XXL is one of the biggest and most inclusive gay club nights in the whole of our glittering London town, and they’re entering their teens for the first time on Saturday night!
Yes, Mark Ames’s furry brainchild will be officially turning thirteen and they’re inviting all their loyal fans and any newcomers to come celebrate with a woof, a bark and full-on wolf howl, whilst drinking and dancing the night away until the early hours down in the cavernous venue that is Pulse. To find out more about the daddy behind the magic, we caught up with Mark to ask him about the history of XXL and what to expect from the upcoming extravaganza for bears, friends and admirers!
Tell us about yourself, Mark, for anyone who might not know you.
Hmm… Serious in business, but I have a heart too – and love to laugh! [laughs]. I’m pretty down to earth and a bit too blunt for the precious. I hate the term “straight acting” – what the fuck does that mean? But I’m certainly not camp either, I guess I’m an average hard-working, hard-playing homo and proud of it too. I love being with people who when you say “well actually I’m one of those… hmm… shirt-lifters” and watching that awkward moment as they recoil in defence… With an “oh I’d never have known sorry!” As I say “no need to be sorry, I’m not” and keep digging [laughs].
What gave you the idea to set up XXL in the first place?
It was needed and I wanted to make it happen. Right man in the right place at the right time!
What was the very first event like? Were you very nervous at who would turn out or were you confident?
I was confident but you’re always nervous: even now I take nothing for granted and when my staff do, it’s best we part company as my bears and admirers come first.
How did you go about developing XXL into the nationally recognised brand it is this day?
Why would I tell anyone our secret? I do follow my instincts and beliefs and keep a tight ship, but that’s no secret!
What are some of your favourite memories of XXL over the years?
Give me a whole issue as there’s so many, but it’s the customers that make XXL worth doing. One smile from a customer can make the most hassle-some event worthwhile to me and always will.
Any near tragedies or disasters, that you had to muscle through with a ‘show must go on’ ethos?
Think I just answered that but to learn to bounce off adversity and tragedy in this game, all good club people are hard-skinned and resourceful types; you have to be. It can be a very lonely world at times and you still have to smile like nothing’s wrong but as long as you believe in what you do, you will. And I love XXL and the Bear scene.
Why do you think XXL has such a loyal legion of fans and regulars?
Its bigger, it’s better and it’s bolder. It’s non-judgmental and formality free; in a word it’s FUN!
And finally, what can we expect from the birthday extravaganza this weekend? Any tricks up your sleeve?
BIG FUN! And for the rest you need to turn up! But the first 100 bears (and I do mean bears only) will get a personal gift from me; non-bears you better get eating for next year and you can start by eating cake at the birthday.
LAID BEAR
This month mega-club XXL turns 13. In celebration of the milestone, we’ve picked our favourite famous bears – and exposed their dirty gay secrets (naturally).
PADDINGTON BEAR
Public Flasher
He’s been cruising train station toilets for over 50 years and anyone who’s lingered around Paddington loos long enough will know that there’s nothing but fur beneath that duffle coat of his. And we don’t even wanna know what he keeps in that battered old suitcase.
THE 3 BEARS
Group Sex/Orgies
You may well be familiar with the tale of Goldicocks and the three bears, “this ones too soft… this one’s too hard… this one’s just right…”– we have a feeling it wasn’t the chairs she was sitting on. And she was tasting more than just their porridge. It was definitely no coincidence that the slut ended up in every bed of the house (and probably over the kitchen table too).
YOGI BEAR AND BOO BOO BEAR
Master and Slave
This famous bear couple are seldom seen without the other in tow. Yogi Bear is clearly the dominant out of the pair, while Boo Boo follows him around like his little bitch. Yogi is also often seen carrying a “pic-a-nic basket” of treats, that he uses to store Boo Boo’s collars, harnesses and lube.
FOZZI BEAR
Bondage
Known for his character in The Muppets, Fozzi bear loves to be tied up and manipulated – and doesn’t even mind if there’s an audience watching. In fact, he gets off being surrounded some odd looking creatures while a man tugs him around – maybe he should try one of the many fetish nights in our city.
WINNIE THE POOH
Food fetish
Everyone knew Winnie was a homo from day dot, what with that effeminate name, red belly top and his overly close relationship to Christopher Robin. But not everyone knew about his love for ‘sticky situations’. Constantly carrying around a pot of honey, word in the woods is that he likes to slather it on more than just bread.
KUNG FU PANDA
S&M
Po is a Panda bear that gets gain out of pain; it’s often hard to tell if his black spots are part of his Panda skin or just bruises from another hardcore kink session. He also likes to be the one giving the beating, and isn’t opposed to a spanking; yep, he likes to whoop ass – in more ways than one!
RUPERT
Rent Bear
He really expects people to believe that he jets all around the world on these ‘adventures’ when he can’t even afford to move out of his parent’s house – please, these quests have Sugar Daddy written all over them. And it’s no surprise, he’s good mates with Willie (of course he is).
BALOO
Cross Dressing
Famed for mincing around the jungle with a rather androgynous looking boy, Baloo busted out more catchy musical mantras than a Friday night cabaret act at the Two Brewers. As for that grass skirt and banana skin weave, girl he was only a coconut bra away from being the Alex Reid of the jungle.
SOOTY
Fisting
It’s no secret that the innocent looking bear spent most of the 50s with a fist (and third of an arm) inside him while he squealed like a little bitch. And we’re sure you all know the sexual connotations behind him waving his ‘wand’, exclaiming “Izzy Wizzy, let’s get jizzy” – we mean ‘busy’.
• XXL: Thirteenth Birthday will be at Pulse, 1 Invicta Plaza, Southwark, SE1 9UF on Saturday 21st September from 10pm-6am.
