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Zoology's 2nd Birthday - Review!

Reported by bunny / Submitted 23-11-03 20:04

Ah, terrible two… In toddlers it’s an age characterised by violent mood swings (from the highest highs right down to deep and dirty fits of nastiness), a wild, unpredictable nature, lots of screaming and yelling and an uncontrollable and seemingly never-ending desire to stamp the feet. Hmmm. If only I could find some way to liken this to clubbing, and more specifically the Zoology second birthday bash…


Happy Birthday Zoology Happy Birthday!


At 1.40 am when I roll into the centre of the universe, namely the 414 club in Brixton’s Coldharbour Lane, the Zoology birthday party is in full swing and, after the best parts of two bottles of wine, so am I. Escalation is breaking down like a tidal wave as a pack of wild and slightly weird animals stampede on the spot amid a dance floor as dark, steamy and wild as a rainforest, albeit a rather condensed one. Green lasers slip and slice through the air like electric vipers… Balloon strings trail in strands and thickets like vines from the ceiling… Thick clouds of dry ice swirl and billow from the movements of unseen creatures within and all the time, above and amongst it all, the heartbeat of the jungle plays on…

It’s a very peculiar thing, admitting you’re wrong. Tonight is my first Zoology, a whole 2 years after it started; previously I always almost avoided it. Why? Well, not because I didn’t want to do a Zoology – I did, very much so. It was all down to where it was held. The thought of spending a whole night in the 414 didn’t exactly send me skipping down the streets with glee singing Zippidee Doo-Dah. I thought it was one of the worst venues for clubbing in London, too small, no atmosphere, dodgy punters and terrible sound system. I thought I’d rather pour bleach and broken glass into my eyes than spend a whole night there, sooner lick the sweat from George W Bush’s butt-crack than spend from dusk ‘til dawn within its four walls.

In short, I was being a prat.

I know there’s a great deal of prejudice against the 414 (mainly because I was one of its leading proponents); now I also know that the majority of it is unjustified. Sure, it’s a far cry from the swankiness of The End or the smart plushness of Sub Logic, but then it’s not trying to be on that level. The 414 is an institution; it ain’t perfect but it is unique. And the people behind it are doing their best to sort out all the little infamous niggles. The toilets now have working locks, the downstairs has been redecorated and there’s a new mixer which, believe me, has made a HELL of a difference. You can now not only hear the tunes but also the individual beats and the sound system can’t be pitched up to a level where a re-enactment of that famous scene from Scanners seems a real possibility. Hats off to Lou and the 414 team for their hard work. And smacked wrist for me for being so wrong.


Future Sound of Elvis


Ok, so now I’ve finished the humble pie, back to the party, and where we left off. I first remember hearing Escalation waaaaaaaaay back at Logic the Movie: Episode II at Camden Palace in January this year. Since then its rising synth riff has grown to become one of the big Hard Trance floor-fillers of the year and the man responsible for it is currently behind the decks. Dave Lochrie has come a long way this year and it doesn’t look like he’ll be hitting a dead end anytime soon. His sets are characterised by an uplifting and unstoppable momentum that’s boosted even further still by the energy and enthusiasm he pummels into his mixing. Tonight is no break from the pattern; the whole downstairs of the 414 is a fabulous mess of limbs, ballons, banners and people. And movement. LOTS of movement. The sign of a good night is that you walk away from it without the faintest idea what the dance floor you’ve been stomping on for the past X hours actually looks like. By the time I arrived and Dave was in his element, there was slim chance of seeing a foot of tile/carpet/undergrowth anywhere; from bar to dance floor the place was chocka-block. I haven’t much of a clue what the scene was like upstairs since I only ventured up there once for 10 minutes (and that was just as far as the café which was as popular as always). But when Mr Lochrie's on and playing tracks like the Stimulant DJs’ Fuck Da Beats, navigating that spiral staircase, well, it just kinda strikes you as being one big, fat waste of time.


Paul Reeves


2 O’clock and switchover time behind the decks. Up next on the DJ roster is none other than the magnificent Mr Paul Reeves, legend in his lifetime and munter extraordinaire. Cheekiness aside, there’s one thing to be said about Reevsey; he knows how to keep a crowd happy. Kicking off with the Hard and dark mix of Tomcraft’s Loneliness, then onto Rachel Auburn’s Kick, Manipulate by the excellent Alex Carver and 2 of Paul Glazby’s more recent killer remixes; Hands Up and Breathless. Brilliant tune selection and the mixing ain’t half bad either. The alcohol might be rapidly draining out of my system but that’s only to make way for the waves of adrenaline, and there’s a smile thoroughly plastered across my face that could only be accurately measured on the rictus scale. And I’m far from alone. Because I got here late everyone around me is way up on me in their endorphin levels but, goddammit, I’m doing my best to catch up.


Redcat


Y’see that’s one of the really wicked things about tonight, there’s such an open, affable, welcoming atmosphere about the place, you can’t help but kick loose and show your inhibitions the door. Every time you step inside a club you enter a sort of mini-universe, briefly detached from outside events and influences. There’s a whole variety of factor’s kicking around like constellations that can have an effect on how you and everyone around you is feeling. There’re the biggies, the galaxies; the club itself, the promotion, the crowd size, the music and the DJs. Then the more intricate component, like solar systems; the track selection and progression, the sound system, even the mood of the DJs. Not forgetting the more random factions, the potency of whatever’s rushing through your bloodstream like a comet or even the big, bad, black hole of Technical Problems. How these elements react and relate to one another determines the outcome of your night. Usually there’s a period of mild chaos towards the start of the night when all the different stimulus are jostling for their positions. Then around midnight everything finds its place and the night settles into a smooth, heavenly sequence that goes on until the moment you break out of that universe and hit real time once more. Sometimes, the black hole comes out of nowhere and devours everything. And every so often, all the different elements, the stars, the planets and everything in between find that perfect balance, a total equilibrium, that can persist for all eternity (or 6am when the universe promptly implodes). That Friday night stability, albeit of the most frenzied kind, reigned.

That’s not to say that you were left feeling in limbo, or that the music didn’t evolve. One of the best features of Zoology was that there was a real progression in the type of tracks played; stylistically, the music continually developed and changed throughout the night. By the time Redcat came on at 3am we were deep in driving Hard Trance with the spectacularly evil New Organism by Prime Mover… Within quarter of an hour Redcat had moved us onto some serious Hardstyle, then tech house with a funkiness so infectious you’d have to wear a gasmask to be immune to it. Slip in a little techno supernova or two and then you can stand back and marvel at the masterpiece you’ve created. Hmmm, perhaps you could very briefly if you’re the DJ but if you’re out there in the chaos, well, there’s just no rest for the wicked.



Which is where Latex Zebra comes in. Cause it’s high time he takes over in the DJ box and gives Redcat the chance to get on out here and have it with the rest of us (just like the whole Zoology crew have been doing with relish all night – I love seeing promoters/DJs really getting stuck in there!). There’s a hell of a lot of there to get stuck into. By this point in time I've forgotten what club I'm in and I'm also beginning to have trouble remembering what planet I'm on but none of this particularly seems to matter right now. In fact, until the time this music stops, and perhaps for quite a while after that, nothing seems particularly worthy of worrying about. Latex Zebra is dishing out an absolutle KILLER of a set and the whole club is bloody loving him for it. This isn’t the kind of music you hear weekend in, weekend out in clubs across London; it’s very much darker, harder perhaps than even your mum would like and there not a waft of cheesiness to be sniffed at. The main orders are Hardstyle deep Hard Trance and throbbing Techno – prime examples are the filthy, filthy, filthy Uberdruck’s Testube Junkie and the DJ Scot Project mix of Arome’s Visions of Paradise. Yes siree, there be gold on them thar’ decks.

Rounding off the night, and the Zoology trio of DJs is B.S.E, who thankfully isn’t an insane bovine but in fact a rather fine DJ. BY this point I have to concede that me feet are HURTING, most probably because I’ve been off the dance floor for a net total of less than half an hour all night and I’m seriously wanting to put my feet up. Except this bugger won’t let me because he’s playing too many good tunes. Some people… Acid Techno and dirty Techno but altogether GOOD Techno (it’s a genre that has the unfortunate ability to incorporate a good deal of bad produce) combine for one last hour of masochism for your feet. Hey, that’s what Deep Heat and corn plasters were made for. At 5.55 the encore emerges… I’ve no idea what it’s called but it started with the sample from Propaganda and was really bloody good. And then relax, or more specifically, collapse.

So… My first Zoology, their second birthday, one definitive party. I have to say a big thank you to the Zoology crew for several reasons:

1) Throwing an excellent party and giving me the opportunity to review it.
2) Showing me that I was wrong aout the 414 and I promise never ever to moan about it again (but don’t hold me to that…)
3) For having the faith to do something different from the norm and put on a night in which you won’t hear every DJs current top ten playlist at least three times throughout the night, but instead a well-thought out list comprising of DJs who aren’t afraid to experiment and try something different.

Thanks also to all the clubbers down there who were part of such a warm and happy atmosphere and to the 414 staff for being as friendly and chatty as ever. Happy birthday guys and hope I get an invite to the next one!


With thanks to Pink Kitty and Amy & Anders for the use of their photos Thumbs up

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Other Features By bunny:
It's about music - interview with Alex Parsons
Monkey business as usual: interview with Shaf De Bass
Twistathon – Twist’s 12 Hour 1st Birthday Bonanza
becomeone: Unified in Sound - Review
Logic's Fourth Birthday - Hooray! (review)
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
Comments:

From: Matt Church on 24th Nov 2003 01:19.18
What an amazing review!! The perfect night, reviewed in a perfect way!! Well done Zoology!! Thanks!!!!

From: ~deleted1390 on 24th Nov 2003 08:48.12
That's an excellent review. Made even better by the fact it's our night. Blush
Thanks to Bunny for coming along (at lastWink) and reviewing it.
A bigger thankyou to everyone who comes every month, helps out and then has a mad one. Thumbs up We love you. Wink

From: RedCaT on 24th Nov 2003 09:47.14
Have to agree with LZ Smile thanks Bunny glad you had a great time, Zoo would be nothing without the fantastically up for it clubbers that we see more and more of each month Thumbs up roll on 5th Big grin

From: G-whizz on 24th Nov 2003 10:22.35
It was indeed a phat night !

Oh and for your information Bunny the last tune was called "Dirty Dancing " Wink

From: Nathan on 24th Nov 2003 13:00.32
Congrats to Rich, Dan and all the VZ crew - just reward for putting together one of the most refreshing music policy's around and for putting their heart and soul into each and every party. Wish I could have been there to celebrate with you.

From: Zem on 24th Nov 2003 13:37.08
Spot on review Bunny, well done boys Thumbs up I always say it to you but you should all be very proud of what you have achieved over the last 2 years. Theirs not many that could put on a top quality party for that long and keep it feeling so fresh and new Not worthy... Claps Hands

From: B.S.E on 24th Nov 2003 13:51.28
Thumbs up Bunny, thanks for a great review. Thanks to all who attended to make it worth reviewing and all the DJ's for producing, as we expected, a wicked selection of music Claps HandsClaps Hands
And that last tune, as Gerry said, is "Dirty Dancing" by The Imposters on Stay Up Forever. Big grin

From: WEBBO on 24th Nov 2003 18:28.43
what a way with words u have bunny

excellent review of an excellent nite u and that notepad make
a good team



From: Pandora S-K on 25th Nov 2003 09:23.29
Well Done Zoology Crew!

From: konradacid on 25th Nov 2003 12:39.59
very good guys i bet dan was great see you all soon.

From: Abi on 25th Nov 2003 13:57.39
Well done Zoology! Thumbs up Wicked review for a super night!.... However, not sure about the comment: B.S.E is not an insane bovine??????

From: Jam Gorilla on 25th Nov 2003 14:48.21
Me spechless, like I have been there which I was...
and what an imagination and paraboles and hyperboles or perhaps parallel universe kicks in....
makes it more difficult for me to equal since I promised Dan to scribble some or more... dunno?
I am sure about one thinggy though - 414 and Zoology rocked
congratulation!

From: Charlie Rox on 25th Nov 2003 15:33.36
Yeah yeah zoology rocks big time, hats off to the crew,wicked birthday and yummy sweets dished out!!!
If u aint been, loser could be your last name!!!! Big shouts to every 1 and keep the safari WILD!!!

From: pink kitty on 25th Nov 2003 17:49.14
Nice one, Bunny, my love!! Picked up on the unique aspects of the night, which have been upheld since day one:
1) A friendly vibe all night long
2) Never hearing the same track twice
3) Music progresssion to take you on a journey and NEVER LETTING YOU LEAVE THE DANCEFLOOR!!

Great review Thumbs up Bunny

Big grin

From: RedCaT on 25th Nov 2003 17:55.58
Click here for Pink Kitty's photos of the night. Laughs out loud @ Abi true about BSE

From: Flip on 26th Nov 2003 12:09.11
amazing night, and a wicked review...nice one Thumbs up roll on next month Thumbs up

From: Jolene Redtrip on 26th Nov 2003 14:02.22
Looks like it was a good night, I can't wait until the 5th Hyper!

From: Red5 on 26th Nov 2003 16:52.01
Thumbs up Bunny!
I had a brilliant time, and am certainly looking forward to being back in London to party with this crew once again Hyper!

From: bunny on 27th Nov 2003 16:47.53
Big grin Hey guys, thanks for your wicked comments on the review, really glad you liked it! It was an awesome night + nothing I can say about it could do it justice though... you have to experience for yourself!Thumbs up

From: acid les on 28th Nov 2003 11:45.17
a good review bunny - I do like how you word your reviews, spot on!

From: Paul Reeves on 28th Nov 2003 16:27.19
wkd review bunny Smile , and thanks to dan and the other loons Wink

happy b-day v zoo Waves

From: RaW on 29th Nov 2003 14:40.27
Top review Bunny Thumbs up
Here's to you Rich, Dan, and Chris Claps HandsClaps HandsClaps Hands
You guys have done an awesome job and made my time all that more memorable. You have no idea how much you and the rest of the crew are missed Frown
Maybe Zoology Australia soon?............

From: spacekitten on 2nd Dec 2003 15:47.24
nice one, bunny !! (and nice to finally meet u after dirty djs v oblivion too)... i quite like 414 myself but haven't yet been to zoology - that'll be changing soon for sure !!!!

From: Hippie on 11th Dec 2003 13:52.52
Thumbs up Quality review of an amazing night, well done to the Zoo Crew and nice work bunny Smile

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