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| You are browsing the news articles in date order. You can get this as an RSS feed too, see below. |
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| tags: | comps | love | splat | the lovely bones |
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Imagine my delight when I heard the word that not only was one of my favourite old-skool brands, SodaStream, making a bubbling comeback, but I was getting the chance to glitter up a few of these beauties for their launch! Back in the day, I was all up for a fizzy treat courtesy of this machine of dreams and it really was the pinnacle of cool back in the 80’s to be a proud owner.
Soda Stream has been re-launched with an array of super sleek machines, a million miles away from their retro ancestors, a string of fizzibly scrumptious new sugar free flavours, a sparkling new logo and if that’s not enough, they keep the environment smiling!
Just days before Christmas, SodaStream was back with a bang/fizz and set up a spectacular 80’s theme pop-up shop in Camden complete with a snazzy dance floor, 80’s tunes , arcade games and girls in roller-boots wearing blue wigs which magically matched my own hair colour!
The three day event saw an extra special launch party complete with a bunch of celebs including Sophie Ellis-Bextor, Remi Nicole and Shingai from the Noisettes as well as a mixologist churning out some SodaStream cocktails.
I got to get in on a slice of the action alongside fellow artists, Meg Mathews and Dan Stafford and each of us were commissioned to create some custom designed machines. Mine involved a whole load of sparkles, holographic stars and more rhinestones than a line-dancer from Texas….
Check them out!
Emma Bell is a mindblowing fashion designer and occasional commenter on iconic, seemingly-deceased-but-actually-not-surprisingly, amazing 80s brands and colourful things for Planetnotion.com
Previous Emma Bell 80s loving:
OMG! EMMA BELL HAS JUST VISITED THE 80s!
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| tags: | emma bell | soda stream | more... |
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Tonight some of the biggest names in UK music are doing their bit to fundraise for the victims of the Haiti earthquake with a special one off gig. By simply making a minimum donation of just £5, you could see big names such as Wiley, Tomb Crew, Shy FX, Mz Bratt, Doorly and Drums of Death take over the decks at Den and Centro (formerly The End) in central London from 9pm to 6am. The one off special is a joint initiative between SOME Night, charity Ctrl.Alt.Shift, who use popular culture to take global action, and esteemed production outfit True Tiger. Some of the biggest names in the business have agreed to waiver their fees to appear at the event, with the confirmed line-up a cross section of UK talent spanning multiple genres.
Stanza, of True Tiger explains: “We’ve literally pulled this together in three days. I got on the phone to Jack, the head of Vagabondz promotions at SOMEnight, and Chantelle Fiddy, editor of Ctrl.Alt.Shift, about joining forces. We want to ensure our money gets to those who need it the most and Ctrl.Alt.Shift’s partners on the ground in Haiti will do just that. The response from everyone involved has been amazing and people have donated merchandise and goodies for our raffle on the night so we should be able to make a substantial contribution to the world-wide relief effort.” Tinchy Stryder said: "It's so sad and I know everyone who's seen the news has been touched by how many people have lost their lives and being made homeless. I've protested with Ctrl.Alt.Shift before but now, more than ever, it's about playing your part, so whether you can give £5 or £50, be a part of it. Unfortunately I'm in America and can't attend the event but I've donated a load of gear from Star In The Hood which you can win on the night, so do make sure you buy your raffle ticket too." Also on the bill is Wiley, who added: "When disasters like this happen it gives you a reality check and if there's something we can do to help then we should all do it. An event like this shows that we're able to come together and make a difference where it matters." The event takes place at the 1200 capacity Den & Centro (formally The End) in central London on the 20th January.
All proceeds will be used to fund Ctrl.Alt.Shift’s response to the desperate humanitarian situation in Haiti. Following last week’s earthquake hundreds of thousands of people are feared dead and many more are critically injured or homeless. Ctrl Alt Shift works through local organisations who are already distributing emergency supplies, particularly in areas that are getting little help from other agencies. They are providing food, tents, hygiene kits, blankets, jerry cans for water, water purifiers and medical support.
Updates on how much money has been raised and how the aid is being distributed will be available at www.ctrlaltshift.co.uk/haiti Date: Wednesday, 20th January Price: Minimum donation on the door £5 Time: 9pm-6am Location: The Den & Centro, 18 West Central St, London WC1A 1JJ http://www.thedenandcentro.com/
Acts confirmed to appear at the event include:
Wiley (Island Records) Tinie Tempah (Parlaphone Records) Sway (Konvict Music) MistaJam (Radio1/ 1Xtra) Nihal (Radio1) JME (Boy Better Know) Heartless Crew Shy FX b2b Breakage with Donaeo Hatcha b2b N Type with Crazy D (Kiss100) Mystery Jets (DJ Set) MJ Cole Ruff Sqwad Marvell Riz Ahmed aka Riz MC Mz Bratt Brookes Brothers & Dynamite MC DJ Cameo (1Xtra) Loose Cannons (Kiss100) Doorly The Freestylers Logan Sama (Kiss) with P Money DJ Target (1Xtra) b2b Maximum (Boy Better Know) B Live Twin B (1Xtra) b2b Twin B (Island Records) Alix Perez Blame Sukh Knight b2b Scandalous Unltd. (True Tiger) DJ Chef (Rinse.FM) & Rod Azlan (Dub Police) Anti-Social (Quest, Razor Rector & Gangsta Boogie's Heny G) Reso The Others (Dub Police) Trolley Snatcha (Dub Police) & G Double Tomb Crew Terror Danjah b2b Elijah b2b Skilliam Tayo Seb Chew (YoYo's) DJ Chuckie George Lenton Rico Tubbs Gentlemans Dub Club - LIVE The Thirst - LIVE Debruit - LIVE Blue Bear (True Tiger) Chantelle Fiddy & Hattie Collins (Ctrl.Alt.Shift/RWD/I.D Mag) Klose One & Rattus Rattus (Urban Nerds) Nasha Experience Drums Of Death (DJ Set) Rootikal selectors: David Hill, Stuart Patterson & Ashley Beedle Zero T b2b Kharnage & Stamina (Drum & Bass Arena) K (Sly Fly Records) Slugz b2b Boyson
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| tags: | do this | haiti | good things |
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Anyone heard the Google Chrome conspiracy? About the world’s favourite search engine deliberately causing firefox to crash, forcing us, the silenced majority to swap to their own new and much pushed browser?
Of course, I don’t want to go round spreading rumours but Google’s new ad campaign seems to rather suspiciously back this story up –“8 tabs open and no crashes”! That and the fact that my Firefox crashed an unholy amount of times while compiling this edition.
…Basically I’m blaming Google for the delay of this post. [ Please see image.—Ed. ] But... here it finally is!
Rob Sparks – Arcade
http://www.myspace.com/sparx3000
Damn was going to put this last but just realised it needs to be first in this list: Future hip hop dubstep that I can only describe as a masterpiece, best tune on here, and if Rob Sparks was an American he would somehow or another be picking up a Grammy this year standing next to some A class rapper for this. FACT.
Headhunter & Invisible – Loved Up
Here we have previously featured artist Headhunter this time hooking up with someone called Invisible. In a nutshell, 4/4-shuffle step, with hypnotising vocal and techno smoke machines on the drop. Makes you chest shake up and down.
Skream – Listening To The Records On My Wall
There may be some mild controversy in this choice, from speaking to a few dubstep heads there’s been murmers that this tune is too simple, and un-original in it’s use of the infamous jungle break. But I say this is Skream, the man who takes the rawest of elements and melds them into some of the most compelling textures in modern dance music. Simple, has always had its place in music and I defy you not to have your head in the clouds when that melodic break down breaks through.
Dennis Ferrer – Hey Hey
I discovered this the other day and fell for it instantly, diva vocals on house/techno tracks can always be dangerous territory, but here the vocal or should I perhaps say the beat is treated with absolute dignity creating a climax which doesn’t smell of cheese. Something to ponder indeed.
MICHEL CLEIS - La Mezcla (Paul Kalkbrenner remix)
Tipped by the, errr, Guide (I wasn’t in Ibiza). This track was used to characterise the popular Villolobos/Luciano/bongo movement in techno which last year became sound of the white isle (that means Ibiza, I think). And, although the sound doesn’t translate quite as well to cold British car parks (That’s where the best raves are these days kids). This remix by the ever freezing German - Paul Kalkbrenner - does a good job brining the sound into the dark.
Calibre – Steptoe
You got to feel for Drum and Bass, there it was leading the light for UK underground bass music, then along comes Dubstep stealing it’s thunder, Radio 1 air-time and student audience… Mostly un-true but still here’s one answer - half-time 173 bpm work out from the scene’s most outrageously prolific and talented producers Calibre.
PREVIOUS EDITIONS OF G8HAUSMUSIK:
G8HausMusik Vol.5 G8HausMusik Vol.4 G8HausMusik Vol.3
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| tags: | g8hausmusik | skream | more... |
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So, it is all happening again. Sigh. On the positive side, it will be stop being cold in four months. HOW ABOUT THAT? Whew, this is the place to come for your hope, eh?
So this site will relaunch in a month or so. THAT IS EXCITING. It means things will also be busier and bustier.
Got that? Bigger. Bustier. Whew.
Speaking of busts, have you checked our latest issue? It's real hott. Try it here: www.notionmag.com . You can read it and everything - digitally! The world we are in today, eh?
We hope none of you were eager for a grand ol' Notion listicle-athon. We made them, sure, but we thought it'd be like sooo much moore unnergrown of us if we didn't publish them. Fancy! If you do want to know what we thought, email editorial(at)musichqmedia[dot]com and we'll let you know.
One of your editors contributed to the big Rockfeedback list, who's SHOCK WINNER is revealed here .
That's all, really. Hi there! Again. We wish you a sincerely good new year and encourage you to spend it with us.
[We've no idea why that picture of Deadmaus is there either, IT JUST IS.]
[On the stereo: Greymatter's rather eclectic dub-electro debut. It's good, actually! We give it a 7.8. Go have a listen somewhere.]
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| tags: | mmph | sleepy | happy new year | more... |
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| tags: | klaxons | get loaded in the dark | more... |
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The countdown to Ministry of Sound Live, the biggest NYE party to take place in Europe, has been ticking in anticipation since the event was announced in September with its all star line up including Calvin Harris, Justice, Deadmau5, Eric Prydz, Plump DJs, Dave Spoon and Example plus a live BBC Radio 1 broadcast from the stroke of midnight.
Ministry of Sound Live will offer revellers all night entertainment with nine hours of music accompanying spectacular visuals especially created for the event. A unique production policy will transform the arena via multiple stages, breathtaking lighting, pyrotechnic displays and an aerial walkway that will see artists and entertainers performing along an LED lit stage high above the crowd.
For the midnight moment a bespoke pyrotechnic display will be unveiled programmed to Calvin Harris’s set offering the audience an unforgettable experience as they see in 2010.
Ministry of Sound Live at the O2 arena is rapidly becoming the most talked about and sold out NYE event to take place this decade. Do not miss out on this unique 2010 countdown – Be There!
For your chance of winning a pair of tickets and solving your NYE dilemmas, go to www.planetnotion.com/competitions
Tickets are priced at £75, £50 and £35 and available from www.ministryofsound.com/NyeO2 / www.ticketmaster.co.uk / 08444 775 775
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| tags: | win win win | mos live | more... |
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...is HYP! HYP! HYP!
Srsly the only night you need to go to this Saturday. Big ass batty bass, Wonky, UK Funky, Dubstep, Electronica, Garage, you got it.
Just trust us on this, ok? We don't ask much of you, not often, but this is one of those things where we say, if you are within 2 hours journey of London, drop whatever it is you think you're doing this Saturday because it is not this good. Get on a train, bring your happy gear, and come the fuck to Brixton. Go all night, leave at six and go back from whence you came. This is gospel.
The important details are as follows:
H!H!H! 1st Birthday Special Saturday 12th December Plan B Brixton
Featuring:
MJ Cole, Brackles B2B Ben UFO, Bok Bok B2B Jackmaster, Tomb Crew B2B Shortstuff, Rattus Rattus B2B Klose One, Warlock B2B noyeahno, Magic B2B Reecha, Boog-a-loo Crew, Mackaveli. 9PM – 6AM.
Plan B, 418 Brixton Road, SW9 7AY
www.hyponik.com
www.plan-brixton.com
So, just do it, yah? Kthxbai.
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| tags: | sailor jerry | joy formidable | more... |
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Notion friend and supermassively amazing fashion designer Emma Bell is our occasional extra-special correspondant. Emma does things no one else dares to dream . (Cf. Her fashion designs.) This time around, she is our occasional extra-special travel correspondent. But, being dear Emma, she has travelled to no mundane place like Machu Pichu or Atlantis. NOSUH. She has travelled to the Eighties . Amazing. Look at the results! LOOK AT THEM.
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Yesterday I went back in time to the 80’s, not only that, I heard some very juicy gossip whilst swinging through the grapevine eating Findus Crispy Pancakes…
Word on the street is that Bid TV are set to launch their Christmas workout DVD starring none other than Pat Butcher, Paris Hilton and Dolly Parton!
In other news, rumour has it that Corrie’s Gail Platt has embarked upon a saucy affair with Big Brother hottie, Mikey Dalton. I heard they met over a pint at the Rovers.
And finally, ever wondered what Spuggy from Byker Grove is up to these days? Well, she’s presenting a successful turn as a break-dancer on the Social Club circuit!
I would say ‘April Fools’ with a couple of jazz hands thrown in, but it’s November.
You too can create your very own magical images and fictional scenarios courtesy of Russell Athletic and their 80’s-Izer…
Prepare to flex at Muscle Beach or rock a bad perm in your very own workout video!
http://80s-izer.russellathletic.eu/
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Ladies and gentlemen! Emma Bell.
It's funny, thinking about Spuggy. Your editor shares a Geordie past with Emma Bell you see, and growing up at the time of Bykerbykerbykerbykerbyker-Grove, YEAH, we were all kind of defined by it. There was this one girl your editor went to school with who - just like Spuggy - was defined by her vast, expansive mane of ginger hair. Of course, we witty fellows at school immediately dubbed her 'Spuggy'. This stuck, long after Spuggy was killed off in a youth centre related accident or whatever. Thinking back, we can't even remember her name. She is, in the corner of some childhood memories, forever Spuggy.
It's not easy, being ginger.
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| tags: | emma bell | the 80s | more... |
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Ben Gatehouse, aka G8HAUSMUSIK, the music man wanderlust who wanders to the grimiest and this week grime-iest outer corners of the internetosphere and traverses the filthiest sarf lahnan clubs, so that he might return with tantilising morsels of a distant, different life.
Heeeyyylllo, Gotta say that this week’s selection was without doubt the easiest to compile so far. Don’t know if that’s a reflection of the ouput or what but I’m feeling pretty inspired by music right now, especially the grime scene which I’m slowly starting to understand… that isn’t really the right word, maybe “connect with”. Whatever! Hopefully the following will give you an idea of what I mean!
Headhunter – Sex at the prom
http://www.myspace.com/dubstepheadhunter
Via Radio one and Myspace
Ha, after all that this isn’t even grime. Headhunter, represents the - as he puts it - anti-wobble brigade of the dubstep community, taking influences from techno and Juke, apparently. Sex at the Prom for me sets the bench mark on how to produce 2 step techno at 140bpm. Awesome, just a shame we only have this radio clip to go on, oh well. Although it does also feature on the recent Modeselektor podcast !
Watch out for the new Headhunter album coming on Tempa soon.
Joker – My Trance Girl Via youtube
A few weeks back I posted Joker’s Tron and also mentioned this track as one to watch out for. Ripped here from his Sonar set back in June it’s been a highlight of his performances throughout the summer. I imagine we’ll see this on the forthcoming album, until then we just gonna have to make do with enjoying it on the local soundsytem, could be worse.
P Money feat OG’z – Hot ones Via Logan Sama’s kiss 100 show
Par is officially the word of the year, here another brilliant execution of the word no one has a description ( “a par is a Par, innit”) reckon this could cause similar damage in a club as par pioneer Tempa T’s Next Hype … Oddly grime is one genre that suffers from a lack of real exposure, a topic recently debated between Kiss FM’s grime show host Logan Sama and 1xtra’s Mistajam via twitter. I’m not enough of an expert to offer a reason, but the production on this track, especially in the vocal shows that with the right content grime can still be the UK’s answer to US Hip-Hop.
Tinchy Stryder – Unknown Via syro rinse podcast
Grime again and to prove that I’m not stupid and do know that one of the most commercially successful artists this year came from the grime scene, it’s Tinchy Stryder. To be honest I never thought I’d be featuring him on this blog, It’s not as if his mainstream output has really had anything to do with grime or really MCing, but in this tune he answers all his critics and wins over any doubters of his underground credentials in the space of one line (highlighted by the mc riding over the track), this is how MCing should be done! Not sure if it’s new or old or whatever but it’s taken from Spyros’s recent rinse podcast, listen to it for new music insight that blows this blog out of the water.
Poxy Music - War Paint feat. Gina Mitchell (Claude VonStroke)
Via Roska XLR8R podcast
So one from last year I completely missed, Claude Von Stroke doing what he’s famous for and getting the attention from UK funky main man Roska who featured the track on his recent XLR8R podcast. Enjoy!
Previous G8HAUSMUSIK:
Vol.4 Vol.3 Vol.1
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| tags: | g8hausmusik | tinchy stryder | more... |
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Hello! What's this? A gig in a shop! We're really rather fond of these. There's something about the compromised anarchism that really tickles us.
Elmor, a UK band sponsored by HL Jeans Co, the little brother of Henri Lloyd, played the HL store on Carnaby street - amazingly, about 200 people gathered outside to see it. Super! The band even took the time to chat with people outside.
What you see in these images and read above is basically a vision of the not-at-all-very-distant future, the co-mingling of art and commerce, which will, frankly, be the only way you will get to enjoy free culture-y things. So much you enjoy for free on the internet will be gone, BEHIND THE PAYWALL (a sentence we all find ourselves saying far too often these days as it is), and in our dotage we will sit in chairs with progeny at our feet, who will look up dewy eyed as we recount the wild west days of the internet and how we read the Guardian for free. They will nod, and make noises, and then grow up to read arts criticism brought to you by Trafigura for free and always wonder what a "Theguardian" was because it will have closed down by then, as no one wants to pay to read, or, especially, to have to look at, Tanya Gold.
Go and have a listen to Elmor on HL Jeans Co's website: they're surprisingly not bad at all.
www.hl-jeans.com
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| tags: | hl jeans co | henri lloyd | more... |
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New venues Billie Jean’s and Mantra and Tao are to open in Ware, Hertfordshire this weekend (20 th -21 st November).
Under new management, the venues previously known as ‘Club Sky’ and ‘Storm Bar’ are being revamped into the 21 st century hosting both a late night club and bar.
Late night venue, Mantra & Tao, offers ‘class and sophistication to another level’ captivating a range of ages on special nights: Thursday’s over 18’s, Friday’s over 25’s and Saturdays exclusively to the over 21’s. Opening from 9pm-2am, Mantra and Tao boasts breathtaking décor, sound and lighting.
Billie Jean’s, the downstairs bar, is taking the public back in time calling itself the ‘ultimate 80s bar’. Open to strictly over 18’s on Thursday to Saturday, Billie Jean’s is free admission every night 7pm-Midnight.
Both venues can be found at 20 Amwell End, Ware, Hertfordshire SG12 9HQ. For any further information call 01920 48 48 98.
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The word ‘revue’ is not used often enough, in our minds. It’s a great word! Let’s see what it means.
CLICK HERE TO SEE WHAT IT MEANS
Amazing. Basically, it’s a fancy Victorian word for a party with loads going on. What’s not to like?
Indeed! And what’s not to like about Levi’s Ones To Watch staging a five night revue in London’s dear old east end?
Over 5 nights in the Hoxton Bar & Kitchen and Cargo, Levi’s OTW will settle in, make themselves comfortable and, seemingly, blow your mind with actually-really-quite-good line ups of pretty much every genre. It’s super hot!
Our particular favourites would be, actually, all of them? Cherbourg’s pretty lush folk, Crystal Fighters are ABSOLUTELY AMAZING genre-bending rave up madness, Marina & the Diamonds are super fun, Beth Jeans is completely mad and love and her dad’s really nice too! And then the big closing party at Cargo has a series of wonderfully named bands plus “VERY special guests”. When the capitals come out, you know it’s excite time. Here’s the full set of line-ups below. Full line up below and then pictures of pretty ladies! Click on them - and also click here - to see a wonderful Levi's video. And surprises!
Monday 16 th November: Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Cherbourg (Andrew Davie solo) + Goldheart Assembly + Young Rebel Set
Tuesday 17 th November: Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Crystal Fighters + Violens + Wild Palms
Wednesday 18 th November: Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Marina & The Diamonds + Wolf Gang + Clock Opera
Thursday 19 th November: Hoxton Bar & Kitchen
Sky Larkin + MPHO + Beth Jeans Houghton
Friday 20 th November: Levi’s®OnesToWatch® 2009 Closing Party @ Cargo 83 Rivington Street
The Whip + Alex Metric (Live set) + Totally Enormous Extinct Dinosaurs + Ezra Bang & Hot Machine + VERY special guests
The lovely Beth Jeans Houghton. Click on her!
And the equally lovely Marina. Click!
Fin.
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| tags: | levi's onestowatch | levi's | more... |
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Sick of twats dancing to the same old remixes of everyone but especially La Roux? Well turn your back on east London this Friday and head to Brixton for World Unknown, a new night that deals in electro, synthpop, ebm, new beat and acid house. As well as DJs Andy Blake (Dissident, Black Editions) and Joe Hart (Body Hammer, Bloc), there will bea live set from Radical Majik, who'll be showcasing some of their stuff soon to be released on dissident. The venue isa ' proper old railway arch with a dub soundsystem' - perfect for all that synth and doomy drumbeats.
Here's a taste of what to expect - a free Andy Blake World Unknown mix:
Here's Andy's brief guide to potentially confusing sub-genres from the 1980s which will feature heavily at World Unknown:
Belgian new beat : a far wider selection of musical styles than most usually take it to mean. Often takes the form of industrial and European synth pop slowed down to 33rpm to accentuate the groove and low frequencies
cold wave : vaguely scary European synth pop and experimental instrumental stuff. Imagine Depeche Mode records sung in Polish by bands you've never heard of, and you're getting there.
synth-pop : imagine Depeche Mode records sung by Depeche Mode, and Blancmange and countless others including Simple Minds before they were shit.
italo: electronic disco from Italy, often with out of tune vocals in badly sung English
jacking acid house : nuff said - surely?
techno : kids from Detroit trying to make Ultravox b-sides.
electro: quite like techno but instead of going bmm, tsch, bmm, tsch it goes bmm, tsch, bmm, bmm, tsch
£5 before 12/£7 after Arch 269 Coldharbour Lane, Brixton, SW9 8SE
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| tags: | world unknown | brixton | more... |
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