hip hop, funk, nu jazz, house, broken beat, afrobeat, latin, salsa, brazilian, disco, techno, jazz, soul, dub, reggae.
Movies
George Lucas, Kevin Smith, Tarrantino, Ridley Scott...
Television
My Name is Earl and Scrubs are great.
Books
Dan Brown is probably my favourite author. Karen Travis is very good and Timothy Zahn is also the man.
Heroes
Gilles Peterson, Domu, Quantic, Jay Dee, Flying Lotus, Theo Parrish, Moodymann, Carl Craig, Fela Kuti, Marc Mac, Orin 'Afronaught' Walters, Seji, Bugz in the attic, Daz-I-Kue, Soil and Pimp Sessions, Kenny Larkin, Kevin Saunderson, George Lucas, Eyes Down, Electric Chair, J-Live, Q-Tip, A Tribe Called Quest, Jose James, DJ Muro, Trailer Trash crew, Beat-Herder Festival, Mr Scruff and so many more...
My intro to proper
music
I fell in love with acid house and hip hop at the young age of 13, when a girl in the seniors at high school gave me a mixtape from a Blackburn Warehouse party. I have been collecting records since 1987 and have been playing them to people for fun since 1992. I went through countless genres before finding my own true style (which still has a little wobble from time to time, as I frequently get bored and want to hear something new).
I've been around...
I've DJ'd in every decent venue in Preston, and a few of the dodgy ones too! Resident DJ at The Departure Lounge since it started in 2000, one of the itch ring leaders since 2003, and a key player in the Slam The Breaks On parties in Lancaster. I have also played gigs in Manchester, Birmingham, London, Blackburn and Bradford over the last 11 years...
Radio - dig deep!
I presented shows on Preston's first community radio station (Unity FM - RIP) and I now present the Dig Deep Radio Show on Preston FM – Now Thursday’s 8-10pm. Going alternate weeks with Chris Holt's (Two Mellow) 'Four Corners' show. The shoes get repeated at the same time on Sunday night.
itch club
Since it's launch in March 2003, itch (Preston's sporadic and nomadic hip hop funk soul jazz house and broken beat
flavoured club night) has gone from strength to strength.
Over the last few years, the always up for it crowd, has seen sets from guest dj's and bands such as Domu (Co-Op), Diesler (Tru Thoughts), RSL (Players), Jon K (Eyes Down), Treva Whateva (Ninja Tune), Chris Holt / Two Mellow (Curli-que Records), Gordon & Boney (Twisted Nerve), Posh & Billy (Jazzin the park), Stan Lee (C'Mon Feet/Ginglik), COTTAM (Ruff Draft) and Beatphreak (Fat City / Jack to phono).
After doing events at The Student Union's 53 Degrees, Hush, Adelphi, Blowing Wild, Caribbean Club we've finally found a venue to call home...
itch Saturday 24th October 2009
DJ's:
COTTAM - live laptop & DJ set (Ruff Draft)
Brown Stain (Herbal Sessions)
Jude & Mr Breen (Herbal Sessions)
Paul Watson (Fat City)
Chris Holt (4 Corners - Preston FM)
Paul Thornton (Phreak / Dig Deep - Preston FM)
Method
Corporation Street
Preston
10pm till 4am
£4 NUS/members / £5 all others
[funk soul jazz hip hop disco afro latin techno house]
the itchy bugle
The bugle started off as a webpage to put itch flyers on, but over the years it has grown into an online music magazine that covers Reviews, Event Listings, Charts and DJ mixes.
Stop by and post a comment or plug your event or new release on our Guestbook.
Phreak 003 Massive thanks to everyone that came down to party with us and let in 2009. Keep an eye on the Phreak Facebook Group for news of when Phreak 004 is going to drop.
Phreak 002 was another special night for Preston, taking over the intimate Forum bar for a Halloween mash up with selectors Darren Laws (Fat City), Beatphreak (Jack to Phono), Paul Watson (Fatcity) and myself taking to the decks...
The first Phreak private party made Bank Holiday Sunday 08 a very special one in Preston. A great night was had by all as DJ's Darren Laws (Fat City), Beatphreak (Jack to Phono), Martin Brew (J-Walk / Fat City), Craig Harrop (Yomofo) and myself being given the mandate to 'pull out the tunes that will move you and real music heads'... ace!
2008 was a fine year - it saw the return of itch to Preston in Sept 08 and the launch of the Phreak private parties (more on itch/Phreak below). The first Trailer Trash got us into full flow in February 08 at The Mill, Bradford. Occasional lends of the Blackhorse's right deck from fortnightly resident Chris Holt (Two Mellow) gave both us, and the Horse's faithfuls, some fun Friday nights out.
Glaston-Ferret 08 was great - bands in the pub whilst Paul Adams, James Deane and myself played everything from funk, soul and jazz, to disco, post-punk and house on the Mad Ferret's terrace (and it didn't rain). Check mypics for photo's from the event.
4th July - 6th July 08 saw the return of the mighty Beat-Herder festival and it was another superb weekend! I spent my time djing and generally hanging about in the Trailer Trash Country Club checking out the other DJ's. The music was great, the crowd was excellent and it was good to see plenty of friendly faces had turned out to have some fun on the dance floor. Pictures coming soon. Check www.beatherder.co.uk for the 2009 line up...
Trailer Trash's 5th birthday in October 08 was a top night, with Sean P (Disco Not Disco / BBE), Fraser & Peaches (TT residents) and myself unearthing the gems in the loft. Annie, Kim, Sean, Lindsey & co rocked the Lounge leftfield / nu disco style, whilst James & Martin Deane and their guests treated the basement crew to some proper house and breaks.
2007 was the year of the guesty - love to Circus Circus, Trauma, Plug, For No Reason, The Blackhorse and Trailer Trash.
The highlight of 07 had to be spending the weekend with the Trailer Trash crew and DJing for them at the Beat-herder Festival - lovely people, a great vibe and a top crowd!
My favourite gig of 2002 was playing a 6 hour set at London's Off-Centre, going head to head with Fatcity's Beatphreak Jason Holmes, using 4 decks, 2 mixers and a laptop. We ripped it up, throwing all sorts of styles at the crowd and they kept coming back for more!
Who I'd like to meet: Open minded people that like to keep their minds open.
Check mypics and the video below for a burning cover version of Marvin Gaye's What's going on by Azymuth!
I've just been going through my comments and remembering all the wonderful things people have said about my music. It has really inspired and motivated me. So thank you for being a part of it!
My official website went down a while ago and I've had to rebuild it. Soon I will be adding the beautiful features that I used to have like the vinyl deck player and the book of travel stories.
Hi Paul Thornton, Thanx 4 being friends !!! Have a nice day and enjoy the life!!! Greetinx ø Tim
P.S. Soularia performed their unreleased Track "Life Is Unbelievable" on a 2 square meter balcony on the Reeperbahn in Hamburg. Click here for the video
PRESTON MADHATTERS HALLOWEEN PARTY 31ST OCTOBER 2009 Indoors and Insane with lots of hidden horrors hiding in the vault. It's going to be scary in Preston that night. Tell your mates and their mates and you can dress to scare if you dare!!!!!!!!!!
Don't forget about New Years Eve too,the Hatters are ready to bring the new year in with a bang, oh it's going to rock! Also check out the Madhatters residents every Saturday night on Chorley FM at 10pm The Blatent Beats show....
The Kitchen Sessions E.P. is available across the northwest form all Dr Hermans Stores (Salsa Warrington)
Furious Five & Kurtis Blow LEGEND 2 LEGEND TOUR 09 Support CHINA WHITE
Fri 18.9.09 Jazz Cafe, London
Sat 19.9.09 Junction, Cambridge
Sun 20.09.09 The Circle, Manchester (private members)
Mon 21.9.09 The Assembly, Leamington Spa Support CHINA WHITE
Weds 23.09.09 Mint Lounge, Manchester Support CHINA WHITE
Thu 24.9.09 Metropolis (formerly Jesters), Bristol
Fri 25.9.09 Concorde2, Brighton
Sat.26.9.09 The Wardrobe, Leeds
Sun 27.09.09 The Arches, Glasgow Support CHINA WHITE
just checkin' in, remindin' ya we're still friends! i've been working on some interesting stuff, all for your viewing and listening pleasure:) hope you enjoy!
Video:
Music:
Eej Paul, Thanks!! I..ll put half an hour together for your show, no problem1! When do you need it, what format and where to send? Happy to hear, Cheers Solo
