Weekend Weapons…Andrew Weatherall

Weekend Weapons…Andrew Weatherall

2 February, 2009 | 1.26PM

• Written by: Ryan Keeling
• Filed under: Music News: andrew weatherall, rotters golf club

Far be it from us to play favourites, but it is with particular excitement that we bring you this week’s Weekend Weapons feature from the mighty Andrew Weatherall.

We’ll try not to get carried away with the usual “he’s a legend” gush (you should know this anyway) and instead tell you a few reasons why we’re happy to have him. It would make sense to start at the beginning, but we won’t.

Instead we’ll tell you briefly about his appearance at Beatport’s 5th anniversary party this past Wednesday. 

Stepping up in his distinctive manner, Weatherall tore the place to bits, tossing out everything from disco and electro right through to techno and beyond. Despite our obvious bias, it was refreshing to hear someone whose primary concern was placed upon spinning amazing music, and not what they thought they ‘should’ be playing.

Along with Aphex Twin, Nightmares On Wax and Autechre, Weatherall was one of those Warp Records institutions during almost all of the 1990s. His work as part of The Sabres of Paradise and later Two Lone Swordsman, danced between the twin camps of electronic and rock ‘n roll and perfectly encapsulated the free spirited nature of probably the UK’s finest ever electronic label. The decade was also peppered with Weatherall’s exceptional remix work for the day’s biggest acts: Primal Scream, Happy Mondays, New Order and Björk all called upon his considerable talents at some point or another.

In 2001 Weatherall set up his Rotters Golf Club label; a releasing arm for the dancefloor orientated half of his brain. The imprint has since seen a steady stream of high grade, indie-infused electronica that runs right up to its most recent offering, ‘Andrew Weatherall vs The Boardroom’.

After his midweek shenanigans in Berlin, Weatherall was back in the UK this weekend, playing at Mason’s in Derby on Saturday.

Here are his deadly trio:

1. Joolzski ‘It’s My World’ [white label]

An example of the sometimes exceptional work that’s thrust into my hands at gigs, ‘It’s My World’ is a Latin infused disco-tech number that’s tough enough for the gentlemen but sexy enough for the ladies; it’s also the sound of a talented new producer who’s been patient and taken time learning his trade.

Although not particularly groundbreaking or wildly experimental, I tend to agree with Mr Hamper of the Band Of Historical Hillwalkers who’s maxim is “authenticity before originality”.

For a listen go to www.myspace.com/djjoolzski

2. Lil’ Tony ‘Voyage’ [Raw Fusion]

Whenever confronted with a three track EP labelled with a designated ‘A’ side I will always go straight to the tracks on the flip. (For the confused amongst you vinyl is the format you can hold in your hands and turn over that sounds infinitely better than any mp3.)

Nine times out of ten these ‘B’ sides turn out to be a lot more interesting than the main cut.

Granted the ‘A’ side in this case [’Redrum’] is quite a belter, it’s ‘Voyage’, a deep and mysterious sine wave driven groover, that does it for me.

3. Chateau Flight ‘La Roquette’ [Versatile]

When I played this track at home the whole house stunk of acid house for a fortnight.

The reason for this is simple; sweat, sleaze, funk and filth ooze from every acid pumping pore.

Throw in a ring modulated mono-tone bass and it’s all over. If that’s not enough for you ingrates this EP also features a righteous piece of Moroder-esque disco from I:Cube called ‘Supernovac’.

Photo credit: Rebecca Thomas

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