Shitdisco
Encyclopedia
Shitdisco, was a Dance-punk
band from Glasgow
, Scotland
. They were formed in 2003 while studying at the Glasgow School of Art
. Their first single "Disco Blood"/"I Know Kung Fu" was released in December 2005 and sold out quickly. They are signed to record label Fierce Panda
. Shitdisco released their debut album Kingdom of Fear
on the 16 April 2007.
Until they were evicted in summer 2006, the band held free parties in a large dilapidated house on Glasgow's West Princes Street, known locally as "61". They have attracted a reputation for organising and playing free parties and raves in peculiar places; including squats, streets, abandoned railway tunnels, shipping container
s and caravans.
The group have been compared to Talking Heads
and The Rapture
, but admit influences ranging from Donna Summer
, Arthur Russel and The Prodigy
to Gang of Four
and The Clash
. Since the release of "Disco Blood"/"I Know Kung Fu" the band has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, even playing as far afield as Bangkok
and Istanbul
. In 2007 they signed to Sony Music in Japan and Dim Mak Records
in America.
In 2009, they split up after mutual agreement. They continue to DJ and members have gone on the form the bands Age of Consent (band) and Ubre Blanca (band).
at The Premises recording studio in London with former Clor
guitarist turned producer Luke Smith. He had previously worked with the band producing remixes for "Disco Blood" & "Reactor Party". The album was to be recorded in two sessions, with the 2nd session taking place after the band had completed the NME
New Rave Tour (Oct 2006) supporting Klaxons
. During the tour however, after a gig in Birmingham
, drummer Darren Cullen fell from the roof of the band's tour bus, breaking his right wrist, requiring an operation & the fitting of a metal plate.
For the second recording session Kieron Pepper, live drummer for The Prodigy
was brought in to play on two tracks, "Fear of the Future" and "Dream of Infinity".
Kingdom of Fear
, named after the last book by American writer Hunter S. Thompson
was released on the 16th April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records
.
The album also featured the song Reactor Party which was produced by Alan O'Connell.
From 2003-2006 the band played live & DJed at free parties in their drummer's flat on Glasgow
's West Princes Street that became known locally as "61" (the street number of the building.) During 2005 through till their eviction these parties occurred on almost a monthly basis. Shitdisco would play in the living room, which due to the large Victorian
design of the building could hold up to 250 people. Including the rest of the flat the capacity of such parties was upwards of 400.
On only three occasions were these parties closed down by the police
. One such incident involved beer bottles and other missiles being thrown at a passing police car by people on the roof. Riot police swiftly arrived and charged through both doors of the flat and attempted to arrest the culprits but were prevented from reaching them by an uncooperative crowd
. On other occasions relations with the police were better, with the authorities unwilling to devote the manpower needed to clear a house of so many people. Uninterrupted, the parties would often last the entire weekend.
Drummer Darren was evicted in Spring 2006 and threatened with a £10,000 lawsuit for damage done to the property during his tenancy. The band have since opened an offer to play house parties elsewhere whenever they are on tour.
Other bands to have played at the parties:
art collective in London, as well as several house parties up and down the UK, with unpredictable results. At one party in Nottingham several members of The Rapture
, Klaxons
and James Ford from Simian Mobile Disco
turned up and played along with the bands spare instruments. The Rapture also joined Shitdisco in the living room of a Leeds house to play a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
" by Nirvana.
Some band members have since moved to London, where they have organised and played parties with the London band Ratty Rat Rat (now called Is Tropical
) in an abandoned Toilet Factory in Elephant & Castle.
The band has also played at events of the Belgium
collective Fuck You! Brussels alongside Jack of Hearts and 1982 for free in exchange for "Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll"
& Modular parties in the UK to Judgement Sundays in Ibiza
, a recent North American DJ tour and extensively in the Far East. They have attracted a reputation for a raucous show, often reported to crowd surf during the set and spray the crowd with alcohol from super soakers.
Dance-punk
Dance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
band from Glasgow
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
, Scotland
Scotland
Scotland is a country that is part of the United Kingdom. Occupying the northern third of the island of Great Britain, it shares a border with England to the south and is bounded by the North Sea to the east, the Atlantic Ocean to the north and west, and the North Channel and Irish Sea to the...
. They were formed in 2003 while studying at the Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art
Glasgow School of Art is one of only two independent art schools in Scotland, situated in the Garnethill area of Glasgow.-History:It was founded in 1845 as the Glasgow Government School of Design. In 1853, it changed its name to The Glasgow School of Art. Initially it was located at 12 Ingram...
. Their first single "Disco Blood"/"I Know Kung Fu" was released in December 2005 and sold out quickly. They are signed to record label Fierce Panda
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
. Shitdisco released their debut album Kingdom of Fear
Kingdom of Fear (Shitdisco album)
Kingdom of Fear is the first album by Glaswegian dance-punk/new rave band Shitdisco released on the 16 April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records....
on the 16 April 2007.
Until they were evicted in summer 2006, the band held free parties in a large dilapidated house on Glasgow's West Princes Street, known locally as "61". They have attracted a reputation for organising and playing free parties and raves in peculiar places; including squats, streets, abandoned railway tunnels, shipping container
Intermodal container
An intermodal container is a standardized reusable steel box used for the safe, efficient and secure storage and movement of materials and products within a global containerized intermodal freight transport system...
s and caravans.
The group have been compared to Talking Heads
Talking Heads
Talking Heads were an American New Wave and avant-garde band formed in 1975 in New York City and active until 1991. The band comprised David Byrne, Chris Frantz, Tina Weymouth and Jerry Harrison...
and The Rapture
The Rapture (band)
The Rapture is an Indie rock band based in New York City. The band mixes influences from many genres including post-punk, acid house, disco, electronica and rock, pioneering the post-punk revival genre...
, but admit influences ranging from Donna Summer
Donna Summer
LaDonna Adrian Gaines , known by her stage name, Donna Summer, is an American singer/songwriter who gained prominence during the disco era of the 1970s. She has a mezzo-soprano vocal range. Summer is a five-time Grammy winner and was the first artist to have three consecutive double albums reach...
, Arthur Russel and The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
to Gang of Four
Gang of Four (band)
Gang of Four are an English post-punk group from Leeds. Original personnel were singer Jon King, guitarist Andy Gill, bass guitarist Dave Allen and drummer Hugo Burnham. They were fully active from 1977 to 1984, and then re-emerged twice in the 1990s with King and Gill...
and The Clash
The Clash
The Clash were an English punk rock band that formed in 1976 as part of the original wave of British punk. Along with punk, their music incorporated elements of reggae, ska, dub, funk, rap, dance, and rockabilly...
. Since the release of "Disco Blood"/"I Know Kung Fu" the band has toured extensively in the UK and Europe, even playing as far afield as Bangkok
Bangkok
Bangkok is the capital and largest urban area city in Thailand. It is known in Thai as Krung Thep Maha Nakhon or simply Krung Thep , meaning "city of angels." The full name of Bangkok is Krung Thep Mahanakhon Amon Rattanakosin Mahintharayutthaya Mahadilok Phop Noppharat Ratchathani Burirom...
and Istanbul
Istanbul
Istanbul , historically known as Byzantium and Constantinople , is the largest city of Turkey. Istanbul metropolitan province had 13.26 million people living in it as of December, 2010, which is 18% of Turkey's population and the 3rd largest metropolitan area in Europe after London and...
. In 2007 they signed to Sony Music in Japan and Dim Mak Records
Dim Mak Records
Dim Mak Records is a record label founded in 1996 by Steve Aoki and based in Los Angeles, CA. Dim Mak's first release was a 7" by a little known hardcore band from southern California, Stickfigurecarousel.-Roster:Active* Steve Aoki* All Leather...
in America.
In 2009, they split up after mutual agreement. They continue to DJ and members have gone on the form the bands Age of Consent (band) and Ubre Blanca (band).
Members
- Joel Stone — bass, guitar, vocals
- Joe Reeves — bass, guitar, vocals
- Darren Cullen — drums
- Tom Straughan — keyboards, backing vocals
Former members
Jan Lee left the band in January 2008 to concentrate on his career as an illustrator.Album
The band began recording their debut album, Kingdom of FearKingdom of Fear (Shitdisco album)
Kingdom of Fear is the first album by Glaswegian dance-punk/new rave band Shitdisco released on the 16 April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records....
at The Premises recording studio in London with former Clor
Clor
Clor were a short-lived five-piece band from Brixton, England, formed in 2003. In the UK they were signed to Parlophone. Their music is angular in melody and jerky in rhythm, and is often compared to Devo and Gary Numan. Their breakthrough came with the release of their self-titled first album,...
guitarist turned producer Luke Smith. He had previously worked with the band producing remixes for "Disco Blood" & "Reactor Party". The album was to be recorded in two sessions, with the 2nd session taking place after the band had completed the NME
NME
The New Musical Express is a popular music publication in the United Kingdom, published weekly since March 1952. It started as a music newspaper, and gradually moved toward a magazine format during the 1980s, changing from newsprint in 1998. It was the first British paper to include a singles...
New Rave Tour (Oct 2006) supporting Klaxons
Klaxons
Klaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
. During the tour however, after a gig in Birmingham
Birmingham
Birmingham is a city and metropolitan borough in the West Midlands of England. It is the most populous British city outside the capital London, with a population of 1,036,900 , and lies at the heart of the West Midlands conurbation, the second most populous urban area in the United Kingdom with a...
, drummer Darren Cullen fell from the roof of the band's tour bus, breaking his right wrist, requiring an operation & the fitting of a metal plate.
For the second recording session Kieron Pepper, live drummer for The Prodigy
The Prodigy
The Prodigy are an English electronic dance music group formed by Liam Howlett in 1990 in Braintree, Essex. Along with Fatboy Slim, The Chemical Brothers, and other acts, The Prodigy have been credited as pioneers of the big beat genre, which achieved mainstream popularity in the 1990s and 2000s...
was brought in to play on two tracks, "Fear of the Future" and "Dream of Infinity".
Kingdom of Fear
Kingdom of Fear (Shitdisco album)
Kingdom of Fear is the first album by Glaswegian dance-punk/new rave band Shitdisco released on the 16 April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records....
, named after the last book by American writer Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter S. Thompson
Hunter Stockton Thompson was an American journalist and author who wrote The Rum Diary , Fear and Loathing in Las Vegas and Fear and Loathing on the Campaign Trail '72 .He is credited as the creator of Gonzo journalism, a style of reporting where reporters involve themselves in the action to...
was released on the 16th April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records
Fierce Panda Records is a London-based independent record label, with its first release in February 1994. It also produced a small number of releases that year by now famous artists such as Ash, The Bluetones, Baby Bird and Supergrass...
.
The album also featured the song Reactor Party which was produced by Alan O'Connell.
"61" parties
Glasgow
Glasgow is the largest city in Scotland and third most populous in the United Kingdom. The city is situated on the River Clyde in the country's west central lowlands...
's West Princes Street that became known locally as "61" (the street number of the building.) During 2005 through till their eviction these parties occurred on almost a monthly basis. Shitdisco would play in the living room, which due to the large Victorian
Victorian architecture
The term Victorian architecture refers collectively to several architectural styles employed predominantly during the middle and late 19th century. The period that it indicates may slightly overlap the actual reign, 20 June 1837 – 22 January 1901, of Queen Victoria. This represents the British and...
design of the building could hold up to 250 people. Including the rest of the flat the capacity of such parties was upwards of 400.
On only three occasions were these parties closed down by the police
Police
The police is a personification of the state designated to put in practice the enforced law, protect property and reduce civil disorder in civilian matters. Their powers include the legitimized use of force...
. One such incident involved beer bottles and other missiles being thrown at a passing police car by people on the roof. Riot police swiftly arrived and charged through both doors of the flat and attempted to arrest the culprits but were prevented from reaching them by an uncooperative crowd
Crowd
A crowd is a large and definable group of people, while "the crowd" is referred to as the so-called lower orders of people in general...
. On other occasions relations with the police were better, with the authorities unwilling to devote the manpower needed to clear a house of so many people. Uninterrupted, the parties would often last the entire weekend.
Drummer Darren was evicted in Spring 2006 and threatened with a £10,000 lawsuit for damage done to the property during his tenancy. The band have since opened an offer to play house parties elsewhere whenever they are on tour.
Other bands to have played at the parties:
- Mother and the AddictsMother and the AddictsMother and The Addicts were a Glasgow-based band signed to Chemikal Underground Records. Formed in 2003. They have released two albums.-History:...
- Haunted House Party
- ELVIS starring Ricky Aaron
Other Parties
The band also played at two squat parties organised by the !WOWOW!!WOWOW!
!WOWOW! is a collective in Peckham, London. Otherwise known as The Children of Pizza Mat, they are a group of artists, fashion designers, writers and musicians, who have promoted numerous art events and parties in London and Berlin.-History:...
art collective in London, as well as several house parties up and down the UK, with unpredictable results. At one party in Nottingham several members of The Rapture
The Rapture (band)
The Rapture is an Indie rock band based in New York City. The band mixes influences from many genres including post-punk, acid house, disco, electronica and rock, pioneering the post-punk revival genre...
, Klaxons
Klaxons
Klaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
and James Ford from Simian Mobile Disco
Simian Mobile Disco
Simian Mobile Disco are a United Kingdom-based production and remix team formed in 2005 by James Ford and Jas Shaw of the band Simian. Musically, they are known for their analogue production...
turned up and played along with the bands spare instruments. The Rapture also joined Shitdisco in the living room of a Leeds house to play a cover of "Smells Like Teen Spirit
Smells Like Teen Spirit
"Smells Like Teen Spirit" is a song by the American grunge band Nirvana. It is the opening track and lead single from the band's second album, Nevermind , released on DGC Records...
" by Nirvana.
Some band members have since moved to London, where they have organised and played parties with the London band Ratty Rat Rat (now called Is Tropical
Is Tropical
Is Tropical is an electronic band from England.- Recordings :Is Tropical have one album, "Native To", under the label Kitsune.Is Tropical's single "The Greeks" reached over a million views in less than a week on YouTube. The music video involves a representation of war redone with children and toy...
) in an abandoned Toilet Factory in Elephant & Castle.
The band has also played at events of the Belgium
Belgium
Belgium , officially the Kingdom of Belgium, is a federal state in Western Europe. It is a founding member of the European Union and hosts the EU's headquarters, and those of several other major international organisations such as NATO.Belgium is also a member of, or affiliated to, many...
collective Fuck You! Brussels alongside Jack of Hearts and 1982 for free in exchange for "Sex, Drugs & Rock'n'Roll"
DJ career
As well as live performances, the band have become well known for their regular DJ sets, playing from the likes of Bugged Out, GatecrasherGatecrasher
Gatecrasher is an international clubbing brand made famous by the Gatecrasher dance music events held at the Gatecrasher One nightclub in Sheffield, England during the late 1990s and early 2000s. The event received awards such as "Club Of The Year" at the Ericsson Muzik Magazine Dance Awards in...
& Modular parties in the UK to Judgement Sundays in Ibiza
Ibiza
Ibiza or Eivissa is a Spanish island in the Mediterranean Sea 79 km off the coast of the city of Valencia in Spain. It is the third largest of the Balearic Islands, an autonomous community of Spain. With Formentera, it is one of the two Pine Islands or Pityuses. Its largest cities are Ibiza...
, a recent North American DJ tour and extensively in the Far East. They have attracted a reputation for a raucous show, often reported to crowd surf during the set and spray the crowd with alcohol from super soakers.
Albums
- Kingdom of FearKingdom of Fear (Shitdisco album)Kingdom of Fear is the first album by Glaswegian dance-punk/new rave band Shitdisco released on the 16 April 2007 on Fierce Panda Records....
(Released 16 April 2007) - The Emanator US release of KoF with extra tracks (Released 23 September 2008)
Singles
- "Disco Blood"/"I Know Kung Fu" (2005) (1000 copies)
- "Reactor PartyReactor PartyReactor Party was the first physical single released by Glasgow band Shitdisco It was released on the 23rd October 2006 and reached #73 in the UK charts...
" (2006) UK #73 - "OK" (2007) (2000 copies)
- "I Know Kung Fu" (2007)
Compilations
- "Disco Blood" - On Delete Yourself compilation Digital Penetration (July 2006)
- "Reactor Party" - On The Bang Gang DJs "Light Sound Dance" - Modular Records (July 2007)
- "Reactor Party" - On Ibiza Rocks 2007 - Ministry of Sound (Aug 2007)
- "Reactor Party" - On Neon Nights Mixtape - DMC (June 2007)
See also
- Post-punk revivalPost-punk revivalThe post-punk revival was a development in alternative rock of the late 20th and early 21st centuries in which bands took inspiration from the original sounds and aesthetics of garage rock of the 1960s and post-punk and New Wave of the late 1970s...
- Dance-punkDance-punkDance-punk is a music genre that emerged in the late 1970s, and is closely associated with the post-punk and No Wave movements.-Predecessors:...
- KlaxonsKlaxonsKlaxons are a British indie rock band, based in London. Following the release of numerous 7-inch singles on different independent record labels, as well as the success of previous singles "Magick" and "Golden Skans", the band released their debut album, Myths of the Near Future on 29 January 2007....
- ClorClorClor were a short-lived five-piece band from Brixton, England, formed in 2003. In the UK they were signed to Parlophone. Their music is angular in melody and jerky in rhythm, and is often compared to Devo and Gary Numan. Their breakthrough came with the release of their self-titled first album,...
- The Rapture (band)The Rapture (band)The Rapture is an Indie rock band based in New York City. The band mixes influences from many genres including post-punk, acid house, disco, electronica and rock, pioneering the post-punk revival genre...
- Bolt Action FiveBolt Action FiveBolt Action Five were a dancepunk/industrial band from London, England, composed of Tobias J Hughes, Ian William Galloway, Dan "The Carnivore" Murtha and Mark Murphy...
- Haunted House
- Big Face
Reviews
- Daily Music Guide Interview
- Album Review, Kingdom of Fear - NME.com
- Album Review - From NG Magazine
- Album Review on The Line Of Best Fit
- Review, March 2006 in Edinburgh - from The Scotsman
- Review, 16/03/06 @ The Barfly, Liverpool - from gigwise online
- - Supersweet interview
External links
- Shitdisco on FacebookFacebookFacebook is a social networking service and website launched in February 2004, operated and privately owned by Facebook, Inc. , Facebook has more than 800 million active users. Users must register before using the site, after which they may create a personal profile, add other users as...
- Shitdisco Bebo Page
- Shitdisco Virb Site
- Fierce Panda Records