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November 2009
Tell us a bit about your introduction to the scene. Where were you based and what events did you first attend?
Sometime after leaving the army in 1989 I was invited to a “Rave” with some friends; this was my first taste of House Music & the Rave scene & what was to come... I have always been into music my whole life but this music blew my mind... it picked me up & took me on a ride that I am still riding! Based in the Cannock area I travelled up & down the UK with the Cannock Crew visiting such legendary clubs as: “Quest” “The Hacienda” “Shelly's Lazerdome” “The Eclipse” “The Shack” “Quadrant Park” “Wigan Pier” “Entropy” “Venue 44” “Die Hard” etc. Also attending all-nighters like Helter Skelter, Perception, Starlight, Spectrum, Amnesia, Exodus, Dreamscape, Renaissance, Fantasia & so many more that I just can't remember oh & weekenders that are just a blurJ. I became a face on the scene & got the respect & trust of promoters & started distributing flyers & selling tickets on their behalf. I first met Errol Russell of Club Kinetic fame at Pandemonium & we became friends, He & I discussed setting up a nationwide network of ticket agents & flying teams, which we called “Kinetic Promotions” I ran the Midland flying teams & sold event tickets. I met up with Paul & Louise Booth of Eternity Magazine at Mythology & started covering events for the magazine & distributing it.
Were you DJ'ing at this point in time?
I wasn't Dj-ing out in the beginning, just in my house, I bought a set of Technics 1210's in 1991 & started mixing but I didn't really have a clue what or how i was supposed to do it! That was explained later by a friend, I started playing at events in 1993.
What made you take the decision to start Oracle Promotions?
When Kinetic promotions broke up it left the flying organisation in disarray, I knew all the promoters & people involved in the flying teams so I phoned them & offered them the chance to continue with the work under a new name, which they all agreed to do.
What was the ethic behind the business, and what was its main function?
To spread the word as far & wide as possible about all future UK events, sell the tickets & make the event a success
Can you tell us how the process worked, from promoter to printer to yourself?
Flyers were sent to us by the promoters, or we collected from printers, they were then repacked & sent by currier to the regional coordinator for distribution at clubs & events in his area. The regional cords sent us a weekly event listing so we knew what was happening in each area.
Who were your main clients, and what process did you use to gain new leads?
Our main clients were the weekly clubs in each area and the all night events, each coordinator had their own set of clubs that they flew for additionally we secured business from some major recording labels. Leads were gained from collecting flyers, reading music press & just having a very good team of ears out & about in each area.
Did you have a large crew, or was it mainly yourself?
In each major city/town throughout the UK we had a regional coordinator that organised the flying for his area of responsibility. He also kept Headquarters informed weekly of what was happening in the clubs/events in his area, he had flying teams that covered all the clubs & events in their area
We had over 12 regions in the UK from Scotland to Cornwall with over 250 distributors on the books; more could be called upon if the need arose.
Why did you choose the name Oracle?
Oracle was chosen by a girl called Cami from Bournmouth – The source of information – The Word, which we all had on our flying jackets.
What year did you start the business, and when and why did you decide to close it down?
Started up in 1992, stopped in 2001 after loosing yet more money to an unscrupulous promoter however I took the promoter to court & won my case, getting all the money he owed plus costs! At that time, I just felt that I could no longer work with/for vagabonds, villains & gangsters.
Tell us about some of the highlights of your time at the helm of Oracle…
Everytime I looked at the ecstatic faces of the people in the events we had promoted that were obviously have a great time... that made it all worthwhile. Breaking Slim Shady “EMINEM” in the UK.
And some of the lowlights…
Being ripped off by unscrupulous promoters - they know who they are!
So what happened to you after that?
I continued to play at events, got a job & made plans to move abroad.
What did you think of the scene as it mutated through the years?
As I always said & still believe now “Music is like water; it must keep moving or it will stagnate” At first I was a little disillusioned as the scene started to fragment & mutate but I realised that this was the way forward & more people would now be exposed to “House” in a different form but it IS ALL still House.
With the scene now a worldwide phenomenon, what are the parts of it that you really enjoy now?
Seeing the scene that was “Just a flash in the pan” & wouldn't last, stronger now than it ever was, the music & still seeing the people having a great time “Lost in Music”
And what do you think of the strength of the old skool scene these days?
I think that the revival of the “Old Skool” scene is fantastic & believe that it will continue to go from strength to strength as people “Go back to their roots” & find out what it is STILL all about - MUSIC
Would you ever consider coming back to the UK?
Yes but not at present, I would never say never because no one knows what the future holds.
Tell us about the projects you are involved in now.
I have been involved with 2 clubs over here in the TRNC with mediocre success, the people here are very different & only a small majority understand house. House IS a feeling they don't feel it... YET
Would you like to share any parting thoughts on your old skool days????
Still listen to my old tapes, watch my old videos, play my vinyl & sometimes reminisce about the Good “Old Skool Daze” those were the days my friends.......................
I wish they never end.......................
Final shouts………………..
To everyone I know (to many to mention)
To everyone that knows me
Love & respect to you all
Keep the faith
Muzic & Peace - Out
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