There are three reasons why tonight is a bit special for the organisers and revellers of Rebel Rebel. Firstly, it’s one year since this club night was born out of the frustration felt by Tony Fletcher, Anthony Crank (from T4) and a few of their mates at not having anywhere decent to go in town on a Saturday night. This neatly coincides with Europride day and its ensuing festivities. Always worth joining in of course, if only to witness the look of horror and bemusement on the face of your weekend shopper as the area becomes engulfed by a heaving whistle-blowing mass of flamboyant costumes, glitter, gimp masks and well-oiled pecs (and that’s just Big Gay Alf kicking and punching his way to a weekly shoplifting spree round Selfridges). Thirdly, and most significantly, they’re getting that much sought-after Disorder club review. We’re guessing they’re fucking chuffed.
“When we first opened the doors a year back, the last thing on our mind was our first birthday,” promoter Fletch told us. However, darting round the back of John Lewis on this uncomfortably sticky summer evening, we’re confronted with an already substantial queue of immaculately queer misfits; all floppy fringes and best party frocks, and all eager to ensure entry. What’s immediately apparent though, is how refreshingly unpretentious and friendly this gaff is for a night on the tiles in the capital. Wanna blast your brains with amyl and then skulk around to that unreleased Morgan Geist mix? Then be off with you to Shoreditch, m’boy. Nope, tonight has more of a student union vibe with the emphasis placed firmly on drinking, dancing and good-time rock ‘n’ roll. And yeah, while most people make an effort and dress up so that they don’t look like they’ve just been hurled arse-first into the 3 quid racks at Peacocks, they never leave their dancing shoes at home.
“With Rebel, we’ve been clear in our own minds from Day One that it shouldn’t be constantly changing to suit this week’s new fad,” Fletch continues. “We’re a gay indie disco and it’s as simple as that.” Calling all Nancy Boys and Queen Bitches, Wild Ones and Teenage Whores… Tonight is yours.
Being in the basement room of a pub, the venue’s not exactly geared up to meet the demands of a club night (lengthy waits to re-fuel at the bar can be somewhat laborious), suggesting that Rebel Rebel may have already outgrown its existing home. Fletch admits that they’d “love to tunnel under Oxford Street and increase its size ‘cos we love the venue”. Nevertheless, a large space is cleared for the dancefloor, with some less-populated hideaways at the rear. The DJ’s drop the indie, Britpop, Baggy and a generous helping of cool party-igniters meaning that the Long Blondes, Elastica and Althea & Donna all get a spin. Mark Morris of The Bluetones, Kele Okereke and Hedi Slimane have all graced the decks at some point, while the Pet Shop Boys, Simon Amstell and even Will Young have been known to stop by for a boozy cruise and to hear Tony drop his secret DJ battleweapon; a blast of Cher’s ‘Gypsies, Tramps And Thieves’. And Fletch’s ‘dream’ guest DJ?
“David Bowie, of course.”
Hot tramps! We love you so…
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