Reported by Craig Paxton
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Submitted 30-09-09 17:09
Way back when, a group of clever people got together and launched a party that helped to define an era. Alongside a few other much loved promotions, Feersum did the business month on month and the parties remain as some of the most fondly talked about. Now with a 10th birthday party just weeks away, Craig Paxton got together with original residents Dan Madams and Ian Betts to talk about times old and new. First up for this two part special we present Dan Madams! Memories are made of this!
As one of the original Feersum residents, give us an insight into the ethos of the event and what it meant to you and the regulars.
The ethos of Feersum was always around having a good party. When Gav and Kath started up the night it was never about making money, although breaking even was obviously nice that didn't even happen for a while. This attitude was evident with the DJs that Gav would book, he would always put on first class, well thought out line ups. What also worked in terms of the music was the two rooms, although very different (hard and uplifting) they complimented each other really well and you would see people alternating between them all night.
I also think what made the night what it was, was the crowd, the people that you would meet there. I don't mean for this to sound corny but I met some of my best friends at Feersum. I’m sure this applies to other people who went as well. I think this is partly why people, including myself are so excited about the birthday party, as we know it will be a bloody good social as well a first class knees up.
After so many years missing from the club scene, what made you decided to bring back the event and what can clubbers expect on the 10th birthday party?
We have been talking about it on and off for the last couple of years. People seem to have had some really good memories from the night and it would regularly come up in conversation (usually after a "few" drinks) and however tempting it was to do another event, I just never had the time to really seriously consider doing it properly.
It was when a couple of months ago, I saw a video clip (thanks starboy) from one of the Feersum nights, that I realised we just had to do something. Not wanting to get too nostalgic, the clip just captured everything that was so good about the night. At the same time Mr Gilligan and I started talking about it and he offered to come on board to help, the rest just followed on from there. It’s now less than a month before the big night and although a little nervous I'm really excited, especially after the response we have had! I don’t think Danny or I quite expected the response and while nothing is guaranteed and we are doing everything we can to ensure that this is one cracking party.
I won't tell you everything that we have lined up (you need to have a few surprises for the night), but with some of the best DJs who ever played at Feersum (personally it doesn't get much better than Ian M and Steve Thomas on the same bill), playing some of the best hard and uplifting trance tunes from the last 10 years, a specially fitted DJ booth for the night and a Feersum crowd that knows how to party, I think we can reassure you this should be one special birthday party.
You have had some fantastic DJs play at Feersum over the years. What are some of your favourite memories and who would you have on your dream line up.
I think one stand out memory was when Feersum hosted a Nukleuz night. After what had been a really hard first six months it all suddenly came together and was the catalyst for what followed. Just seeing Gav’s reaction to it all was priceless - you just wanted to give him a big well done hug. The birthday in 2001 was also quite special, it was an absolute roadblock with both Pete Wardman and Steve Thomas both chomping up the bits to get involved again. Also, personally getting Andy Farley to play my first ever produced track (Floor Burn) back in 2000 was highlight.
A dream line up for the hard room wouldn't be too far away from what Trade had in the mid 90's – Malcom Duffy, Alan Thompson, Steve Thomas, Pete Wardman, Tony De Vit and Ian M - perfect progression. If I had to add some Feersum flavour to it I would have: Vandalism (loving their party chunky house at the moment), Simon The Fireman, Dean Peters, Steve Thomas, Pete Wardman, Dan Madams (I had to get involved), Justin Bourne (I’ll try and persuade him to come out of retirement), Andy Farley and Ian M.
For the trance room I would just be happy with Paul Allan and Bettsy doing their thing for the whole night - no one had better control of the crowd in that room than these two.
Feersum was at its peak in the early 21st century, regularly bringing up to 600 to 700 people on a Friday night. How do you think things have changed since then and where do you see the scene going?
I think the days of a regular monthly hard house / trance night like Feersum have gone. There isn't really the pool of people to keep a regular hard house club night of any size in London going anymore. It’s not necessarily a bad thing because at least the events that are put on are original, fresh and attract a big enough crowd to ensure a really good night.
I think going forward the music policy of club nights will get more interesting with different genres being pulled in together. I think we all know how popular house and electro is with many of the harder generation. As long as the music has "energy" why can't they be played together on the same night?
What are your future plans for Feersum?
We don't have any plans for another Feersum beyond this party. Danny and I have the attitude of let's see what happens at this one - if it goes off and everyone has a wicked time and wants more and we think we can deliver, then we may do another one at some point. Watch this space.
I do also want to kick start the label again – I’m dying to get back in the studio again after a year off.
Did you and Danny Gilligan used to borrow each others vest?
Gilligan couldn't fit in to my vests if he tried – I’m far slimmer than him. Only joking mate!
Watch out for part two with Ian Betts next week!
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More:
FEERSUM RETURNS FOR A NIGHT OF NOSTALGIC BEATS FROM SOME OF ITS ORIGIONAL CAST WHEN IT ALL STARTED BACK IN 1999. THIS EVENT WILL NOT BE ONE YOU WILL WANT TO MISS, IF YOU LIK YOUR CLASSICS THEN THIS IS WHERE IT'S AT!!
Flyer:
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Region:
London
Music:
Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Nu NRG. Hi NRG. House. Bouncy House. Deep House. Funky House. Hard House. Prog House. Tribal House. Electro House. Tech House. Minimal Techno. Techno. Electro.
DJ's:
FEERSUM HARDHOUSE NOSALGIA
Ian M (TRADE WILL BE DOING A LEGENDRY CLOSING SET)
STEVE THOMAS (FEERSUM RESIDENT CLASSIC TRADE SET)
Superfast Oz (KAKTAI SHOWCASE OF THE LAST DECADE)
Dan Madams (ORIGIONAL FEERSUM RESIDENT)
Danny Gilligan (TWIST)
SIMON THE FIREMAN (XLR8 AND REGULAR FEERSUM DJ)
MAD PAUL B2B Craig Paxton (MADE PAULS LEAVING SET)
UPLIFTING ROOM
Adam White (PERFECTO)
Ian Betts (HEAT RESIDENT AND FEERSUM REGULAR)
Raymondo (FEVAH RESIDENT AND FEERSUM REGULAR)
Paul Allen (FEERSUM)
SLEEPLESS ANDY
PAUL B (GUEST HOUSE DJ)
From: Menthol Tazon 1st Oct 2009 07:56.43 can't wait for this, well done guys!
From: Danny Gilliganon 1st Oct 2009 12:31.15 Some of the legendry madams camp poses going on there...lovely stuff....and wearing the same wife beater in then all....Danny boy you singlet lover you...
From: Timmy Whizon 1st Oct 2009 12:55.26 I've been waiting for this party for so long now and cant believe it's only round the corner!!!! thanks guys for making it happen
From: Lizzie Curiouson 2nd Oct 2009 10:22.24 Nice interview Mr Madams - see you next Saturday!!
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thanks guys for making it happen 