudden they are queued around the block. I just think people want more out of clubbing now. They want to be excited and see new people, new styles, new combinations and a whole new outlook on clubbing - and that’s what we’re delivering.
All the main nights now seem to be on a Saturday? This wasn’t always the case. What has happened?
There are still quite a few clubs open Fridays here and around the world. I personally don’t thing the day of the week matters. I remember a time when you could open a club on any night of the week and it would be full. That was when people were excited and looked forward to going out and seeing new djs hearing new music.
Do you prefer promoting or Djing?
Promoting, djing and producing all work hand-in-hand. I always get asked what I prefer but it’s too hard to say. They’ve have all been kind to me over the years.
Are you still as excited about dance music as you always where?
Yes I am more excited about dance music now that I have been for the last five years. Ahead is in a prime position. It can go anywhere, do anything and that excites me. Now its just down to me, Andy, Rowan & the team to make it happen. No corporate bollocks just us.
Who do you think will win the DJ Mag top 100 this year? Who would you like to see top it?
I would like to see Paul van Dyk win it. I’m really good friends with Tiesto but I think it’s Paul’s turn to win.
If you wrote an autobiography. What would you call it?
Getting Ahead of Gatecrasher or planes trains and dance clubs
Is Ahead the new Gatecrasher, or is it better?
No way is it the new Crasher. That was never our plan. What’s the point? There are already enough clubs that ripped of Gatecrasher and to be honest none of them are doing well. Ahead is ahead. It’s different to all the other clubs. We have a whole different approach. When we launched we thought long and hard and basically noticed a gap. No one listened to what the people wanted. Promoters told clubbers who was on and hoped for the best. We ask who you want to see and more importantly who don’t you want to see
Thanks Scott for his time and if you want to find out more just go to www.aheadmusic.com
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Other Features By Macavity:
Ben Coda Gets Ready for Glade Festival
The Tidy Boys are Back To Clean Up London
David Minns Tells Us Why South London is The Place To Be!
Russia's No 1 DJ, Bobina Springs into London
Ali Wilson - From Harderfaster to Carl Cox's Favourite Producer
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Batmanuel on 19th Oct 2004 09:23.14
superb stuff havent made it to an ahead night yet but this make sme want ot go even more
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