Ever been Utterly Guttered?

The sad closure of The Riverside Club has meant that quietly infamous alternative club night Utter Gutter has had to find a new home. I spoke to Madame Sannex about the closure of the club, and the exciting new direction that Utter Gutter is taking in both Glasgow and Edinburgh.

Utter Gutter's tag line is "whatever you want it to be..." and it is just that. A night for glamorous guys, gals and everything-in-betweens, it is the one night that can be relied upon to host a true party – it really is all about the party spirit. All that Utter Gutter asks for is "the love of good music and the ability to smile". Sounds simple enough. Music-wise the tunage is really anything that gets you moving and keeps you moving. It mainly consists of electro, so expect to hear the likes of Vitalic, Boyz Noise, Bodyrockers and Graffiti, albeit mixed in with the likes of Sons and Daughters, The Cramps and some camp classics sprinkled in for good measure. The music is usually brilliant, and many times I have first heard a now-favourite tune played on the Utter Gutter decks. The individuals in the crowd consistently make an effort to dress up more so than most other clubs, with fun being the main objective of the night. Madame Sannex told me that initially the night started as a "DIY party" where she and fellow founder DJ Hushpuppy, would showcase their own record collection to friends "like a house party without the free booze". Since those days two years ago the night has gone from strength to strength, attracting a fiercely loyal throng of regulars who know that the mad monthly party is one not to be missed.

Although Madame Sannex is "devastated" about the closure of The Riverside Club as it marks an end of an era for Utter Gutter, it does however herald a new direction for the night. The new home of Utter Gutter in Glasgow is upstairs in The Classic Grand, a carefully chosen venue that was originally an old porn cinema - more than in keeping with Utter Gutter's sleazy but sexy vibe. Although the new venue is quite different, shiny and new in comparison to the old charm of The Riverside, Madame Sannex is keen to emphasise that the night will keep the same raw, home-grown ethic that the clubbers are familiar with. The new Utter Gutter venue doesn't feel cold like many newly opened clubs but traditionally beautiful, boasting a real sense of old charm. The floor space in The Classic Grand is about the same capacity as The Riverside Club and again, it is one big open space, encouraging participation and promoting the close-knit party atmosphere. The move to The Classic Grand also enables the club to expand the overall experience, with plans to incorporate video visuals. The huge bar might mean no more queuing for twenty minutes to get a drink – hooray! The Skinny asked Madame Sannex what the most important aspect of the night was for her, besides the fun factor. She said the door policy, as Utter Gutter pulls in a "very specific crowd". Clubbers should be able to "have a good party with like-minded people". In the move to The Classic Grand, as with The Riverside Club, Madame Sannex will be liaising closely with security to ensure the open-minded and friendly door policy is maintained. She hopes that the same people and the same ethos will carry on with the new venue.

Utter Gutter's new direction in Glasgow arrives alongside a new the night launching in Edinburgh, in Studio 24. Madame Sannex feels that Utter Gutter Edinburgh will compliment the rich history of the gay clubbing in Edinburgh, providing a night for the East-coasters to rip it up on the dance floor and go all out to glam it up, possibly more than before. The Edinburgh expansion proves that Utter Gutter is going from strength to strength, with more and more clued-up club kids realising that it is the place to drink, dance and be merry.