Reading about the recent Northernsoul Weekender and I must say right from the off that I wasn’t there but looking at the comments, have we as the Northernsoul Community reached critical mass and we are no longer a real underground scene of which we once were? Now some, the uninitiated will not ever understand the desire to keep the music “Secret” and many will think nothing of sharing and enjoying and this is a very hard argument to win unless you fully understand why it was, and is, so important for some to have an escape route from the “norm” and the “benign”.

 

I think most, not all, of the venues are merely Nostalgia Trips that now resemble a Derby and Joan Coach trip that is as removed from my idea of Northernsoul as you could possibly think of. I may be to cynical but there is a real and measurable change in the etiquette, it has gone from a underground dance scene to a New Years Eve type party that resembles the tackiest of weddings, the main differences that I have noticed creeping in are Beer swilling men and women who get loaded at the bar or encamp around their chosen tables with Trev and Sharon who at the designated time attack the dance floor taking no prisoners whilst clutching their ubiquitous hand bags. I like stilettos, that’s another story for a different web site but when I watch the inappropriately dressed ladies tottering around doing that “I'm just about to fall over” dance it makes me cringe.

 

Beer and drinks on the dance floor, well this make me weep and I am afraid that neither the punter nor the Nouveau Promoter seems bothered about this disgusting practice that dogs so many venues of late.

 

All is not lost though! There are still some blinding Allnighters and I have no interest or desire to do a Soul Night nor an Alldayer now days but we do have an extremely healthy Allnighter Scene and for this I thank my lucky stars.

Bang on, see you at the Kings

Yes, what he said.

 Feck me...you even get some blokes turning up in beachwear - 3/4 length trews and sandals! Wouldn't let 'em in myself. Whatever happened to standards eh?

 

 - Kev

 but we do have an extremely healthy Allnighter Scene and for this I thank my lucky stars.

 

 

Oxymoron springs to mind - All-nighters can't be good for our health surely?  

 

I agree with what you say - especially the bit about etiquette. I just hope one day real youth culture returns in one form, well for the youths (as it's special)

 

All the best,

 

Len  

Edited September 30, 201311 yr by LEN

"Handbags at Dawn" Risky title after what happened to Robbie Fowler! Could be a public apology coming

Yes a lot of venues 2/3 full of people on a nostalgic run,ironic when you think about it,they never went anywere 1st time round they just remember a few odd people doing the business.Right on soul brother and don't forget to keep the faith at all times,fcuk anyone seen my black fist you know the one that hangs round my friggin neck

What I find insidious from certain parts of this "revival scene" is the use of the term "chin strokers" to label on any event or person that shows more than a fleeting interest in the music itself.

 

Des

What I find insidious from certain parts of this "revival scene" is the use of the term "chin strokers" to label on any event or person that shows more than a fleeting interest in the music itself.

 

Des

 

Des,

Interest in the music itself?

That must make you and me "chin strokers"        

 Feck me...you even get some blokes turning up in beachwear - 3/4 length trews and sandals! Wouldn't let 'em in myself. Whatever happened to standards eh?

 

 - Kev

 

Kev,

 

Sounds like Blackpool Mecca in the later days.

 

   

Sounds like the latest incarnation of Parr Hall, Warrington, to a tee.

I avoid, even though its on my doorstep.

Radcliffe is quality by all reports.

Prob my next destination of choice, now Lowton seems to be off.....(again) :-(

I'm getting a bit bored with all this really...........baggie trousers,nostalger,blah,blah.

It is what it is & I'll just try to avoid coming into contact with such events as I have little in common with the night's or the people who frequent them.

I keep hearing about keeping it an underground scene?So pick night's at the other end of the spectrum of the mainstream ones & it still is because you won't be seeing any of that lot at them.

Failing that we could always contact some of the right rough twats who used to frightened the life out of us at nighters back in the day & tell them what easy picking there are to be had at northern night's these days.They'd soon thin the crowds out & probably make a few bob along the way  

Cheers

Martyn 

Kev,

 

Sounds like Blackpool Mecca in the later days.

 

   

 

 Thanks! Didn't realise it was a revival / nostalgia thing.  

 

 - Kev

Oxymoron springs to mind - All-nighters can't be good for our health surely?  

 

I agree with what you say - especially the bit about etiquette. I just hope one day real youth culture returns in one form, well for the youths (as it's special)

 

All the best,

 

Len  

It has mate, happening right now, mate of mine's Son does 'Dirty Drum and Bass' nights , over Bedford way, regularly gets over 500.. 16 to 25 year olds in, out of their heads dancing all night    ...ha ha He's invited me along....fancy coming 

Edited September 30, 201311 yr by GOGOPRO

What I find insidious from certain parts of this "revival scene" is the use of the term "chin strokers" to label on any event or person that shows more than a fleeting interest in the music itself.

 

Des

Do you not think that that might be in reply to constant 'Dressed like clowns' comments that appear fairly regularly, without any real knowledge about how long said 'Clown' has been around. Just a thought by the way 

Maybe, and I try very hard not to prejudge people. "Dressed Like Clowns" is a tangible, visible concept though, whereas the use of the term "Chin Strokers" is far more insidious, and could be applied to your good self without any basis in fact. Whether you like or don't like the outfits is one thing, but the seeking out of obscure soul sides by "Chin Strokers" to be sold by "Chin Strokers" to be championed by "Chin Strokers" is a corner stone of the scene, and this site.I have no problem with the outfits, but find the term "Chin Strokers" more ridiculous  

 

Des

Edited September 30, 201311 yr by SOUL.INC

Maybe, and I try very hard not to prejudge people. "Dressed Like Clowns" is a tangible, visible concept though, whereas the use of the term "Chin Strokers" is far more insidious, and could be applied to your good self without any basis in fact. Whether you like or don't like the outfits is one thing, but the seeking out of obscure soul sides by "Chin Strokers" to be sold by "Chin Strokers" to be championed by "Chin Strokers" is a corner stone of the scene, and this site.I have no problem with the outfits, but find the term "Chin Strokers" more ridiculous  

 

Des

Unfortunately Des, on either side of the argument, not everyone is like you 

 

Winnie

willie strokers does that sound better

willie strokers does that sound better

 

 

  I think that's a different website ..... not that I'd know which website of course 

Sounds like the latest incarnation of Parr Hall, Warrington, to a tee.

I avoid, even though its on my doorstep.

Radcliffe is quality by all reports.

Prob my next destination of choice, now Lowton seems to be off.....(again) :-(

 

 

Is Lowton finishing?!!!!   I knew they should have kept that Modern Room going    (Only kidding, before anyone jumps in, & shoots me down in flames)

 

What a great shame Aid

Not like me to quote from the Bible but Corinthians;

 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

Maybe, and I try very hard not to prejudge people. "Dressed Like Clowns" is a tangible, visible concept though, whereas the use of the term "Chin Strokers" is far more insidious, and could be applied to your good self without any basis in fact. Whether you like or don't like the outfits is one thing, but the seeking out of obscure soul sides by "Chin Strokers" to be sold by "Chin Strokers" to be championed by "Chin Strokers" is a corner stone of the scene, and this site.I have no problem with the outfits, but find the term "Chin Strokers" more ridiculous  

 

Des

 

 

I actually like the term Chin Stroker, to me, it puts them in a different class (& I'm by no means a snob), and these days, I'd much rather spend an evening talking to a chin stroker, learning about the music, than doing cart wheels across the floor    (only cos I  can't do cart wheels anymore) but hey what does this handbagger know 

 

Ali x

The most ironic part about all of this is the chin strockers have usually still got more northern and forgotten more about nothern than the re-issue "Casino" clowns if they live to 112 will ever Know.

Dave

Edited September 30, 201311 yr by Louise

I actually like the term Chin Stroker, to me, it puts them in a different class (& I'm by no means a snob), and these days, I'd much rather spend an evening talking to a chin stroker, learning about the music, than doing cart wheels across the floor    (only cos I  can't do cart wheels anymore) but hey what does this handbagger know 

 

Ali x

HI ALI,

 

Good job you dont do cartwheels anymore as the hems of those lovely dresses you always wear would end up around your neck. Then it would be a case of a lot of drinks being dropped in shock!!!!!!!!     :D  

 

ROY

.... & these chin strokers have found & introduced a lot of the music that now graces the main stream decks.

 

Long live the chin strokers I say !!! (sorry Des I like the term  )

HI ALI,

 

Good job you dont do cartwheels anymore as the hems of those lovely dresses you always wear would end up around your neck. Then it would be a case of a lot of drinks being dropped in shock!!!!!!!!     :D  

 

ROY

 

Hi Roy

 

Wouldn't be the first time   

 

More like mass vomiting if they saw my bloomers   

 

See you both in October ?

 

Ali x

Alison

 If everyone used the term in an endearing way like yourself, I wouldn't have a problem, but it's this "knuckle dragging" mentality of deriding any venue or person who's interested in the records & music, before they have a dance to "Salvadors", "Del Larks", "Eddie Parker" etc - Who first brought these records to everyones attention, or did they miraculously appear from the hem of a pair of spencers?

"Handbags at Dawn" Risky title after what happened to Robbie Fowler! Could be a public apology coming

 

 

It is a blumming risky title !!!  ...............  I thought it was a Handbag sale  , gutted to find that it's just about Soul   

It went commercial a long time ago. I've just back from Caister and there was a northern soul hour on there featuring The Snake and Do I Love You on CD . To be fair, he did play some other goos stuff like The Majestics, Adams Apples and Gene Woodbury. I had a bit of a dance. It beated standing standing there looking like a miserable chinstroker

It has mate, happening right now, mate of mine's Son does 'Dirty Drum and Bass' nights , over Bedford way, regularly gets over 500.. 16 to 25 year olds in, out of their heads dancing all night    ...ha ha He's invited me along....fancy coming 

 

The 'next' youth culture will be (is) something I won't understand - The way it should be I suppose  

 

Len  

 

P.s - Now stop talking to me - I know you    

I thought it was a Handbag sale  , gutted to find that it's just about Soul   

 

Same here - Soul is soooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooooo last year  

 

Len  

It has mate, happening right now, mate of mine's Son does 'Dirty Drum and Bass' nights , over Bedford way, regularly gets over 500.. 16 to 25 year olds in, out of their heads dancing all night    ...ha ha He's invited me along....fancy coming 

I'd like to go to see what it's like but the kids would only think I was squad..........I remember when I was the one thinking anyone over 25 at a nighter was squad.........god I feel old.............oh no I am old 

Cheers

Old Martyn 

Reading about the recent Northernsoul Weekender and I must say right from the off that I wasn’t there but looking at the comments, have we as the Northernsoul Community reached critical mass and we are no longer a real underground scene of which we once were? Now some, the uninitiated will not ever understand the desire to keep the music “Secret” and many will think nothing of sharing and enjoying and this is a very hard argument to win unless you fully understand why it was, and is, so important for some to have an escape route from the “norm” and the “benign”.

I think most, not all, of the venues are merely Nostalgia Trips that now resemble a Derby and Joan Coach trip that is as removed from my idea of Northernsoul as you could possibly think of. I may be to cynical but there is a real and measurable change in the etiquette, it has gone from a underground dance scene to a New Years Eve type party that resembles the tackiest of weddings, the main differences that I have noticed creeping in are Beer swilling men and women who get loaded at the bar or encamp around their chosen tables with Trev and Sharon who at the designated time attack the dance floor taking no prisoners whilst clutching their ubiquitous hand bags. I like stilettos, that’s another story for a different web site but when I watch the inappropriately dressed ladies tottering around doing that “I'm just about to fall over” dance it makes me cringe.

Beer and drinks on the dance floor, well this make me weep and I am afraid that neither the punter nor the Nouveau Promoter seems bothered about this disgusting practice that dogs so many venues of late.

All is not lost though! There are still some blinding Allnighters and I have no interest or desire to do a Soul Night nor an Alldayer now days but we do have an extremely healthy Allnighter Scene and for this I thank my lucky stars.

Was it/is it an "underground scene" though ?

Mill towns like Preston , Keighley , Blackburn , Burnley , Bradford , Bolton , Rochdale , Halifax, Dewsbury , Huddersfield , St Helens , Stockport , Oldham , Wakefield ect . I always thought in these kind of places it has always been pretty much overground ? Played everywhere in those towns for decades . Youth clubs , cafes , pubs , shops , weddings , working mens clubs and so forth ?

  I think that's a different website ..... not that I'd know which website of course 

Try www.williestrokers.com ...........................or is it www.williestrokers.org (an).....................

Alison

 If everyone used the term in an endearing way like yourself, I wouldn't have a problem, but it's this "knuckle dragging" mentality of deriding any venue or person who's interested in the records & music, before they have a dance to "Salvadors", "Del Larks", "Eddie Parker" etc - Who first brought these records to everyones attention, or did they miraculously appear from the hem of a pair of spencers?

Des Parker for Prime Minister!!

The most ironic part about all of this is the chin strockers have usually still got more northern and forgotten more about nothern than the re-issue "Casino" clowns if they live to 112 will ever Know.

Dave

I wondered how long it would be before the Soul Snobs and False Prophets responded with "I am the better Soul Person" or any other of their regular stupid sermons! 

Was it/is it an "underground scene" though ?

Mill towns like Preston , Keighley , Blackburn , Burnley , Bradford , Bolton , Rochdale , Halifax, Dewsbury , Huddersfield , St Helens , Stockport , Oldham , Wakefield ect . I always thought in these kind of places it has always been pretty much overground ? Played everywhere in those towns for decades . Youth clubs , cafes , pubs , shops , weddings , working mens clubs and so forth ?

 

Stockport is hanbagger heaven

It could be worse, we could have "chin strokers" who dress as "clowns"..........

Stockport is hanbagger heaven

And your point is ?

My point is . The towns i have listed above are the heartlands of northern soul . It is OVERGROUND in these places . It does not matter if someone is a baggies and vest wearer OR a chin stroker . No one f***in cares . Everyone just gets on with it and no one gives a s**t !!!!. People get on with each other . They don't give a toss wether you have a garage full of OVO or wether you just like dancing all night . This it , this is northern soul !

Stop chuffing bitching and get on with it !

It could be worse, we could have "chin strokers" who dress as "clowns"..........

Would they be under cover Chin Strokers then..........or C/U Chin Strokers even

Cheers

Martyn

I wondered how long it would be before the Soul Snobs and False Prophets responded with "I am the better Soul Person" or any other of their regular stupid sermons! 

 

No sermons, just facts mate. Without new music of all tempos the scene just becomes stagnet and stuck in the past.

Been doing do this for the best part of 40 years solid and are still finding and hearing new music on a daily basis.

While dressed in normal clothes.

Dave

 

Not like me to quote from the Bible but Corinthians;

 

When I was a child, I spake as a child, I understood as a child, I thought as a child: but when I became a man, I put away childish things.

 

 The Bible ???

Bugger, I thought it was Freddie Scott 

 

Actually the only thing getting my goat is the assumption that all soul nights are of a poor standard and that all Allniighters are brilliant, cos they're not and they're not...

And your point is ?

 

In my clumsy way I am agreeing with you  Stockport , there has always been plenty of northern about like you say never been particularly underground . Most venues in Stocky lowest common denominator and folks are happy .

I LOVE to bits the rarer and underplayed stuff BUT at the same time , theres nowt like being in a pub and people are dancing and having fun away from a day to day grind and dancing away to the classics . Just like its been all your life . .

Come on people . Give the heartlands some dues . It might not be trendy and cool but its the bread and butter of the scene . Don't knock it

My point is . The towns i have listed above are the heartlands of northern soul . It is OVERGROUND in these places . It does not matter if someone is a baggies and vest wearer OR a chin stroker . No one f***in cares . Everyone just gets on with it and no one gives a s**t !!!!. People get on with each other . They don't give a toss wether you have a garage full of OVO or wether you just like dancing all night . This it , this is northern soul !

Stop chuffing bitching and get on with it !

Get on with what exactly ? accepting the lowest common denominator , accepting the missrepresentation of a much broader scene that the media and time warp soulies deny the existance of ,

 Sorry Krissi but I do disagree with you now and I do fu''ing care  I do give a shit and I do give a toss and I come from Stockport  

Edited September 30, 201311 yr by Mark S

It could be worse, we could have "chin strokers" who dress as "clowns"..........

Or worse still? Clown strokers.

That probably is a different website.

No sermons, just facts mate. Without new music of all tempos the scene just becomes stagnet and stuck in the past.

Been doing do this for the best part of 40 years solid and are still finding and hearing new music on a daily basis.

While dressed in normal clothes.

Dave

What you consider to be facts others could argue are opinions...Just get on with it then and enjoy it..!

What you consider to be normall clothes others may consider comical and at the end of the day what relevance have the clothes a person decides to wear??

Is this new music you hear every day actually new music or is it just new to your ears

Fred!

Edited October 1, 201311 yr by dedji1955

Hey, northern soul has been overground for years. Look at the endless tat on ebay, Johnny Vaughn, Frank Wilson played in me local bank, and the commercialism of it all....anyone that thinks that northern soul is an underground scene is having a giraffe,,,or has been asleep for 20 years.

 

If you want underground it's Rare soul. Completely off the radar of the commercial wiggas.

 

I don't know why northern soul continues to be this battleground.....It's obvious it went mainstream.......and denying it, well it's a bit like revisiting the Battle of Naseby every week to see if any of King Charles's troops are still there.....

Edited October 1, 201311 yr by Steve G

Plenty good soul nights too Imber that don't turn into a circus.... Keep your curtains closed chin strikers, the circus is big business and gonna get bigger with the release of the film......

 

 

I don't know why northern soul continues to be this battleground.....It's obvious it went mainstream.......and denying it, well it's a bit like revisiting the Battle of Naseby every week to see if any of King Charles's troops are still there.....

 

This made me laugh Steve, nearly spilt my coffee over my laptop.