Mr M's Wigan

[Mach]

Non music related memory ,the two blokes one time standing in Ms passageway wearing Halloween witch masks smoking fags and having a verbal with each other,slightly surreal.

 Not surreal mate,..just bad Gear..lol

[Bazm]

M's entrance was situated up on the balcony to the left of where you see the stage in the main room - the room actually would have run above and behind the stage area in the Main Room.

 

Walk up the (gents bog) staircase and turn back on yourself the double doors into M's 'foyer', a carpetted area about 30 foot by 15 (which would have been above the Gents bog) were on the left.

 

The foyer walls were covered in faux wood veneer panels - big one, small one, medium one kinda thing - people usually sat about on the floor chatting.

 

On the right hand foyer wall were two sets of doors (one either side of the small stage that housed the dj area on the othe side of the wall) that led to M's dancefloor - and facing you on the back wall to the left was the small staircase to the balcony that ran up and right.

 

On M's ground/dancefloor we used to try and get one of the booths through the left hand door (dj's to your right) and generally facing where Wayne Hackett from Leigh would dance - you could get about four or five in a booth seat.

 

If you managed to get through the generally locked doors at the back of M's it brought you out at ground level, which was a bit of a headf*ck - we nicked in that way on occassion and hid in the bogs til we heard the music come on.

 

The balcony was quite a tight area at the sides (people would crash there making it more difficult to get by), prob five foot from balcony to the wall but there was a fairly decent spacious area at the back which would house carpet dancers.

 

It was a real sweat-box when at it's height.

Bazza....fritteningly accurate Matey ;-))]

[MrsWoodsrules]

I only went in, maybe 5 or 6 am or later, after Searling and usually the next main hall spot, maybe go find all my older mates from Warrington who all loved M's and used to call the main hall (little did they know what they were missing, and most of em got into those 'newies' later on).

Always a stream of people the corridor/room in between M's and main hall, some coming, some going.

I might be wrong, (because the plans above), but I seem to remember the DJs had a little stage of there own, like a little island, nothing behind them either, it was all open plan and you could walk right around it, I might have dreamed that?

Brian Rae was always the main man in there anyways.

[Russ Vickers]

M's entrance was situated up on the balcony to the left of where you see the stage in the main room - the room actually would have run above and behind the stage area in the Main Room.

 

Walk up the (gents bog) staircase and turn back on yourself the double doors into M's 'foyer', a carpetted area about 30 foot by 15 (which would have been above the Gents bog) were on the left.

 

The foyer walls were covered in faux wood veneer panels - big one, small one, medium one kinda thing - people usually sat about on the floor chatting.

 

On the right hand foyer wall were two sets of doors (one either side of the small stage that housed the dj area on the othe side of the wall) that led to M's dancefloor - and facing you on the back wall to the left was the small staircase to the balcony that ran up and right.

 

On M's ground/dancefloor we used to try and get one of the booths through the left hand door (dj's to your right) and generally facing where Wayne Hackett from Leigh would dance - you could get about four or five in a booth seat.

 

If you managed to get through the generally locked doors at the back of M's it brought you out at ground level, which was a bit of a headf*ck - we nicked in that way on occassion and hid in the bogs til we heard the music come on.

 

The balcony was quite a tight area at the sides (people would crash there making it more difficult to get by), prob five foot from balcony to the wall but there was a fairly decent spacious area at the back which would house carpet dancers.

 

It was a real sweat-box when at it's height.

 

 

On the balcony was a largest piece of hard board, covering a hole maybe, but when M's was rammed downstairs (all the time lol), thats where I danced....

 

Russ

[Harry Crosby]

Best thing I ever saw in there. My mate Baz cross was dancing to Lou pride I`m coming home, when the instrumental bit kicked in he went down into the side [box] splits, we were all talking [as you did] not taking much notice. Lou pride finished the next record came on and Baz was still down in the splits, he`d torn his ligaments in his groin and couldn`t get back up   So me and a couple of mates took a leg a piece and picked him up and carried him into the corridor, he looked like a water diviner    Not forgetting the early session, when Vernon went into one of his famous spins, with his hair in beads at the time, they all shot out while he was spinning it was like a machine gun going off  

[manus]

Bit of a shit hole but oozed atmosphere. Missing some of the best records played at The Casino but more often missing a lot of the worst records played at The Casino and despite what the Casinophiles might say, there were a lot. It was a Marmite Room.

 

Unfortunately Tezza a lot of the bad records found their way up to Ms  ( without Barrys map) as Esperanto , Phil Coulter and other bad tunes that were being played downstairs were also played upstairs. Also I heard great records like Frankie Crocker more often in Ms than the main floor and I spent time in both rooms.

 

Records that will always remind me of Ms include Willie Tee Walking up a one way street and Mood Mosaic Touch of velvet - great vibe in there as there was in the main room.

 

Cheers

Manus

[manus]

Actually I just found something for you M's fans, a 60 minute tape labelled "Mr M's 1977" which is Brian Rae dj-ing and someone I'm not sure who it is, might be Steve Whittle??, but what makes this one unusual is that it's obviously recorded directly off the decks, professional style.  Quality 10 out of 10.  I can podcast this one if you like.  Means I have to listen to it though...

 

It'll most likley be the same set he played in the main room Pete as he did both rooms didn't he - there are only so many times you can listen to Too Late as good a record that it is

 

Cheers

Manus

[shelly]

One , given some of the pop crap that started to get played from mid 1974 onwards it was an escape

Two, the corridor was full of the guys who were lets say "dodgy" but for us, a great source of where to get next weeks gear.

Three, if you weren't sufficiently out of it, you wouldn't notice , so why winge.

Shelly

[Paul R]

Bad thing about Mr Ms was that it broke up the Southport/Ormskirk corner, that was at the top of the stairs(!!!) above the gents bogs, by what was Mr Ms door.

 

Paul

[Zed1]

One , given some of the pop crap that started to get played from mid 1974 onwards

Shelly

 

Slightly random but......

 

Why whenever there is a thread about Wigan people ALWAYS feel the need to add 'when it went crap' for them?.....

 

Down the years on this forum I've read Wigan went crap in 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80 and 1981......... so that's only 2 years where the fooking place was any good, then!..

Edited June 21, 2013 by Zed1

[Soulhawk1960]

MR M`S JINXY.jpg 

 

 

 Great atmosphere in the place, although a bit dodgy at times going through the tunnel between the main hall and Mr m`s. A couple of old mates in the pic noticeably Jinxy from Scarborough with no top on.

First time I've seen Jinxy's tits !

Tell him Ron from Whitby loves em !!!!!

[shelly]

My comment was pop crap- re records played, not that Wigan was crap, slight difference and involved music policy not social policy

[Soulhawk1960]

Dave Evison played some great sounds in there.

I for one loved the place.

If I remember right, and my memory ain't the best, Frank Elson had a bit of a spat with a DJ called Scat Cat and really slagged him off in Blues & Soul.

Anyone clarify ?

[Soulhawk1960]

MR M`S JINXY.jpg 

 

 

 Great atmosphere in the place, although a bit dodgy at times going through the tunnel between the main hall and Mr m`s. A couple of old mates in the pic noticeably Jinxy from Scarborough with no top on.

First time I've seen Jinxy's tits !

Tell him Ron from Whitby loves em !!!!!

[Bazm]

Downstairs Main Room Plan

 

 

 

 

 

 

Balcony Plan:

 

 

 

My shit editing skills have cut off the Soft Drinks Bar - The Coffee, Tea an Pie Bar and the Leathers & Sheepskins Cloakroom at the back of the balcony.

 

I've missed the 'shop' out near M's too.

'Ere you go Barry some of the St Helens crowd at the top of the staircase down waiting to go into M's 1978. They be waiting to get in first to get a booth. Used to take over the booths on the left as you go in next to DJ area....

Edited June 21, 2013 by BazM

[MrsWoodsrules]

Slightly random but......

 

Why whenever there is a thread about Wigan people ALWAYS feel the need to add 'when it went crap' for them?.....

 

Down the years on this forum I've read Wigan went crap in 74, 75, 76, 77, 78, 80 and 1981......... so that's only 2 years where the fooking place was any good, then!..

 

Great post that Zed, and very true too.

People all have their very own version of WC probably depending on how old they were & when they actually went, (me being later years).

But still the greatest ever NS venue, bar none, nothing else can live with it, good and bad.

I've read all the books on the other venues, the great tunes broken at Cats in Wolverhampton (which in my mind is probably thee most underrated on the scene just for its musical contribution alone, with Mecca taking all the Catacomb credit), read all about the usual other suspects, but WC rules supreme in my mind.

But I would say that cos it's all I really know, but I'm right.

[Pete S]

Dave Evison played some great sounds in there.

I for one loved the place.

If I remember right, and my memory ain't the best, Frank Elson had a bit of a spat with a DJ called Scat Cat and really slagged him off in Blues & Soul.

Anyone clarify ?

 

Was trying to remember that guys name, Scat Cat, he used to spin the records in the morning after the main room closed and they opened M's for an hour or so.

[Pete S]

Mr. M's podcast now ready, look for it in the audio section in about 5 minutes time.

 

Northern Oldies lovers, get ready, this one will blow your socks off.  This is a typical hour spent in Mr. M's which was of course the offshoot or overspill room to the main room at Wigan Casino.  I have to admit that I didn't frequent it much - the whole reason for doing the 160 mile round trip was to hear exclusive records, not stuff they used to play at our local youth club, but of course thousands of people did enjoy M's so this one goes out to you lot.  The sound quality is outstanding, so good that it sounds like a 'line in' recording.  The DJ is Brian Rae.  It's a really good spot and I'd date it to some time in late 1977.

 

MAJOR LANCE - YOU DON'T WANT ME NO MORE

JAMES BOUNTY - PROVE YOURSELF A LADY

JIMMY MACK - MY WORLD IS ON FIRE

GWEN OWENS - WANTED AND NEEDED

CHAPTER FIVE - YOU CAN'T MEAN IT

PATTY & THE EMBLEMS - I'M GONNA LOVE YOU A LONG LONG TIME

HERB WARD - HONEST TO GOODNESS

PERCY WIGGINS - IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH

JUDY FREEMAN - HOLD ON

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

THE O'JAYS - LOOKY LOOKY

RONNIE MILSAP - AIN'T NO SOUL

THE INVITATIONS - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BABY

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS - GONNA FIX YOU GOOD

THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU

CHARLIE RICH - LOVE IS AFTER ME

THE INCREDIBLES - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

WILLIAMS & WATSON - TOO LATE

TERRIBLE TOM - WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

CASE OF TYME - MANIFESTO

BOBBY FREEMAN - I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

DANNY MONDAY - BABY WITHOUT YOU

JEANETTE WILLIAMS - SOMETHING'S GOT S HOLD ON ME

THE PRESENT - MANY'S THE SLIP

LEE ROYE - TEARS (NOTHING BUT TEARS)

[Guest Polyvelts]

Wow Pete! That is northern soul ! I used to love hearing the present in main room, those big chords bouncing off the walls,hairs standing up on arms memories, not the most soul full record but that isn't what it's all about sometimes !!

[Pete S]

Wow Pete! That is northern soul ! I used to love hearing the present in main room, those big chords bouncing off the walls,hairs standing up on arms memories, not the most soul full record but that isn't what it's all about sometimes !!

 

Absolutely!  Sadly no atmosphere on this tape as it's straight off the decks but I'll put a new good quality big room tape up soon.

[Soulhawk1960]

Mr. M's podcast now ready, look for it in the audio section in about 5 minutes time.

 

Northern Oldies lovers, get ready, this one will blow your socks off.  This is a typical hour spent in Mr. M's which was of course the offshoot or overspill room to the main room at Wigan Casino.  I have to admit that I didn't frequent it much - the whole reason for doing the 160 mile round trip was to hear exclusive records, not stuff they used to play at our local youth club, but of course thousands of people did enjoy M's so this one goes out to you lot.  The sound quality is outstanding, so good that it sounds like a 'line in' recording.  The DJ is Brian Rae.  It's a really good spot and I'd date it to some time in late 1977.

 

MAJOR LANCE - YOU DON'T WANT ME NO MORE

JAMES BOUNTY - PROVE YOURSELF A LADY

JIMMY MACK - MY WORLD IS ON FIRE

GWEN OWENS - WANTED AND NEEDED

CHAPTER FIVE - YOU CAN'T MEAN IT

PATTY & THE EMBLEMS - I'M GONNA LOVE YOU A LONG LONG TIME

HERB WARD - HONEST TO GOODNESS

PERCY WIGGINS - IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH

JUDY FREEMAN - HOLD ON

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

THE O'JAYS - LOOKY LOOKY

RONNIE MILSAP - AIN'T NO SOUL

THE INVITATIONS - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BABY

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS - GONNA FIX YOU GOOD

THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU

CHARLIE RICH - LOVE IS AFTER ME

THE INCREDIBLES - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

WILLIAMS & WATSON - TOO LATE

TERRIBLE TOM - WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

CASE OF TYME - MANIFESTO

BOBBY FREEMAN - I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

DANNY MONDAY - BABY WITHOUT YOU

JEANETTE WILLIAMS - SOMETHING'S GOT S HOLD ON ME

THE PRESENT - MANY'S THE SLIP

LEE ROYE - TEARS (NOTHING BUT TEARS)

Some playlist is that Pete !!!!!!!

[Barry]

'Ere you go Barry some of the St Helens crowd at the top of the staircase down waiting to go into M's 1978. They be waiting to get in first to get a booth. Used to take over the booths on the left as you go in next to DJ area....

 

Evening Bazil

[midnight2six]

I was too young to go prior to 78 so obviously missed the golden era but it was still exciting as f**k to this young bloke with his eyes on stalks. I liked M's because no one seemed to care, I was too self concious then and was a bit intimidated dancing in the main room as I felt everyone was judging me and they were showing off, which of course they were. I used to migrate towards M's, where it seemed to me that everyone just got on with it. I'm glad I made it but wish I'd been 5 years older.

[Bazm]

Evening Bazil

Evnin Matey........

[Bazm]

Was trying to remember that guys name, Scat Cat, he used to spin the records in the morning after the main room closed and they opened M's for an hour or so.

Phil Hongkins from Wigan, If memory serves]

[Mark S]

[Guest manusf3a]

Mr. M's podcast now ready, look for it in the audio section in about 5 minutes time.

 

Northern Oldies lovers, get ready, this one will blow your socks off.  This is a typical hour spent in Mr. M's which was of course the offshoot or overspill room to the main room at Wigan Casino.  I have to admit that I didn't frequent it much - the whole reason for doing the 160 mile round trip was to hear exclusive records, not stuff they used to play at our local youth club, but of course thousands of people did enjoy M's so this one goes out to you lot.  The sound quality is outstanding, so good that it sounds like a 'line in' recording.  The DJ is Brian Rae.  It's a really good spot and I'd date it to some time in late 1977.

 

MAJOR LANCE - YOU DON'T WANT ME NO MORE

JAMES BOUNTY - PROVE YOURSELF A LADY

JIMMY MACK - MY WORLD IS ON FIRE

GWEN OWENS - WANTED AND NEEDED

CHAPTER FIVE - YOU CAN'T MEAN IT

PATTY & THE EMBLEMS - I'M GONNA LOVE YOU A LONG LONG TIME

HERB WARD - HONEST TO GOODNESS

PERCY WIGGINS - IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH

JUDY FREEMAN - HOLD ON

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

THE O'JAYS - LOOKY LOOKY

RONNIE MILSAP - AIN'T NO SOUL

THE INVITATIONS - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BABY

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS - GONNA FIX YOU GOOD

THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU

CHARLIE RICH - LOVE IS AFTER ME

THE INCREDIBLES - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

WILLIAMS & WATSON - TOO LATE

TERRIBLE TOM - WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

CASE OF TYME - MANIFESTO

BOBBY FREEMAN - I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

DANNY MONDAY - BABY WITHOUT YOU

JEANETTE WILLIAMS - SOMETHING'S GOT S HOLD ON ME

THE PRESENT - MANY'S THE SLIP

LEE ROYE - TEARS (NOTHING BUT TEARS)

Nice one Pete really7 enjoyed listening to it,sound quality is really clear,Brian Rae was always one of my favourites and a top bloke as well with lots of time for people.

[Barry]

 

I'm still friends with Phil Baz - he managed Wigan Pier for years for Terry.

 

 

(Still capable of pulling yer legs through yer ears )

Edited June 22, 2013 by Barry

[Barry]

'Ere you go Barry some of the St Helens crowd at the top of the staircase down waiting to go into M's 1978. They be waiting to get in first to get a booth. Used to take over the booths on the left as you go in next to DJ area....

 

...and there's the faux wood panelling Bazz - big one, small on, medium one

 

Edited June 22, 2013 by Barry

[Orotava]

Mr. M's podcast now ready, look for it in the audio section in about 5 minutes time.

 

Northern Oldies lovers, get ready, this one will blow your socks off.  This is a typical hour spent in Mr. M's which was of course the offshoot or overspill room to the main room at Wigan Casino.  I have to admit that I didn't frequent it much - the whole reason for doing the 160 mile round trip was to hear exclusive records, not stuff they used to play at our local youth club, but of course thousands of people did enjoy M's so this one goes out to you lot.  The sound quality is outstanding, so good that it sounds like a 'line in' recording.  The DJ is Brian Rae.  It's a really good spot and I'd date it to some time in late 1977.

 

MAJOR LANCE - YOU DON'T WANT ME NO MORE

JAMES BOUNTY - PROVE YOURSELF A LADY

JIMMY MACK - MY WORLD IS ON FIRE

GWEN OWENS - WANTED AND NEEDED

CHAPTER FIVE - YOU CAN'T MEAN IT

PATTY & THE EMBLEMS - I'M GONNA LOVE YOU A LONG LONG TIME

HERB WARD - HONEST TO GOODNESS

PERCY WIGGINS - IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH

JUDY FREEMAN - HOLD ON

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

THE O'JAYS - LOOKY LOOKY

RONNIE MILSAP - AIN'T NO SOUL

THE INVITATIONS - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BABY

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS - GONNA FIX YOU GOOD

THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU

CHARLIE RICH - LOVE IS AFTER ME

THE INCREDIBLES - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

WILLIAMS & WATSON - TOO LATE

TERRIBLE TOM - WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

CASE OF TYME - MANIFESTO

BOBBY FREEMAN - I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

DANNY MONDAY - BABY WITHOUT YOU

JEANETTE WILLIAMS - SOMETHING'S GOT S HOLD ON ME

THE PRESENT - MANY'S THE SLIP

LEE ROYE - TEARS (NOTHING BUT TEARS)

 

 

I`m a real Luddite when it comes to technology - is this easy to burn onto a cd?  Otherwise if some kind soul could do it for me I`ll willingly pay for their costs, time and postage??

 

Thanks and regards,

 

Pete

[Guest Dave Turner]

Two guys in that photo with jumpers on ... WTF that all about

 

I remember popping into Ms for a looksee and me specs steaming up ... walked round like c*nt bumping into everyone  

[Barry]

Two guys in that photo with jumpers on ... WTF that all about

 

I remember popping into Ms for a looksee and me specs steaming up ... walked round like c*nt bumping into everyone  

 

My mate Des Mooney used to have his Puffa jacket on in there all night

[snooky]

It was bloody steaming in there....i liked theTwins playing monster oldies......brings back memories....when i first got a copy of Otis Blackwell....It's All Over Me...mind blowing nights sweating your b*llocks off on the dance floor.

Edited February 7, 2015 by pikeys dog
swearing - workplace filters

[Orotava]

Mr. M's podcast now ready, look for it in the audio section in about 5 minutes time.

 

Northern Oldies lovers, get ready, this one will blow your socks off.  This is a typical hour spent in Mr. M's which was of course the offshoot or overspill room to the main room at Wigan Casino.  I have to admit that I didn't frequent it much - the whole reason for doing the 160 mile round trip was to hear exclusive records, not stuff they used to play at our local youth club, but of course thousands of people did enjoy M's so this one goes out to you lot.  The sound quality is outstanding, so good that it sounds like a 'line in' recording.  The DJ is Brian Rae.  It's a really good spot and I'd date it to some time in late 1977.

 

MAJOR LANCE - YOU DON'T WANT ME NO MORE

JAMES BOUNTY - PROVE YOURSELF A LADY

JIMMY MACK - MY WORLD IS ON FIRE

GWEN OWENS - WANTED AND NEEDED

CHAPTER FIVE - YOU CAN'T MEAN IT

PATTY & THE EMBLEMS - I'M GONNA LOVE YOU A LONG LONG TIME

HERB WARD - HONEST TO GOODNESS

PERCY WIGGINS - IT DIDN'T TAKE MUCH

JUDY FREEMAN - HOLD ON

SAM & KITTY - I'VE GOT SOMETHING GOOD

THE O'JAYS - LOOKY LOOKY

RONNIE MILSAP - AIN'T NO SOUL

THE INVITATIONS - WHAT'S WRONG WITH ME BABY

LITTLE ANTHONY & THE IMPERIALS - GONNA FIX YOU GOOD

THE FASCINATIONS - GIRLS ARE OUT TO GET YOU

CHARLIE RICH - LOVE IS AFTER ME

THE INCREDIBLES - THERE'S NOTHING ELSE TO SAY

WILLIAMS & WATSON - TOO LATE

TERRIBLE TOM - WE WERE MADE FOR EACH OTHER

CASE OF TYME - MANIFESTO

BOBBY FREEMAN - I'LL NEVER FALL IN LOVE AGAIN

DANNY MONDAY - BABY WITHOUT YOU

JEANETTE WILLIAMS - SOMETHING'S GOT S HOLD ON ME

THE PRESENT - MANY'S THE SLIP

LEE ROYE - TEARS (NOTHING BUT TEARS)

 

 

 

Can`t even find this in the audio section, so again if some kind soul could burn this to a cd for me then I`m more than happy to pay for costs, time, postage and materials??  Please send a PM if you`re happy to do so for a techno Luddite!

 

Thanks in advance, Pete

Edited June 22, 2013 by Orotava

[Pete S]

Can`t even find this in the audio section, so again if some kind soul could burn this to a cd for me then I`m more than happy to pay for costs, time, postage and materials??  Please send a PM if you`re happy to do so for a techno Luddite!

 

Thanks in advance, Pete

 

 

Here tis

 

[Orotava]

Here tis

 

 

 

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for the link but I`m at a complete loss as to how to transfer to cd - hence my appeal to the good folk on here who might make a middle aged man very happy by doing it for me and charging whatever?? 

 

Have to say it brings the memories back.  I always said that if I was ever given one wish, I would go back to a Friday oldies night at Wigan Casino with the wisdom I have got now. I would relish every moment like it was my last not to mention buy all those records that you weren't sure of in the day but now know are monster rarities that fetch thousands!

[Pete S]

Hi Pete,

 

Thanks for the link but I`m at a complete loss as to how to transfer to cd - hence my appeal to the good folk on here who might make a middle aged man very happy by doing it for me and charging whatever?? 

 

Have to say it brings the memories back.  I always said that if I was ever given one wish, I would go back to a Friday oldies night at Wigan Casino with the wisdom I have got now. I would relish every moment like it was my last not to mention buy all those records that you weren't sure of in the day but now know are monster rarities that fetch thousands!

 

To record these, I have to run a cassette into a deck which has a built in recorder, I then burn it as a cd, from that cd I import it into itunes and from there I import it into mixmeister to turn it into the recording that gets put on the podcast - all the cd's I use to import them on, I just throw them away after I've imported them onto the computer.  So basically I haven't thrown away the master cd yet - you can have that if you want it.

[Orotava]

To record these, I have to run a cassette into a deck which has a built in recorder, I then burn it as a cd, from that cd I import it into itunes and from there I import it into mixmeister to turn it into the recording that gets put on the podcast - all the cd's I use to import them on, I just throw them away after I've imported them onto the computer.  So basically I haven't thrown away the master cd yet - you can have that if you want it.

 

Hi Pete,

 

Great stuff - name your price and I`ll pay by Paypal if that`s OK?

 

Thanks bud

[Guest Byrney]

I'm still friends with Phil Baz - he managed Wigan Pier for years for Terry.

(Still capable of pulling yer legs through yer ears )

Phills on Facebook, used to do house clubs in 90s - renaissance at Mansfield etc.

[shelly]

Two guys in that photo with jumpers on ... WTF that all about

 

I remember popping into Ms for a looksee and me specs steaming up ... walked round like c*nt bumping into everyone  

Edited June 22, 2013 by shelly

[Pete S]

Hi Pete,

 

Great stuff - name your price and I`ll pay by Paypal if that`s OK?

 

Thanks bud

 

No charge...

[Paul R]

The main tracks I always remember when I went in Ms where:- Gimme Some Lovin'-Spencer Davis, Get Ready For Love-Paintbox,  Opus 17- Four Seasons, Hey Hey Bunny-John Fred Playboy Band, Nathan Jones-Supremes. Help Me-Spellbinders. This was about 75, 76.  I was mainly a Main room kinda guy.  Shows that there was plenty of "blue eyed" stuff played as well as soulfull stuff.

 

Paul

[Guest Mart B]

Taking liberties here with people in pics:

 

I'm sure this is in the foyer between balcony and Ms, between the doors

wigan 002.jpg

 

And this is (as is obvious) by the decks in Ms

wigan 008.jpg

 

Now who can guess the characters (second pic obviously an early Rohypnol fiend!)

Jerry lynch i was at is 50th party last nite & gaaarrry the gemini man who knows when he will next turn up lol

[midnight2six]

Those guys in the jumpers, you can tell they were waiting for M's to open. Fast forward 4 hours, probably in vests or tops off. I was a skinny sod those days, I could do with a few hours in the sauna that was M's now.

[Frankie Crocker]

Barry - great posts. M's was a bit like a Victorian music hall on two floors hemming in a narrowish dance floor. The lower level had booths for small groups, but were often occupied by by sleepers come 6 or 7 o'clock. M's being smaller and lower than the main room had a vibrant atmosphere with low-fi sound system, balcony heaving with onlookers and everyone talking or shouting above the music. In the early days, the dancing was possibly more frenetic and old- school as the sounds catered more for the Torch- Wheel age bracket. Can still remember being at the front mesmerized by a couple of coloured girls dancing to Scratchy, real ass-kicking stuff. Dave Evison would put a record on then hop down onto the floor for two minutes then scramble back onto the stage in time to change the record - that's what I call dead keen. M's was a more intimate venue than the main room and it was common for people to adjourn there for a conversation. The sounds played in the early days reflected the scene in it's infancy, Spencer Davis Group, Julian Covay, Bobby Hebb, Dobie Gray etc but in time, changed to recycle the multitude of oldies the main floor had once spun. I can remember crossing into M's on the balcony, pushing through the swing doors and hearing Anne Sexton for the first time, blew me away. So many good memories I can't think of any warts apart from the sound system breaking down regularly.

[Barry]

Barry - great posts. M's was a bit like a Victorian music hall on two floors hemming in a narrowish dance floor. The lower level had booths for small groups, but were often occupied by by sleepers come 6 or 7 o'clock. M's being smaller and lower than the main room had a vibrant atmosphere with low-fi sound system, balcony heaving with onlookers and everyone talking or shouting above the music. In the early days, the dancing was possibly more frenetic and old- school as the sounds catered more for the Torch- Wheel age bracket. Can still remember being at the front mesmerized by a couple of coloured girls dancing to Scratchy, real ass-kicking stuff. Dave Evison would put a record on then hop down onto the floor for two minutes then scramble back onto the stage in time to change the record - that's what I call dead keen. M's was a more intimate venue than the main room and it was common for people to adjourn there for a conversation. The sounds played in the early days reflected the scene in it's infancy, Spencer Davis Group, Julian Covay, Bobby Hebb, Dobie Gray etc but in time, changed to recycle the multitude of oldies the main floor had once spun. I can remember crossing into M's on the balcony, pushing through the swing doors and hearing Anne Sexton for the first time, blew me away. So many good memories I can't think of any warts apart from the sound system breaking down regularly.

 

 

Bob on

[andys locker]

Nice one Barry,for posting the floor plan of the WC.I have probally drawn out the plan ,in my mind, a dozen times,but never realy recited it.As to your plan has a fair bit of detail,im sure their are a few people on here will say to themselves " oh yeah,i remember now ",as i did i.Your plan is how i remember it,but i thought the stairs to Ms balcony was actually inside Ms near the djs box,but as shown in a photograph, in a later post,that is not the case.

I only pondered on the fact due to an embrassing incdent, me missing the last half dozen steps ( and the stairs were not that wide) and landing on to some bloke,who was asleep,and then having to hide the rest of the time,as he was gonna rip my head off.it was about 79ish,it was an oldies niter and it would be around the summer months of the year,so if any of you out there remember it,.....well.... im bigger now.ha ha.

Thanks for the post on the sketch Barry.

[Guest manusf3a]

 Not surreal mate,..just bad Gear..lol

No I had good gear,those two were definitely there in Halloween style masks the sort that cover the whole head,,they were standing in the passageway casually observing folk going in and out.Some people looked rather puzzled when they saw them others ,most in fact just walked past not giving any sigh of noticing,what does thast say about your average Ms punter,at home with the bizzare perhaps.

Edited June 25, 2013 by manusf3a

[Back Street Blue]

Two guys in that photo with jumpers on ... WTF that all about

 

I remember popping into Ms for a looksee and me specs steaming up ... walked round like c*nt bumping into everyone  

 

Wore "outside clothes" to get there, especially if you couldn't scrounge a lift, hence the little bag for your dancin' threads.

 

 

early days, the dancing was possibly more frenetic and old- school as the sounds catered more for the Torch- Wheel age bracket. Can still remember being at the front mesmerized by a couple of coloured girls dancing to Scratchy, real ass-kicking stuff.

M's was a more intimate venue than the main room and it was common for people to adjourn there for a conversation. The sounds played in the early days reflected the scene in it's infancy, Spencer Davis Group, Julian Covay, Bobby Hebb, Dobie Gray etc but in time, changed to recycle the multitude of oldies the main floor had once spun. I can remember crossing into M's on the balcony, pushing through the swing doors and hearing Anne Sexton for the first time, blew me away. So many good memories I can't think of any warts apart from the sound system breaking down regularly.

 

Exactly my take, learned how to dance in there and was always in my own little bubble in M's, even when it was far less crowded on my limited trips towards the end of the Casino days.

 

Would gladly still go out to hear those sounds, no matter what mileage was involved, oldies that I never tire of hearing, or more importantly, dancing to.

 

Different strokes for different folks, went to the Mecca and Ritz to get my fill of the new plays, as they often got an airing there before they found their way onto the decks at the Casino.......well the stuff I liked did anyway.

 

Apparently, you could get onto the roof of the Casino from M's and Lemmy & Cess from Oldham would go up there to get out of "the sauna", never went up myself, too busy enjoying "the tired old sounds"!     

[Barry]

I've had this conversation before and I think it was left as I was mistaken - but as my memory serves me there was two weeks on the run where the crowd was so low that only M's was opened.

 

The doors to the Main Room were left open and it was very odd to see a silent and empty Main Room.