The then relatively young duo of Michael and Alan already had an established career in the underground house scene with over ten years experience between them. Jinx was already a skilled scratch DJ and worked extensively with labels, DJ management and clubs that included Inner Rhythm, Big Love, Tribal Gathering, Interstate, Essential Vinyl, whilst managing the likes of Marshall Jefferson and helping to launch the career of Felix da Housecat. Michael had promoted and DJ’ed many parties in and around the south of the country with events such as Lick, Groove City, Car Wash and Just Dance. Influences along the way, where the duo gained their love of everything deep and soulful were Chris Hill (Gold Mine), Rhythm Doctor, Gary Dennis (Chesters), Dr Bob Jones (Saks), Bobby and Steve (Garage City), Giles Peterson, Marshall Jefferson, Lee Vowles, Paul ‘Trouble’ Anderson, Soul to Soul, Radio London and the then pirate radio station Kiss FM.The Bowgie (Cornish for cowshed) had the perfect feel and atmosphere for the deep soulful house Michael and Alan wanted to bring to the South West and after much pestering of the club owner (Andy Pickles) that this was what Newquay needed, it was agreed that March of 94 would be the launch date for this party. With Phil Asher on the decks and the date coinciding with the UK university surf championships it was a sell out success that rocked the club to its foundations. And so it was Underground Society was up and running with a regular monthly slot at the Bowgie with Michael and Alan sticking mainly to the US and London talent they had got to know from their time in the south east, resisting many approaches from local DJ’s wanting to play at the club. That was until Michael received a mix tape whilst out buying records in Truro from a guy called Alex, of which the musical content went against the grain in the mainly progressive arena of the South West. Alex’s soulful blend remained true to the underground and was just what the club was looking for to enable them to branch out and tour other venues.With Alan Chamberlain chairing the Society events and being backed up by newcomers Alex, Michael Knott and Richard Wilson the club went fortnightly and regularly packed out the Bowgie with classic nights that included appearances from the likes of Noel Watson, Robert Owens, Harvey, Rhythm Doctor, Felix Da Housecat, Disciple, Marshall Jefferson, Byron Stingily, Pete Heller, Ashley Beedle, Mark Wilkinson, Wildchild, Miles Hollway and Elliot Eastwick.Alex, Michael and Alan often ventured out to play other venues and events under the Society banner such as Café de Paris, The Manor (Bournemouth), Ministry of Sound, Sub Logic, The Arc (Bristol), Progression, Behaving Badly, Godfathers of House Tour and Run to the Sun. The club was soon rated as one of the top ten nights out in the country by DJ Magazine and was even mentioned in European publications due to the worldwide attraction of the famous surf coast.Although the club has since moved on from The Bowgie, playing at numerous venues for short term residencies and special one off events over the past few years, the club will now embark again on a regular venture at Bar Soho in Bristol with Alex taking charge of this now legendary event keeping it deep and soulful as it has always meant to be. The launch date for this venue will be Friday March the 16th and will see one of Bristol’s most well known deep house DJ’s James B of NRK Records and Piers of the Stereo Mutants as our special guests.
Hopefully we will again get to see some of the faces that made those nights at the Bowgie so memorable.The Underground Society:
Paul Guntrip (rip), Andy Pickles, Pauline Pickles, Tasha Pickles, Emily Pickles, Noel Watson, DJ Harvey, Robert Owens, Wilchild, Jo Pyrah, Bugsy, Darren Frost, Sarah Miller, Mat Barrow, Ant Durkin, Scott Dudding, Brad Kettlewell, Noah, Michael Knott, Luke Gledhill, Nik Read, Lee Morton, Colin (Black Flys), Lee Vowles, Susan Lobb, Emma Jones, Steve Lawson, Laura Taylor, Hairy Bear, Eric Powell, Lucy Cain, Daz Prior, Annelie Tremain, Lorraine Jackson, Jack Tripper, Si Gracia, Seth Sanchez, Princess Julia, Rip Curl, Lloyd, Barney, Jo Dart, Roy Reeve, Yvonne Robinson, Idjut Boys, Jo Byrne, Simon G, Richard Wilson, Saffron Records, Mark Morgan, Sound Foundation, Lindsey Allen, Michelle May, Lofty, Piers, Wazza, Steve Askey, Clare Durkin, Degsy, Dean (Hypnosis), Marie Hamber, Booker T, Paul Jefferies, John Lenton, Marshall, Mike Durkin, Amy Tremain, Paddy, Rob Walker, Mark Wilkinson, Racky, Cait (Natural Rhythm), Just Julie, Brett Davies, Anita Luxton, Robin Coleman, Lee Derrick, Lucy Moran, Billy Hatfield, Morgan, Stuart Osborne, Jackie Nottingham, Diana Jones and Harvey, Dave Gent (rip), Steve Pender, Tara, Grishka Roberts, Martin Dempsey, Suisse Tony, Nick (Malibu), Jane, Matt Burt, CJ Mackintosh, Solo Music, Freddy Green, Giselle Hanvey, Ben Baird, Larry Logins, Gabriel Evans, Mastervibe, Annabel Maule, Dave Wring, Louise Murphy, Daniel Hanvey, Jason Walker, Kerry and Jolene, Femi B, John (No1 Records), Jason Ford, Buzz Magazine, Sharon and Ross Youlton, Phil Steinberg, Mark (K2 Clothing), Rob Barber, Nicky Bracey, Big Terry and Graham.Bristol Society.Louise Wathan, Rich Stephenson, Justin and Neil, Suisse Tony, The Twins, Drive, Tim Spence, Tuft, Danny and Lola, Zoom, Welsh Chris (BUMP), NRK, Asp and Tim, Katheryn, Seen, Drive and Club Dave, Nick, Cooshti, Massive, Replay (RIP), Eat The Beat (RIP), Sprads, James, Soho staff, Mingus, Hombre.
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