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In
1997 the venue now known as Metro was called Oxfords and before
that it had struggled for years with different lease holders
and names and numerous music styles. The dance nights they had
been hosting had got them into trouble leading as they so often
do to drug dealing and escalating violence and that was why
it had to be re-named.
The new owner Brian Mason was the same person who owned the
Astoria at the time and as I was there working for him on Club
X he also got me to work alongside him on the newly bought venue.
It was named Metro as it was next to the tube station and also
the indie and rock music only venue in Cardiff was Club Metropolitan
(there used to be an Astoria Cardiff also so I had Dj'd down
there at both venues) so we thought Metro was a good general
name.
It was completely ripped apart and re-done inside with the whole
bar and DJ box moved so we could have a stage area and a more
open dance floor. It started off with Beautiful People as the
flagship night where I could cater for the ever-growing crowd
wanting to hear a whole spectrum of brand new music encompassing
ska and hip hop alongside nu-metal and rock. This was when the
whole nu-metal thing was really breaking initially and we had
all manner of bands visit including Mr Durst after the fledgling
Limp Bizkit supported Cold in the LA2!! We've since had everyone
from Fear Factory to Incubus to Busted and most recently the
Lost Prophets and Thursday respectively popping by.
Anyway, the night was successful immediately and coupled with
cheap drinks has been a success from then til now. The venue
was also hosting High Voltage playing classic rock on Thursdays,
Indie pounder playing everything on Wednesdays and Rockscene
on a Saturday - I managed to confuse all the customers by Djing
all of them but Beautiful People was always my favourite as
it still feels like breaking new ground and playing something
more interesting. I blame music TV - everyone's listening to
all kinds these days, the requests are getting quite surreal.
As times roll on I'm mixing up r'n'b and metal, hardcore and
hip hop and bhangra to indie so it's usually a challenge. Getting
from Sean Paul to Pantera in three records can be taxing!
When the owners changed after Mr Mason had a stroke and was
forced to sell the business - only the Beautiful People night
got left in the club but thankfully the general vibe of keeping
the venue alternative music-based held out, and at least now
you can catch some good up and coming bands there as well -
although the rest of the week is quite sedate these days.
Unfortunately the drinks prices went up a bit and they got rid
of our infamous dancing cages on stage and members cards but
be thankful the venue's still there at all the way central London
is going.
If you are interested in the entertainment industry in central
London you'll be aware that rising property prices and business
rates mean clubs get turned into offices instead and Westminster
Council's strict licensing laws mean that many other established
venues have been closed down in the last year or so.
So make the most of it now.......... appreciate the clubs you
have, make an effort to support them, I've gone out of my way
to ensure that all nights have good drinks deals and entry prices
- tell your friends - support the underground or you'll end
up with only corporate pubs to go to.....smart shoes only and
all that. Our nights have a reverse dress policy of no office
wear !!!!!!!
In summer 2003 we also started running 2 much 2 young playing
ska and punk old and new on a Wednesday - you can check that
out by clicking
here. Also check Xplosive
at Islington Academy on Friday - same DJ team.... support us..... |
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