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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! | | N-Kore talks Jean-Michel Jarre, unfinished tracks and fatherhood! | | Celebrating International Women’s Day and Ten Years of Psy-Sisters with Amaluna | | A Catch Up with John Phantasm ahead of his upcoming set at the Tribal Village 4 Day Outdoor Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! | | 'The Maestro that is Tristan talks barn owls, Shazamming and keeping it Psychedelic ahead of his upcoming performance at the Tribal Village 4 Day Event in Kent 6-9 May 2022! |
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O Lordy it's Fordy! The Loony Magnet prepares to take off for Cosmo Festival
Reported by Tara
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Submitted 23-06-10 08:37
Chris Ford, other known as Fordy, has been adding some much needed feline fluffiness onto the dancefloors for a good 15 years. And it certainly shouldn’t surprise anyone on HarderFaster that he’s only got more psychedelic with age and the costumes have just got crazier. This weekend he’ll be busting out his full on psy trance and clown shoes for Cosmo Festival in Woodmancott, Winchester, a full moon lunar eclipse celebration that’s got artists travelling from as far as Japan, Italy, Denmark, Brazil, India, Portugal, Spain, Lithuania, South Africa, Macedonia, the Netherlands, Finland, Estonia, Mexico, Poland and Sweden.
A small underground festival with just 2000 capacity, this truly international gathering goes from noon on Thursday until 2pm Monday afternoon over two stages: the Cosmo Stage, featuring full on psy trance and suomi trance; and the Lunar Stage, where there’s progressive, chillout and acoustic bands. Fordy of course will be having it on the Cosmo Stage, alongside a plethora of talent that includes Dick Trevor, Chameleon, Neutral Motion, Beardy, Seeds of Play, Stereographic and many many more. We managed to get hold of him on the Have-a-laugh Hotline where we had more than just a few words...
You were last interviewed on this very site in April 2004 — that’s an incredible six years ago! What’s been happening on planet Fordy over the last few years?
Back then it was a bit more club-based, I mainly seem to play at squat parties these days and that was also around the time when CDs took over, so that was quite a big change. Things change and mutate all the time. I’ve been travelling, producing, DJing and having fun.
You’ve been a huge part of the London dance scene since well before I first discovered it. When did you first fall in love with dance music and decide to learn to DJ?
I’ve been DJing for ages. I used to be into indie stuff in the late ‘80s and early ‘90s and DJ that kind of stuff. There was quite a big kind of indie/dance crossover thing around the early ‘90s, then I found myself not enjoying all that jangly guitar stuff anymore and buying more and more dance records. I learnt to mix around 1994, I went to a record shop and had a DJing lesson from DJ Trixta — who is a Guinness world record holding DJ, for mixing on six decks or something crazy!
For many years you’ve been known as the Loony Magnet and even gave the name to your first CD. Is this still the case? Are you still tickling cats and manning the Have-a-laugh Hotline on a regular basis? Have you calmed down at all with age, or got even crrrazierrr?
I’ve always been a bit daft, apparently. I’m serious about the music but don’t believe in taking life too seriously! The name Loony Magnet happened because crazy people always seemed to be inexplicably drawn towards me and because I like the idea of sending people a bit crazy with the music. When we had the launch party for the Loony Magnet CD at Pickle, my mate Andy (Sirman) made a giant horseshoe-shaped Loony Magnet and ran around the party attracting loonies! I love to tickle cats, the Have-A-Word Hotline is always available (and I even know how to say “have a word” in Japanese).
Your DJing has taken you as far afield as Australia, New Zealand, Goa and Singapore and you were back to India earlier this year. What’s been your favourite party in the world to play at so far? And if you could play at any event or festival in the world, where would it be?
Favourite parties: St Kilda Festival, Street Rave By The Sea, Melbourne, Australia 2000; 9 Bar, Vagator, Goa, 2010; and Offworld.
I’d LOVE to play at Ozora in Hungary, Rainbow Serpent in Australia, Japan and South Africa.
Your music is described on the Pickle website as: “covering a whole spectrum of music from deep earthy psychedelic trance to the most fierce & funky, hard & heavy, big & bouncy beats that’ll have you jumping up and down faster than a bride’s nightie!” Does this cover the Fordy sound of 2010? How had your music changed and evolved over the years?
I guess that’s still a fairly apt description actually. I guess it’s got more psychedelic? But psychedelic has changed too, it’s pretty much still the same thing, groovy, trippy music to jump around to.
As you mentioned earlier, you mainly seem to play at squat parties these days. Why do you reckon the scene has gone more underground: the smoking ban, the recession, the death of corporate clubbing… or something else?
I don’t know! As I said, things always mutate and change. The music style I play now is slightly different to what I used to play in clubs. Maybe it’s me! Or a bit of both… I’d rather go to a squat than a club after I discovered the freedom of the squat party. Back in the day we had Pickle and Escape from Samsara but that’s changed. It’s amazing to consider what Brixton used to be like — especially on Fridays. Now I hardly go to clubs or out on Fridays. At squats there’s much more freedom, you can stay as long as you like and there’s no smoking ban. I especially like outdoors parties — God’s got the best backdrops! Otherwise you can usually find me at a squat!
If you won a million quid in the lottery and could throw a party anywhere in the world with an unlimited budget, where would it be and who would you have to play?
It would have to be outdoors and probably with a beach involved, but I must admit the thought of dancing in the sand was a lot more fun than it actually was! Thailand would be very nice. I’d really like to have enough money to do a proper party with a proper line-up in Hawaii, as I've always liked those grass skirts, garlands and stuff. It would definitely have a large sound system, probably an Opus.
Who would play? To be honest, a lot of the people I like are also good friends of mine, which is lovely! I had a birthday party last year which was like a dream really. I’d book a new favourite of mine, Ianuaria, from Austria. I really like him, he’s got a very nice vibe going on. I’d love to get him over and see what he’s all about. I’m really excited that Stereographic is coming over [for Cosmo], it’s great to have him back. So he’d have to be on it.
Then lots of my friends… Fedro in his various guises with all his wonderful projects, Seeds of Play and Seti, which he just debuted, where he does a solo shift that’s really fucking good, then we’d play together as Los Custardos. I’d also have Dick Trevor and Rastaliens and I’d have to have most of Wildthings Records: EVP, Reality Grid and Neutral Motion. They can all come if I’ve got a million quid and that’s the most important thing — to have your mates there! There’s nothing like being with lots and lots of friends, like I was at Ozora last year.
Los Custardos
You’ve worked on a number of tracks over the years including ‘Mash up the Town’ with DJ Ricksta, ‘Cained’ and ‘Ruff as Fuck’ with Group 185 and ‘Gandhi’s Goat’ with Amethyst, as well as producing the Loony Magnet CD mentioned above. Are you still into music production and if so, what’s been happening lately on that front?
I’ve been making some really nice music with Fedro as Los Custardos. I’ve also been producing music with Noctem. Between us we have some great material and I usually play some of our music during my DJ sets. They are both very talented producers. Music production is a slow process, be patient and great things will emerge from us very soon!
‘Mash up the Town’, ‘Cained’, ‘Ruff as Fuck’… there seems to be a bit of a theme going there! Is it all about the party or do you have other interests these days when you’re not behind the decks or out on the dancefloor?
Always trying to mash up the dancefloor. I like travelling, camping and cycling.
As well as DJing and producing you’ve also made quite a name for yourself over the airwaves. No doubt your degree in Media Arts & Radio Broadcasting was a major contributing factor there… what’s the funniest radio show you’ve ever done? And do you have plans for any future shows coming up?
They’re all good fun! And for sure! I’ve done a bit on Optical Radio and Blast Radio — the one I usually do — is just for a month per year. I’d like to do more but there’s not a set date right now. Unfortunately I kind of fall between the gaps, even though I’ve got a degree in it. I listen to the radio a lot when I’m driving around, but it’s shit! It drives me crazy, it’s frustrating.
I’d love to have my own station but it’s virtually impossible. In the unlikely event that a licence comes up you need millions of pounds and they just don’t give licences away. It’s very strictly controlled in this country, there’s so many rules! You’re only allowed 28 days at a time, you can broadcast for 28 days in a row or every Saturday, for example. The transmitter can only be a certain height and you’re only allowed to broadcast for a certain number of miles. If you’re pirate you don’t care but you can get into a lot of trouble for that!
The internet thing makes sense, now people have started listening to music on computers and are getting used to it. It’s good because your mates can send you messages and you’ve got shout boxes. It’s starting to catch on but it’s got a long way to go!
One of my favourite Fordy sets was at Offworld 2008 where you DJed wearing a cat suit complete with a tail and I do recall there were some clown shoes involved somewhere. With the festival season kicking off later this week with the awesome Cosmo Festival, what are the Have-a-laugh Hotline top tips for a wicked festival?
Do NOT be afraid of making a tit of yourself!
Don’t wear flip flops!
Smile!
Enjoy yourself!
At Cosmo you’re playing on one of the most truly international line-ups the London psy trance and progressive scenes have seen for a long time. Who else on the line-up are you looking forward to checking out?
Seeds of Play and Stereographic — I’m very proud to have got him his very first UK gig at Offworld 2008!
Any clues for your fans as to what might be going in the Fordy CD wallet for next weekend’s madness? And perhaps more importantly, do you have your wardrobe organized?
A moustache. Oh my gosh! U should see all the funky clothes, silly hats, props etc. I have. Someone once called me a modern day Ken Dodd!
After Cosmo, what do you have on the horizon for the rest of 2010?
I’m going to Ozora and I’ve got a gig in Holland. I’ve never played in Holland before so that’s all good. I’m sure there’ll be plenty of fun to be had somewhere!
Many thanks Fordy! See you at Cosmo Festival!
For more information about Cosmo Festival, full line-ups, links to music and directions check out: www.cosmofestival.org
 Weekend tickets for Cosmo Festival have just been released at £50 for the weekend or £30 for Sunday only. Just pay at the gate.
For more info about Los Custardos check out www.myspace.com/LosCustardos
Photos courtesy of Fordy. Not to be reproduced without permission.
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COSMO FESTIVAL - 24-28 June
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On:
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Thursday 24th June 2010
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At:
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Woodmancott, Winchester, Hampshire [map]
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From:
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12:00 - 12:00
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Cost:
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£85 + BF
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Website:
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www.cosmofestival.org/
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Ticket Info:
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Available through ACCESS ALL AREAS: www.accessallareas.org
If you prefer to book your ticket over the phone please call
02072678320 or 02072676148, Monday to Wednesday 12pm – 7pm and
Thursday to Saturday 12pm – 8pm.
You can also buy tickets over the counter from the AAA office in
Camden, 2nd Floor, 30c Camden Lock Place, London, NW1 8AL, UK
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Buy Online:
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Click here to buy tickets
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More:
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TOGETHER WE MAKE A TRIBE
The gathering of the tribes has begun. A global awareness, in dance
and unity to celebrate the joy to be on this earth. This in itself is the
beginning of a world consciousness that is dawning, a new realization
of our cultural roots as human beings not as an individual country or
culture. Uniting people from different cultures and different
backgrounds and making a human alchemy through Cosmo Festival.
Psychedelic music has evolved beyond a few beach parties & mystical
horizons of Goa. The idea is to build a safe sanctuary for you to come
and express yourself around the forest of the English country side. We
create the stage and invite you to come, dance and create your own
stories. Come and realize your true expression through the presence
of the cosmically amplified Full Moon.
The journey progresses from Offworld to the fresh new horizons of
Cosmo Festival, bringing a much-awaited reunion of underground
music and tribes on the occasion of the Lunar Eclipse. We welcome
you all to grace us on our much belated 3rd anniversary. Expect the
best of buffoonery
*******
2 STAGES: 4 DAYS CAMPING
Decoration:
Something Groovy- UK
Elena (Arkona Creations) Lithuania
Sunflower (yegaveda) Lithuania
Nawarro Tribe
Planet Bob's Chai Emporium
Lighting & Visuals:
IainDub (Something Groovy)
Tropical Rich
Sound System:
Twisted Clarity
Flea Market:
Clothes shops, accessories + more
To apply for a stall contact info@cosmofestival.org
Restaurants, Chai-shops, Licensed Bar, Smoothie Bar
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Flyer:
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 - 
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Region:
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SE England
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Music:
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Trance. Psy Trance. Chillout / Leftfield.
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DJ's:
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COSMO STAGE: Psytrance / Suomi Trance
Live Acts:
Arjuna (Parvati Records) Italy
www.myspace.com/djarjuna
AnnoyingNinjas (Mighty Quinn Records) Denmark
www.myspace.com/annoyingninjas
Alrune (Gi'iwa Productions) Denmark
www.myspace.com/alrunetrance
Avalaugh (Operation Avalaugh) UK
Chameleon (Liquid Records) UK
Deviant Species (Ambivalent Records) Spain
www.myspace.com/deviantspecies
DeepBrianfromBosis (Peak Records) UK
www.myspace.com/wwwmyspacedeepbrianfrombosis
Dick Trevor (Nano Records) UK
www.myspace.com/dicktrevor
Encephalopaticys (Parvati Records) Macedonia
www.myspace.com/encephalopaticys
EvsY (Faerie Dragon Records) Finland
www.myspace.com/eraseryojalka
Fractal Fungi (Indian Connection) SA
www.myspace.com/fractalfungi
Gaiana (BlueHourSounds) Lithuania
www.myspace.com/gaiana_25
Makadam (Sanaton Records) Sweden
www.myspace.com/makadammusic
Mussy Moody (Parvati Records ) Denmark
www.myspace.com/mussymoodydk
Neutral Motion (Wildthings Records ) Japan
www.myspace.com/neutralmotion
Ocelot (Zaikadelic Records) Portugal
www.myspace.com/ocelotvectorselector
Puoskari (6 Dimension Soundz) Finland
www.myspace.com/puoskari
Seeds Of Play (Brainwaves) Cyprus/ Portugal
www.myspace.com/seedsofplay
Shiva Central (Audio Ashram) India
www.audioashram.com
Simiantics (Puzzled Monkey Records) UK
http://simiantics.org
Stereographic (Mind Funk Records/Bom Shanka Music) Brazil
www.myspace.com/stereographicmusic
Rev (Doof Records) Netherlands
www.myspace.com/revparticle
Tantrix (Freak Bazaar) UK
www.myspace.com/tantrix23
Triphonic (Arkona Creations) Lithuania
www.myspace.com/triphonics
+ a mystery surprise guest
DJs
Akom (Black Listet Freaks ) Denmark
Arjuna (Parvati Records) Italy
Baba Bhole (Indian Connection) India
Beardy (Wildthings Records) UK
Fordy (Brainwaves) UK
FrodOhm (Yggdrasil Records) Norway
www.myspace.com/alteregon
Hawaiik (Chillum Tribe) Estonia
Jibba (Psynon) UK
Nuky (Bom Shanka Music) Portugal
www.myspace.com/djnuky
Trevor Pixie (Planet Zoid) UK
Ken (Phreex Network/Parvati Records) Japan
www.myspace.com/phreexken
Liquid Elf (Little Green Planet) UK
www.myspace.com/liquidelf7777
Liquid Ross (liquid Records) UK
www.myspace.com/liquidross
Pinky Pony (Chai-Med-Dig) Denmark
Purple Wizard (Planet Zoid) UK
Shane Gobi (Alchemy Records) SA
Whichdoctor (Psynon) IND
www.myspace.com/djwhichdoctor
Zoolog (Parvati Records) Denmark
www.myspace.com/zoologsounds
*******
LUNAR STAGE - Progressive / Chillout / Live Acoustic Bands
Live Acts:
Cosmosophy (Elestial Records) UK/SA
www.myspace.com/cosmosophy
Cimi (Further Progressions) Italy
www.myspace.com/cimisounds
Dhuna (Higher Taste) Poland
www.myspace.com/dhuna
Dreadlock Tales (Exogenic Records) Finland
www.myspace.com/dreadlocktales
Dymons (Peak Records) UK
www.myspace.com/danielsymons
Flooting Grooves (Peak Records) SA
www.myspace.com/flootinggrooves
InYourPhaze (Panzar Produktionz) Sweden ** Uk debut **
www.myspace.com/inyourphaze
Kalyug (Audio Ashram) India
www.myspace.com/kalyug1
Lemon Tree (Organic Records/BlueHourSounds) UK
Mantra Flow (Panzar Produktionz) Denmark ** UK debut**
www.myspace.com/themantraflow
Project Sketch (Bom Shanka Music/Arkona Creations) UK
www.myspace.com/theprojectsketch
Pirate Vision (Brainwaves) Portugal
www.myspace.com/piratedvision
Perpetual loop (Organic Records/Digital Duvet) UK
www.myspace.com/perpetualloop
Radioactive Cake (Glitchy Tonic Records) Germany
www.myspace.com/radioactivecake
Sattyananda (Audio Ashram) India
www.myspace.com/kalyug1
Tantrix (Freak Bazaar) UK
www.myspace.com/tantrix23
Tripswitch (Interchill Records) UK
www.myspace.com/nicktripswitch
Zeitgeist (Glitchy Tonic Records) Germany
www.myspace.com/zeitgeistrobert
Zolarium (Iono Music/Uxmal Records) Mexico ** UK debut**
www.myspace.com/zolariumspace
Zonka (Uxmal Records ) Mexico ** UK debut **
www.myspace.com/zonkaspace
+ lunar mystery surprise
DJs:
Addsimeon (Something Groovy) UK
AvalaughBen (Operation Avalaugh) UK
Attrian (Planet Bob’s Chai Emporium) UK
Argonaut (Planet Bob) Greece
BEDOUIN (Domo Records) UK
Bluestorm (BlueHourSounds) Holland
Chandrananda (Arkona Creations) IT
Flooting Grooves(Peak Records) South Africa
Gido (BlueHourSounds) Lithuania
Genetic (Freak Bazaar) Italy
IanDub (Something Groovy) UK
Nahoj(Nawarro tribe) SA
Purple Wizard (Indian Connection) UK
Paul Feather (Acid Monkey) USA
Rodrigo (PsyDMT) Portugal
Seaone (The Globe) Lithuania
Spindrift (Planet Bob's Chai Emporium) UK
Spoona (Planet Bob's Chai Emporium) UK
Trumpet Newton (Planet Bob's Chai Emporium) UK
*******
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Other Features By Tara:
Blasting towards summer festivals with Bahar Canca ahead of Psy-Sisters Spring Blast!
Turning the world into a fairy tale with Ivy Orth ahead of Tribal Village’s 10th Birthday Anniversary Presents: The World Lounge Project
A decade of dance music with Daniel Lesden
Telling Cosmic Tales with DJ Strophoria
Tom Psylicious aka EarthAlien takes 50 Spins Around the Sun: Raising Awareness Through the Power of Music
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: Slink. on 23rd Jun 2010 21:21.09
Great interview, excellent dj and nice guy. 
Surprised you didn't cite the Bang Bar, Basingstoke in your top places to play 
From: Hitch the Knife on 24th Jun 2010 15:22.28
Fordy is a great bloke indeed! And a fellow Dibnah fan to boot!
From: Vivacious on 29th Jun 2010 21:17.00
Fordy you're a legend fella! Hope to see you soon xx
From: Fordy on 30th Jun 2010 13:41.23
I would also invite my great mate DJ Amethyst to my imaginary party, but he'd probably rather stay at home & wash his vest.
Slink, I didn't mention the Bang Bar because I didn't think anyone would believe how much fun u could have in Basingstoke & didn't want to be rssponsible for it becoming the new Ibiza for those in the know
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