Two months have passed and tonight is the third instalment of Digital Harlot. However, tonight is no ordinary (if, indeed, any cyber night can be described as such) Harlot night—it is the Club Kids Special. Miss Dawnimatrix (Dawn, the club’s creator and DJ) has decided to spice things up by demanding the masses attend in the boldest of club wear.
For those wondering where the 'Club Kid' idea came from and what it is, you only need to watch
Party Monster to find out—we'll let curiosity run its course.
"I started Digital Harlot because I wanted a night where I, personally, could jump about like an idiot and listen to music I liked", Dawnimatrix tells me.
"My motivation was entirely selfish! But really, I think Digital Harlot has become a night where the traditional ideas of industrial and EBM being for "goths" are being broken down a little, month by month."
Dawnimatrix is assisted by Effigy (Gordon) and Doctor Butcher (Brian)—two names you may very well be familiar with.
If you haven’t had the chance to attend one of these nights, an open mind is an essential ingredient. Leave your inhibitions at the door and prepare to be dazzled.
Cyber nights are a chance to express yourself fashionably in any way you see fit, without feeling any prejudice. At this point, don’t feel the need to turn back and raid the wardrobe. The fashion isn't what matters: it’s the attitude. Throw in a tablespoon of PVC, a pinch of UV, two parts androgyny and we can begin to bake. It’s colourful, it’s dancey and the main point is to have fun.
Musically, it’s a culture associated with 'goths'. I, for one, do not consider myself a goth, and neither does Richard from Cardonald:
"I listen to a lot of metal but I also like bands such as The Shizit. I wouldn’t say this is my scene, but the music is really good and the night itself is a laugh".
The night plays host to sub-genres such as industrial, electronic and digital hardcore. Admittedly, you'll find that, generally, it’s more of an alternative electronic style of music. Some will say it’s techno for goths—but why worry about pigeon holing when there's work to do?
The Harlot has found residency in The Dark Room (level 4) of Strathclyde Student Union, situated near George Square in Glasgow’s city centre. It’s relatively easy to get to and boasts student drink prices. The venue is wheelchair-accessible and so far, student ID has not been required. The door staff are polite and helpful, as are the cloakroom staff.
I asked Dawn about the future of the night and about the venue:
"At the moment, the Strathclyde Union and I are getting along famously. However, since there’s the upcoming threat of them doubling the venue hire, things may get a little sketchy. If I could be guaranteed a certain number of people would turn up, I’d move it to a more "club" venue in a heartbeat. As word spreads and people check it out, I’ll be able to make it much more of an event. Better venue, bigger guest list, guest DJs and reduced entry. With a bit of hard work and patience, I'm sure it'll pay off."
I arrive at just around 10:30 p.m. The music can be heard as I get to level 1 in the lift and all of a sudden the choice of sobriety seems a dubious idea. We are greeted by Kirsten and Gary who work on the door and already I can see some wonderful costumes.
Falls, glowsticks, UV-reactive t-shirts, provocative outfits, body modification and body paint are all part of the recipe. If you don’t fancy a taste of any of that, have no fear, there are plenty of lollipops lying around on the tables in the seating area.
Entering the hall, I see quite a few regular faces. It does tend to be the same people that attend similar events, but as usual, I can spot newbies and they are my prime targets.
"There just aren’t enough alternative nights", Kellicat insists.
"I tend to go to the Solid (Rock Cafe) or the Catty (Cathouse), but this is ideal for a wee change". A
change?
"I liked to listen trance and listen to metal, so I can relate the music here. It also gives us a chance to dress up".
Well, there seems to be a trend here. Not a bad thing by any means; it’s better to understand the nature of the beast than to have a beastly nature.
Kellicat's friend joins in: "
We heard about this through word of mouth and our friend had a flyer for it". Hold on, that’s a French accent, is it not? Aurelie, originally from Paris, continues:
"There is a scene here, but it isn’t tailored to goth and you don’t need to be dressed up. One thing this place is not, is judgmental."
Well that isn’t strictly true. At the end of the night, there will be a judging of sorts. For one night only, the peasants have the chance to be crowned King and Queen of the Club Kids. There are plenty of contenders, but there can be only two!
The music is loud, but not deafening, so you can have a conversation. There is a seated area on one side of the dancefloor, while the bar (which also has a seated area) lies to the other. For me, this is great for hounding the punters and finding out their views, and good for the punters who want a time out from dancing. It is hot, not just because the masses are, but because there is a lack of air conditioning. To be fair, I had jeans and a t-shirt on and was fine. For the zebedees on the dancefloor, I would think they’d be dripping by the end of the night.
So I asked the Dawn
"I've been trying to get this sorted out. As you can guess, there is no air conditioning on that floor, but I’m reluctant to move it to another floor in the union, as I reckon level 4 has a decent atmosphere. I'm looking into getting big fans for the night to hire, but the Union’s humming and hawing about it. Health and safety, apparently. But I'm trying, honest!"
Honest? I'm not too bothered at the sight of sultry women, dressed to impress, sweating their little pores out and dancing their asses off. It's the men I'm worried about!
Tunes come in the shape of mainstream artists such as Combichrist, VNV Nation, Icon of Coil, Delerium Felix Da Housecat and those a little more exotic like Grendel, Soman, Unter Null and Dismantled. All great tunes for dancing to, and, going by the crowd, also suitable for singing your little lungs out. For those who attend the Cathouse, you’ve maybe heard a few of these artists and maybe didn’t even know that’s what you were shimmying your sweet asses to.
Well, I’ve done a lot of work and feel I’ve earned a drink, so I make my way to the back of the hall. The 'usual' characters are holding up the bar and it’s no surprise they’re
pissed merry and the banter is flowing. Since school’s out for summer, all drinks are £1.50. When the students return, a pint will set you back a mere £1.95, spirit and mixer £1.85 with bottles coming in at £2.25. There are only two guys on, but they seem to be handling the crowd well and are very pleasant, which makes a change from the usual 'door dips' that tend to grudge doing their job.
I thought I’d go track down the other two resident DJs and get some of their thoughts. At this point I should mention these two hard working chaps are doing this for free, as are the door staff.
First up is the Butcher himself—my favourite teuchter.
"The reaction to Digital Harlot from people thus far has been encouraging. However, I don’t want Digital Harlot to be seen as being in competition with other nights—such as Bedlam or Cryotec, or Ascension in Edinburgh—but rather to compliment and add to a scene that is flourishing. What I bring to Digital Harlot is enthusiasm for the music I play and a huge belief that the club can and will get bigger and better. As a DJ, it’s my job to ensure the crowd have a good time and the music policy of EBM, Industrial & Digital Hardcore allows me the freedom to introduce new artists and music to the crowd. While I’m only too happy to play the tried and tested floor-fillers everyone knows and loves, expect to hear something a bit different alongside!"
At this point Mr. Effigy wows the crowd and has a look of professionalism that Body and Doyle would envy. I had a chance to catch up with him later on in the evening:
"Digital Harlot offers a twist on the more standard electro-industrial clubnight. It’s a bit more of a journey into the dark side! I guess in some ways I’m the more commercial end of Digital Harlot. I’ll leave the hardcore tracks to those who know what they’re doing—my aim’s to break you on the floor with a mix of hard dance-based EBM and electro, with some techno beats thrown in for fun. My girlfriend reckons I’m a glorified raver—I guess there’s a compliment in there somewhere".
It’s a truly great night, the positive atmosphere is intoxicating because everyone seems to be having so much fun. Some weren’t aware it was on ‘til 3 a.m. and have already arranged their travel home. So around 2 a.m., some leave, but for us who are still there, the party continues and I’m still quizzing the people.
General consensus is that you can come here with no need to feel you should dress a certain way or even like the music to enjoy yourself. Most of the non-regulars wanted something different and were bored with the Cathouse. They heard about it through the grapevine and decided it was worth a go. I guess some habits are hard to break, but everyone I spoke to said they'd be back. That in itself sends out a positive message.
Well, it’s the end of the night and we nearly forgot about the crowning ceremony. So with no further ado, we give you
the King and Queen of the Club Kids. Yes, this is a female
and a male —Gordon did the honour of verifying that for us.
Shout outs:
Thanks to everyone who took the time to speak with me and have their pictures taken.
Dawn would like to thank all who came along and welcome you to future events.
Also a massive 'thank you', to
Kirsten,
Gary,
Doctor Butcher and
Effigy for giving up their time for
free.
The DJs recommended me five songs each:
Dawnimatrix:
Come To Daddy - Aphex Twin
E Headz Must Die - Ultraviolence
Revolution Action - Atari Teenage Riot
Bring on the Hurricane Pain - Hellfish
Made of Shit - Bomb 20
Doctor Butcher:
Die Sektor - Mother Hunger
Tactical Sekt - Not Going To Work That Way
Z-Prochek - Outside Act
Re:Legion - Deception (Honoured)
Assemblage 23 - Awake
Effigy:
Lab4 – Hellboy
Tactical Sekt – Beslan
Combichrist – Today I Woke to the Rain of Blood
Faderhead – Burning/Dancing
Icon Of Coil – Headhunter
Full set list available:
Digital Harlot - Club Kids Carnival Playlist
Digital Harlot returns on the 9th of September. Look out for the posters and flyers. Details can also be found on Alternative Nation at:
Digital Harlot forum on AltNation
and also at:
Digital Harlot on LiveJournal
Myspace:
Digital Harlot on Myspace Digital Harlot
Level 4
The Darkroom
Strathclyde Union
90 John Street
Glasgow
10pm-3am
Wheelchair Access: Yes
Age: 18+
Student ID: No
Dress code: Anything goes!
Music: Industrial, EBM and Digital Hardcore + some old classics
