Len

Well they're definitely underplayed! What fun we all have! Len

Yeh, sorry about that Steve Len

I've been waiting for whoever has events where they put the records on a screen to give the actual reason for doing so - I'm not saying it's a bad or good thing, it certainly doesn't offend me. I think it's just a gimmick to add 'something' to an event - Nothing wrong in that (I prefer the Glitter Ball myself though) An 'aside' note - As a D.J, I have welcomed these new Electric Cigarettes - God I missed smoking two fags at a time when D.Jing All the best, Len

.......The days of the "dog eared note book" are long gone mate - It's now just "pestering the dj" I'm afraid....... Len

You can say that again......It certainly was for me........I suffer from what is termed 'Dry Eye', and I can't open my eyes in the mornings without putting drops in......I also now only smoke one of those vapour electric cigarettes, which you fill with a 'very' similar bottle to the eye drops.....the most noticeable difference being the picture of a dead fish on the side, with the words 'very toxic'........Yup, you guessed it, I reached past my alarm clock and gently squeezed the 'juice' into both of my eye ducts, and 'waited' for it to 'work it's usual magic' - AAARRRRRRGHHHHHH! I can't tell you how much it f*ckin' hurt! I very nearly went to A and E - You should have seen how red my eyes were! Ouch....... .......Sorry, what are we talking about? All the best, Len

....and I would have been 'right behind you' Chalky Len

I knew what you meant - There is defo a 'trust' bond between most, and as always, there's bound to be an exception to the (unwritten) rule. All the best, Len

Not an event most of you would have gone to, but it's interesting ref the Art Work / Letraset Wording - It took hours! I remember having Mace D.J at this Club back then. Btw - It's on my wall All the best, Len

A little 'off topic' this, but I wanted to share this experience - Last night I went to an event at The Nags Head in Wollaston (Northants). Now, to the 'untrained' eye, it would have looked like a 'Handbag' event, it was a room full of 60 plus year olds, all reliving their youth. I had a brief chat with this guy, he said (and I quote) "I was here 45 years ago, every weekend off me nut - I loved it".......and to see these guys 'doing their thing' on the dance floor to tunes like 'Green Onions' etc was a privilege. They were 'doing it' before Wigan, and even before The Wheel - They really did have 'an edge' about them. Point being - Don't 'write off' all these 'old f*ckers' All the best, Len

To be serious for moment, we do actually feel this way, and it shows in the way folk are so protective of it - I like that. But as I said, there's no point fighting against something we ain't gonna win, so 'flip it on it's head', and make it advantageous to us. All the best, Len

It does - It belongs to me Len

Agreed, I think it beneficial to embrace this change rather than fight against it, because it is a fact. Excuse this 'blatant' plug, but we have done exactly that at 'Soul in the Bowl' here in Northants, advertising in local newspapers etc - The upshot being that we attract over 250 people, yes some we see as 'Bubble Wrap', but they come, they ad to the great atmosphere, and have a great time - Some of these newcomers seem intrigued with 'Len's Den' (which is the second room) and feel comfortable staying in there albeit 'sight seeing'. All this has got to better than a room with not enough people playing great music, with no atmosphere. It works well for us anyway. All the best, Len

Damn right, I think in an 'ideal Northern Soul World' this may be the case......but I won't forget having me fags nicked at The Ritz in Manchester in the 90's, that incidently also had a nice Jo*nt hidden in there for the next morning - There has always been crooks everywhere, although the ones I refer to being somewhat 'relaxed' with a smile upon their faces All the best, Len

I like it being a 'secret society'.....and it is 'our' scene. But everyone's welcome as far as I'm concerned All the best, Len

Great stuff, and 'can' be beneficial to an event. "I'm actually quite pleased to see outsiders at an event these days as long as they don't cause trouble" I got presented with my very own 'Tailor made' Hand Bag the other evening, and felt obliged to dance around it (Thanks Nick 'Topsy' Turvey of Banbury Radio!)....I plan on bringing it the next 'Len's Den', where it will have pride of place Obviously some folk at the event that the thread starters is referring to, didn't have a clue about how to behave - that is when it gets irritating and frustrating. All the best, Len

Although I don’t like the term ‘Handbaggers’ because I find it offensive to those that respectfully come into our Scene, I know what you mean. As has been said, choose your venues wisely - You now have to do a bit of research (That is what has changed) There are still some great venues about with the true ‘spirit’ Welcome home by the way! All the best, Len

The first 'professional' ones I saw were Cliff Steel's Detroit Academicals ones. But yes, the hand drawn ones are fab. Len

I would love to see your 'famous' garage Chalky - Mr Trebus springs to mind Len

'London's Chosen Mass' Great name that. Love the old flyers. Cheers Chalky. Len

Here's a couple of interesting pieces, Big Bob talks about going back to 1963. Len

Just read this thread - Way before my time, but a fascinating read. Thanks. All the best, Len

......and all that is needed - It's the 'vibe' people get I suppose. All the best, Len

Well I presumed those events went without saying I couldn't possibly name an event that I was involved in - That would be crass ..... Len

I can only apologise , it was 'Moses Smith - The Girl Across The Street'......What's a soulie supposed to do?........'hang' in there Buddy All the best, Len