A short report from the musical front-line from Alan Dearling
This was not my normal ‘sort of gig’, But hey, we need diversity. And this was something very different for me. WORKINONIT had arrived in Todmorden at the Golden Lion for the Community Skratch Jam North. Their musical team were providing beats for some of the UK’s (and apparently some the world’s) best scratch Dj’s to cut over.
WORKINONIT have been going nearly two years. And they say: “…it’s been crazy how big the event has grown in such a short space of time. From opening up for Large Professor back in Feb to the incredible turn out for their MF DOOM special back in October where OMA played full live band versions of MF DOOM instrumentals. This producer meet-up is growing from strength to strength and always bringing in the crowds.”
That was certainly the case at this event. Indeed, a veritable frenzy of scratching…
I took a few pics at this fair-sized Dj event yesterday. Friend, John Armstrong was in attendance with his Moog synth. I gather it grew throughout the day having started at 2pm. Definitely not really my thing, but these guys are mega-skillful on the turntables doing their ‘skratching’ as they call it. It was billed to finish at about 6pm, but I heard that it was still going strong after 10pm.
Video on YouTube: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=5KMidf3pV58
And: https://vimeo.com/841799108
A short vid clip of the Community Skratch North jam…
You can find them @workinonit.mcr on Instagram.
My friend, photographer, Scott Gouldsbrough said: “Only in the legendary Golden Lion, Todmorden, can you go from cheese club to a world class community scratch jam in less than 30 seconds. I am very grateful to have this place as my local community hub.”
The Lounge Society stretch their still youthful wings!
In the aftermath of what was billed on the monthly poster for July, as the “…potential Secret gig!” My ears are still ringing almost 24 hours later!
NME has described them as developing their brand of: “…snarling social and political (takes)”…created by “Yorkshire teens making political punk for the dancefloor.”
The Lounge Society have moved up the musical ranks fast indeed, and they started out ‘young but confident’ having met at secondary school. They’ve already supported Interpol, Wet Leg, the Strokes and their ‘Tired of liberty’ album was in Rough Trades’ Top Ten Albums 2022.
Richard Walker (Waka), co-owner of the Golden Lion venue said in advance of The Lounge Society gig: “New songs – I’ve heard them – they are sounding amazing.”
Soon The Lounge Society are off to Tokyo to support Blur in August. But, their regular returns to the Golden Lion in Todmorden and Trades Club in Hebden Bridge are absolutely great for their local mates, fans and interested ‘others’. This gig was loud, majestic, and rammed to the gunwales. Sweaty, noisome and mega-wedged…they are indeed local musical royalty…
Here’s an interview video with the band: http://www.itb.co.uk/artist/theloungesociety
‘Blood Money’ from their first album: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1mV2Zfi6sW4
