I got 2013 started on a rocking note this week as I had the pleasure of being joined live in the studio by acid techno legend Chris Liberator. It’s a genre of music close to my heart as it provided the foundation of my journey in the party and raving scene in London and it was a wonderful education to hear the background and stories about it from someone who was there from the beginning.
Originally from Hornchurch in Essex, we heard about his musical background in the 70s and 80s, especially from the punk scene, then how it evolved into him enjoying then participating in the scene through playing, the organisation of the events and running the record label StayUpForever. He still prefers playing with vinyl records and we discussed its benefits over the digital formats which are now becoming prevalent.
The parties are still going strong, either through squat parties or club events. You could feel Chris’ enthusiasm and passion for the scene and he really described well the camaraderie between everyone involved, including the artists, promoters and people who come to enjoy them. There are a couple of events coming up which are well worth checking out, especially one this Friday at Jamm in Brixton which is free before midnight, StayUpForever Payback party, which makes it easy to pop along to see and hear what it’s all about. Then there’s a big party in the big Sidings warehouse venue in London Bridge on 30th March called London Underground United. Chris was also keen to talk about his friends who need supporting and have a boat called Stubnitz which is moored in the docklands as it’s well worth checking out their art exhibitions and parties. You can find out more here.
We also spoke at length about the relationship between politics and the music, especially punk and techno. They’re styles of music which are great outlets for expressing the dissatisfaction with the state of the world and the exploitation of capitalism. When talking about it Chris came up with the most wonderful phrase- the disgraceful pyramid of wrongness.
On the music front I got things going with some of recent favourite psy trance songs, then while I was speaking to Chris we heard some of his fantastic acid techno music then we had a wonderful venture into his punk background by playing some tunes that inspire him and also one from his punk band Dogsh*ite.
We enjoyed chatting so much, it went on a bit longer than expected! It was a real privilege and a pleasure to speak to him. Hopefully you can enjoy it too by listening again here:
Here’s the playlist for 8th January 2013 (Albums in brackets)
1. K.i.M – Foregor
2. E.V.P – Delusions Unravelled (Neuroplasticity)
3. E.V.P – Alchimals (Neuroplasticity)
4. Ajja – iFriend (Tulpa)
5. Tantrix – Free Lemonade (VA – The Garden Of Delights)
6. Hypnocoustics – Buddha Nature (Buddha Nature EP)
7. Chris Liberator – Rock It Now (Teknic 07 single)
8. Chris Liberator & Lawrie Immersion – Vote Techno Party
9. Chris Liberator & Sterling Moss – Scum Like Us Like Acid
10. Tassid – What a Can’t
11. Dogsh*te – You Can’t Control My Freedom (The Dogsh*te EP)
12. The King Blues – Modern Life Has Let Me Down (Long Live The Struggle)
13. Inner Terrestrials – Law Dealers (Tales Of Terror)
14. Chris Liberator & Sterling Moss – Sick Of Capitalism, I Want My Money Back
