SNH Interviews... Club Motherfucker

To make it ten years in any entertainment venture is something to be applauded. To make it ten years running a cutting edge night in London is a darn near miracle. However, Club Motherfucker has consistently managed to bring London some of the finest and innovative musical acts, whilst simultaneously putting on some of the funnest parties, a feat in itself. Sadly, are making their 10th birthday party on May 10th at The Garage (tickets), their last show. We were lucky enough to catch up with co-founder of Club Motherfucker, Beck.

Congrats on your 10th Birthday! Bit of a feat to have kept going in London for 10 years let alone 10 days. What was the inspiration behind starting Club Motherfu*ker?

It was born out of frustration really. We were regulars on the ‘indie’ club scene and at band shows but there wasn’t anywhere at the time that combined the two elements in the way we wanted to. We were really inspired by the feminist and queer electro punk music that was around at that time too but we didn’t hear it in the clubs we were going to. Bands like Le Tigre, Tracy and The Plastics, Gravy Train!!!!. We’d been fans of the new wave of ‘Riot Grrl’ and DIY shows happening at the time that were great but maybe a little ‘worthy’ for a knees up. We were also into the post-punk revival that was happening at the time but you would never have heard like The Rapture or any of those bands at any of those shows. It would have been sacrilege or something.

We just wanted a gig with an eclectic bill, with a house party style do afterwards, where female and gay artists were celebrated along with straights. Where everyone would have a good time and be cool to each other like fonzie. We had a dream! Lolz.

And the inspiration behind the name?

I think it was just the stupidest shit we could think of at the time. It really sets the tone for the kind of vibe we wanted for the night. You’re not gonna go to a night called Club Motherfucker if you’re uptight or not looking for a good time.

One thing that stands out with your events is the commitment to up and coming exciting artists. What does an artist need to make it onto your radar?

Um… Creativity, originality, wit and wild style!

And in the above vein, any artists you tipping in particular for great things for 2013?

Yeah loads, there’s a lot of great music around right now but I’m mostly rooting for Nu Sensae, Butterclock, Mozart’s Sister, Waxahatchee and Kool Thing at the moment.

Which shows have you got booked so far that you’re looking forward to most in 2013?

The 10^th May is the last Club Mofo show so obviously I’m looking forward to that. Later on in the year or early next I’ll be promoting stand alone shows (under a different name) but I have nothing booked and confirmed that I can announce yet. 

The shows will in the same spirit as Club Motherfu*ker but without the frenzied party and 100% death hangovers. I’m too old for that shit now. I’d like the bills to explore new talent across the arts too, not just focus on music.

In light of the number of sheer quality artists that played. What was your personal favourite show from the last decade?

This is like picking a favourite child but I think it would probably be the first time we put on Gravy Train!!!!. It was their first UK show and fans (including me) we’re so excited to see them. There was a queue outside the garage, going up the Holloway Road, for a few hours before we opened. Kids sitting on the street drinking and making their own party while they were waiting and stuff. When they eventually got in they were in high spirits so the atmosphere was amazing. Watching Gravy Train!!!! Live is probably the most fun you can have with your clothes on… but um, clothes were lost that night. Lets’ leave it there… What happens in Club Mofo, Stays in Club Mofo. 

In London in particular, a lot of nights come and go, but Club Motherfu*ker has remained consistently popular with clubbers and gig go-ers alike. Why do you think that is?

I hope it’s because we’re still putting on interesting artists that people want to see and support. We continue to showcase new music and the night is/was constantly evolving because of that and trying to offer something different than a regular ‘club’ experience. I also hope it’s just because it’s fun.

All time oddest artist to play Club Motherfu*ker and why?

My definition of odd might be very different to other peoples. We’ve probably had a lot of ‘odd’ people play, in the traditional sense of the word. I tend to like artists that are divisive or cause a strong reaction either way. As an audience member I’d rather see something that confuses the hell out of me or pisses me off then a band that leaves me feeling nothing. I remember when we had the New York performance artist Dynasty Hangbag play at Barden’s Boudoir and looking around at utterly bemused faces. It was a pretty weird ‘set, I bet everyone remembered it though.

Proudest achievement as Club Motherfu*ker?

We released two 7” Vinyl EPs in the past. One under an imprint we named Whoop! Whoop! Rekkids and another a couple of years later under the name Club Motherfucker Recorded. We’re total music nerds so seeing a rainbow splattered, limited edition record with our clubs name on it in a record shop was pretty fucking cool. I think that 10^th birthday party will be our proudest achievement though. We really didn’t think we’d keep the night going for this long. 10 years, man. People have shorter marriages and prison sentences. It’s a long stretch!

Fondest Club Motherfu*ker memory?
All my fondest memories are of the brilliant people I’ve met running the night. You might think that friendships formed in a club would be very transient or shallow but I’ve met some very solid friends on that dance floor over the years. It’s been great sharing adventures with my best mate because of the night over the years too.

Any advice for someone starting a new night in London today?

I’d say that if you’re starting a live night make sure it’s because you really love music because you’re probably not going to make any money. Supporting new music at this level is not done for monetary gain or respecognition so don’t expect any. If you get it, bonus but you more than likely won’t.

Also put on bands you love, not just bands you think other people think are cool. I think you can really tell if a promoter actually likes the bands they are putting on. Weirdly, there are quite a few who don’t. Lastly, just have a good time. Nobody else is going to if you’re not.

Your 10 Year anniversary party is on May 10th, in the very venue “where it all started”. Do you still remember that first night or have all the parties and good times merged into one?

Yeah, I remember it. The memory gets a little hazy near the end of the night but I remember that we were totally shocked that people had turned up. We were constantly ‘OMG-ing’ every time somebody we didn’t know paid to get in. I think we were expecting just our friends to turn up or something.

The poster for your 10 Year anniversary says “Grand Finale”. Is it or are you just teasing us?

Yeah, it really is. I mean, I don’t know how grand it’s going to be in reality but the finale part is a true fact.
We stopped doing the regular monthly slot a couple of years ago and have carried on the party more infrequently since. Zena has had a son in the past year and has less time to get involved. Well less time to stay out until the small hours anyway. I book the bands and she designs the flyers/artwork so I can handle the run up to a night on my own , but hanging out and managing things on the night without her doesn’t feel right. It’s like Richard without Judy. It’s just not old school This Morning, you know.

Can you give us any clues about who might be playing the 10 year show?

Molly Nilsson is co-headlining!

I can (also) tell you that Blue Hawaii are headlining and it’ll be their first UK date. I am pretty excited about that. I am a big fan of Arbutus Records output in general and was eagerly waiting for the debut album to be released. Untogether is beautiful, I’ve been listening to it loads lately and can’t wait to finally hear it live.

Shannon Funchess of Light Asylum will be playing a DJ Set too. We came across them a few years ago on MySpace when LA was a solo project and started pestering Shannon about a UK show. We ended up bringing her and Bruno Coviello over to put on their first UK headline date at Corsica Studios. It was totally worth the trouble because that gig was brilliant. They have so much energy on stage and Shannon is hands down, my favourite front person around at the moment. That was for Club Mofo’s 8^th Birthday, Light Asylum played again at Shacklewell Arms for the 9^th Birthday too. We’re made up to have them involved in the 10^th.

Not many artists seemed to have skipped your attention, but if there was one artist you could have put on but haven’t had the chance, who would that have been?
Um, Battles. They’re probably my favourite band of the past ten years so purely for self-gratification I’d go for Battles.

I’ve lost count of the number of artists that we haven’t been able to put on and have wanted to though, there have been that many. It’s a constant bummer. That’s the most frustrating thing about doing a regular live club night versus promoting stand alone shows, you can’t plan a date around touring schedules.

In the recent past, I suppose I’ve been the most down about not being able to confirm an option for Le1f. I tried A LOT. I also really wanted SSION and Mykki Blanco to play the 10^th Birthday but the date couldn’t work out. We actually thought about moving the party to June to put on SSION but we were already on sale and announced so had to turn it down. That was a shame. 

And lastly, pick us track to play out this interview...

The wonderous sounds of Blue Hawaii, we hope to see you there on the 10^th yo!