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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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Happy 5th Birthday Zoology!
Reported by PonyBoy.
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Submitted 25-10-06 22:00
It’s five years since Zoology began. On the 3rd of November, Club 414 in Brixton will be holding their birthday celebrations. I’ve never been to Zoology, preferring the luxurious surroundings of places like Turnmills rather than the excitement of Coldharbour lane, but thought I’d ask them a few questions and see whether or not my curiosity might be engaged.
In the confines of his dilapidated caravan I caught up with Latex Zebra and B.S.E and set about enlightening myself on the matters I felt were important. I probably could have been a little more probing, but I’m selfish and quite frankly lazy. Oh and I p*ssed in their yucca plant while they were out of the room too, I might make it my trade mark act, should interviewing turn out to be my calling.
Why the name Zoology? And what is Zoology exactly? I have an Oxford English Dictionary and it’s not in it, it’s in the French edition but the definition is NWS. How did you stumble across the name and did you ever think of changing it in the early days? Perhaps to something less animal orientated, like Camptown or Biscuit, which I’ve always thought would be a very catchy name for a club night.
LZ: There is a good reason you’re not a promoter somewhere in that question. We had our record label Vinyl Zoo first and when we where doing a club night on the back of it we needed something that would connect the two. Zoology was actually first coined by DJ Widow. Zoology for us means the anthropological study of Party Animals.
Who make up the Zoology team? Are you all named after animals? Which one of you makes the best cup of tea?*
*We all know that every superstar dj relies on a heavy intake of tea to get them through the many hours of rigorous partying that it takes to reach the top. making a perfect cuppa is the secret key to superstardom.
LZ: Latex Zebra, RedCaT and B.S.E are Zoology. Markus Buhmann is a resident. Zem does all our internet and magazine listings and we have several others like DJ Widow, Tracy (our No 1 Fan) Joanne, Pink Kitty, Ade, Leah, Steve and Tina who make up a very loose crew. I would also like to mention Matt Dahl, he is kind of our unofficial resident. He has played for us loads of times, is always the first person we ask to warm up of Markus can’t make it and is and always has been, a very loyal supporter of ours. An honourable mention should go to Elvis who was a resident for a couple of years. He’s enthusiasm and ideas where a great help to us, as where his contacts when he later joined Frantic.
So only two are named after animals, one after an animal disease and the other chose to be normal. As for who makes the best tea? I can’t remember the last time any of us made tea for the others.
B.S.E: I make the best tea but I’m not going to tell them that or they’ll make me official tea Walla, I know what they’re like. So keep it under your hat.
Zoology djs
Who comes to a Zoology party?
LZ: Well, our friends and long time supporters make up the early part of the night and then as it gets later we get a larger, random element in. We have started to recognize faces now so these people are either coming back to us each month, they’re out every weekend or it is a shocking coincidence.
We do have a pretty good crowd retention and there is nothing better for a promoter than standing at the trough while people say what a wonderful party they’re at without knowing one of the guys running it is peeing on their shoe.
Have you got any groupies? If so, which member of the gang has the most groupies and who has the better looking ones?
LZ: Sadly no, two of us are married (myself and RedCaT) and B.S.E is going out with our number 1 fan. Maybe that is the ultimate groupie fantasy and Markus Buhmann is loved up as well. We do get the odd women appearing in the booth but they’re normally looking for their coat or trying to buy a drink of us.
Zoology has been going for 5 years now, and obviously has a hardcore following, making it a very successful party in it’s own right. Why have you not taken steps to bring zoology to a larger audience and really make a success of it?
LZ: I think the most honest reason is that we don’t want to stop doing Zoology. If we tried to take it to a bigger venue, lost a shit load of money, and ruined our reputation then it would be pointless carrying on. As it is, we can carry on safe in the knowledge we put on a great party, that is well respected and attended and that as a result, as djs, we get the chance from time to time to play to bigger crowds.
Which free punch has been the favourite over the years and have you any plans to release a zoology cocktail guide.
LZ: The punch is more an Alumni thing. There have been a few batches at Zoology though. Normally for a Birthday event or if it is a special occasion. I haven’t checked if there will be any for the Birthday. I should imagine so.
Sadly we don’t get to see what goes in the punch, which is probably for the best. All the Zoologists are avid cocktail fans though. RedCaT is actually named after one. Red Bull, Cava and Tequila. I think Loopy Juice would have been a better name for it though, if not for him.
Are all patrons attending Zoology parties required to bring melons along to gain entrance or is it only for the 5th birthday? Is there a particular melon required, say for VIP or is any melon acceptable? Would I be allowed entry if I brought a different fruit perhaps? Say Digital Sushi*, instead?
*for those that don’t know, there is no bigger fruit than digital sushi, ask at your local supermarket.
LZ: This is a thoroughly bizarre question, that relates to a threat of violence on a thread that inspired this feature. No you don’t need to bring Melons or any other fruit. Just a smile. Oh you can bring Digital Sushi if you like, he’s always good value.
If you were to draw a clubbing pyramid, where on it would you put Zoology? Would you squeeze in behind or in front of Twist?
LZ: Hmm, I think the length of time we’ve been around puts us nicely in the middle somewhere. I don’t think we’re the best party out there, we’re good and I would like to think we are one of the better small parties around. As for Twist, the only thing we have in common is a loyal following and an outspoken Promoter. I’m sure they will be in the middle somewhere as well. Whether Steve from Twist would agree with that assessment is another story.*
*this interviewer notices that his jovial comment about homosexuality went straight over his host’s head.
You’ve been in Brixton now for 5 years, Brixton has traditionally been associated with Harder parties than Zoology, how do you think this has helped, or has it been a hindrance. Also, I am hearing rumours that Brixton clubbing is dead or dying, do you agree?
LZ: That’s not necessary true about the association with harder events. There is a lot of tech house and house stuff that goes on in Brixton, you just don’t hear about it on this site. The 414 is home to several house and tech house events as well. I don’t think the location has either helped or hindered us to be honest. Apart from maybe a few people that wont attend because of old stigmas attached to the 414 or just it’s location.
As for Brixton clubbing being dead or dying, not at the 414, and certainly not for Zoology. We’ve never been a promotion to parade our door numbers but we can confidently say in terms of numbers this has been our busiest year ever.
Zoology ladies
If Brixton were to die as a clubbing Mecca, would you consider moving? If so where would appeal to you?
LZ: I really don’t know. The thing is it would be a gradual decline and if we saw our numbers dipping that badly the decision to stop the party while it is doing well would be made, rather than carrying on and our reputation being ruined. I can’t imagine us upping to another venue or location.
The booth at 414 is quite small, who’s the fattest dj that’s played for you? How do you cope if you have 2 fat djs playing back to back?
LZ: We’ve never had any real porkers, are there any fat djs? We’ve had some big lads in and we’ve also had 3 way back to backs, the booth is like the Tardis. There is more room than you actually imagine there to be in there.
Who’s the biggest name that you have had grace the decks in the 5 years and have you broken any big names at a Zoology party? Sorry, I mean launched, given them the first step on the ladder, etc.
LZ: That depends on who you define as big. DJ Wag would be the most well known globally though he isn’t that big in the UK. Andy Whitby or Ed Real from a more UK known hard dance perspective. The upcoming set from Altern 8, who have appeared on Top of the Pops and had chart hits are probably the biggest name we will have had.
I wouldn’t say we’ve broken any djs, well, that depends on your interpretation of breaking them. We’ve supported a lot of new djs who have gone on to bigger things. I would say that is down to their skills rather than the fact they played for us. It does show that we have a habit of spotting future talent when other promotions seem to play it safe instead.
Zoology brands
How experimental is the music policy at Zoology, do you push the boundaries or give the punter exactly what he wants? Whatever you are doing works but do you ever get an urge to meddle, perhaps have a proper toss of the format, as it were.
Not madly, we don’t play experimental music. We do encourage djs to play a bit different though. K.A.R.L. or Lucy Fur doing techno sets for us springs to mind. We do give the crowd what they want but not always how they expected to hear it. I think since we’ve switched to focusing on a specific genre of music per party it has given us a chance to book DJs we’ve overlooked in the past and also play some stuff we hadn’t been able to in the past.
It seems that every couple of years we have shaken things up a bit so who knows, maybe towards the end of next year we’ll be looking at what else we can do to keep it interesting. If for us, as much as the crowd.
Where do you take your inspiration from, why did you choose to throw a party in the first place and where did the drive come from to keep it going for 5 years, which is no easy feat, by the way. Sucky suck suck.
LZ: We wanted to be rich and famous. How stupid where we. Seriously we all have different reasons. Mine where wanting to play out regularly and also it was requested we do another night after the launch party of Vinyl Zoo and voila Zoology was born. The drive to keep it going, for me, is that I know we are doing something people love and want to continue to do so.
Zoology crowd
Who’s a better DJ, you or the wife, DJ Widow.
LZ: Me, she has a very good ear for a mix and what will work together but she can’t quite grasp the technology.
Most interviewers would probably ask you where you see Zoology going in the next 5 years, but that’s boring, I’m going to ask you which parties are better than Zoology and where do you see them going in the next 5 years?
LZ: Alumni is Zoology’s equal in my book, and as for where it’s going in five years. I don’t expect any of the regulars to survive another 5 years.
B.S.E: Unabashed spam… tsk, tsk.
Lastly, and most importantly, before I leave, can I ask you what your favourite cakes are? I think people would want to know. I’ve always been partial to a Belgian Bun or a egg custard, I suppose you’re partial to a chocolate finger, LZ?*
LZ: Cheesecake.
RedCaT: Carrot cake.
B.S.E: Sponge cake
Markus: Banana cake with chocolate icing.
*This interviewer would like to stress that there were no cakes offered by the Zoology team in return for a favourable interview, there was definitely no exchanges of chocolate fingers.
Do I feel like going to Zoology now? I don’t know, I certainly might have done if they hadn’t realised about the yucca plant and banned me, fortunately I’m very busy that night anyway, although it seems I might be missing a decent party. Possibly a party with the ugliest residents ever, but maybe that’s all part of the attraction, if anyone goes and can tell me where the magic lies, please do so, I look forward to it.
Zoology's 5th Birthday
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On:
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Friday 3rd November 2006
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At:
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CLUB 414 [map]
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From:
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10pm till 6am
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Cost:
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£10 all night - £8 with Flyer/Paying Guest list
Full names to guest@vinylzoo.co.uk
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Website:
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www.vinylzoo.com
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Ticket Info:
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Full names to guest@vinylzoo.com
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More:
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Yep, 5 years of Zoology. We're really quite impressed with ourselves. What started out as a bit of fun has gone onto to be a party that has earned a reputation for fun, whilst at the same time never skimping on the music. We've had DJs like Ed Real, Andy Whitby, DJ Wag, The *Ting*, Steve Blake, Marc French and a whole host of others. We've teamed up, at the 414, with parties like Frantic and Party Proactive. We've hosted rooms at some of the biggest events in London. On top of that we've featured in DJ Magazines Top 5 Nights in London and Top 10 Nights in the Land on several occasions. All in all, we've done quite a bit.
Enough hype though.
It's not often you get the chance to see an act that had a couple of top 40 hits at a club the size of 414. Still it's not often that a party gets to celebrate it's 5th Birthday. So as the latter is happening we decided the former should to.
It's not secret now but Old Skool Legends Altern 8 will be coming along to give a set of ultimate party music. These will be the tunes that maybe got you into Dance Music or for those old timers among you kept you into it.
Altern 8 consists of Mark Archer and Chris Peat, they originally started out as a pure Techno act called Nexus 21, soon after they stormed the charts as Altern 8 with Infiltrate 202 and Activ-8. These where followed up by tracks like Evapor 8 and Hypnotic St8. They where known for many things other than their rave anthems like their boiler suit and face mask get up, setting up all manner of fictitious stories to aid their publicity and standing as local election candidates in the 2003 General Election.
Since then Mark Archer has gone onto various other successes including the House Anthem Bells of New York by Slo Moshun. Mark has also a few New Skool Breaks tracks under his belt, working with the legendary Rennie Pilgrem among others.
So there you have it, everything you needed to know about Altern 8 in a couple of Paragraphs.
What else do we have planned for the night I hear you ask.
Well joining the Zoology residents will be Puzzle Project/ Swamp and Alumni resident Mad Phil. Phil has supported Zoology since the very early days and he is the only local DJ truly worthy enough of playing at our 5th Birthday.
The 414 will be dressed for the night and I'm sure there will be plenty of CD give always and party bags stuffed full of stuff that will clutter your house for, well, a little while anyway.
The early response to this party has been quite unexpected and we will be putting a limit on how many people get into the club, after all there is no fun partying if there is no room to move. Early arrival is the only way to ensure you're in the club and are partying along with us.
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The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: Slink. on 25th Oct 2006 22:34.20
 at this interview 
Well done guys, consistently one of the best parties around 
From: Nomi Sunrider on 26th Oct 2006 07:09.08
Good interview . . . I'll let you off the cardinal sin of saying "I caught up with " 
From: ~deleted1390 on 26th Oct 2006 07:38.29
Thanks for the interview Tony. The Yucca plant has since turned yellow and died.
I'd like to say a quick thank you to someone I forgot to mention in the interview and that is Mad Phil of Puzzle Project/Swamp. He has been a constant supporter and has helped us out tons.
From: suzy-q on 26th Oct 2006 07:49.46
madness!!!!
From: Mat Lock on 26th Oct 2006 08:49.27
haha great read  well done Pony !
Well done Zoology  A great party in a great little venue. Happy Birthday 
From: ~deleted5662 on 26th Oct 2006 08:49.40
:
From: Sats on 26th Oct 2006 08:58.55
Well done Dan, looking forward to this one
From: Saint. on 26th Oct 2006 09:03.41
Pony wins.
From: ck on 26th Oct 2006 09:39.38
 and  for Zoology.
From: PonyBoy. on 26th Oct 2006 10:03.34
Sats - what do you mean "well done Dan"? It was my interview. Charming.
From: Sats on 26th Oct 2006 11:01.32
 - am I not allowed to give credit to the person who was interviewed? ok, you did well too
From: Matt Church on 26th Oct 2006 11:15.44
Top work guys, keep having fantastic parties!!!
From: 2 PhUnKEd Up on 26th Oct 2006 12:42.18
Good stuff guys. We still owe you a freebie for the last bummer...
From: dean peters on 26th Oct 2006 12:50.16
Well done guys. Great parties/ good music/ top djs. Always have fun at Zoology. Keep up the good work
From: Ualda on 26th Oct 2006 13:35.43
 HIP HIP HOORRAY for the party animals!!!
From: Steve Twist on 26th Oct 2006 19:11.29
well done guys ( seriously) I know how hard it must be putting a party on every Friday for 5 years.
As for Pony.....well, don't give up ya day job - a very poor attempt at schoolboy humour that will certainly not be unnerving Alan Bennett!
From: PonyBoy. on 26th Oct 2006 21:20.05
Steve, why would I give up a higly paid career in Banking to write articles for HF? You really have lost the plot dear.
From: Dave_Logic on 26th Oct 2006 22:54.58
Congratulations. Really solid promotion and a really nice bunch of guys....
From: Karl Alexander on 27th Oct 2006 06:36.21
great promotion, really nice bunch of people - shame about the interview and crap questions - you deserved some more effort made.
From: ~deleted1390 on 27th Oct 2006 07:36.57
Don't worry Karl. It was supposed to be a light hearted piece rather than anything to weighty. We've been interviewed enough times on here for people to know our real history and roots.
From: B.S.E on 27th Oct 2006 07:42.16
My roots are shrouded in mystery...
Cheers Pony the Yukka will never be the same
From: K.A.R.L. on 27th Oct 2006 09:39.42
One of my favourite parties I have played for, and it was the first party where I played 100 % techno set, so thanks for that as well guys.
5 years is some achievement and I think Zoology will be around for quite a while. Keep up the good work.
From: djdyju on 27th Oct 2006 11:57.22
Go Zoo !
From: SAMSON on 27th Oct 2006 15:50.31
Nice1 Zoo crew, my 1st Hard dance set was with you.
All the best for the future...
From: DMX on 29th Oct 2006 01:52.07
Bastards, making me contemplate going to 414. I want to see Altern8!!
From: Lucy Fur on 29th Oct 2006 16:03.42
Nice one guys! Good luck with the future x
From: nige_n on 29th Oct 2006 19:10.57
Really nice to have an interview written by someone who is impartial.
From: K8-e on 30th Oct 2006 23:06.04
Funny interview.
It's been a year since my visit to Zoology  I did have a wicked time though and hope to come back sometime. 
From: DJ Forth on 31st Oct 2006 14:06.15
Nice one Guys... roll on another 5 years
From: DJ Widow on 31st Oct 2006 17:43.43
DMX - go on you know ya wanna
From: Shimmer on 31st Oct 2006 21:50.16
Hey Guys.... Long time no see... I may be coming along with Leah and Ade.. Be great to see you all again -
From: Zem on 1st Nov 2006 08:47.57
Happy Birthday!! (Shimmer -  )
From: Centurian on 2nd Nov 2006 07:28.31
PB you funny bastard, made me chuckle.
Good luck with the party guys.
From: anushka007 on 2nd Nov 2006 13:27.43
You go boys and girls!!!!! and very happy bday to you all. I shall see you there 
From: Joanna McEwen on 3rd Nov 2006 21:04.16
Hoorah for Zoology! x x x
From: bunny on 6th Nov 2006 08:30.08
Great interview, brightenend up my Monday morning!
From: sexyminx on 21st Nov 2006 16:39.07
Wicked interview and awesome night As always Zoology rocked Cant wait for the next one 
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