100 Club Crisis

[Guest Hanna]

Few years past age of 25 and I'm not having a laugh (but smiling..). Also have to say that music is very important to people on the right side (?!) of 45;) (read earlier post)

100 Club was one of the reasons I moved to the Uk in 2005 and I loved taking part of the music and dancing each month there for two years. How ever 100 club wasn't the reason I moved back to Sweden:lol:

I wish you the best of luck Ady in what ever you decide to do with your club but it would be a great shame to see it close down.. I've been over to the Uk many times since my move, not to revisit you, the legends of 100 club though. I'd love to but once I travel over my prior lies in venues that offer a more variety of line up/guest dj's. But now I feel I should pay a visit, have a great night and support.

All the best,

Hanna

[Wilxy]

I'm ashamed to say that my last visit to the 100 club was nine long years ago, when the South Wales "Soul Patrol" were on regular active duty, and times at the hallowed venue were enjoyed regularly and with sincere fervour.....Alas personal events curtailed my enthusiasm for most things for a long while, and the 100 club in particular would have been a painful excursion for many reasons, and whilst time has been the great proverbial healer....I've become a lazy so and so, and London generally doesn't appeal to me with regard to travel and cost, as nobody in my adopted town of Cheltenham (that I know of) attends the 100 club, hence solo travel is my poor excuse for non attendance nowadays! Whilst I won't patronise you Ady with hollow statements of an imminent return, whatever the future holds for the club, it will remain an icon in my opinion, and I take my hat off to you for your undying effort and enthusiasm.

Sincerely, mike wilks

[soullad]

Adey, its the venue of legends, and that includes your allniters, its so atmospheric and lends itself perfectly to rare soul. If I recommend a nighter to someone who has never been to one before its yours.....and I'm sure this thread alone has ensured its survival for the forseeable future.

The venue, music, dj line up, sound system,dancefloor, door policy, opening times, tourists never concerned me. For me the greatest possible sad note from this thread would be to discover that YOU are beginning to lose faith in it. You say you cannot devote as much time as you would like..?

Anyway, much like the mighty Foxes, I'm sure you'll bounce back to the premier league with bulging attendances.....

Ian

[Guest]

ADEY, fair play for asking people to discuss it openly on here. I thought I could add a bit but to be absolutely honest, MARK BICKNELL has put everything I felt like saying in a nutshell. I suppose it's easer for people like me who can get on a bus and be home in forty five minutes but I hold my hands up, to not having been for a few months now. The reason being - in my case - the overall detoriation of the West End Drinking scene in general rather than any particular problem with the club which is a legend to me and always will be.

One particular night last summer - which you wrote about on here, was one of the best Niters I've been to donkey's years and on the right night the club transcends all it's supposed faults and becomes a magical capsule. A big part for me though was going round on a drink up round the old pubs in Soho for a few hours before the club, but these are all shite now and the lack of characters and the stinking over commercialisation of the whole place has turned it into a rather depressing night out. I actually don't like going into the West End now much, when I used to love it and that is what has kept me away.

Having said that, this is the 100 Club, a legend in British Youth and Soul/Pop Culture and if you are able, I would implore you to try and keep it going. I do agree with some people that less events might see an increase in attendance again and now you have raised it in this manner, I personally will try and get along again. In general I think MARK has it all covered though. Time, age, finance, and in my own view, the biggest single factor....TOO MANY SOUL VENUES even in the South.

All the best.

[Theresa]

Hey up Mr C,

I'm a birthdays, anniversaries, Christmasses & bar mitzvahs type attendee these days as you know, and I remember the similarly slightly lean years of the late 80s when you were in between the crests of the waves of mod revivals. There was always a younger moddy element alongside the hardened soulie crew at the 100 Club and it was one of the differentiating factors from other niters further north when I was in my teens and twenties. It kept it slightly fresher and more fashionable, and perhaps it would be good to reconnect with that market. You've only got to look at the heaving queues for Crossfire or Hipshaker at the IOW Scooter Rally to see that the punters are there if they can be tempted away from psychotic freakdom.

We get to a couple of niters and maybe one soul night a month, and have no problem with travelling, but, like other people have said, we're presented with a veritable cornucopia of events, and London isn't always the most attractive destination. We live 25 miles south of the 100 Club, but can get to the Midlands in the same time it takes to get to you, with no traffic or parking issues. Mr Price is a dancer (after a fashion ) and you haven't got the space or the dancefloor for him to hurl himself about on, compared to the sprung maple expanses available elsewhere. So we have to have the social pull as well as the musical pilgrimage imperative to get us along.

Anyway, on a more shallow note, get some crumpet on the line-up; Adam, Molly, Franc, Baz - or the European ones; David Santiago, Daniel Dombrowe, Matt Fox, Alex from Bilbao, and me and the entourage will be down more often It's also been great to see you play out at some different places in the last year (Baltic, Rugby), and I was amazed at the number of folk who had never seen you DJ before and were really looking forward to your spots. I know you haven't got as much time as before, but you really are the best advert for the place, so accept a few more invitations if you can. If you went bi-monthly, maybe that would create the time and space to do it.

Tee x

[Russ Vickers]

Just out of curiosity, what's wrong with sorting out a package deal with a couple of local hotels or B&B's Kev? If someone's travelled a couple of hundred miles to attend the event might they not like to freshen up or get changed? Or maybe have somewhere to go back to and crash for a few hours rather then spending the time on the streets @ 6.00am on a Sunday morning before they can get a train back? Also, some customers might no be as young and sprightly as yourself and may require to leave earlier. I can think of a zillion places I'd rather be than walking the streets of London @ 6.00am waiting for a train that doesn't run until 9.00am..........

Ian D

Personally I find taking loads of drugs & dancing All Night, then sitting in McDonalds for hours talking bollox to anyone who will listen preferable to the 'Latte' Soulies, who need their arses wiped if they travel further down the road than an hour..........people will find a way of getting there & paying for the weekend if the venue is where they wanna go regardless.........the place is brilliant, but it needs a new injection of promotion to spread the word to a wider audience & to let others know what they're missing........... I would also suggest that the guest DJ's whilst brilliant, need to be picked with a little more care, whilst I think Warren (sorry Warren, first name that came to me) for example is a great DJ, but he can be heard in London any time, people want to hear & see the unexpected & unusual DJ's who they may not get to see too regularly.

100 Club is a kick ass All Nighter, people have just become complacent & Ady needs to take more time to promote the venue properly & not just let it rest on its laurels, theres another 30 years in the gaff methinks.............

Russ

[stevemcmahon]

..just out of curiosity; how were the niters in that place South of the river about a year or two ago when there was a problem with 100 Club? I know I was guilty of living in N.London then & for various reasons couldn't make it down to one of those but thought to ask now as wondered if it diminished the concept any or if it was a success?

[Simsy]

100 Club is a kick ass All Nighter, people have just become complacent & Ady needs to take more time to promote the venue properly & not just let it rest on its laurels, theres another 30 years in the gaff methinks.............

Russ

100% Spot on!

[Guest]

Personally I find taking loads of drugs & dancing All Night, then sitting in McDonalds for hours talking bollox to anyone who will listen preferable to the 'Latte' Soulies, who need their arses wiped if they travel further down the road than an hour..........people will find a way of getting there & paying for the weekend if the venue is where they wanna go regardless.........the place is brilliant, but it needs a new injection of promotion to spread the word to a wider audience & to let others know what they're missing........... I would also suggest that the guest DJ's whilst brilliant, need to be picked with a little more care, whilst I think Warren (sorry Warren, first name that came to me) for example is a great DJ, but he can be heard in London any time, people want to hear & see the unexpected & unusual DJ's who they may not get to see too regularly.

100 Club is a kick ass All Nighter, people have just become complacent & Ady needs to take more time to promote the venue properly & not just let it rest on its laurels, theres another 30 years in the gaff methinks.............

Russ

Bit unfair on Warren there Russ,and your rose coloured glasses did you get 'em from specsavers ? you was last down the 100club when ? and your wrong about gettin' places regardless its not the 8ts you cant jump the train anymore,for the first time in my soul life i cant get to places and it does my head in..........people say get a lift,if life was so easy we wouldnt be here on this topic..............though i cant understand why Warren puts on Greenwich or others put do's on the same nite as the 100club ? its not like it can be called a warm up anymore and no-one knows the 100club dates is it.

[Guest Andy Kempster]

I have only been to the 100 club 3 or 4 times a year for the last 4 years, I've have good nights and I've had not so good nights. For me I often find that around 3am ish there is a bit of a musical slump sometimes it recovers for me after this sometimes it doesnt. i have often thought that being a monthly event gives it the feeling of ah well if there's nothing else on i could always go to the 100 club. for me personally i think a bi-monthly members only event would give it much more of a buzz. i wasnt there for the halcyon days and god i wish i was, but i wasnt. despite my erratic visits i dont want to lose this legendary club just as no one else does, just maybe a slight rethink as it seems everyone else on here wants.

Ady stand fast and dont let it sink

all the best

Andy

[Russ Vickers]

Bit unfair on Warren there Russ,and your rose coloured glasses did you get 'em from specsavers ? you was last down the 100club when ? and your wrong about gettin' places regardless its not the 8ts you cant jump the train anymore,for the first time in my soul life i cant get to places and it does my head in..........people say get a lift,if life was so easy we wouldnt be here on this topic..............though i cant understand why Warren puts on Greenwich or others put do's on the same nite as the 100club ? its not like it can be called a warm up anymore and no-one knows the 100club dates is it.

I wasnt being critical of Warren, think he's a great DJ, would just be nice to see some different faces as guests though.

Last time I was at the 100 Club was October 2009, I would be there every month, but the Night Bus from Baghdad isnt running at the moment .

Next time my rotation falls on a 100 Club Night I will come & pick you no problem mate.

Russ

Edited April 20, 2010 by Russ Vickers

[Guest]

I have only been to the 100 club 3 or 4 times a year for the last 4 years, I've have good nights and I've had not so good nights. For me I often find that around 3am ish there is a bit of a musical slump sometimes it recovers for me after this sometimes it doesnt. i have often thought that being a monthly event gives it the feeling of ah well if there's nothing else on i could always go to the 100 club. for me personally i think a bi-monthly members only event would give it much more of a buzz. i wasnt there for the halcyon days and god i wish i was, but i wasnt. despite my erratic visits i dont want to lose this legendary club just as no one else does, just maybe a slight rethink as it seems everyone else on here wants.

Ady stand fast and dont let it sink

all the best

Andy

For me i think with the new time's,new this and that !! it will be a megga task............its like your Mrs as ran off with some twat and wasting your time thinkin' she might return one day,get over it.But bi-monthly and restoration of the membership will go a long way.oh and dont let anyone know Paul Weller goes

[Guest]

I wasnt being critical of Warren, think he's a great DJ, would just be nice to see some different faces as guests though.

Last time I was at the 100 Club was October 2009, I would be there every month, but the Night Bus from Baghdad isnt running at the moment .

Next time my rotation falls on a 100 Club Night I will come & pick you no problem mate.

Russ

He's not on every week Russ,i thought you was on civvie street now russ sorry...............i dont usualy have trouble gettin' into London,its escapeing from this once buzzin' city thats lost its buzz.

[Guest Goldwax]

For me i think with the new time's,new this and that !! it will be a megga task............its like your Mrs as ran off with some twat and wasting your time thinkin' she might return one day,get over it.But bi-monthly and restoration of the membership will go a long way.oh and dont let anyone know Paul Weller goes

I dont agree with the membership thing. New blood is needed and any form of exclusion would strangle it in the long term.

[Ian Dewhirst]

Personally I find taking loads of drugs & dancing All Night, then sitting in McDonalds for hours talking bollox to anyone who will listen preferable to the 'Latte' Soulies, who need their arses wiped if they travel further down the road than an hour..........

Russ

Different strokes Russ. You may find that some older folks may not be as mobile as younger spring chickens and some folk may not necessarily have the capacity any longer to take flagons of speed to propell 'em through the weekend.

Things that once seemed appealing for a 16 year old youngster full of energy with an insatiable lust for record labels, i.e. talking bollox @ a local McDonalds @ 6.30am to anyone who will listen, may not necessarily have the same appeal to someone 40 years older. I can remember when it was fashionable to go to Wigan baths after a night at the Casino and get a couple of hours swimming in before setting off to an all-dayer!

That could be half the problem with a club that's been operating 31 years. The age range of the customers may necessarily mean that in order to survive the club needs to cater to a wide swathe of ages or operate on several levels to appeal to all their range of customers. It's a pretty unique problem in that I don't know many other clubs that have to cater to an audience of 25-60 year olds.

Serving Lattes is a brilliant idea though mate. If the kitchen could knock out some quiche lorraine and caesar salads to go with it they'd get some of those 80's mods back in no doubt!

Ian D

[Guest Andy Kempster]

I dont agree with the membership thing. New blood is needed and any form of exclusion would strangle it in the long term.

just how many members does the 100 club have? not got my membership to hand but I'm sure I'm about number 8 million and something, what is the capacity of 100 club, 300 tops at best, surely it wouldnt be that much of an exclusion. plus membership has not ever been that tricky to get hold hold, surely if you are planning a trip to the smoke then an email or a call to ady is not out of the question

[KevH]

Different strokes Russ. You may find that some older folks may not be as mobile as younger spring chickens and some folk may not necessarily have the capacity any longer to take flagons of speed to propell 'em through the weekend.

Things that once seemed appealing for a 16 year old youngster full of energy with an insatiable lust for record labels, i.e. talking bollox @ a local McDonalds @ 6.30am to anyone who will listen, may not necessarily have the same appeal to someone 40 years older. I can remember when it was fashionable to go to Wigan baths after a night at the Casino and get a couple of hours swimming in before setting off to an all-dayer!

That could be half the problem with a club that's been operating 31 years. The age range of the customers may necessarily mean that in order to survive the club needs to cater to a wide swathe of ages or operate on several levels to appeal to all their range of customers. It's a pretty unique problem in that I don't know many other clubs that have to cater to an audience of 25-60 year olds.

Serving Lattes is a brilliant idea though mate. If the kitchen could knock out some quiche lorraine and caesar salads to go with it they'd get some of those 80's mods back in no doubt!

Ian D

Choosing dates for a new 100 club push is always going to have problems.Avoid bank Holidays,clashing,major city events (b&b's in my mind).But i guess it can be done.

One big factor is the trains not running earlier enough oop north.

btw ,what's a latte?

[Guest]

I dont agree with the membership thing. New blood is needed and any form of exclusion would strangle it in the long term.

And when as the membership stopped new blood gettin' in ? a quick word on the door and your usualy in the new blood we see down there at the mo' is puttin' the hard core of the place and dont give a fukc,it scares me when i go down there now cause one-day i will hit one of the so called new blood and new blood will be allover the place,the last one was very close so i went home early,again...............sorry if my honesty doesnt agree with you but hey the place was my second home for so long,i hope i get the chance to spin some tunes there again but the way its going ?.

[Ian Dewhirst]

btw ,what's a latte?

It's a type of coffee popular with Guardian readers, Yuppies and 80's Mod revivalists.

Ian D

[Guest]

It's a type of coffee popular with Guardian readers, Yuppies and 80's Mod revivalists.

Ian D

Cuppa' shite

[ImberBoy]

And when as the membership stopped new blood gettin' in ? a quick word on the door and your usualy in the new blood we see down there at the mo' is puttin' the hard core of the place and dont give a fukc,it scares me when i go down there now cause one-day i will hit one of the so called new blood,the last one was very close so i went home early,again...............sorry if my honesty doesnt agree with you but hey the place was my second home for so long,i hope i get the chance to spin some tunes there again but the way its going ?.

I can not comment on The 100 Club but I agree with Ken and I have to admit that I have been in a situation on two occasions where it nearly went Pete Tong.

[ImberBoy]

I can remember exactly down to almost the month when the baggy brigade became cringingly embarrassingly out of fashion and the whole Wigan Casino thang became a by word for the dated. Northernsoul was not dead, there were loads of us still going and we have spoken on other threads about the second wave of young Soulies.

At that time I and just about every one else where happy to see the monster die as long as it didn't bring us down with it, looking back with rose colored glasses, if you fookers wanted it so badly you should have gone to it and saved it!

People power is the most powerful thing in the world, more powerful than Russ or Wigan's council, you didn't care, you didn't mobilize and you where quite happy with the convenience of the timing so you could do your family, career thing or what ever excuse you have to turn your backs on such fantastic music.

Wigan Casino didn't die, you lot murdered it with your apathy, I get very fookin angry listening to the born again's and the self proclaimed Northernsoul experts howling over their long gone Wigan Casino, if you loved it so much get up to The 100 Club and save some thing that can be saved!

Sorry, I am sad and angry, I do not aim this at any one on this thread so please do not be offended, I am fearful that we may loose a club as important as Wigan Casino it's self, sorry to cross thread.

I am going to post this on both "What Killed Wigan Casino? Well I Know What I Think!" And "The 100 Club one", I hope it's ok with the mods? I think it's relevant.

[Simsy]

I dont agree with the membership thing. New blood is needed and any form of exclusion would strangle it in the long term.

I know there's been talk that some of these new faces enjoyed themselves and good luck to them. I don't agree that these people can be talked about as 'new blood' though, I find that a bit of an insult. Oxford St is one of the busiest in the metropolis and these people are opportunist late drinkers, I don't think many of them would mark it in their calendar for a return visit.

And when as the membership stopped new blood gettin' in ? a quick word on the door and your usualy in the new blood we see down there at the mo' is puttin' the hard core of the place and dont give a fukc,it scares me when i go down there now cause one-day i will hit one of the so called new blood and new blood will be allover the place,the last one was very close so i went home early,again...............sorry if my honesty doesnt agree with you but hey the place was my second home for so long,i hope i get the chance to spin some tunes there again but the way its going ?.

[Rob Wigley]

I've had a "Brainwave"

These come to me every so often-(honest)

We have "Warm up sessions" before events

How about a "Chill down" session 6am til 10-11 am ?

A coffee bar/ club would do it ?

Rob

[Russ Vickers]

Different strokes Russ. You may find that some older folks may not be as mobile as younger spring chickens and some folk may not necessarily have the capacity any longer to take flagons of speed to propell 'em through the weekend.

Things that once seemed appealing for a 16 year old youngster full of energy with an insatiable lust for record labels, i.e. talking bollox @ a local McDonalds @ 6.30am to anyone who will listen, may not necessarily have the same appeal to someone 40 years older. I can remember when it was fashionable to go to Wigan baths after a night at the Casino and get a couple of hours swimming in before setting off to an all-dayer!

That could be half the problem with a club that's been operating 31 years. The age range of the customers may necessarily mean that in order to survive the club needs to cater to a wide swathe of ages or operate on several levels to appeal to all their range of customers. It's a pretty unique problem in that I don't know many other clubs that have to cater to an audience of 25-60 year olds.

Serving Lattes is a brilliant idea though mate. If the kitchen could knock out some quiche lorraine and caesar salads to go with it they'd get some of those 80's mods back in no doubt!

Ian D

My comments were made slightly tongue in cheek Ian, but the sentiment was I still like my NS rough n dirty to some extent, If I'm going to a Nighter........soul Nights & Modern Nights, I would stop at a Hotel afterwards, but if I've travelled to a Nighter I dont wanna miss one minuit of the action.........

Ken. I tried being normal for a bit after leaving the military & it didnt work out too well........I now work under contract in Baghdad mate.

Russ

[Paul-s]

people will find a way of getting there & paying for the weekend if the venue is where they wanna go regardless.........the place is brilliant, but it needs a new injection of promotion to spread the word to a wider audience & to let others know what they're missing........... I would also suggest that the guest DJ's whilst brilliant, need to be picked with a little more care, whilst I think Warren (sorry Warren, first name that came to me) for example is a great DJ, but he can be heard in London any time, people want to hear & see the unexpected & unusual DJ's who they may not get to see too regularly.

100 Club is a kick ass All Nighter, people have just become complacent & Ady needs to take more time to promote the venue properly & not just let it rest on its laurels, theres another 30 years in the gaff methinks.............

Russ

Great post Russ, have to agree with you. I used to go to 100 club because it produced exciting music and interesting line ups and as a consequence a great night! I think because Adey doesn't get out djing as much and travelling (north), his guests seem to be based on mates of mates rather than first hand exposure to people like Adam Leaver, George Mahood, Alex Jones, Captain Morgan, Val Chalmer etc. These guys produce great sets and excitement when they play and more importantly are turning up great new tunes and god knows we need them!! But the ability to play sets like that depends on having an eclectic crowd and expanding the clubs seemingly restrictive 60's remmit and embracing the vast amount of incredible 70's stuff that is being turned up.(and i dont mean disco or wishy washy xover!)) If it doesn't start to move with the times it will stay in the limbo it seems to be in at present. You could start with having a small room at Cleethorpes to allow the incredible tunes like Grace, Wally Coco, Sacred Four, Gamith, John Harris, Leaders, Black Smoke Band, Bernhard Calvin and the 100s of other under exposed, top drawer tunes to get an airing. It would make a change to the same old same old that people seem to be tiring of.

The club does seem to be resting on its laurels and some of the comments on here about it "leads the way" are doing just that. It hasn't led the way for quite a long time now. Places like Soul or Nothing and other small clubs (north of London) took over that role quite a long time ago.

I would love the 100 club to regain its old footing as an exciting night of music, filled with passion and soul because then i would have a decent nighter to attend down here. So dont pack it in , just shake it up!

[Geoff]

I've had a "Brainwave"

These come to me every so often-(honest)

We have "Warm up sessions" before events

How about a "Chill down" session 6am til 10-11 am ?

A coffee bar/ club would do it ?

Rob

Actually this is a good idea, if the right place could be found in a convenient location. But are there any places open at 6 am apart from McDonalds. I understand the problems of hanging around for a couple of hours after the finish.

I'm sure that three or four years ago there used to be sessions around lunchtime at Filthy McNastys, or have I got that wrong?

[Rob Wigley]

Actually this is a good idea, if the right place could be found in a convenient location. But are there any places open at 6 am apart from McDonalds. I understand the problems of hanging around for a couple of hours after the finish.

I'm sure that three or four years ago there used to be sessions around lunchtime at Filthy McNastys, or have I got that wrong?

There's a recession on-a good Irish Bar would do it Beer , Breakfast and SOUL-Irish pubs are generally dark inside.

Come on you'd all be dying to Dj there

even got a name "The Aftermath"-back door Kenny on the decks-playing your latest tunes from buys at the 100 Club

A chance for someone to make a couple of £100 on a sunday morning-they'd jump at it !!

Rob

[Guest]

Actually this is a good idea, if the right place could be found in a convenient location. But are there any places open at 6 am apart from McDonalds. I understand the problems of hanging around for a couple of hours after the finish.

I'm sure that three or four years ago there used to be sessions around lunchtime at Filthy McNastys, or have I got that wrong?

Filfys was fantastic Geoff,you had to be there Bingo etc.................. now maybe they can open for a soulfull breakfast,still have to get transport.............what a shity city London as become.

[Guest]

There's a recession on-a good Irish Bar would do it Beer , Breakfast and SOUL-Irish pubs are generally dark inside.

Come on you'd all be dying to Dj there

even got a name "The Aftermath"-back door Kenny on the decks-playing your latest tunes from buys at the 100 Club

A chance for someone to make a couple of £100 on a sunday morning-they'd jump at it !!

Rob

Trouble is there is no recession in the centre of London Rob,the opposite really everything is run from there.

Lesson one,fukcin' tory twat as ruined our/my city.

[Rob Wigley]

Trouble is there is no recession in the centre of London Rob,the opposite really everything is run from there.

Lesson one,fukcin' tory twat as ruined our/my city.

The main thing about Tory's --they like a bit of underhand wedge in the back pocket Ken few packs of Bacon, a couple of sliced loaves, bottle of HP and Paddy's yer uncle-I'm telling you!

Would love to see Teff behind the counter cooking bacon sarnies post 100 Club !

Rob

[Guest GFAS03]

Everything that needs to be said has already been said above, but I'd emphasize the recession and the "it'll be there next time I feel like going" mentality, that we're all guilty of when it comes to cornerstones of the scene like the 100 Club.

So - volcano ash permitting, I'll be back from Switzerland for the May night, and I'll kick as many of my soulie mates up the backside to get down there too...

And as for a future way forward - first see if you can weather the storm, and in the worst case go to a strict bi-monthly schedule that makes people treat it more as a special occasion.

On a personal note, the 100 Club has been the background of my life as a London soulie; I worked round the corner in Berners Street when I left school, studied down in Exeter and blew large chunks of my grant (Christ, that shows my age) on the train fares up, and have had to follow work abroad on and off for years. Like the red buses and the black taxis, when I walk down the steps I know I'm back home.

Sorry to get misty eyed - but KEEP IT GOING, ADY!

All the best

Andrew

[Wiggyflat]

Filfys was fantastic Geoff,you had to be there Bingo etc.................. now maybe they can open for a soulfull breakfast,still have to get transport.............what a shity city London as become.

Theres been a few warmups in the 100 Clubs past....Trickster did one down Holloway Road I think.Miles away from the venue though.There was Johnnys Valtone nights in Eustonand now there's a warm up in Farringdon.It's 3 hours to kill for the transport to kick in on a sunday.I't wasn't bad when it was an 8 finish..a bit of breakfast and the transport was on.I think there's too many soul nights in London playing in the same style and not enough customers....and that's the bottom line.It's a night out, a few beers,hear some tunes, back home for horlicks and slippers.The mods that came through from the pre untouchables days were into soul and r&b and walked straight from Shmon by Mr Dynamite into Melba Moore Magic Touch seamlessly.There was that surge.The X fire New Untouchables customers aren't really interested.Most are young and are into psych and garage.....a lot of them don't even like soul.Northerners won't travel down as they now have a load of soul nights/niters on their doorstep. They have no need to travel.They used to have to travel to hear sounds.Maybe some fresh up and coming deejays playing new sounds along with some more established names.Let's look at the past.I moved down to London in 86 and started going then.I can't think of any other soul night/niters on then in London.I used to go the Wag on Monday nights (but that wasn't soul) and I remember going to a few events in Euston at some pub but that was about it...oh and a few trips to the Norfolk village in Shoreditch for modern soul.Then it was travelling up north to the Ritz and the Cleethorpes weekenders or Southport. Look at my previous list of nights in London.The 100 Club had a captive audience of mods (who liked soul and r&b) who were disillusioned with where the mod scene was heading plus there was an influx of European mods and Japanese along with the rest.There came a time when the sons of the 100 Club then went and opened up their own nights...Scenesville, Dome,These Old Shoes,Valtone and it has gone on from there.It's a rock and a hard place.Do you abandon membership and cover your costs with passing trade and hope some of them get into it or do you make it members only and hope the members turn up.??

Just thought of another 2 London gigs XRAY SOUL and The Top 500. at the Buffalo Bar..............!!

Edited April 20, 2010 by wiggyflat

[Guest]

Everything that needs to be said has already been said above, but I'd emphasize the recession and the "it'll be there next time I feel like going" mentality, that we're all guilty of when it comes to cornerstones of the scene like the 100 Club.

So - volcano ash permitting, I'll be back from Switzerland for the May night, and I'll kick as many of my soulie mates up the backside to get down there too...

And as for a future way forward - first see if you can weather the storm, and in the worst case go to a strict bi-monthly schedule that makes people treat it more as a special occasion.

On a personal note, the 100 Club has been the background of my life as a London soulie; I worked round the corner in Berners Street when I left school, studied down in Exeter and blew large chunks of my grant (Christ, that shows my age) on the train fares up, and have had to follow work abroad on and off for years. Like the red buses and the black taxis, when I walk down the steps I know I'm back home.

Sorry to get misty eyed - but KEEP IT GOING, ADY!

All the best

Andrew

Thats right keep it going regardless,there are too many red busses anyway going up and down oxford street anyway and you still cant get a black cab when you want one just pervi private toutin' twats,100club was my home but dont feel like it anymore

[Professorturnups]

Ady,

As a "semi-regular" since 1982 I honestly think it's time to bring back strict door control or some kind of membership/soul card system. The "tourists" to me have spoilt the place over the last few years. I prefer the 10 - 6 times overall but think this has enticed more "chancers" into the club whereas in the old days most of them would have already found somewhere else to go before the 1.30am opening time.

I have witnessed verbal and physical abuse (albeit a kick up the arse but nonetheless not pleasant!) and at the March one some idiots took my friends drink and said "what you gonna do about it?" I personally take my dancing very seriously and in a place the size of the 100 it's sometimes just impossible to escape the drunks on the dance floor!! I hope this doesn't come across as too dramatic and off putting but you asked for comments and this is just the way I see it...

Musically, the place is still top notch and I really enjoyed myself at the January one amongst some of London's Hard-core 100 Clubbers - Trickster, Geoff, Dana, Tony, Imogen and Kev, Matt etc etc. The small contingent from Norwich still think the 100 Club has a special appeal, I just think it needs some "non-soulie cleansing"!!!

Mark C

[Simsy]

Ady,

As a "semi-regular" since 1982 I honestly think it's time to bring back strict door control or some kind of membership/soul card system. The "tourists" to me have spoilt the place over the last few years. I prefer the 10 - 6 times overall but think this has enticed more "chancers" into the club whereas in the old days most of them would have already found somewhere else to go before the 1.30am opening time.

I have witnessed verbal and physical abuse (albeit a kick up the arse but nonetheless not pleasant!) and at the March one some idiots took my friends drink and said "what you gonna do about it?" I personally take my dancing very seriously and in a place the size of the 100 it's sometimes just impossible to escape the drunks on the dance floor!! I hope this doesn't come across as too dramatic and off putting but you asked for comments and this is just the way I see it...

Musically, the place is still top notch and I really enjoyed myself at the January one amongst some of London's Hard-core 100 Clubbers - Trickster, Geoff, Dana, Tony, Imogen and Kev, Matt etc etc. The small contingent from Norwich still think the 100 Club has a special appeal, I just think it needs some "non-soulie cleansing"!!!

Mark C

We were at the January nighter. Think that was our last time there. Agree with all you say Mark and hats off to you putting up with those c****

[Len]

Hi Ady,

I'm sure we don't need to say how much the 100 Club means to us and its really heartening to see that we are not just a couple of over sentimental "ejits" , by the out pouring of similar affection from the other soul folk on here.

From the 80s through to 2005 , when we stopped going due to having a young family, the 100 Club was the touchstone of our lives.

Everyone grows up/older and everything expressed by others is true - cash, family commitments, too many dos generally watering down the scene into a localised "hobby", rather than a way of life.

Our thoughts ...

Go 3 or 4 times a year - the summer event could be the same night as Southgate, the autumn one would naturally be the Anniversary, then a nighter either at Christmas or in the spring - with really good promotion this would be an excellent way to get "the family" back together again.

If, on the other hand, you finally decide to hang up your spurs, take heart in the fact you ran the best soul club, bar none, for over 30 years - there should be a Blue Plaque to you under that immortal red and white sign. The last night would be naturally packed out and not a dry eye in the house would there be for your last tunes - Christ don't do it, we don't think we could bear it!.

Good luck in whatever you chose to do, and thank you from a couple of oversentemental "ejits" for providing the soundtrack to our lives.

Len and Nina xxx

"I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

[Guest rasfoz]

Ironically i had a chat with simon imber boy only a couple of months ago & this subject came up about the 100 club maybe about people giving it more support , i made it down twice last year & experienced both sides of the coin of an enjoyable night from a soul perspective, as the place has an air of mysticysim which i love as well as the dj line up , & the slightly night spoiling situation with mark & the kick up the backside , its a hard one as i suppose the non soul crowd makes everything viable, but id say it would be a better place without them, like simon says its down to the people now its still in your hands show your support

[Len]

ps - The fact that such a great club is suffering mainly due to people putting so many events on and just 'Muddying the waters' in the process makes me not just very sad, but f*ckin' angry.

Leave the promoting to people who are qualified to do so!!!

Len. Grrr!

"I am playing the right records, but not necessarily in the right order!!!"

[Agentsmith]

ady,

think youve got boat loads of constructive comments and cast iron ideas that a large majority are echoing, with this ammunition it shouldnt take you much time to coordinate any subtle changes, especially those that are greeted with immediate approval....BUT PERHAPS YOU NEED TO COME OUT OF YOUR BOLTHOLE AS WELL, UP COUNTRY LIKE YOU USED TO DO.

rob.h

[Biggordy]

Don't you dare stop it Ady! I've never been and want to go but what's put me off is that I was on sickness benefits for several years and now I'm a mature University student, I STILL can't really afford it! However, if Simon can get a fleet of cars or a bus down from S.Yorks you can count me in as it'll be cheaper than coming down alone, getting a hotel, etc.

[Dave Abbott]

Being there, as I was, Saturday nite, I must say it was one of the best 6Ts niters I'd been to in over a year; I thoroughly enjoyed it both musically and socially.

Many posters on here have painted a picture of too many non-soulies, which I have witnessed myself in the past, I think that it gives an untrue image of this past Saturdays attendance - which was no doubt low but by far from empty and the few non-soul people in there were having a good time and, most importantly, not annoying anyone (apart from some bloke, one of those nutter types you don't want to get on the bus/train; well luckily Butch got him LOL).

But the numbers were low enough, for Ady to ask for comments. So my two pennith worth are...

This was my first attendance for a while, this is for no reason apart from I spend 50% of my free time up north and those dates I am darn sarf it does fall right, up to no good or my travel companions are elsewhere.

DJ's - although Joel started off quiet on Saturday, that must have been an early doors thing. He played two very good, enjoyable sets, some nice unknowns (to me). No problem with his recruitment at all.

Unless you book a one-off out-of-retirement type DJ (which is limited and obviously short-lived); the guest DJ will not pull loads of punters - mini-bus at best (ok, 16 people is better than none) but there are far too many events on that people, particularly up north can catch most DJs and do not to need to travel far at all, especially to London. So the guest DJ does not come into it for me (unless they're crap lol)

I was on the phone on Saturday and someone asked "who's the guest DJ's?" my reply "Don't know, I haven't looked. Its irrelevant - it's the 100 Club" And that to me is it - if there's Butch, Ady and Mick that's good enough; if there is a great guest then that's a bonus...

Though I must agree with some and maybe different guest DJs are needed, just to keep it fresh for the people that do go, and a if they pull a few more in even better.

The following are just meandering thoughts and only relevant if the 100 Club is in question, so please don't get upset anyone...

LONDON - people wise it's been low for quite a while and being in the centre of London does make the 100 Club harder for people to travel to. For instance, I won't drive up on my own. Train travellers have to wait over 2 hours for the train's home to start. That and the escalating costs are not exactly a magnet for people to travel.

AND could that be the crux. Martin pointed out it's the 6Ts R&S Society - not the 100 Club, though we all call the niter that of course. Could the event move to a more attainable club on the outskirts of London that would help travellers and the cost of travel? I love the 100 Club and always feel special going there (I just like getting lost with my mates LOL); but has the venue become more important than the event? I would rather go to another dark, dingy hole, with the same music and like-mined people, on the outskirts of town than not at all! Just a thought

Or getting another smaller, same attitude club and hiring the 100 Club for the anniversaries. Just another thought.

AND failing that, if making it bi-monthly or even quarterly is the way to go - sobeit. It would make it 1) even more special and 2) more affordable....

As for PROMOTION I am sure ADY that if you send me and others flyers we will put them out and about - even if you send a scanned flyer by email, I don't mind printing some out, to put out.

Whatever Ady, you will me full support.

[Russ Vickers]

I actually think this thread will have motivated the faithful into realising you have to support these places are lose them !!!............I'm betting next month will be a record attendence & will be business as usual.

I would add though, that if the 100 Club went every other month it might as well be just another dooo, cant break new records every other month, hard enough on a monthly basis for gods sake.

Next month will be a lock out I bet..................

Russ

[Jumpinjoan]

I would add though, that if the 100 Club went every other month it might as well be just another dooo, cant break new records every other month, hard enough on a monthly basis for gods sake.

Russ

Yes but monthly isn't working is it?

And as for breaking new records? The 100 club is not the only place that can happen.

[Ian Seaman]

wonder how big this thread would be if this was Wigan Casino we were talking about ??

If the T'interweb was around in 81 i reckon this site would have imploded by now !!

Great iconic venue and night run by a great bloke but hate to say that yes London town is a BIG problem, i know tons of folk that won't go near the place, it,s a nightmare but not the main reason why i suppose, look at the world and whats going on these days is enough to drive most people potty, asking them to spend their hard earned on a night out many miles away that going to cost a small fortune ain't gonna happen anymore, pure & simple sadly.

As for DJ's, whjy don't you have a complete change round Ady, wouldn't do any harm to invite a pile of new faces down for a night ??

hate to see it go so good luck with it all mate

ian.

[Ezzie Brown]

just thought ..............we have had all this breastbeating with the WILTON several times over the last 5 years ...........and it pulled through, just...........i dont manage to get there now either, friday niters up north very difficult from gloucester now ........ and i loved the place when i returned to the scene, .......................burnley....... i loved to ........but i think , in hindsight a monthly niter is just not ON anymore .........the competition is just 2 much for the nights to be SPECIAL each and every month. anywhere .............the best way forward is 6 to 8 proper all niters that make the oldies remember and newbies return !!! .............the dance floor and bogs are shit, tourists do go .............but "its in the grooves what counts" folks.......... ez ................

Edited April 20, 2010 by ezzie brown

[Chalky]

I have witnessed verbal and physical abuse (albeit a kick up the arse but nonetheless not pleasant!) and at the March one some idiots took my friends drink and said "what you gonna do about it?"

Mark C

I'd have shoved the drink and the glass down his throat....

[Ezzie Brown]

I'd have shoved the drink and the glass down his throat....

NOT POLITICAL CHALKY ... BUT VERY CORRECT!!!!

[Wiganer1]

Yes but monthly isn't working is it?

And as for breaking new records? The 100 club is not the only place that can happen.

==========

ive noticed alot of clashes with the 100 club,,,i visited in jan and ad a good nite musically but its not one of my fave venues at all..the dancefloor is awful ...but top respect to Ady,,any one to run an allniter for 30 years is a fantastic achievement.getting old djs isnt the answer imo.theres loads of niter goers with great collections that are just as good as the same old same old djs .ive seen that over the last 6 months as ive been going every week.i hope u find the answer ure looking for ady ...regards mark f

[Guest Simon]

I'd have shoved the drink and the glass down his throat....

And there's you thinking of voting Liberal!