Fun House - The Club Congleton 5th November 2011
Tom Ellis / Gaz Ireland / Dubwired / Sam Hurst / Dave Grigger / Josh Lyons / Tycaine
Escalation. That’s the name of the game. No, not moving staircases, my little pitbulls. Escalation. Stay with me. Alles klar?
This was Fun House 3 and it had to be bigger, better, louder than before. Not a simple task, I can assure you. If you attended the two previous extravaganzas you’ll understand what Sam Hurst and Tom Ellis were faced with. The success and critical acclaim of the two earlier events created a huge challenge for them and, to surpass their achievements, would require some creative problem solving.
For me, too, it posed an interesting conundrum. I had, unintentionally, generated expectation from my growing fanbase. Oh yes, little pigs, you know you want me. It may not be something you will admit to in the cold light of day but you are curious about what I have to say. It’s alright. I will keep your sordid little secret. Sssssh! It’s just between you and me…
Much to my astonishment, people began asking me if I would be going along to Fun House 3, taking photos and writing a review [in The Chronicle]. I was really quite taken aback. I knew that the first Fun House piece had persuaded a few people to come to the second event and see what I was ranting about. Then, the second piece was eagerly awaited, presumably because you are sick little puppies who enjoy reading an old bloke’s random warblings on a subject he knows nothing about.
Escalation. That’s the name of the game. No, not moving staircases, my little pitbulls. Escalation. Stay with me. Alles klar?
This was Fun House 3 and it had to be bigger, better, louder than before. Not a simple task, I can assure you. If you attended the two previous extravaganzas you’ll understand what Sam Hurst and Tom Ellis were faced with. The success and critical acclaim of the two earlier events created a huge challenge for them and, to surpass their achievements, would require some creative problem solving.
For me, too, it posed an interesting conundrum. I had, unintentionally, generated expectation from my growing fanbase. Oh yes, little pigs, you know you want me. It may not be something you will admit to in the cold light of day but you are curious about what I have to say. It’s alright. I will keep your sordid little secret. Sssssh! It’s just between you and me…
Much to my astonishment, people began asking me if I would be going along to Fun House 3, taking photos and writing a review [in The Chronicle]. I was really quite taken aback. I knew that the first Fun House piece had persuaded a few people to come to the second event and see what I was ranting about. Then, the second piece was eagerly awaited, presumably because you are sick little puppies who enjoy reading an old bloke’s random warblings on a subject he knows nothing about.
On 4th November, I wasn’t even sure I was going to go. I had thought about it and had come to the conclusion that I was just making myself look foolish and, that this was a place for young people and, that I had no place being there. Well, I was persuaded to go. I thought I could show my face and slope off after an hour and no one would notice my absence. Besides, I had absolutely no idea what I could write about this time! Hadn’t I already used every literary device I could think of in the first two reviews to avoid, actually, writing about a subject that is as clear to me as a muddy puddle?
Being the 5th of November, the start time had been moved back to 8PM to allow for family events and, even as I arrived at The Club, I wasn’t convinced that I belonged there or, even, that the evening could possibly surpass the first two. Indeed, the 10,000 Watt sound system was still being set up and, as it was being soundchecked, it sounded like cats were being molested by starving Rottweilers.
Being the 5th of November, the start time had been moved back to 8PM to allow for family events and, even as I arrived at The Club, I wasn’t convinced that I belonged there or, even, that the evening could possibly surpass the first two. Indeed, the 10,000 Watt sound system was still being set up and, as it was being soundchecked, it sounded like cats were being molested by starving Rottweilers.
By 9PM, my worst fears had been realised. My ears were ringing and my head was hurting. Many years ago, when I worked at Sellafield, British Nuclear Fuels made a film to show how strong their spent nuclear fuel flasks were. To do this, they crashed a train into one. That’s what the PA sounded like. Tom Ellis, whose set I had been really looking forward to, had not been able to DJ because of the problems. I was ready for off. Reading Daniel Defoe’s – A Journal of The Plague Year on my MePhone wasn’t helping. No photos, no review, no foot-tapping tuneage. Not even my Brothers Toffee Apple Cider was placating me.
And then, someone found what was wrong and a cable was swapped out. Suddenly, 10,000 Watts of crystal clear, low-down sound kicked me in the sweet meats. DJs scurried around with records, CDs, and laptops. All manner of hi-techery was flying about the room. As if by magic, Fun House 3 was ready to kick your ass!
And then, someone found what was wrong and a cable was swapped out. Suddenly, 10,000 Watts of crystal clear, low-down sound kicked me in the sweet meats. DJs scurried around with records, CDs, and laptops. All manner of hi-techery was flying about the room. As if by magic, Fun House 3 was ready to kick your ass!
Gaz Ireland
By 10.30PM, it appeared as though the old adage had come true: build it and they will come… Lo! Behold! Before you could recite the Gettysburg Address, The Club was rammed. Gareth Ireland, whose set I had so enjoyed last time, restored my faith in this genre of music and played a blinding set which, for me, was the true beginning of the evening. I still can’t put names to musical selections but I did actually recognise some of the sounds I was hearing. In addition to a sound system that took up a good chunk of the dance floor, there was a smoke machine and the place was looking more like Valley Forge, every second. Oh yeah, it was going off big time.
Sam Hurst
Sam Hurst’s set was, as expected, very frenetic and full of energy.
So much energy, in fact, that he blew the fuses and everything went black and quiet for a couple of minutes. More frantic scurrying around ensued and the power was soon restored, allowing Sam to complete his aural onslaught.
So much energy, in fact, that he blew the fuses and everything went black and quiet for a couple of minutes. More frantic scurrying around ensued and the power was soon restored, allowing Sam to complete his aural onslaught.
Aurora McGregoralis
Dave Grigger took to the decks and opened a can of whoop-ass so large that I very nearly lost control of my bowel functions. He has a fabulous ability to get everyone joining in and he just looks so happy whilst he’s doing it. I can’t help but enjoy his set because his enthusiasm is just so infectious. He also plays some really bangin’ tunes. I even recognised some of them!
(‘Bangin’ tunes? Good grief, Penfold! Ed.)
(‘Bangin’ tunes? Good grief, Penfold! Ed.)
J Ly: Faster than the speed of light
I didn’t see Dubwired’s set as I was trying to figure out why my pics were all furry. After about half an hour I realised it wasn’t my camera, it was the combination of smoke machine and the flash! I’m more accustomed to shooting live gigs without flash, so it took me a while to figure it out…
J Ly. What can one say about Josh that I haven’t already said in my previous reviews? No, we are not related, before you ask. I do love watching him doing his thang though. His level of concentration is immense and his style is so precise and his choice of music is always just right. Whatever he does, it works for me.
Tycaine rounded the night off with an excellent set. It was all totally new to me as I hadn’t seen him DJ before. I can’t say what was played but everyone seemed to enjoy it and it brought the event to a fitting climax.
J Ly. What can one say about Josh that I haven’t already said in my previous reviews? No, we are not related, before you ask. I do love watching him doing his thang though. His level of concentration is immense and his style is so precise and his choice of music is always just right. Whatever he does, it works for me.
Tycaine rounded the night off with an excellent set. It was all totally new to me as I hadn’t seen him DJ before. I can’t say what was played but everyone seemed to enjoy it and it brought the event to a fitting climax.
It's all going off, BIG TIME!
See, here’s the thing: from my point of view, I’m there, primarily, to take some photos of other people having fun. If everyone is standing around, leaning against a wall, or outside, freezing to death, having a fag, my photos will be pretty dull. In particular, Josh, Dave, Sam, Gaz all play stuff I like, and seemingly, so do other people, which makes my life easier!
I’ve contemplated the whole ‘who is better’ thing and I neither know, nor care. That’s not what it is about. From what I’ve seen, it is like the F1 Qualifying. Vettel is on pole, Button second, Hamilton third, and slow, old Webber all the way back in fourth place. Why is he so much slower than Vettel? Well, he really isn’t, is he? He is maybe 2/10ths of a second slower over three miles. That actually means that he is about the width of a tyre behind. Same thing applies here. All these guys are amazing at what they are doing and they all have their own styles and technique. It doesn’t need to be analysed, it needs to be listened to and enjoyed.
I’ve contemplated the whole ‘who is better’ thing and I neither know, nor care. That’s not what it is about. From what I’ve seen, it is like the F1 Qualifying. Vettel is on pole, Button second, Hamilton third, and slow, old Webber all the way back in fourth place. Why is he so much slower than Vettel? Well, he really isn’t, is he? He is maybe 2/10ths of a second slower over three miles. That actually means that he is about the width of a tyre behind. Same thing applies here. All these guys are amazing at what they are doing and they all have their own styles and technique. It doesn’t need to be analysed, it needs to be listened to and enjoyed.
Fun House: wom wom wa wa wa wa wa...
This may well have been the final Fun House event, according to an inside source. Surprisingly, that makes me rather sad. I’ve thoroughly enjoyed these events and, believe me, I have tried my hardest not to have fun. Ask anyone who knows me, I am a miserable, grumpy, old bugger who hates, pretty much, everything and everyone. And, yet, I like this stuff. I can’t explain it other than to conclude that this must be what fun feels like… You should try it; it feels quite warm and fuzzy.
I do hope that Sam and Tom do decide to put on future Fun House nights though.
Anyway, that’s me done for another review. I think I’ll leave the last words to J Ly, who summed it up in nutshell when he said: “wom wom wa wa wa wa wa”.
Can I get an Amen?
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
8th November 2011
I do hope that Sam and Tom do decide to put on future Fun House nights though.
Anyway, that’s me done for another review. I think I’ll leave the last words to J Ly, who summed it up in nutshell when he said: “wom wom wa wa wa wa wa”.
Can I get an Amen?
Mark L. Potts
The God of Thunder
8th November 2011