Death Disco: Disco-ing All The Way

After the resurgence of dance music culture in the late 1990s, the early part of this millennium saw many of the bigger clubs hitting a musical rut in terms of ideas, style, and adventure. At the Arches in Glasgow this could be seen within the main three nights of Inside Out, Pressure and Colours rotating similar DJs and charging more than ever. Many smaller nights come and go at the Arches, failing to pull in the crowds, but in 2003 a group of Arches staff set up Death Disco, a club with better fortunes that has just reached its fourth birthday.

The night was originally set up by then Operations Manager Tiernan Kelly with other Arches workers. Since leaving the Arches, Tiernan continues to be the main promoter behind the night, which he explained was first inspired by a trip to Berlin to WMF in 2000: "Jazzanova were in one room, there was a local resident playing electro in the other, but Kid 606 and Blectum from Blechdom were also playing live. It was something crazy like 8 Euros to get in. So, at the point where Death Disco started the aim was to create something very European, with edgier live acts, and a cheap door price that was far removed from the overpriced club prices at that point."

Even after spending ten minutes at the club you can tell it has something different; the dark surroundings of the Arches may be the same but the music and crowd have a different atmosphere, and it's not about superstar DJs either. "We are currently lucky in that people put more faith in the DD name than who is playing," clarifies Tiernan Kelly, "which is every promoter's ideal situation to be in. This in turn allows me to take more chances with who I book; hence more money can be spent on production and visuals."

In terms of the music at the night, eclecticism is the flavour and the musical buffet offers a little something for everyone; "I've very much reacted to what the crowd are looking for," continues Tiernan, "Our unofficial motto is 'Hot Beats, Good Times' (pronounced in a dodgy european accent), it's about great music of any genre and good old fashioned hedonism."

This music policy, or lack of it, is embodied in the styles of the resident DJs. Although the club has had memorable nights with crowd favourites Mylo, Erol Alkan and Belgian duo The Glimmers, the night is always warmed up by the wonderful DJ Mingo-go, who has been resident since the beginning. She has built a solid reputation for her unique style; "She plays the first hour every night, and I leave her to play what she wants. Jill is my DD barometer – if you don't like what she plays, or at least don't respect the fact that she is someone with an enormous record collection, has an exhaustive knowledge of music, and is most importantly a genuine music fan, then you aren't the type of person I want in the club," asserts Tiernan. The club has two new residents recruited from behind the bar, Johnny and Kirsty, who are also known as The Manhattan Project.

The night now has the popularity of the 'big three' but is still keeping it's feet on the ground where prices are concerned for its regulars. "If you sign up to the mailing list it's only six pounds to get in to Death Disco, but you'd be surprised at the amount of people still paying full price," Tiernan advises. The popularity looks set to continue and as Tiernan summed up perfectly: "It's an alternative environment for the straight, gay and not-sure-yets to drink, dance, flirt, and look glamourous in!" [Sean McNamara]