You're name's not down, you're not coming in
Reported by Ben Gomori
/
Submitted 02-07-07 13:57
So you’re outside, in the cold and the queue is round the block. Up ahead you see row upon row of hard house lover chatting, laughing, smoking but most of all jostling for position, each trying to make their way closer and closer and into the club as quick as possible and of course they’re a rowdy lot! But when the scene’s top promoter puts on an event and people come out of the woodwork to party, without a doubt he needs the best security he can get to make sure there's no trouble on the night. Who’s he gonna call? No not Ghostbusters, but a certain Ray Jezard - one of London's most experienced and respected doormen.
When almost anything could happen, you’re going to need someone who’s got their head screwed on right, firm but fair as they say. The job of a doorman is a tough one, weeding out the trouble makers, while keeping a watchful and helpful eye on the fun makers but after helping to run security at some of the country's biggest and best-loved venues like Brixton Academy and Camden Palace for almost 30 years, he’s sorted out more "heated discussions" than he would care to mention and his experience is second to none. Just the right person then? You certainly want to be sure, but these days doormen are professionals, the days when just anyone could be “keeping you safe” are over and it’s good to know Ray has come through the step change in the industry with ease.
It goes without saying then that for Frantic’s return to KOKO for their 10th birthday on August 11th, things just wouldn’t be complete without Ray’s firm but fair attitude (see told you!). So seeing as the job of a door man is an unsung one we thought we’d take the opportunity to give HarderFaster readers someone a bit different to read about and got Ben Gomori to interview Ray in the run up to 10:15. You want some then, do ya? - HF Ed.
How did you first get into clubbing and dance music?
I’ve liked dance music for years. I started clubbing in 1975 at places like the Global Village (it’s Heaven now), Crackers, The Gold Mine and Bali Hi. We would travel to clubs just like the clubbers now. We had nick names then like Sidcup Soul Patrol, The Funk Soul Posse and so on and we listened to DJs like Robbie Vincent, (Radio London), Gregg Edwards (Capital) and Sean French. There is nothing like some good old ‘70s Funk, a bit like underground garage but with real musicians.
So when and why did you first make the decision to become a club bouncer?
I didn’t - it was made for me by a guy called John Madden. I was asked (told) to do a cover shift for a guy at the Music Machine (Camden Palace) in 1978 when they made that silly English dance movie called Music Machine with Johnny Sanquist and Patti someone or other.
What sort of training do bouncers have to go through these days?
A 5 day course that includes anger management. Anyone can pass as long as they can breathe and you pay the £190.
What about when you started work as a bouncer? What instructions or training were you given?
Where to hit them and how hard really, when I started there were no happy people, they were mostly piss heads. We at The Palace in the early Eighties had a bit of a bad reputation to say the least.
How do you think KOKO has changed since its Camden Palace days? Are the crowd better behaved these days do you think?
Well I haven’t been back there unless with Will for a Frantic event and the crowd all behave. I can’t really comment on the other crowds, but I’m told the boys do OK there.
How does “policing” a Frantic event compare to say, a drum ‘n’ bass one?
Frantic I can do on my own, DnB, depending on the promotion, needs a lot more guys.
What do you make of the hard house sound that Frantic champions?
I tap my toes to some of it, plug my ears to most of it and let the rest of it go over my head, but I’m glad the punters like it otherwise we would all be out of a job!
What’s the most ridiculous blag a punter has ever tried to use when getting chucked out / being busted etc?
“It wasn’t me mate”
What’s the most common misconception people make about a bouncer’s job?
They think we are stupid.
What’s the most common mistake bouncers make while working?
Thinking the customers are stupid.
How has club security changed since the SIA Scheme (Security Industry Authority) became compulsory for bouncers?
Yes, on the bad side a lot of good men are out of work because they can’t get a brief.
But on the up side a lot of shitpots have gone too. It all levels itself out I suppose.
You’ve been known to play the occasional set of funk. Did the whole DJing lifestyle ever appeal to you?
I’ve been an avid collector of vinyl for years now and I still buy rare records to this day. The Summit boys thought it might be a good idea to get me to do a set at one of their parties at the Soundshaft and it sort of grew from there. I like to play, it allows me to turn up the volume a bit on some of the greatest tunes ever made to dance to. If it wasn’t for those tunes there wouldn’t be anything to sample. I can recognise a sampled tune straight away.
As for being a DJ, well if they want me to play I’m all theirs whoever they are. My ambition is to play the last funk set in the funky house room at a Frantic, but Will won’t book me.
Complete the sentence: If I wasn’t a bouncer...
I’d try to be a better bouncer and be more approachable like now.
Photos courtesy of Ray Jezard & Frantic. Not to be reproduced without permission.
Frantic & Nukleuz Records present 10:15
|
|
On:
|
Saturday 11th August 2007
|
|
At:
|
KOKO [map]
|
|
From:
|
10PM-6AM
|
|
Cost:
|
£10 Early Bird, £15 advance, more on the door
|
|
Website:
|
www.franticuk.net
|
|
Ticket Info:
|
Ring Ticketweb on 08700 600 100 or click the ticket link....
|
|
Buy Online:
|
Click here to buy tickets
|
|
More:
|
Good things come to those who wait...
The mighty Frantic finally return to their spiritual home, Camden Palace....oops, KOKO, for the first time in 2 years to celebrate their landmark 10th Birthday! This monumental party will see Frantic team up with the legendary Nukleuz Records to help them celebrate their 15th Anniversary, continuing this beautiful friendship that has spanned most of the last decade!
Frantic have staged over 700 events across the world over the last decade, entertaining over 650,000 Hard House addicts in 10 different countries, while Nukleuz have been the UK’s number 1 selling vinyl label for 3 out of the past 7 years. Together they have sold over 900,000 Hard Dance compilations – with seminal compilations like the classic Frantic Euphoria and Frantic Residents series, the Hard House Anthems series and the Hard House Nation series documenting the last decade of hard music and spreading the gospel of Hard Dance far and wide!
At 10:15 you will hear all the biggest Nukleuz releases and Frantic anthems from the last 10 years! These two mega-brands have always been at the forefront of hard music, working together to keep the scene strong. Expect the biggest, hardest, toughest line-up you’ve seen in London all year, at the country’s most breathtaking venue!
|
|
Flyer:
|
|
|
|
Share this ::  :  :  : 
Follow HarderFaster :: 
Other Features By Ben Gomori:
HF exclusive SouthWestFour preview: Sasha vs Digweed
Scott Attrill aka Vinylgroover: The Bass Junkie
The Bluffer's Guide to Detroit Techno
Riot! memories as hard dance returns to The End
The King is back! Andy Farley finally returns
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.
|
|
![[HarderFaster] - Work Hard, Play Harder!](/images/mainbanner_top1.gif)
top man 
. 
