Bretby

[Guest]

Yes, yes, yes have a modern room reunion

I'm sure me and littleun will be allowed a night of mischief together

[Guest Gavin Page]

Yes, yes, yes have a modern room reunion

I'm sure me and littleun will be allowed a night of mischief together

Gawd help us

[Guest]

Gawd help us

I'll see you at the orwell in a fortnight mister page

[Chris Anderton]

Guys,

Great memories! Just a few facts......

I started the soul nights there, the first one was in March `91,i was 21 years old. The special guest was Steve Smith who soon became resident along with myself and Beano. I stopped promoting the soul nights in September `95 simply because i thought i`d taken the venue as far as i could, the attendences never really dropped, I`d just had enough. I passed the venue on to Chris and Dave Thorley who after a few soul nights started to do some nighters and really took the venue to a different level, live acts etc. After that Pep came along for around a year and Sam was the final promoter, all did a damn fine job in my opinion.

Where the old club once stood now stands some houses. We had a drive by when they were knocking the club down a few years ago, stopped and had a chat with Keith and Dave (the owners). I even (tongue in cheek) took away some pieces of the old dance floor, I`ve still got them though!

I saw Dave, the former owner, in Tesco a few weeks ago, great guy, now lives in Spain and plays golf every day!

There were so many great nights there, under every promoter and much as i enjoyed promoting the event i loved to attend the nights the other guys held.....

Thanks for the comments guys, they were special days and special times....

...and Mick was part of the fixtures. It seemed really fitting that Micks funeral was held 500yds from the country club....

Cheers, Chris

[Dave Thorley]

Guys,

Great memories! Just a few facts......

I started the soul nights there, the first one was in March `91,i was 21 years old. The special guest was Steve Smith who soon became resident along with myself and Beano. I stopped promoting the soul nights in September `95 simply because i thought i`d taken the venue as far as i could, the attendences never really dropped, I`d just had enough. I passed the venue on to Chris and Dave Thorley who after a few soul nights started to do some nighters and really took the venue to a different level, live acts etc. After that Pep came along for around a year and Sam was the final promoter, all did a damn fine job in my opinion.

Where the old club once stood now stands some houses. We had a drive by when they were knocking the club down a few years ago, stopped and had a chat with Keith and Dave (the owners). I even (tongue in cheek) took away some pieces of the old dance floor, I`ve still got them though!

I saw Dave, the former owner, in Tesco a few weeks ago, great guy, now lives in Spain and plays golf every day!

There were so many great nights there, under every promoter and much as i enjoyed promoting the event i loved to attend the nights the other guys held.....

Thanks for the comments guys, they were special days and special times....

...and Mick was part of the fixtures. It seemed really fitting that Micks funeral was held 500yds from the country club....

Cheers, Chris

Hi Chris

Although what we did really worked well, the modern room, for a while became a real standard bearer and the northern room was always buzzin'. I have to say what you did will always stand as one of the great 90's soul nights. Look forward to seeing you in Nuremburg

Dave

[good angel]

David,Chris

Nuremburg, you two are not on trial are you

Kind Regards,Kev.

[Dave Thorley]

David,Chris

Nuremburg, you two are not on trial are you

Kind Regards,Kev.

Fortunatly only DJing, great weekend, one of the best in europe. You should get yourself over there

Dave

[good angel]

Dave,

Its bad enough getting out for a Allnighter in this country let alone another,The better half would take a dim view It would be PICTURE AND NO SOUND.again.

Have great time m8.

Regards,Kev.

[Chris Anderton]

Thanks Dave, thats really nice of you.

As i said Chris and yourself took the venue to another level, i had some great nights there epecially in the modern room, i always remember you playing "Sir" Bobby Womack- How could you break my heart....it was new to me back then and blew me away!

The average attendence for the soul night was around 120 although we did get 260 in at one all dayer,the one where Jock guested actually! That was a good turn out in the dark days of the early 90s! I think when Dave and Chris took it on, not only did they generate more publicity and turned it intio a nighter but they also caught the beginning of the "boom period"too.

Really looking forward to Nuremberg, fantastic wekend...as you said one of the best, cheap flights with Air Berlin, the biggest xmas market in Europe, 2 rooms of quality soul...what more could you want! Apart from the Sunshine of Rimini.....

See you there...

Chris

[Guest]

Now which modern room dj was it that called the northern room Jurassic Park?

First time I heard the phrase was when John Kingan opened the door to the northern room for me and said " Welcome to Jurassic Park", as I stepped over the threshold into the heat, my glasses steamed up and I thought, imagination going into overdrive "bloody hell, it is like a rainforest in here" thinking John meant the film, it was only later I found out that someone in the modern room had labelled the northern room that .

Enjoyed Bretby a lot, the only thing that bothered me was worrying what I was missing in the other room while I was dancing in the other, a problem I never solved at Bretby as the music was top notch in both rooms, certainly got my moneys worth .

[Dave Rimmer]

Now which modern room dj was it that called the northern room Jurassic Park?

First time I heard the phrase was when John Kingan opened the door to the northern room for me and said " Welcome to Jurassic Park", as I stepped over the threshold into the heat, my glasses steamed up and I thought, imagination going into overdrive "bloody hell, it is like a rainforest in here" thinking John meant the film, it was only later I found out that someone in the modern room had labelled the northern room that .

Enjoyed Bretby a lot, the only thing that bothered me was worrying what I was missing in the other room while I was dancing in the other, a problem I never solved at Bretby as the music was top notch in both rooms, certainly got my moneys worth .

From my hazy memory of those days, that was Brian Goucher

[Guest Gavin Page]

From my hazy memory of those days, that was Brian Goucher

[good angel]

What was your top sounds from Bretby.?

By the way one of the propertys that was built on Bretby has has come on the market,£350,000 Gets you some N,soul history.The site is called,Fairways now.

Kev.

[Dave Thorley]

What was your top sounds from Bretby.?

By the way one of the propertys that was built on Bretby has has come on the market,£350,000 Gets you some N,soul history.The site is called,Fairways now.

Kev.

Here's a few

Black Eyed Peas-Smallest man alive-Ultra City(Northern Room)

Roy Ayers-Tears(Modern Room)

Sounds Of Blackness-Optimistic/All the way(Modern Room)

Joi Cardwell-Found love(Modern Room)

Frankie Knuckles-It's hard sometime(Modern Room)

Margie Coleman- Searchin'(Modern Room)

Wall Of Sound-Run to me(Modern Room)

Vee Vee- With or without your permission-Movement(Northern Room)

Clyde Milton-I'd rather leave on my feet-Disco Tac(Northern Room)

Imperial Wonders-Just a dream-Day Wood(Northern Room)

Deep Sensation-Somehow, somewhere (there's a soul heaven)(Modern Room)

Dave

[John Elias]

Only once got to Bretby nighter,was in '99 I think,brilliant night,here's the strange bit,me and the misses crashed out in the car and woke up about 10am to the sight of the biggest,fluffiest white cat ever seen, sat on our bonnet..... ...tell me it was TRUE,anyone else see it? say yes, oh go on....

[Guest]

one of the toones I remembre from the modren room was something Gav used to play.... Now I could be wrong, but I'm sure it was something about Africa and Queen......

Have no other clue at all I'm afraid

[Guest soul4life]

one of the big favs in the modern room towards the end of the bretby story was LLORCAS..MY PRECIOUS THING on f comminication records always packed the dancefloor.....

[Guest twoflatsup]

Track list from Brety's first anniversary LP -

Side A

I don't want to see myself (without you) - terry callier

New york city walkers - New york city walkers

Just loving you - ruby andrews

I wanna give you tomorrow - benny troy

Side B

Thats why I love you - the professionals

One gold piece - the prophets

Dearly beloved - jack montgomery

Take a giant step - the profiles

In my tenament - r grier

If this is love - gino washington

Fascinating girl - george lemons

Kev, if you start being nice to the wife now she'll probably let you go to the nuremburg weekender in about 2020 !! Why don't you try asking her and tell her its Dudes idea ?

And that its compulsary ? And that everyone else is going ?

[good angel]

YES.JOHN

THANKS MATE,

Kev

[Dave Thorley]

Here's a few

Black Eyed Peas-Smallest man alive-Ultra City(Northern Room)

Roy Ayers-Tears(Modern Room)

Sounds Of Blackness-Optimistic/All the way(Modern Room)

Joi Cardwell-Found love(Modern Room)

Frankie Knuckles-It's hard sometime(Modern Room)

Margie Coleman- Searchin'(Modern Room)

Wall Of Sound-Run to me(Modern Room)

Vee Vee- With or without your permission-Movement(Northern Room)

Clyde Milton-I'd rather leave on my feet-Disco Tac(Northern Room)

Imperial Wonders-Just a dream-Day Wood(Northern Room)

Deep Sensation-Somehow, somewhere (there's a soul heaven)(Modern Room)

Dave

Was talking to Roger Williams last night and he reminded me of another

BMU(Black Men United)-U should Know. Killer tune

[John May]

Had many special nights at the country club, the soul nights were incredible, and everyone was always so friendly, no bad vibes at all. I did a spot at one of Sam's nighters, different music policy bit still vey enjoyable. the venue was just made for soul nights / nighters. I made an enquiry at the last all nighter about ripping some of the dancefloor up as a momento but wasn't allowed

[Guest karen p]

Bretby soul nites what can i say! Chris me old mate you did a wonderful job.Only missed one and that was because i went to the states for three weeks record hunting/getting suntan.Havent seen you for a while heard through the grapevine your engaged!If its true mate well congratulations.Shes a very lucky woman cause your a great guy.

[good angel]

In the last year or two at Bretby, Dave Rimmer,Started playing,My baby likes to boogaloo,by Don Gardner an that got very popular.

And I alway rated, Roger Banks.

Kev.

[Guest Neece]

one of the toones I remembre from the modren room was something Gav used to play.... Now I could be wrong, but I'm sure it was something about Africa and Queen......

Have no other clue at all I'm afraid

Might have been" African Rhythm", he used to play that quite a bit back then

Neece

[Guest Gavin Page]

Might have been" African Rhythm", he used to play that quite a bit back then

Neece

It was by Rythm Factory And the Queen Latifa track was "It's Alright"

[Dave Thorley]

It was by Rythm Factory And the Queen Latifa track was "It's Alright"

Morning

[Guest Gavin Page]

Morning

Is it

[Dave Thorley]

Is it

I know it's a relative term for you, but yes. Morning

[Chris Anderton]

In the last year or two at Bretby, Dave Rimmer,Started playing,My baby likes to boogaloo,by Don Gardner an that got very popular.

..............

Ahhhhh Mr Rimmer, the guest that never was! I had actually booked Dave for September 95 but as i decided it was to be the last event i wanted a cast of DJs who had served the venue well over the previous 4 years...so i asked Dave to step aside and Steve, Gilly, etc stepped in...

He has never let me forget that, even to this day...but you need to remember he was`nt the "massive" name he is now...

Cant believe he has`nt mentioned it yet actually!

John May, I think you and Andy guested for me a couple of times, still got a pic with us all behind the decks somewhere!

Karen...who knows what could have been..! Replied off list....

Chris

PS. we did a "10 year" Bretby anniversary last September, it was 10 years since i stopped promoting the venue and almost 400 attended....

[Guest denmac]

0n a personal note bretby was the pinacle for me. what room to go to , did i miss something while i was in that room? what are they playing in the next room. isnt that the perfect question any multiple room nighter should ask. i think the timing of the bretby nighters was important. this is with that brilliant thing called hindsight

i had been employed on a regular basis around the derby & notts area playing northern and at the time club soul. club soul ? well to me it was soul music of its time .important to me was, could i still dance like i had for the previous 15- 20 years>>>YYYY yeah i discovered the same tunes that i had heard at the southport weekenders.the canal tavern,parkers,the colliseum.loughborough town hall,yesssss roger banks`s class modern set.add to that the delight of going to notts and asking jonathon to play whatdoes it for him!! and then buying everything he plays. what an ear for soul tunes.back to bretby, dave from brum now preston, top cd`s.first chat bretby. strange but true::: it was at bretby that i first heard any say that they had downloaded a track listing:: strange but true>:>:first allnighter that i had walked home from{:{} strange but true,,, first time i`ve rambled on ~@+)*& mayby not.

[Dave Rimmer]

Chris Anderton said........

"Ahhhhh Mr Rimmer, the guest that never was! I had actually booked Dave for September 95 but as i decided it was to be the last event i wanted a cast of DJs who had served the venue well over the previous 4 years...so i asked Dave to step aside and Steve, Gilly, etc stepped in...

He has never let me forget that, even to this day...but you need to remember he was`nt the "massive" name he is now..."

What you actually said Chris, was would I step aside for Steve Smith who was coming back from Germany as he was one of the original residents and you really wanted him on the line up.

Being the kind natured, considerate, gentleman that I am I stood aside happily.

Steve Smith never turned up

I think I only missed about three of the Bretby's run by Chris, probably none of the niters run by Dave and Chris (Does anyone else remember that one where all the record dealers were in a tent outside with a gas powered heater making so much noise and throwing out so many fumes it nearlt killed everyone )

Didn't attend any niters run by Pep (Although I heard that nobody else did either !), and was then made a resident DJ during Sam Moore's reign.

Chris Anderton did actually get round to booking me once though, for his 30th Birthday party at Bretby.

[Dave Thorley]

I think I only missed about three of the Bretby's run by Chris, probably none of the niters run by Dave and Chris (Does anyone else remember that one where all the record dealers were in a tent outside with a gas powered heater making so much noise and throwing out so many fumes it nearlt killed everyone )

It was that or the cold, it was freezing that night. Chris's birthday bash with Ivy Jo Hunter, Edwin Starr and Tommy Hunt. Great night

Edited October 17, 2006 by Dave Thorley

[good angel]

Mr,Rimmer,

Can you give us some of your memorys of Bretby.

I always danced when Mr,Rimmer was behind the decks

And like I said Roger Banks was very good at Bretby.

Kind Regards Kev.

[John May]

I remember being envited to a wedding at the counrty club which was on the same night as one of the nighters. When all the wedding guests left at the end of the night I snook into the toilet until I heard Northern being played then came out again, free entry

[Dave Rimmer]

Mr,Rimmer,

Can you give us some of your memorys of Bretby.

I always danced when Mr,Rimmer was behind the decks

And like I said Roger Banks was very good at Bretby.

Kind Regards Kev.

Bretby was always a good laugh, and the things I remember most are the funny things.

As I said I attended nearly all of the Soul nights run by Chris, so a couple of stories from those days:

One month John ***** arranged a lift with ****** from Wolverhampton, and ******* was driving what I can only describe as an old shooting brake car, you know the type with the wooden trim down the sides. We picked up a lad called Garry ***** in Brum and off we went. a good night was had by all, especially Gary who was absolutely pissed out of his mind at the end of the night.. Half way back he decides he's going to be sick, opens the window and lets loose a stream of regurgitated beer and vomit, which sprays nicely down both the windows and side of the car behind him. The smell makes John ****** feel sick, so he winds his window on the opposite side of the car down, in the back, and decorates the other side of the car. I can still just imagine the look on the faces of ******'s neighbours on the Sunday morning, when they see his car, plastered in vomit, not just one side but both sides

My other memory was of Mad Mick DJing at the very beginning of one of the alldayers. There were a couple of record dealers and Chris in the room, but Mick was announcing every record over the mike with a big build up. We were howling with laughter, but Mick was thoroughly enjoying himself and didn't give a shit that there was nobody in the room.

When Chris King and Dave Thorley ran the venue, I used to come with Ken Parkes who supplied the equipment, and my memories of those days were about the pot of tea that we all sat down to after the nighter finished, and we had loaded all the equipment in the van.

I also remember the night the wedding was on.

Another one was when Wilko from Nott's set me up. He had been talking to this lad who neither of us knew, and the lad came over to me and the conversation went something like this:

Lad "I've been talking to your son over there" (Bearing in mind that Wilko is ten years older than me, but he'd said go and talk to my dad over there) "He says you've come on the train"

Me "Yes I have"

Lad "I've got a train ticket" At this point I realised the lad wasn't the full ticket, never mind a train ticket.

Lad "Would you like to see it ?" At this point i could see Wilko sitting on the floor absolutely crying with laughter !!! And so it went on, and on, and on. Do you think I could get rid of this nutter ?? Could I fcuk !!

From Sam Moore's days, We had been talking about planning DJ spots the month before, and I'd said I never plan a spot I just open the box and play whatever comes up, I also said I'd play the spoons if I had to.

Gaye and Col Kidson had heard this, and as soon as I started DJing, people, including people who I didn't know, started arriving at the decks with plastic spoons asking if I'd play them. it didn't end there though, when they ran out of spoons i got knives, forks, serviettes, you name it !!

Reading it all back, they don't seem as funny as they were, but that's the medium of the written word I'm afraid. Also you had to be there as well.

I had some great times at the club though, and on the last night never paid a penny for beer, because the nice lady who ran the place, and answered to the name of twat, but that's another story in itself, just kept giving me free pints.

[Guest NorthernDancer]

Top allnighter. some pics of bretby. brummie carl.

Edited March 28, 2007 by NorthernDancer