Jump to content

Wigan Bashers


Barry

Recommended Posts

Guest gordon russell

This new take on the gear thing is really strange to me....I went a lot in '77 and don't recall coach loads of straight members having a kip at 04:00.

I was earning about £15 a week then and could afford a few pills.....but seldom had enough to buy records.

Not trying to glorify being naughty but we were recreational users and unlike those who were having a dig in the bogs, none of us became hooked on anything in later life either.

The buzz was an extra bonus, the objective was to be able to dance like you wanted to when you wanted to.

Not proud of it......but not going to make out that I wasn't at it.

in my experience the majority of folk that I encountered were either blocked or looking to get some.

Afraid there was......one of the reasons l stopped going really :thumbsup:  :yes:

Link to comment
Social source share

Afraid there was......one of the reasons l stopped going really :thumbsup:  :yes:

Sorry Terry.....not sure what you mean....there were bus loads of straight members having a kip......or you ended up with a habit?

If the former.....must have missed them when I was in M's (where I did spend a lot of my time),

If the latter....sorry to hear that mate.

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest wigan bob

so stop pushing at the back over 20s only .get a grip of yourselves the 16 year old had asmuch write to be there as anybody else if there enjoying it

Link to comment
Social source share

Sorry Terry.....not sure what you mean....there were bus loads of straight members having a kip......or you ended up with a habit?

If the former.....must have missed them when I was in M's (where I did spend a lot of my time),

If the latter....sorry to hear that mate.

Terrence has a habit of being grumpy. :wicked:

 

Peter

 

 

:D

  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest gordon russell

Sorry Terry.....not sure what you mean....there were bus loads of straight members having a kip......or you ended up with a habit?

If the former.....must have missed them when I was in M's (where I did spend a lot of my time),

If the latter....sorry to hear that mate.

ha! ha!..........loada tourists kipping all over .........as for habit...heres a thought   couple of fellas go down the pub 3 times a week and drink  2,3 or mabye 4 pints....they do this  for over 40 years...never bother anyone,hold a job down and have 1 or 2 decent relationships/kids ect.......are they alcoholics.......no course not........same with a bit of gear.......the scene is full of folk who do this now and then  without becoming  addicts.....it,s a myth.....some do     most don,t  fact  atb :D

Link to comment
Social source share

ha! ha!..........loada tourists kipping all over .........as for habit...heres a thought   couple of fellas go down the pub 3 times a week and drink  2,3 or mabye 4 pints....they do this  for over 40 years...never bother anyone,hold a job down and have 1 or 2 decent relationships/kids ect.......are they alcoholics.......no course not........same with a bit of gear.......the scene is full of folk who do this now and then  without becoming  addicts.....it,s a myth.....some do     most don,t  fact  atb :D

 

....wise words Gordon.......use them don;t abuse them was my policy in the 90's....and I wouldn't have wanted to have done it any other way!!!x I had never had me 'teenage years'....in kids homes and stuff......so did mine in me 30's......sensibly with maturity!!!x However.....I became a football hooligan though association whilst you were all at Wigan..........and ended up in prison! I'd rather had gone to Wigan....with todays wisdom in me head....but I din;t have it then......so as said.....iI may have died happy at 17/18......on the decks somewhere!!!!x Never did anything as a follower..........lead the singing at football....and the taking of ends during the 70's as one did for fun....!.......and would have been 'full on' at Wigan.....I reckon!!x

@@

~

LUV

SOOTY

X

Link to comment
Social source share

Wigan was appaling. The management treated everyone like cash cows. The DJ's played some insulting music for a so-called Soul Club. The place was a dump and Marshall et al never spent a red cent on anything. The vast majority of teenagers were off their box on amphetamines and in later years anything else that was to hand. If you didn't keep an eye on stuff it WOULD get nicked. All this is true.

I was a Soul fan before it was called Northern, and I still am. I have travelled the UK and a lot of the world. Unfortunately, nowhere comes close as far as raw atmosphere is concerned. It was of it's time and place and it has gone, like an old dangerous mistress, fondly remembered but you wouldn't want to spend your life with her. Would you?

 

Great post.

 

Len :thumbsup: 

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

I first went in late 1974, I also went a few times in 75 and 76.

Sadly on one night Russ was playing loads of those dreadful Soussan instrumentals and it was a bit of a culture shock after being at The Mecca a few hours earlier.

It put me off but I appreciate there was a lot more to The Casino and I had some good nights there.

Nice atmosphere and a good place to buy records.





 

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Dave Ward

If it was only the 'straights' who went to All Nighter's. There would have been an average attendance of 100, a youth scene that involved most sleeping under tables, with some boring farts swapping old records which would have been good to dance to, if anybody could be arsed !

Link to comment
Social source share

I think that most of the dissing and putting down of the Casino, is mainly from people who either never want, OR by people who had experienced different earlier venues, such as the Wheel or the Torch, and have trouble likening or comparing the Casino with those ( 'Chasing the dragon').
The usual case scenario is that the first place you went to was the best in your opinion.
I went to the Torch, that was my first, and it was AMAZING! The the Casino was next, and that was AMAZING too. In my opinion The casino was magic, I had some brilliant times there, met some life long friends, and danced for a 1000 hours, never to be forgotten as long as I live, and I am proud that I was one of the lucky ones that danced those boards.

Edited by Northern Soul UK
  • Helpful 3
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Dave Ward

"Sadly on one night Russ was playing loads of those dreadful Soussan instrumentals and it was a bit of a culture shock after being at The Mecca a few hours earlier"

Yeah, and Levine wasn't in Soussans pocket, or making tailor mades from Barbara Pennington, LJ Johnson, Evelyn Thomas, etc.

Edited by Dave Ward
Link to comment
Social source share


This new take on the gear thing is really strange to me....I went a lot in '77 and don't recall coach loads of straight members having a kip at 04:00.I was earning about £15 a week then and could afford a few pills.....but seldom had enough to buy records.Not trying to glorify being naughty but we were recreational users and unlike those who were having a dig in the bogs, none of us became hooked on anything in later life either.The buzz was an extra bonus, the objective was to be able to dance like you wanted to when you wanted to.Not proud of it......but not going to make out that I wasn't at it.in my experience the majority of folk that I encountered were either blocked or looking to get some.

Nobody said there was coach loads of people kipping at 4am, I said I did it not trying to be to clever just never had the coin to be tempted to try it. When I was going to Wigan I was in what's called 6th form college nowadays and any spare cash went on just getting there plus my fags and a bottle of pop! Edited by AndyJ
  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

"Sadly on one night Russ was playing loads of those dreadful Soussan instrumentals and it was a bit of a culture shock after being at The Mecca a few hours earlier"

Yeah, and Levine wasn't in Soussans pocket, or making tailor mades from Barbara Pennington, LJ Johnson, Evelyn Thomas, etc.

 

Hello Dave,

It wouldn't matter if Ian had been dealing with Soussan in those days but I don't think he was "in his pocket", in my opinion that batch of Soussan instrumentals were dreadful and it just happened that on that particular night I heard a load of them (too many) in the main room.

 

I wasn't attacking Russ or defending Ian or Colin, plenty of people objected to some of the records played at The Mecca - such as 'The Trip' etc.

Some nights were better than others.

 

Link to comment
Social source share

There were loads of people having a kip during the night, some like me not on any illegal substance and some who had over indulged possibly and the the "tourists" but who is to say that we didn't love the place or love the music, and still dig it today?

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Dave Ward

 

I wasn't attacking Russ or defending Ian or Colin, plenty of people objected to some of the records played at The Mecca - such as 'The Trip' etc. Some nights were better than others

I won't ever defend Russ, not my fave DJ, but this Mecca (Good) Wigan (Bad), Isn't right, I was both Highland Room and Wigan, did the usual coach from Blackpool to Wigan loads of times. I like 'Dave Mitchell and the Screamers...the Trip' as a dance record, I like the Anderson Brothers, Dooley Silverspoon etc. Just saying, Levine and Winstanley were in it to make money and both have been sussed.

Link to comment
Social source share

 

I wasn't attacking Russ or defending Ian or Colin, plenty of people objected to some of the records played at The Mecca - such as 'The Trip' etc. Some nights were better than others

I won't ever defend Russ, not my fave DJ, but this Mecca (Good) Wigan (Bad), Isn't right, I was both Highland Room and Wigan, did the usual coach from Blackpool to Wigan loads of times. I like 'Dave Mitchell and the Screamers...the Trip' as a dance record, I like the Anderson Brothers, Dooley Silverspoon etc. Just saying, Levine and Winstanley were in it to make money and both have been sussed.

 

I didn't say the Mecca was good and Wigan was bad, just that on that night it was a culture shock because of the Soussan tracks.

I've had good nights at both venues.

 

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Dave Ward

I've had the odd crap night at both venues, still wouldn't swap one night, for a lifetime of memories from TOTP, or the local disco. How lucky we are !

Link to comment
Social source share

Nobody said there was coach loads of people kipping at 4am, I said I did it not trying to be to clever just never had the coin to be tempted to try it. When I was going to Wigan I was in what's called 6th form college nowadays and any spare cash went on just getting there plus my fags and a bottle of pop!

Not having a pop at you or anyone else mate.

Post #98 above makes reference to there being whole coaches of people going to Wigan and says that none of them took any gear.

You also say that you never took gear and make reference to having a kip at 04:00.....so I tied the two references together.

In our misguided youth, we would probably have seen that as not really fitting with our approach to "being on the scene", just like when people danced round their handbags or wore platform shoes and jackets and ties.

We called people who didn't follow our code "divs". We were kids and arrogant, so don't take offence, I'm not calling you a div now!

Maybe it was just the people in my circle of friends that thought like that, I don't know.

That's my recollection but it seems there were either loads of people pretending to be smashed or a lot of people have now decided to deny what went on to present a cleaner image of their past.

Edited by back street blue
  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

"Sadly on one night Russ was playing loads of those dreadful Soussan instrumentals and it was a bit of a culture shock after being at The Mecca a few hours earlier"

Yeah, and Levine wasn't in Soussans pocket, or making tailor mades from Barbara Pennington, LJ Johnson, Evelyn Thomas, etc.

 

They were really good records though!  Still love "24 hours a day"

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

They were really good records though!  Still love "24 hours a day"

Yeah me too, posted it on the record of the day day thread not long ago. Was far and away the best of those new Levine things IMO.

Link to comment
Social source share

in my experience..i was into northern well before (71/72) i actually attended an allniter (74)  personally i was against using drugs at first..and often ended up fast asleep on the casino floor at 4am..crossing the gulf to become a drug user was a big deal for me, and to make the usual connections..i was into northern not drugs..BUT..i took them to keep awake..simple as..not to be cool, or think they would make me dance better, or embrace something that was expected as a northern fan..it was to sustain me from 2-8am.And after a slog from Skegness to Wigan or a prev niter on a Friday..i needed it.I took what i needed..sometimes less.Drugs were something that a lot of northern fans were slow to accept for the same reasons as mine..music first..if i could have maintained that lifestyle without them..i would have...Some, unfortunately were mindless pill heads...

  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Luckily my mate and me could run pretty fast in those days, and by the time we got to the Casino, there was more than a few outside to even up the numbers.

 

Placcie Scouser types - I found that I never got much help when I got outside, had me pockets emptied on a number of occassions sat on the little wall amongst bundles of other Soulies.

Link to comment
Social source share

Placcie Scouser types - I found that I never got much help when I got outside, had me pockets emptied on a number of occassions sat on the little wall amongst bundles of other Soulies.

 

Didn't have much in my pockets in those days.  Because I stopped off at Wigan on my way home from Portsmouth, I'd leave my weekend bag and most of my valuables in the left luggage at the station (this is after the local plod had searched through my dirty washing) and only had enough funds for a pint in the Bees Knees, admission in and a bottle of pop.

Edited by Steve S 60
Link to comment
Social source share

Didn't have much in my pockets in those days.  Because I stopped off at Wigan on my way home from Portsmouth, I'd leave my weekend bag and most of my valuables in the left luggage at the station (this is after the local plod had searched through my dirty washing) and only had enough funds for a pint in the Bees Knees, admission in and a bottle of pop.

 

You know, I never once had a pint in Wigan beforehand - I looked too young, so after a couple of attempts gave up - used to get the 11.03pm 640 from Warrington which got us to the bottom of Station Rd for 11.45.

Edited by Barry
Link to comment
Social source share

You know, I never once had a pint in Wigan beforehand - I looked too young, so after a couple of attempts gave up - used to get the 11.03pm 640 from Warrington which got us to the bottom of Station Rd for 11.45.

 

I was 17 when I started going, and I'd meet my mate off the train as he'd be travelling down from the north.  I think we used to have a couple of hours to kill, so we'd catch last orders in the Bees Knees, before getting chased up Station Road.  Can always remember being towards the front of the queue.

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share


 

Didn't have much in my pockets in those days.  Because I stopped off at Wigan on my way home from Portsmouth, I'd leave my weekend bag and most of my valuables in the left luggage at the station (this is after the local plod had searched through my dirty washing) and only had enough funds for a pint in the Bees Knees, admission in and a bottle of pop.

 

Only went in once, and got chased right out! It was a quiet night and the rest of the lads had just gone straight there. I got chased outm then got picked up by PC Plod, who proceeded to tell me I was obviously a nice boy, based on my job, who should tell on any bad lads in the Casino trying to sell me bad things, having picked me off from my 2 other mates, the posse who had chased me out now circled me on my own, so I asked for a lift to the Casino to get away from the bad boys, the other PC plod not so nice, drove me about 200 yards up the road and then said I could run the rest, I did. And thankfully arrived to find good old Scots boys life Fox and his mates there to send the possee back to think again!

I love this typical SS thread, now all about Wigan and peoples personal habits, when for me Barrys brilliant original post was all about the people at tail end of Casino, the young guns who stuck with it through tough times, many now liking all sorts of Black dance music, a new breed and a new way of thinking. Not anything about Wigan on its own.

Not complaining, turning into an interesting thread with actually minimum of bashing, apart from the expected!

And of course, I agree.

Edited by jocko
  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Not having a pop at you or anyone else mate.

Post #98 above makes reference to there being whole coaches of people going to Wigan and says that none of them took any gear.

You also say that you never took gear and make reference to having a kip at 04:00.....so I tied the two references together.

In our misguided youth, we would probably have seen that as not really fitting with our approach to "being on the scene", just like when people danced round their handbags or wore platform shoes and jackets and ties.

We called people who didn't follow our code "divs". We were kids and arrogant, so don't take offence, I'm not calling you a div now!

Maybe it was just the people in my circle of friends that thought like that, I don't know.

That's my recollection but it seems there were either loads of people pretending to be smashed or a lot of people have now decided to deny what went on to present a cleaner image of their past.

 

I`m not in denial personally - I never, ever did drugs and still maintain that the coach I occasionally went on was drug free too, however I accept that I/we were probably in the minority. I guess the majority of those on gear would have been on the dancefloor, whereas I was a crap dancer and limited myself to shuffling at the back of the main room.  :thumbsup:

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

I`m not in denial personally - I never, ever did drugs and still maintain that the coach I occasionally went on was drug free too, however I accept that I/we were probably in the minority. I guess the majority of those on gear would have been on the dancefloor, whereas I was a crap dancer and limited myself to shuffling at the back of the main room.  :thumbsup:

I don't know about Wgan having only visited the once, but things must have significantly changed when it closed, I'd estimate 80% were off there naper at nighters in the 80s. Not big or clever but that's how it was.

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest manusf3a

If it was only the 'straights' who went to All Nighter's. There would have been an average attendance of 100, a youth scene that involved most sleeping under tables, with some boring farts swapping old records which would have been good to dance to, if anybody could be arsed !

I think that might be about right,certainly knew no more than a handffull myself,someone wrote in the book"Soul Stylists",that without the gear there would have been no all nighters,like Terry says most who did indulge were recreational usersj,if some comtinue to be so then fair enough.Personaly I never went to an all nighter straight,did it mean I wouldnt jump up and get into it when hearing records during  the week when not on gear ,specially at Wilkys house as he had a brilliant collection,course it didnt,,like most of us who did indulge the music was there blowing up your mind as much as the gear  .However without the gear there would still have been a soul scene but in my opinion not a soul all nighter scene that introduced people with the same passion to each other from all over the land,which it did in a way that then soul nights even if on till 2 am could not have done..I will admit of course that I did have the odd midweek block up or two either at a soul night and round someones house after for more verbal and music,at times probably necked more gear than needed but loved doing it and wouldnt change it especially as now I can look at a lot of my peers (non soulie)who are well and truely phooked ,body and whats left of a soap addled brain(tv soap) Peer in age only!.IIts true that nerve cells die and unlike others do not get replaced but its also true that the neurons you have grow new connections with new experience so although you may have grown exploding forests of dendrites axons connecting back then its important not to let that growth stagnate you must add to it ,build on that bank of memory with new sounds causing new connection growth,I had a big gap away,a very big one but I am really pleased that there is so much stuff that might have been around for a while as well as new to grow my mind in its music centre lobes memory section,parrallel distibuted representational areas.Wonder what I can use as "Bio grow",ahem.

Link to comment
Social source share

Guest Dave Ward

"That'll have been China and his boys, used to do me for me cash or summat else every now and then"

Thought this thread was about those who bash Wigan Casino, not about being bashed at Wigan Casino. I was often at the Casino on my own, walked to and from Wigan bus station on my Billy, nobody ever bothered me. I had a couple of moments with local divvies while waiting at the bus stop in my own shit little town, but that's about it. Usually found most people left NS lads alone, even on trains full of football casuals.

Link to comment
Social source share

"That'll have been China and his boys, used to do me for me cash or summat else every now and then"Thought this thread was about those who bash Wigan Casino, not about being bashed at Wigan Casino. I was often at the Casino on my own, walked to and from Wigan bus station on my Billy, nobody ever bothered me. I had a couple of moments with local divvies while waiting at the bus stop in my own shit little town, but that's about it. Usually found most people left NS lads alone, even on trains full of football casuals.

You were lucky then, loads a Soulie Bashing went on in the town.

Link to comment
Social source share

I did for exactly 2 years since my first allnighter - didn't need gear, the music was enough - then I did it, didn't need to, just fancied seeing what it was all about.

....the hard way too no doubt.

Trains, buses, Shanks Pony and yer thumb were the 80's way.

None of this poncey car stuff you get nowadays ;0)

  • Helpful 1
Link to comment
Social source share

Brilliant thread Barry  :thumbsup:  been reading with a nastolgic smile on my face  :D. Did`nt get to Wigan till 1980 myself  :( but went most weekends till it closed  :yes: Loved it at the time, total sh*thole but like someone said "it was my Sh*thole...............It certainly put me on my Soul journey through life, glad to report still going strong too.................Drug free I may add these days  :thumbup: Memories, as long as we got them nothing else matters but the debate will still go on  :hatsoff2:

 

 

Regards

 

Julie  :)

  • Helpful 2
Link to comment
Social source share

Get involved with Soul Source

Add your comments now

Join Soul Source

A free & easy soul music affair!

Join Soul Source now!

Log in to Soul Source

Jump right back in!

Log in now!


×
×
  • Create New...