Mark, Rob, Dave, Tom, Rich, Rhona, Ben, Anne Marie, Robstellung.
Influences
Alabama 3, Antony and the Johnsons, Arcade Fire, Barry Adamson, Beck (Sad stuff), Beta Band, Billy Bragg, Bob Dylan, Bonnie Prince Billy, Cat Power, Clash, Cure, Cocteau Twins, The Dears, Devendra Bernhardt, Eels, Elliot Smith, Flaming Lips, Grandaddy, Grizzly Bear, Janis Joplin, Isaac Hayes, Jeff Buckley, Johnny Cash, Joy Division, Leonard cohen, Massive Attack, Mogwai, Moldy Peaches, Neil Diamond, Nick Cav, Nina Simone, Nilsson, Patti Smith, Pj Harvey, Portishead, Radiohead, Richard Hawley, Sigur Ros, Silver mt Zion, Soggy Bottom Boys, Sufjan Stevens, Talking heads, Tom Waits, White Stripes, Willy Mason, Yo la Tengo plus anyone who ever played a sad song.
What was the inspiration for the Grumpy Man club night?
We wanted to go out, but there was nowhere to go. We didnt want to listen to music in the way it was being fed to us, we wanted to listen to it in the way we would at home Pixies followed by Neil Diamond followed by Leonard Cohen, music not related by some arbitrary classification but by mood. A bad mood. So in one way Grumpy Man is about breaking out of the genre-ghetto, and in another it is something for people that enjoy sad and miserable music. If you have ever smiled at a really depressing lyric, Grumpy Man is for you.
How long has it been going and who are the main people involved?
We have been going for 5 years now. Apart from myself there is Rhona, Tom, Dave, Ben, Rich and Rob. We are slowly spreading out across the country; we have regular nights in Bristol and Birmingham, and hope to have a presence in Edinburgh soon. London? Yeah, if the money is right.
What kind of audiences did it initially attract? Has that changed?
To start with it was just our friends. We had no idea about promotion, so we would hire out a venue and just pile in. We had a few loyal fans, but Bristol is pretty bad for a regular venue. These days in Bris, there are a few strange regulars who turn up in black T-shirts and sit in the corner staring at us, waiting for the latest in miserablism. Those are the hardcore, mingling with the thirtysomething alcos who can only realise salvation through booze and grumpy tunes. And more and more students seem to be turning up in Bris, must be the top up fees getting them down. The next grumpy generation. Yet it is definitely not your average student night. It's a gonzo approach to the art of music dissemination, with requests, drunkenness and glumness all combining to create an atmosphere of love and despair, washed down with copious amounts of alcohol and onion rings. Maybe we are a freak show, I dont know. Birmingham awaits this rabble; pity the baggies, blues, yam yams, and anyone with any self control.
What kind of feedback have you got from people?
The people who come and speak to us fall into two camps. One is the Oh my God I cant believe someone wise owns this record I thought I was the only one! group and other is the If you dont play some Madonna my boyfriend in gonna f**k you up group.
Is there a particularly memorable night that stands out?
We played at the Royal College of Art and nearly got beaten up. That was fun. And playing at the usual-rave mecca Biristol club Lakota, and that was a great night, if only for our misbehaviour; we finally felt like proper DJs. Actually the last gig was one of the weirdest of all. Some girls 21st birthday party came in by mistake and just couldnt understand what was going on. They were all dressed as showgirls and clowns, trying to dance to Johnny Cash - it was beautiful. We were going to play its My Party and Ill Cry if I Want to but we couldnt find it before she stormed out in tears. And then some Canadian ROCK band who were playing nearby came in after their gig and their groupies were stripping and demanding we play Guns n Roses.
Is the music policy just a reflection of the DJs personal tastes or is there a particular kind of ethos/mood your trying to create?
We definitely stick to the theme of negative emotion. The rule is you can play anything at all as long as either the lyrics or the music is miserable or angry. I have been known to play happy music at home (ok, not often) but I would never play that at Grumpy Man.
hey there we're busy again this friday down at the Ruin. would be cool if you can make it.
Friday 4th July from 9pm - late
Celebrating the unsigned artists! From local heroes to worldwide wonders. One of the most interesting and craziest nights RNDM will have the pleasure to host. Get Excited!!!
Address: Mother's Ruin - 7-9 St Nicholas Market, Bristol, BS1 1UE / (0117) 925 6969
Music genres covered in one night are from Tropicalia, Indie, Avant Garde to French Pop and more. From the Fifties to the Noughties. From the painfully new to the reassuringly classic. THE most eclectic night in town.
£2 after 11
Thursday 10th July around 8 we're playing live at Mother's Ruin with Brighton band Hot Damn and Black Chalk
(can't get enough of the place!!) if yr free come on over. x a
FRIDAY THE 20TH OF JUNE THE COLOR OF THE SUN DJ SET The Southbank Club Dean Lane
phil and i had such a rad time doing an OLO CAST a couple of weeks ago we've decided to take it to the streets (lane in this case). we're gonna be playing from 9 til 12. everyting under the sun that we can squeeze into 3 hours. come by on yr way out and say "hey!" x a
FRIDAY THE 27TH OF JUNE RNDM SLKTR >> ANYONE FOR TENNIS Mother's Ruin St Nicholas Street
Fancy Dress with guests Phantom Paradise (Start the Bus Residents) delivering anything from krautrock, French orch-pop, softcore soundtracks and synthed drone while i bookend the night with the guilty, obscure and irresistible.
