Sundays at Stinky's are back

Check out our facebook group for upo and coming events with this link: http://www.facebook.com/pages/Stinkys-Peephouse/215896718439679

Last year Stinky's Peephouse (then obviously known as My House) made it to number 42 in the DJ Mag top 100 clubs poll, and was voted the number 1 small club in the UK! Quite a feat considering we never ask anyone to vote for us!

Last Years Review

On Monday its the last chance to vote, and have you noticed yet again we havn't asked you?! We feel we don't need to, we are proud of our club, the poeple in it and the fact we can make such an impression without having to ask you to vote for us.

So place your bets, do you think we will chart higher than last year? I reckon possibly so... considering the club is on fire at the minute, has never looked so good and of course we are now once again Stinky's Peephouse.

Watch out for the results in next months DJ Mag...... and please vote! BUT only if you want too!

Stinky's xxxx

In general, two kinds of mammal can be identified in the exotic eco-system of club land. One breed, from the offset, love to hurtle themselves headlong into the centre of the action, gleefully stomping their way through days of excess without even stopping for breath. These resilient revellers (usually found gyrating wildly at the front, throwing ninja shapes till the wee hours and grinning like Cheshire cats who’ve just cained an ounce of ‘nip) are driven purely by adrenaline and live for the beat. The second, more reserved species (tending to be more restrained and chameleonic in nature) prefer to stand back and observe the scenery. Grazing quietly at the bar these few ease themselves into an evening letting an experience unfold gradually whilst their sensibilities slowly loosen. Studying the décor, visuals and local wildlife for amusement they take their time to ease in and warm up. Whatever floats your boats it seems obvious that both these varieties of reveller require differing and specific stimulation to rouse their rowdy sides; rarely do you find a club night that caters specifically for both…..Even more rarely is this done well….

illumiNaughty has found this balance perfectly. Over 3years it’s transformed from a quirky club night at The Zoo (Manc) to a full-on theatrical explosion of dance, debauchery and delight. Currently residing at the notorious Ritz Ballroom (as well as moonlighting to The Chapel and Pangaea) illumiNaughty has become the brightest of the Northern scenes lights, its reputation spreading globally. A mind-boggling multi-media spectacle merging playfulness and unpredictability it’s heady cocktail of music, art and performance attracts a huge cross section of people, providing a massive alternative social platform and artistic arena for a mischievous and open-minded community. illumiNaughty’s dance-fuelled Digital Theatre runs riot at any given opportunity!

Nobody in the UK (nay Europe!!) could have missed the grinning Goblin tag plastered everywhere on lamp posts, street signs, posters (even the odd geriatric) by a tireless tribe of street-stalking devotees. The Goblins have been spotted up and down Oxford road and all around Manchester city centre, even doing a spot of Guerilla filming in the Printworks, Market Street and Piccadilly Gardens last year for a pre-filmed piece of video art screened during an event against capitalism to Adam Freeland’s “We Want Your Soul”. The Goblin Gang, appearing on each flyer reeking havoc and hilarity, are the fantastically fictitious life force of the event. Their imaginary escapades shape the theme of each night which usually begins creative development 6 months before the event and does not end until each scrap of décor and all evidence of the experience has been magically removed from the scene of the crime. Each idea is explored, expanded and then actualised with every element tailored and tweaked to support the theme. From music to production to décor to performance, everything is carefully crafted, choreographed and co-ordinated and executed for one night only.

Crazy, creative and chaotic the Green Beings behind the scenes are constantly plotting new schemes and scribbling away, adding fresh twists to the plot of the illumiNaughty epic. Past chapters have included “The Summoning” “The Experiment” and “The Inferno” (to name a few) we’ve been packed to the rafters with wandering wizards, hyper hula-hoopists, grinding gorilla’s, prancing pixies, carnivorous plants, jugglers, capieora dancers and jungle drummers (that’s not even mentioning the crowd!!) Cloaked processions, interactive performers, live sax, drums and guitars, pyrotechnics, walk about characters and live digital art all add to an unpredictable environment where anything can and will happen. All characters, preferences and persuasions from the weird to the wonderful are welcomed lovingly into the hallowed haven of an illumiNaughty where the rules of regularity are forcibly removed at the door.

Hosting numerous live album launch parties and UK debuts, the team fuse the World’s most reputed psytrance artists with the latest talent. We’ve welcomed Rinkadink (Alchemy Records, South Africa), Dino Psaras (Boa Group, UK),  Perplex (Spun Records, Israel), Bamboo Forest (Neurobiotic Records, France), Krome Angels (Boa Group, Ibiza) DNA (Phonokol Records, Israel), Dejavoo (Transient Records, Gibralter/Italy), Sabretooth (Sabretooth Records, UK), Tikal (Planet B.E.N. Records, France), Talamasca (Mind Control Records, France), Vibe Tribe (Com:Pact Records) and Menog (3D Vision, France) to the stage over the past four yrs!

High energy performance, live drumming, circus, cabaret and comedy skits, pyrotechnics, walk-about characters, balcony views, stilt walking creatures and various stalls also provide an unique interactive social space with a full-on festival feel; all squeezed lovingly into one blinding experience. illumiNaughty is a night that makes feet stamp, spirits surge and imaginations soar! It’s refreshing to stumble across a club night that has just as much heart as it does hype and illumiNaughty has an abundance of both. It’s hard core and high energy attitude reverberates off the walls and embeds itself in attendees with an insanely addictive effect.

SO …….Come down on the 19th March to Stinky’s Peephouse (MY HOUSE, Brick Lane, LEEDS) to get your fix of fun ‘Naughty style, proudly appearing for the first time EVER in a new city. This will be an almighty collaboration with our partners in creative crime Planet Zogg!! Shaping up to be one EPIC EVENT your choice is simple; DANCE or DIE!!!!!
 

Friday 19th February saw Twaddle play host at Stinky’s Peephouse nightclub with legendary house DJ, Sneak, taking centre stage. This was a date that had occupied my diary for a while and I wasn’t alone with the countdown to the big evening – some people taking to updating their Facebook status daily– advent calendar style!

11pm and the venue was completely packed when I arrived, with more people outside, queuing either side of the door. DJ Sneak was due to play a 3hr set at 2am so Neil McDermott then BrotherBull & Skipper started proceedings – nicely warming up the throbbing crowd.

I was lucky enough to be able to secure an interview with the big man himself which was to take place after his set. After dancing non-stop throughout his incredible set, I took myself to behind the DJ box with my mobile phone in-hand and began my interview.

Emma: What made you decide to come to Leeds to play at Twaddle?

Sneak: I used to play here a lot when I used to play for Back to Basics. It’s been 3 years since I last played in Leeds so I decided it was time to come back.

E: Last year you name was down to play at Mint but you never showed, what happened there?

S: That was actually booked but then my work visa didn’t come through and I don’t like to come here without a work visa.

E: Are you in England for a while?

S: I’m going to be working in the studio with a friend and also play Manchester and that’s it for Europe.

E: Are you then going to go to the Miami Winter Music Conference?

S: I’m ready, I’m ready for that.

E: I really wanted to go to that.

S: It’s easy for me as I only live 3hrs away.

E: So is it worth going there?

S: For me it is. Everyone wants to hear me play again.

E: Which cities/countries have been the best for you to play at the moment?

S: Lately I’ve been going a lot to Romania and Italy has been coming back round to the house scene. Romania and Italy right now. Bucharest in Romania is amazing.

E: What about other DJs, have you got your eyes on any or being listening to any.

S: You know I try there’s so much information coming all the time, I really try. I don’t have anyone in mind but whenever I hear someone I really like I just stick around and give them my ears you know.

E: When was the last time you went to a club and you wasn’t playing?

S: [laughs] That was a while ago. I don’t like to club anymore.

E: What else have you got planned for 2010?

S: I’m doing my releases on ‘Magnetic Recordings’ which is my label and following on from last year, I did a lot of remixes with people. I’m doing a lot of collaborations with a lot of younger generation producers who inspire me and want to work, so I’m opening the doors to them. So besides production and remixing and DJ’ing that’s all I do.

E: How do you feel about the death of Teddy Pendergrass?

S: You know the old track that I did, I felt like it needed to be re-released so I did it, it’s doing really well and I’m happy about it. I’m sad that Teddy’s died you know, I went and watched some old videos with him in, he was such an amazing artist.

E: Finally, what’s the last sneaky thing you did, bit of a cheesy question there? [laughs]

S: Sneaky? I’m not sneaky anymore, I’m older, I’m married - the only sneaking I do now is on the decks.

E: Good answer. What was the sneaky little track you played at the end of your set.

S: I can’t remember [laughs]

E: Well thank you for your time.

Sneak posed for a couple of pictures and gave my friend a shout out on the Dictaphone, ending with ‘Sneak is in the house’ and with that he was gone. I was left buzzing at chatting to such a nice guy who played an amazing set which I will remember for some time to come.

Emma Halliday Feb 2010
 

Stinky’s Peephouse has had a busy 2010 so far with our various nights holding spectacular events and Spank’d is no different. Friday 5th March sees Spank’d playing host and opening Stinky’s Peephouse doors to DJ ‘Kid Massive’.

“MASSIVE by name MASSIVE by sound” says Spank’d

Kid Massive aka Benjamin Pedersen has been quite literally destined for big things, since perfecting his skills and developing a unique style in the years spent in his native country Denmark. Now based in the UK, his productions have gone from strength to strength with some big releases, including a cover of the seminal classic “Touch Me (In The Morning)”, “Music Is The Answer” and a re-release of “Get Busy”, putting him at the forefront of producers on the house scene today. This year, keep an ear out for collaborations with vocalists MC Flipside, Peyton, Julie Thompson, Trix and fellow producers Paul Gardner (Soul Avengerz), Michael Gray & Paul Harris, Bass Kleph and Benny Royal.

By the sounds of it club goers are in for a treat as Kid Massive takes to the decks showing off his great production and sharing his uplifting music with the crowd. Kid Massive has earned support from Dj`s like Roger Sanchez, Fedde Le Grand, Steve Lawler and Axwell and this evening will have Simon Frost Phil White & Tim H, supporting him!

Doors open at 10pm and Spank’d DJ’s will be spinning tracks until 5am giving you plenty of time to sample the funky, dirty, uplifting, electro, house that will be occupying the venue. There is a limited guestlist available on the night so if you would like to be added to that go to the Facebook page and send them a message.

The next Spank’d will be on Friday 2nd April and then continue the 1st Friday of every month from then on. Hope to see you down the front.

 

Basics has been busy of late with epic nights to add to their portfolio and it was showing no signs of slowing down as Claude Von Stroke had been booked to help beat away clubbers January blues! Having had a successful month already with the Basic’s residents taking turns to feed the masses it was expected that this night would be a perfect conclusion to wrap up a thriving January.
 
On the Back to Basics books this weekend was Ralph Lawson whose task was to kick of the evening before making way for Claude Von Stroke who would be delivering a 4hr set promoting the release of his new album. The Blackbox was all about DJ variety with Whalebow playing hosts: residents Jon Woodall & James Barnsley as well as; Tim Weeks, James Denney and Neil McDermott each taking it in turns to spin tunes to those not so intent on spending too much time with the big man downstairs.  
 
The run up to the event had been expertly handled with constant online communication with members of the Back to Basics Facebook group –including details of the 200 early bird ticket release, which sold at record speed. The Facebook group was awash with constant messages from the excited folk who were looking to fully engage in this spectacular evening, cramming their names onto the guestlist. Warning emails came thick and fast about getting to the club as early as possible, confirming the early midnight guestlist closure etc. Giving us an insight to how the night was going to pan out – in a word: another blinding success.    
 
Hordes of people snaked in treble figures either side of Stinky’s Peephouse entrance with the guestlist queue hot on the tail of the standard one which had now started to crawl further around the corner. Patient faces braved the cold Leeds evening hoping to get involved in the ‘must attend’ night of the month – I felt for some folk as I wasn’t too sure that their wish would be granted. Inside, the club resembled the hectic night’s I had just encountered with New Year’s and the 18th Birthday. Although judging by the people still wanting in I felt that tonight would smash the head count of those previous nights.
 
Ralph Lawson teased the throbbing crowd with a taste of deep belting sounds which soon had everyone’s arms thrust to the ceiling in unison. He was warming the room up in more ways than one as heaving bodies pushed to the front to get a glance of the long term resident. Always knowing how to command attention, the room consistently went wild when he weaved tune after tune and delved into nu disco beats.
 
Due to the demand for entrance into the club the top floor was also open with DJ’s from the Blackbox taking it in turns to deliver tunes to a packed room who wanted to get away from the intensity of the main room. Tim Weeks was behind the decks playing disco and old house tracks that fitted in perfectly with the 70’s inspired disco room which was happily buzzing with plenty of people taking refuge in there, the brightly coloured dance floor filling up with dancing feet.
 
People were also slowly starting to occupy the space in the Blackbox, Woodall started the night off with gusto the rest continued to follow suit, banging Whalebow Tech and Acid House vibes to the room. Neil McDermott was newly welcomed into the Whalebow fold and did not disappoint, pleasing folk with his set, with wicked jumping beats bringing a nice combination of the old and the new .The party mode on the middle floor continued even when Claude Von Stroke came on. The regular Basics atmosphere was definitely flowing, people in high spirits were flocking in and out of the 3 rooms, knowing that once again Back to Basics was spoiling them with a wealth of musical choices.   
 
By the time Claude Von Stroke took to his position the club was in more than full swing and he didn’t disappoint the hundreds of excited fans that were ready to lap up his set. Claude is known for his keenness to stay on the decks after delivering an immense set so Basics catered for this by giving him the entire 2nd half of the evening, this will no doubt have pleased him and the crowd. The unmistakeable dirty-bird sound made a mark in the room as Claude treated eager ears to tracks from his newly awaited album. Electronic beats danced with the spectacular light show as sweaty bodies became binge drinkers to the music. The attitude from the clubbers remained consistently high and once again Back to Basics proved that they know how to throw the best parties and invite the best guests.
 
“Von Stroke was immense” I heard one clubber mutter, their friend enthusiastically agreed, adding “That was one of the best Basics I have been to”. The night was definitely all about Claude Von Stroke in terms of numbers and for those people who are not really a fan of the DJ they may have found the main room overpoweringly full but they were well catered for with 2 other rooms where it wasn’t as intense but the atmosphere just as energetic. I saw a lot of new faces in Stinky’s Peephouse this weekend and I think due to spectacular evening a lot of them will be back again – the appeal of Basics just keeps on spreading!

 

Every now and again we will be suffering the delights of our resident Stinky's Lord and speaker Roger Faversham, this is the first of many installments to come, so please enjoy and feel free to comment in the Stinky's forum..

'With only a little thought and no research whatsoever I have come to the inescapable conclusion that what we call things, people, objects etc. is important.

The word ’text’, hitherto given as a noun,has been hijacked and put to use as a verb. I’m fairly sure that it’s not because we have too many nouns in the English language, it’s just that it’s easier to say,”I texted you”, instead of,”I sent you a text”...apparently.
Through common usage the word ‘text’ will enlist as a verb and officially desert it’s fellow nouns and although I’m sure the transition will be effortless how stupid do you feel when you employ the past participle and say, “I texted” ?. Answer honestly.

The imminent re-launch of our cherished little venue was prompted partly by the need to change the name. A recent poll posted on the internet site, ‘My Tube-Space-Twit.com’ , posed the question, ‘ My House or Stinky’s Peephouse – what do you think ?’. There was a huge response and, to use a boxing metaphor, “Stinky’s Peephouse’  versus  ‘My House’ was a total mismatch. The clue was in the question I suppose?....'

 

• Stinky's Peephouse -  formally known as ‘My House’
  
• Has 3 rooms on 3 floors and an additional garden
  
• The first club in leeds to have a Funktion One sound system, ‘the Rolls Royce of club sound systems’
  
• Is an eccentric night club with its own personality, each night attracts its own individual type of clubber
  
• An average of 1410 records / CD’s are played each week
  
• Has Leeds’s biggest smoking area with a bar outside
  
• We have 5 bars stocked out with some fine beers and refreshments to assist you on your night out!
  
• In 2004 Laurent Garnier wouldn’t play anywhere in the UK other than at My House, due to its friendly crowd and atmosphere
  
• Was bombed in WWII by a doodlebug, the only one to hit Leeds.
  
• An average of 624 pairs of DJ hands worked their magic on the dance floor of the main room of the club in one year
  
• An average of 75,400 pairs of feet have danced on the dance floors of Stinky's Peephouse last year
  
• Two plonkers got stuck in the lift for 2 hours between the bottom two floors before anyone realised they where stuck
  
• The first floor used to be a betting shop
  
• The top two floors used to be a gym
  
• A pair of Gucci underpants were once found in the sump pump of the club toilets causing them to flood
  
• The strangest thing ever to be found abandoned in the club was a washing machine
  
  

The weekend of January 28^th, 29^th and 30^th will see the official launch of the all new Stinky’s Peephouse, which will incorporate 3 events hosted by our regular club nights, Back to Basics, Rave On! and Back2Mine. These events will be extra special celebrating return of this iconic brand name to the venue. Friday will see Rave On! Hosting the club with special guests including Andy Whitby, Andy Farley b2b Base Graffiti, Tecknikal, and Tidy DJ’s. Then Saturday of course it’s no other than the legendary BacktoBasics with very special guest Claude von Stroke and renowned resident Ralph Lawson. Sunday of course it’s another weekly instalment of Back2Mine with D&G all day long.

Stinky’s Peephouse is cemented in clubbing history as one of those great underground venues on the verge’s of a UK city that houses some legendary clubbing brands and has played host to some legendary nights.  After changing alias to My House back in 2003 with the arrival of the infamous Leeds institution Back to Basics, the venue has gone from strength to strength. However with a little bit of family history and an overwhelming vote of public opinion, Stinky’s Peephouse is back!

Known universally as ‘Stinky’s, the venue never really changed it’s name as far as the public is concerned, you can ask any DJ who has played at the venue, any taxi driver in Leeds or any educated clubber and they will always call it Stinky’s Peephouse. So after not much deliberation we will officially return to our original name in January 2009.

With the re-launch come some changes to the club. There is a new dance floor, the best club garden in Leeds and other renovation works being undertaken to the venue. Alongside this work the club is developing a clubbing community led web-site and has introduced some great new nights to the Calendar.

As a close net family and a family run club there has always been an overwhelming sense of community at the Peephouse. Guy Quilliam, the founder of Stinky’s Peephouse, who has now sadly passed away was responsible for the name and was a close friend and also the brother of one of the clubs current managers. The reinstatement of the name Stinkys Peephouse is not only a testament to the clubbers opinion but also to the clubs original founder. Dave Beer, creator of BacktoBasics said “Stinky’s has felt like home since I first got involved in the club and I love the name. It was initially designed to keep away straight people, being a gay venue. However quite ironically it kept away many gay people too! When we took Back to Basics to the club we thought it would be a great idea to change the name as the venue was moving away from its original gay market. But the club has always been affectionately known at ‘Stinky’s’ and the name My House has now served it purpose, it’s time to go back to the original name. Basics has hosted many venues over our 18 year history, but ‘Stinky’s’ really feels like home”

‘Rave On!’ Launched on the 30^th October as the first of our new nights at the club. This was a massive success and will now be a bi-monthly affair starting from January 09. Sam Townend one half of the Tidy DJ’s and promoter of ‘Rave On!’ said “Stinky's is one of the best venues in the UK from both a DJ and clubbers point of view. Its unique lay out helps creates the best party atmospheres, with great sound and light to get the intimate venue rocking all night long! On top of all that 'Stinkys Peephouse' is probably the best name for a club ever!”

We welcome a new Trance night called Blank in February which has Fergie headlining alongside Spektre Live!, Rest Robot and Blank residents which will run alongside ‘Rave On!’ on bi-monthly basis, adding yet more oomph to the Peephouse calendar of events.

Digital Society, Back to Basics and Back2Mine are already nationally renowned clubbing brands and alongside these nights, the re-launch of Stinkys Peephouse is set to be a big affair for Leeds and of course for the venue.