From Glastonbury to Bestival, via Berlin, NYC and every other major city and festival on the planet, Horse Meat Disco is without doubt the UK’s most successful international gay club brand of the past ten years.
James Hillard – who created the brand alongside Jim Stanton – spoke to Cliff Joannou to share the secret of its immense success…
1) Beginning
10 years ago the embryo that would become Horse Meat Disco was fertilised in a Chinatown basement as a Thursday night party which sought to bring back disco for the gays. Hardly rocket science, but it marked quite a move away from the standard gay club fare. One of the first people through the doors would go on to form Herclues and Love Affair. Since then, a steady stream of the fabulous would become family, and although we got booted out of the venue when new owners took over, it would end up being the best thing that could have happened to us.
2) 1st NYD at the Eagle London
When new owners took over the Chinatown venue where HMD started we were told we could stay as long as we changed the name and the artwork. We jogged on blowing raspberries all the way to Vauxhall. Jim and I had always loved what was then called ‘Dukes’ with its mental dub soundsystem and knackered pub feel and thought it would be the best place to throw what we thought would be a one-off New Year’s Day party. It was immense, cementing in the minds of people some of the tunes that would go on to define the club. It was just too amazing not to do again. The love on that dancefloor that day was instantly addictive and a monster was born and a spiritual home found. Soon after, the club got new owners in Mark Oakley, Ian Cullen and Paul Wilde, and the family grew. Their support over the years has been an intrinsic part of the club’s success and we love them and miss Paul greatly.
3) Vogue Balls
One of the events at Horse Meat Disco that caused both excitement and trepidation is Vauxhall is Gurning. Our homage to the Vogue Balls popularised in the gay conscience thanks to the seminal documentary Paris is Burning. Luke casually mentioned it one night at the club and seeing as none of us are shy of a bit of dragging up (or a lot for that matter) we set about putting on what was pretty much the first ‘Ball to be staged in London for quite some time. Over the years there have been some quite amazing looks, legends created and future legend’s dreams shattered. We were also lucky one year to have Strictly Come Dancing’s Craig Revel Horwood as a Judge, but the real stars are all the legendary children who turned it out, fell over and got wasted at every ‘Ball. We salute you!
4) Amazing DJs
From the start we wanted to bring some of the DJs we loved over to play at our party. Through our contacts, word of mouth and the fact the party was on a Sunday we were able to invite some of the most amazing DJs around to come and spin some disco. Too many to mention, a few notable luminaries have included Dimitri From Paris, David Morales, Kenny Dope, James Murphy and Daniele Baldelli (who incidentally is back at HMD on the 17th November). There aren’t many more DJs we are desperate to get down there, but there are a few we need to track down to make the stellar list of DJs who have played complete. We can’t thank all the DJs who have played at the club over the years enough for their support.
5) Bank Holidays
Queues around the block and instant party from as soon as the doors open, Bank Holidays at Horse Meat Disco are awesome! As long as you can get in, that is. Before the days of aircon it was a sweaty seething mass of bodies grooving to disco. Actually… it still is! Giving a lot of people who just can’t make a Sunday party the chance to come and experience the party, Bank Holidays are quite an intense affair and one where we like to bung up the bunting which ultimately ends up on the heads of the crowd. (What is it with gays and putting decorations on their heads?)
6) Amazing artwork
One of the things that has set us apart from many of our club peers has been our artwork. For that we only have one person to thank. Our designer from day one has been Adrian Fillary. What a stroke of genius putting that extra leg on that well-known stallion! Since then he has gone on to define with such panache Horse Meat Disco’s identity. Instantly recognisable and original, some flyers have appeared in art shows around the world!
7) Compilation series
After 7 years of amazing parties it seemed like a good idea to put out a compilation of some of our favourite records. Strut records, where I once interned many years ago, got in touch to say they would love to put out our compilation, and the series began. Being quite old school it was pretty damn cool having our names on a slice of vinyl. If I have to pick out one tune that defines HMD it has to be Sherryl Lee Ralph ‘In The Evening’. Loved by those who knew it and those who were new to it, it is the one record that is always requested when we go off and tour! Not a bad record to asked for I’m sure you will all agree.
8) Glastonbury and the NYC Downlow
One of my personal highlights of the last 10 years has been Horse Meat Disco’s involvement with the NYC Downlow, especially at the Glastonbury Festival. Hands down it is THE best club in the world and we’re proud to be associated with Gideon Berger and Steve Gallagher’s beast. The positive effect of the NYC Downlow in terms of acceptance of the LGBT community is immeasurable and quite frankly it’s the best party you are ever going to go to! From the performers, to the DJs, the builders and everyone else involved with it, for as long as she may live, the NYC Downlow is always the highlight of my year!
9) Residencies in Berlin and NYC
These last 10 years have been incredible, especially when we think about all the places that we have DJed in and the family has grown. The last few years have seen us cement ourselves into the club landscape of two of the most important nighlife centres in the world. Our holiday parties in New York either at Cielo or recently opened Output are packing them in every time and as you would expect in New York it’s an amazing crowd. One of the things that is so beautiful about the music is the cross-section of people who come and New York as a true world city never disappoints. The sound stytems in both clubs are a total dream to play on and make the music really come alive! In Berlin, we’ve now settled into our bi-monlthy residency at the wicked Prince Charles club in Kreuzberg, and as you would expect it’s a very sexy crowd who just don’t know when to stop! All three residencies are totally different but always very HMD!
10) Rinse FM radio show
This year we began our weekly radio show on Rinse FM. Every Sunday 1-3pm, it’s a chance for us to play some of our favourite tunes that we can’t play in clubs. It’s a real honour to be on the schedule of what to many is a station more associated with dubstep and music of a more urban persuasion. Right from the start, the support we have got from the station has been fantastic and spurs us on to do the best shows we can. Even if sometimes I forget the names of records and technical hitches feature quite regularly. Tune in every Sunday for two hours of soul, 2 step, gospel, boogie and disco.
• The Horse Meat Disco 10th Birthday is at Eagle London (349 Kennington Lane, Vauxhall, SE11 5QY) on Sunday 20th October, 8pm-4am.
