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Features
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| Introducing NEM3SI$’s new label Infinite Resistance! | | Mindbenderz talk ‘Lord of the Rings’ and fishing, as well as the creation of their new album ‘Celestial Gateway’! | | Iono-Music artists One Function, Eliyahu, Invisible Reality and Dual Vision talk Robert Miles, kids, dogs and vinyl, while we chat about their current releases! | | Luke&Flex talk influences, the Irish rave scene, why Flex wears a mask and Play Hard, their new EP out now on Onhcet Repbulik Xtreme! | | Lyktum expands on his new album ‘Home’ – talking about his love of storytelling, creating new harmonies and the concept behind his musical works. | | Pan talks getting caught short crossing the Sahara, acid eyeballs and tells us Trance is the Answer, plus shares his thoughts on his latest release 'Beyond the Horizon' - all from a beach in Spain! | | Miss C chats about living with the KLF, DJing in a huge cat’s mouth, training her brain and the upcoming super-duper Superfreq Grande party at LDN East this Saturday, 16th September! | | NEM3SI$ - I Live for the Night – talks superficiality, psychopaths, and bittersweet success, ahead of a plethora of evocative, emotional, and passionate upcoming melodic techno releases! | | Psy-Sisters Spring Blast Off! We talk to DJ competition winner ROEN along with other super talents on the lineup! | | Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast! | | Shyisma talks parties, UFO's, and Shotokan Karate ahead of his upcoming album 'Particles' on Iono-Music! | | SOME1 talks family, acid, stage fright and wolves - ahead of his upcoming album release ‘Voyager’ on Iono-Music in February 2023! | | The Transmission Crew tell all and talk about their first London event on 24th February 2023! | | NIXIRO talks body, mind and music production ahead of his release 'Planet Impulse' on Static Movement's label - Sol Music! | | Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project | | The Psy-Sisters chat about music, achievements, aspirations and the 10-Year Anniversary Party - 18/12/22! | | A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden | | Earth Needs a Rebirth! Discussions with Psy-Trance Artist Numayma | | Taking a Journey Through Time with Domino | | New Techno Rising Star DKLUB talks about his debut release White Rock on Onhcet Republik! | | PAN expands on many things including his new album 'Hyperbolic Oxymoron' due for release on the 14th April 2022 on PsyWorld Records! | | Psibindi talks all things music including her new collaborative EP 'Sentient Rays' on Aphid Records, her band Sentience Machine and 10 years of Psy-Sisters! |
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ElectronicSessions Boat party preview with Greg Downey
Reported by roscosulli
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Submitted 17-07-06 16:58
Greg Downey is one of the shining stars of the UK trance scene right now. His consistent, high quality production really stands out when you hear it in a club and his skills on the decks make him a truly versatile dj who will always deliver regardless of which slot he is allocated. Having established a strong following in his home country, Greg made the short overseas trip to England, where he is now based.
Previously resident at the massive Scream events in Bristol, Greg is now playing at some of the biggest nights throughout the UK. His unique trance sound has been impressing both clubbers and promoters up and down the country and 2006 will see continued support from Serious, The Gallery, The Escape, Passion, Twisted, The Coach, along with many others as the interest in Greg continues to grow.
At only 23 years of age, Greg’s many achievements alongside his outstanding technical ability and desire to succeed, look set to establish him as one of 2006’s breakthrough artists. I caught up with him recently to find out how Greg is and what we can expect on the ElectronicSessions Boat party from him.
Hiya Greg. So how’s things with you? Are you having a good year?
Yo Ross! Yeah the year so far has been amazing with plenty of great gigs. This year I’ve been concentrating on breaking into the bigger clubs in the UK, as well as djing abroad in some cool countries too. Some of the UK gigs include The Gallery, Passion, Goodgreef, Serious, The Escape, Twisted and The Coach which have all been wicked and I have a date coming up in August with Paul van Dyk at Slinky, which is very exciting.
I’ve been doing a bit of travelling as well and in the last month or so I have played in China, Canada, Germany and Poland. It’s been great being able to see different places and experience different cultures while playing music too. One of the main highlights this year has been my first appearance on Radio 1 for Eddie Halliwell’s show in July. Its always been a goal of mine to play on Radio 1 so all in all the year has been a success so far.
So what new material have you been working on?
I’ve been working on quite a few things over the last few months. My new track ‘Vivid Intent’ has turned out great, I really am delighted with it after spending so much time on it. It’s very uplifting and maybe even a bit emotional but still fucking banging, I couldn’t ask for much more when it comes to reactions in a club. It recently made its way onto the new Cream compilation mixed by Eddie Halliwell and has featured on Radio 1 a few times as well. There will be a great alternative remix coming with it from two of my favourite producers, Giuseppe Ottavianni and Marc van Linden, who will be doing the remix together. This will be on Discover towards the end of September.
I have also been working on a driving dark EP with two new tracks — ‘The Instigator’ and ‘Jaws’. ‘The Instigator’, well I’m not sure how to describe this apart from drilling. It’s a dark trance number that isn’t for the faint hearted! Jaws is a techno track with a nice banging groove and some wicked old school stabs. All of my releases so far have been trancey so I wanted to do something alternative, more heads down bangin stuff. They are very new so not many people have heard them but definitely look forward to hearing your thoughts.
Myself and Marc van Linden have recently done a new track called ‘What The - - - - Do You Mean?’; again we wanted to do something a little unexpected. The track is quite pumping but more proggy with some electro elements in it. This will be coming out on Marc’s Midway label along with my remix of his new track ‘False Sense’. The ‘False Sense’ remix is cool and banging.
What would you say best describes your sound?
I’ve been asked this question quite a few times, i play quite a wide range of stuff from techno, good uplifting trance, tech trance and obviously my own stuff which is on the more driving side of trance. I like ballsy music that is solid and not wishy washy. In my dj sets I like to have impact when I play so I am definitely more attracted to the tougher side of electronic music.
How did you get your first big break dj ing?
I don’t think I have ever had ‘The Big Break’ as such. It’s just been a gradual building process over a course of time and hard work. I did play for some big nights in Ibiza before moving to England but the place where I started to build myself up was at Scream in Bristol. I’ve made many friends in Bristol and the people down there are wicked, even though I don’t play in Bristol very often anymore due to Scream’s closing, some of them still come to my gigs in other places which brilliant. From this I started to break into other nights and so on and so forth, so it’s been a gradual thing rather than a big break.
What do you think in general of the scene in London? And the UK for that matter?
The London scene as a whole, it’s hard to make an overall view. I don’t play in lots of London clubs, but the main two I have been playing for are the Gallery and Serious and both of these nights are always quality. It’s great to play to people who are open minded and let you push the boat out with your music rather than having to worry about playing what the crowd wants. I had a great time playing for Twisted at The Fridge too, the crowd were really up for it so my experiences of playing in London are all good.
One thing I have learnt from playing abroad is that sometimes we don’t appreciate the scene and the quality of clubbers that we have over here. Most of the decent nights have up for it, clued up crowds. When you are in a different country you need to adapt and sometimes you just don’t get the reactions you can get in the UK due to the different types of people you are playing too. We all know that the UK is tough all round with so many nights going on, so many djs etc. etc., along with promoters finding it increasingly difficult to fill their clubs without the services of djs that are in the top 20 in the world. On the other hand I do think that there is an exciting new breed of djs coming through and as long as people keep it exciting then the interest will continue to grow and so will the UK scene.
What is the scene like back in Ireland and do you get home to play much?
The overall scene in Ireland is definitely lacking compared to the UK, that is the main reason why I left home to come to England. However I always love playing in Northern Ireland, obviously from growing up there, but the clubbers are fucking mental! People like to party so if you are in the right club you can guarantee a good night. There aren’t lots of thriving clubs over there playing trance music so you find only a select few bring over the best djs etc. I don’t play in Ireland a lot but I would definitely like to get back more. When I go back I usually play for the Coach which definitely is one of the best clubs in the UK. The best known club night is Lush at Kelly’s, its a great place. I haven’t played there yet but definitely hope to sometime!
Your signed to John Askew’s Discover label, have you had many tracks out on that label and what has been your most successful to date?
So far I have only had two releases. The first was my own EP with ‘Cued Recall’/’Shaker’. And the second was ‘K.I.A.’ Both have been reasonably successful but I think my new one ‘Vivid Intent’ is definitely shaping up to be the best one to date.
Do you get to go out clubbing much and which djs do you admire?
I don’t go clubbing a lot these days but it’s definitely good to sometimes because you get to listen to music from a different perspective, rather than from a dj point of view. I do like to hear Paul van Dyk, I love his taste in music and his sets usually have a bangin edge to them. In fact I was recently gutted to find out that he wasn’t playing the last set at Dance Valley this year because it will be my first time going. Last summer I was djing in Bristol and I went to an after party where one of my friends had the dvd playing of Paul van Dyk doing the last set at Dance Valley last year, it was fucking unreal! I was hoping he’d be doing the same this year but it wasn’t to be.
I love going to see Dave Clarke for some banging techno, the guy is great. I usually go home to Shine in Belfast when he is on, Shine is an amazing underground club which I can highly recommend checking out. It’s great to hear a dj like Dave Clarke and not know one single tune he is playing, his skills on the deck are awesome.
I always want to hear Eddie Halliwell, the guy is fucking talented! The energy he can create with his mixing is second to none and he knows how to drill a crowd, an all-round nice guy too.
Tell us more about this live album you have planned for later in the year?
There was talk of me doing a live mix with John Askew from one of the big clubs in the UK this year but I think it will probably be next year now. The series is called ‘Live As’ and the next one is John Askew and Matt Hardwick Live from Passion on Saturday 12th August, so definitely worth checking out . . .
Were really looking forward to getting you down on the ES Boat Party, have you ever played on a boat party before?
Yeah thanks a lot for having me! I’ve never played on a boat before but I’m a thoroughly looking forward to it. I did have a funny time on a boat party with Askew and Gavyn Mythcel — it may actually be the same boat you guys are using? Great thing is that everyone will be in a smallish space with low ceilings so Im hoping for an intense atmosphere!
You recently played in China? How was that? And what countries are you yet to play that are a must for you?
Yeah the trip to China was amazing. It was really weird but my fiancée Sophie Sugar was booked to play at the exact same club the night after me by pure chance! This worked out well because we got a bit of a holiday out of it too. The club we played at was really good although I did find the crowd a little strange at times. In China there are tables all across the dancefloor where people sit and play drinking games and then get up for a dance when they feel like it. At some points the club was going apeshit and then at other times the atmosphere was relatively flat but it’s just one of those things that you have to adapt too. The scene in China is only starting to kick off and is defiantly a good place to play.
I definitely want to play in America and I think I am going to South Africa this year. To be honest I want to play all over the world in lots of different countries, big events, small events, nice clubs, sweat boxes, anywhere with an up for it crowd! I feel privileged to have the opportunity to travel to so many great places and do what I love to I am definitely going to make the most of it.
What countries would you say your sound is strongest? And where are you personally most popular?
Because I have only begun to travel abroad I am only really starting to build up my reputation as a dj in these areas now so it will take a few trips to get the momentum in full flight. I found in Canada that the clubbers were very in tune with what I was making music-wise, everyone I spoke to were familiar with stuff I had done which was great. Out of everywhere I have been this year Poland is definitely my favourite and I would say my sound is strongest here. It’s so fresh there, the clubs are always packed and I loved it. I played to about 3000 crazy Polish people and the club was something else, I cant wait to go back there . . .
What is the best club you have ever played and why?
The best so far was Protector in Poland, the one I was talking about above. It was just great playing in a club of that size with everyone in the place bang up for it, everything from the layout of the club to the sound, the people were all top drawer.
Who were your main inspirations for getting into dance music?
My main inspirations for getting into dance music are The Prodigy. I’m sure im not the only one who was blown away when they first heard them! After listening to them for quite some time I started listening to Carl Cox mix tapes and that got me into the idea of mixing tunes together and wanting my own decks and it all started from there.
What football team do you support?
I’m a Manchester United supporter! Been a ropey couple of years for us, but I’m hoping we will be on the climb again. Although we may need to invest in a new right winger after Rooney beats the shite out of Christiano Ronaldo!
Thanks for taking some time out for us Greg, finally what can we expect from you set-wise on the boat party?
An upfront, energetic, in your face mix of trance, techno and punchy beats with some exclusive Greg Downey tracks thrown in for good measure, see you soon!
All photos courtesy of Greg Downey. Not to be reproduced without permission.
ElectronicSessions on The Thames
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On:
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Saturday 5th August 2006
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At:
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Golden Jubilee Boat [map]
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From:
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12 noon - 6pm
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Cost:
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£17 per ticket
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Website:
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www.electronicsessions.co.uk
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Ticket Info:
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£17 Tickets can be purchased as from next week from www.electronicsessions.co.uk. You do NOT need a Pay Pal account, just a credit or debit card.
£17 Tickets + BF are also available next week from www.clubtickets.co.uk tel. 0870 246 2050
For Cash Sales....................................
Ross Sulli - 0777 950 5939
Greg Sulli - 07904 364 519
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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READ ABOUT COMPETITION ENTRY AT BOTTOM
After 2 highly successful parties at the SeOne club in London this year, ElectronicSessions takes to the Thames this summer to provide you with 2 decks of quality, up front, electronic dance music. Were pleased to announce a line up that will really make people sit up and take notice of this up and coming night in London.
The party will be taking place on The Golden Jubilee. Holding 240 passengers and fitted with the finest top class soundsystem, and with an outdoor area too its the perfect vessell for this Saturday Session !
The Upper deck will be focussing on the more trancier edged electronic music with rising trance stars Greg Downey and Dan Ascherl featuring alongside new ES resident and Passion supremo Andy Bagguley. They will also be joined by London fave Mat Lock, alongside our COMP WINNER!
The Lower deck will be focussing on the more house and electro side of electronic dance music with up and coming star Tim Davison headlining alongside silver planets ES resident Chris Salt. Joining them will be top London talent Alex Parsons from Kurruption & The Gallery's Invade ressie Tom Harwood. Up and coming talents Simon Mcevoy from Spin out records, and Es's very own Russell G complete the line up!
The Boat will depart from Temple Pier (Opposite The Walkabout), nearest Tubes are Temple, or Embankment.
Please arrive NO later than 11.30AM, as boarding will start at 11.40AM and the Boat will leave at 12pm exactly !!
NO Alcohol to be brought on board !
For those who want to carry on partying we will have an afterparty to announce soon, as well as discounted prices for all ES party goers!! watch this space !
TO ENTER COMPETITION PLEASE PM ( ROSCOSULLI or SULLIVAN) and details will be sent to you regarding where to send demo. PLEASE refrain from sending with it a djing CV, all we require is your contact details. It will be for the first set, so were looking for a nice summery melodic warm up trance mix please. Nothing too heavy.
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Flyer:
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Region:
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London
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Music:
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Trance. Hard Trance. Tech Trance. Psy Trance. House. Deep House. Funky House. Prog House. Tribal House. Funky Techno. Techno. Breaks.
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DJ's:
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ES.......Upper Deck.......
Greg Downey ( Discover )
Andy Bagguley ( Passion, ES )
Dan Ascherl ( The Gallery, Honey Club )
Mat Lock ( Addiction, Prehab )
COMPETITION WINNER ( 1st set )
ES...... Lower Deck.......
Chris Salt ( ES, Silver Planet )
Tim Davison ( Sedition, BecomeOne)
Alex Parsons ( Kurruption, PartyProactive)
Tom Harwood ( Invade, The Gallery)
Simon Mcevoy ( Spin Out Records, Sonar)
Russell G ( ES, Dex in the city)
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Other Features By roscosulli:
Ahoy there, it's Lizzie Curious
Illuminate Electronic Sessions with Solarstone
Niklas Harding gets all shipshape for Electronic Sessions
All aboard, it's Bennett's Electronic Boat Sessions
Ahoy there my Electronic Sessions maties, it's Andy Moor
The views and opinions expressed in this review are strictly those of the author only for which HarderFaster will not be held responsible or liable.
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Comments:
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From: K.A.R.L. on 17th Jul 2006 18:11.54
A wicked interview from a future legend in the making. Greg is a brilliant dj and his productions are top notch. Was great fun playing alongside him at Twisted and he always has time for a beer or two when I've seem him out. He definately has a bright future ahead.
See you on the boat mate. 
From: Smallsy on 17th Jul 2006 21:16.39
Class interview Ross! cant wait to hear Greg now on the boat, he's gonna tear it up! hope its a scorching hot day too!
From: Russell G on 17th Jul 2006 21:35.13
nice interview!
looking forward to seeing and playing at the same party again greg, it's been a while!
i'm sure we'll tear the boat a new one! :-)
From: Mindy on 17th Jul 2006 22:04.10
Wicked interview!! Can't wait for this boat party... the sun will be shining (I've had a word with God and he's happy to oblige), top notch DJs smashing out great tunes, cruising along the Thames with ElectronicSessions. Bliss! xx
From: prehabDJ on 17th Jul 2006 22:17.06
Not heard him play yet but looking forward to the boat party
From: roscosulli on 17th Jul 2006 22:56.50
Gonna be class, bring it on people:-)
From: Mike Harris on 17th Jul 2006 23:31.08
Cant wait to see him rock da boat! 
From: Mat Lock on 18th Jul 2006 09:19.15
 Cannot wait to play on the boat with Greg
Great read there
From: theviceroy on 18th Jul 2006 11:07.36
Greg Downey is a wicked talent, seen him play several times and a big fan of his sets and his productions, a great booking for the boat party which im looking forward to
From: ben (bs2) on 18th Jul 2006 11:39.40
Well done Greg!
See you soon mate.
From: Stu Cox on 18th Jul 2006 23:41.55
Greg really is something else... and a super nice guy to boot. Best of luck with the future sir, you're gonna go far!!
Really looking forward to the boat party too, gonna be my first Electronic Session, as it were 
From: Stu Cox on 18th Jul 2006 23:42.29
Greg really is something else... and a super nice guy to boot. Best of luck with the future sir, you're gonna go far!!
Really looking forward to the boat party too, gonna be my first Electronic Session, as it were
From: Greg Downey on 19th Jul 2006 09:03.10
Cheers for the kind words! Its time to fucking rock and roll, see you there!
From: Tina Martin on 19th Jul 2006 11:43.45
Wikkid interview Greg and Ross.. Sure the boat is going to rock!
From: Simon Patterson on 19th Jul 2006 15:54.05
Welcome abroad Game Over Airwayz - enjoy your ride!
From: sophie sugar on 19th Jul 2006 16:28.41
We realise you had a choice of airlines and we thank you for choosing Game Over....
From: Greg Downey on 19th Jul 2006 17:41.33
Id like to thank all Game Over Staff for their assistance and may the Nailz be with you
From: Greg Downey on 19th Jul 2006 17:42.43
Id like to thank all Game Over Staff for their assistance and may the Nailz be with you
From: KrAzB on 19th Jul 2006 20:39.05
Top DJ, top Producer and top bloke who deserves all the success he gets from all his hard work. This man will be the biggest trance dj in the world in years to come im sure of it!
p.s. that afterparty was the fucking bollocks son! Hope to be seeing you on that dvd next year!
See you soon!
From: roscosulli on 19th Jul 2006 20:45.52
Greg i expect a full run down on what the hell your talking about haha ! you coming along Krazb?
From: KrAzB on 19th Jul 2006 20:58.46
Fingers crossed son!
From: Mike Harris on 20th Jul 2006 00:19.11
BRING IT ON MOFO'S !!!!!
Ive got so many of Gregs tunes im not sure which is my favourite, but he is definately a huge influence on me and one of my favourites producers at the moment!
From: Greg Downey on 20th Jul 2006 15:51.18
Game Over Airwayz for one day only are taking over the Golden Jubiliee to introduce the new Game Over Ferriez. Managing Director Patterson cannot be with us but has asked everyone to please bring your armbands and breathing aparatus due to expected turbulence, as discussed at the board meeting last night. As the Chief Executive I would like to ask anyone who isnt familiar with the Game Over Mission Statement to contact us immediately because it is imperative that you are all thoroughly prepared! Over and out...
From: Greg Downey on 20th Jul 2006 15:51.38
Game Over Airwayz for one day only are taking over the Golden Jubiliee to introduce the new Game Over Ferriez. Managing Director Patterson cannot be with us but has asked everyone to please bring your armbands and breathing aparatus due to expected turbulence, as discussed at the board meeting last night. As the Chief Executive I would like to ask anyone who isnt familiar with the Game Over Mission Statement to contact us immediately because it is imperative that you are all thoroughly prepared! Over and out...
From: Simon Patterson on 20th Jul 2006 15:51.58
Yes thank you 1st officer Downey. Yes folks, for one day only Game Over will collaborate with Nautical Shiplines. We appreciate all your valued custom and would request that people check the game over web site for future updates. We trust you'll enjoy your trip with us and look forward to receiving all future bookings within the next hour. Thanks for flying Game Over
From: KrAzB on 20th Jul 2006 20:41.06
Hahahaaa you nutters!
From: Mike Harris on 20th Jul 2006 20:43.03
From: Mr_Flow on 20th Jul 2006 20:56.22
What would Rico say if he saw this?
You should be ashamed of yourself
From: Greg Downey on 20th Jul 2006 21:43.35
Rico is ready, with weapons polished and ready to fire...
From: roscosulli on 21st Jul 2006 11:47.43
2 weeks now ! cant wait:-)
From: sullivan on 21st Jul 2006 14:38.16
buzzing!
From: Lisa P on 22nd Jul 2006 09:16.54
Great interview - good to see you at DV Greg, hopefully see you play again soon... x
From: roscosulli on 23rd Jul 2006 13:55.48
you coming to the boat party lisa?
From: Dubster on 24th Jul 2006 05:15.11
Word on the street is that Jaws might even put in an appearance at the boat party. Be afraid people.
Someone pass Downey a cowboy hat and his raving gloves.
Downey for Dance Valley 07 !
Downey for Dance Valley 07 !
Downey for Dance Valley 07 !
ALL ABOARD!
From: Avril on 25th Jul 2006 14:17.37
cant bloody wait for this now !
From: Will_Nevill on 26th Jul 2006 13:13.47
Bring it fucking on!
Game Over Ferriez at your service!
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