Venus - The Shocking Blue

Oft-covered Gypsy disco pop from the Seventies when the 'Dutch beat explosion' exploded.

Venus is also the name of the Wigan nightclub I was in last week... the air was thick with a pungent Paloma Picasso / Poison blend and the cloakroom was ninety nine per-cent puffa jackets.

I've done my time in the provincial clubs of Britain, from Abbey's to Zanzibar. I've been to Nexus, Crystals, Jazzmins, De Ja Vu, JR's, Xenon, Dino's, La Rocca, Captials, Club V, Fridays, Bananaz, Strutters, the Rhythm Room, Millionaires, Goldiggers, Bibas and BarDiva.

August 2003. It's opening night at Venus. The staff receive overdose training and learn how to mix the blue drink with the suggestive name. They're playing La Bamba. The £10,000 light system reflects on multiple 'Creole' earrings shaped like dolphins and the women...

...the women are dirty but they cover it with glitter and Rimmel.

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Miracles - Jefferson Starship

The Jefferson boys bridge the gap between their psychedelic and soft rock incarnations while Grace pops out for some high tar Camels.

Miracles is also the name of a popular Barnsley nightspot.

It's next to the Eden Fun Pub and comparable to Europa, Niche, Novak's, Delano's, the Blue Orchid, Elemantals (used to be Royales), Club Continental, 21 Picadilly's, Revolutions, The Square, Oceana, Bon Bonnes, Mardi Gras, Stilettos, Players, Gossips, Jumping Jacks, Kudos and Samantha's 2 (used to be Samantha's 1).

Miracles was formerly Voltz but was renamed after the heroin deaths in the Electric Room.

April 2003. Miracles. The air is thick with Yardley Gold, Jazz and sweaty Pretty Polly-clad legs intermingling with cheap plastic mules. Strobe lights catch multiple St. Christopher medals and the women...

...well let's just say that Bulimia isn't a big social problem in Barnsley.

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Manifesto & Book News

If it's ever been on K-Tel or Ronco, it's in. If it features hand claps, cow bells, syrupy orchestration, walls of sound, wrecking crews, sha-la-las, toothy teen idols, candy-based metaphors for carnal acts or lyrics about hugging, squeezing and rocking all night long, it's in.

Emily Frances Johnson - she weilds Charlie Red like mace and she's left her gold card behind the bar.



> Martin Lampen (latest book news, contact details and other stuff)

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