A glitterball in Parliament Square? This is The Plump DJs' London.
Breaks pioneers and selectors of the highest order, the Plump DJs have been there since the beginning. 'A Plump Night Out' - released 11 years ago - shaped many-a breakbeat DJs outlook and set thousands of dancefloors alight. The breaks kicked like a mule. What followed was an explosion in UK breakbeat which few who were there will forget. With a mantlepiece full of Breakspoll Awards, the Plumps are still a musical dream-team. Londoners through and through, they reveal why they will never leave.
Where did you guys grow up?
Uxbridge and Newark.
Favourite London haunts from back in the day?
We used to regularly hang out at our Breaks/Electro/B-Boy event Freshly Breaked, which then became Passenger at 342 Caledonian Road. 3 Scratch Decks and just far too many B-Boys and DJs under one roof. Rammed every Saturday for 3 years, breakers used to turn up from all over the country, we used to bring our Technics 1210's, a square of lino and the best beats in north London. The place would go off, battles on the decks and the floor, many of which were caught on camera as the night reached cult status and featured in the National Press. We even ended up on MTV when they covered one of the parties. All off the back of a few pals getting together for the crack, playing the music that we wanted to hear 'cause you couldn't hear it anywhere else.
And now?
We love good English pubs and Inns with a passion. Here is our Plump DJs random good pub guide: Filthy McNasty's in Angel, The Captain Kid in Wapping, The Royal Standard in Gerrards Cross, Blacks in Soho... The list goes on, generally if we're not in a nightclub then you can bet we are enjoying Real Ale someplace cosy.
If you could go back to a club for one night only, where and when would it be?
Probably the first time we Plumps played out of London, it was in Bristol for the then tiny Blow Pop crew. We talked DJ Massiah (Our mate and ace scratch DJ Criss Gibbs) to come with us. We got paid 30 quid each and a case of beer. The only person that tuned up was the homeless person outside that the Blow Pop guys let in for free. We got the smoke machines on, drank the beers between us and watched our new homeless mate dance around the empty club for 2h. Thats where we started, and we loved and soaked up every drop. We are still best palls with Blow Poppers Jules, Simon, Charles and pals. Chris is still one of our closest friends too. Lucky fellows we are!
When you're away, what do you miss about London?
Ouch, it hurts just thinking about missing it! The more we travel the more we love our home. London absolutely without a doubt is the best city in the world if you are a Plump DJ. This city is so rich in art, culture, history. It is also geographically close to such diverse countryside and areas of natural beauty. Working in our Soho studio we are right in the thick of it, just the way we like it. In England we get a full 4 seasons too, these welcome or not provide us all a new perspective on life every 3 months. Yes London is a very competitive city that was originally made for horse and cart, certainly never with the 20 million +/- that currently fill the capital these days. It does not work very well but that just gives it more character, just like a Purdy shotgun!
How would you spend a chilled Sunday afternoon in town these days?
That depends on what we have been doing on the Friday and Saturday night really. We are in the studio all week Tuesday to Friday doing Plumps stuff. Then Dj'ing most weekends. So Sundays are normally spent continuing the party or traveling home with a sore head. Mondays are our chill day, spent fishing, walking, golf, gym or watching films. Usually followed by Real Ale and curry, yum yum num num.
London's best ever record shop?
Nowadays Phonica big time. We spend much time sifting creates in bargain basements and car boot sales for samples still. But we cant tell you where they are sorry.
Favourite place to eat?
The Paradise Kensal Green. Amazing venue, a real escape, fantastic menu, ale, wine service and classy but slightly naughty atmosphere. They have various rooms with entertainment every night of the week. The best Comedians, Djs, Poets and Musicians plus a secret Kareoke room for pleasures untold. A generous outside smoking balcony and interior decor to die for. I would like to live there.
Favourite walk/journey?
A run round Regents Park on a cold, crisp and sunny spring morning is hard to beat, second only to the walk down the canal from the Dove pub in London Fields to Filthy McNasty's pub where I live in Angel.
Favourite place to DJ?
We have had two of the best sets of this year at XOYO, this is our new home in London. The venue has really found itself now and we love it. The atmosphere is intimate but underground literally. A clear, warm soundsystem and two floors to keep folks moving. A musically-lead venue, with a raw, optimistic dirt-disco feel. What more could we want, after our move from the legendary Fabric last year.
If you could have a party in any building in London, club or not, where would it be and why?
Big Ben - The views, the history, the chance to hang a massive glitter ball into Parliament Square, the feeling as you look down on the most gloriously powerful part of central London with your arms in the air, and sound of electronic music throbbing though the bell chamber. You smile to yourself, you gurn slightly and take a pull on your last Benson and Hedges cigarette... ''I love this city".
Will you ever leave London?
Not on your nelly!
Catch the Plumps at XOYO on November 12th.
To read My London: Terry Farley click here.
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