The MenWhoFell2Earth, our favourite extraterrestrials , are touching down at East Bloc again on the 23rd. This time around, they’re bringing along queer dance party peddlers Knickerbocker! The Men caought up with the Knickers to find out what’s in store!
Just who are Knickerbocker?
Knickerbocker is two fags from up north on the decks (aaronzimbra and Alex Lawless) and a big dyke from Scotland on hosting duties (Katy Baird). We run our club night at The Yard Theatre in Hackney Wick every other month.
We loved your 3 word manifesto ‘queer dance party’. What makes for a great queer dance party?
The night has a house party vibe. Last time Katy dished out shots of tequila off her tits and a guy turned up with a laser for us: he just scaled the sound system and plugged it in. We encourage that DIY approach. The venue is brilliant; it’s got a great sound system. Plus it’s tucked away, so people are committed when they get here. They come specifically for our party.
How did you get together? What made you decide you wanted to run a club night?
We’ve been friends for years and got sick of going to sausage-fest fag nights called things like PORK SWORD. We wanted to see if we could make an inclusive queer night, which all our disparate friends could enjoy but that didn’t read on a flyer like a safe space counseling session. Plus our friends are lazy and don’t do dress up very well, so it’s intentionally a pretty scruffy night. Partying is political – with so many queer venues closing we wanted to create a new queer space for London.
Tell us about the musical mantra for your night.
We like dancing to alt-pop, dance-punk and house so wanted to throw all this into one coherent night. A typical night starts with pop, Roisin, Robyn, Annie, then move into indie dance territory, DFA Records, Planningtorock, Cut Copy, Jamie xx, Hercules, Cyril Hahn remixes, and towards the end it gets housier: Lindstrom, Fred Falke, Black Devil Disco Club. That’s a typical night.
Like us, you guys are massive LCD Soundsystem fans, right? What do you think of James Murphy’s explanation for re-forming?
We loved James’ statement. It’s all down to whether they can deliver the goods. They’ve released three perfect albums – so if the new record tarnishes that perfect run, there’ll be trouble, but we’ve got faith in them.
What’s the best thing about a very late night out in London Town? What’s the best reason to stay home?
Aaron: A very late night? The crisp morning sun on my supple skin as I sleep it off on a park bench.
Alex: Best reason to stay home? My lesbian flatmate just got a puppy. I have to stay home to stop it pissing everywhere.
You’re made the gods of disco night life for one night only – what happens?
FREE POPPERS FOR ALL REFUGEES.
2nd time round for you guys doing our Room 2 at East Bloc. What’s gonna go down?
We’re dusting off the .wavs as we speak. There’ll be a bit more house than usual; the Eastbloc crowd like to get sweaty, and who are we to deny them that?
Knickers or boxers (see what we did there)?
Alex: ever since I got some black M&S briefs in my Christmas stocking I haven’t looked back. I guess that makes me a Knickers man.
Aaron: Nappy.
Can leather daddies wear knickerbockers?
Where we’re from a Knickerbocker is an ice cream, so technically that’d be sploshing.
• MenWhoFell2Earth is on Saturday 23rd January at East Bloc (217 City Road, EC1V 1JN), from 10:30pm – 6am. £6/£10.
