edited by Paul Kay Nightlife [email protected] Take it to the Mani From The Stone Roses to Rock’n’roll generally doesn’t tend to At the moment it has gotten a bit stale. last that long but I’ve been lucky. I’m But over in Manchester we have a Primal Scream, bassist looking forward to the next 20 years knack for producing great new bands Gary Mounfield has rocked hopefully. every generation and there’s a new the British indie zeitgeist band called Bell Fake and they’re very Looking back at the Roses days, good. They’ve kind of moved into the for over 20 years. Ahead of what would you change? spot that New Order has left wide open. his DJ set at Supersonic, I would have had a different manager he tells Ben Sin why he’s for The Stone Roses and I would have What about your side project, Our resident DJ discovers done more work. I think we were more Freebass? it’s fun to mess with not done yet known for turning things down then The Freebass record is almost finished. doing things. It’s a shame; I wish we It’s a bit slow because, obviously, it’s Designer Drugs Many know Mani (aka Gary had a better work rate. called a side project for a reason. Andy Mounfield) as the former bassist of [Rourke, former The Smiths bassist] The 1980s had grunge kids, the legendary British indie rockers The What was wrong with [Stone and I both got bands to work for. But 90s had ravers, the noughties Stone Roses. Others know him as the Roses manager] Gareth Evans? it’s coming along, and I can’t wait for had indie hipsters. These days it man who saved Primal Scream. But on Ha, let’s just say maybe we would have the gig. seems the ultimate in cool are Saturday 6, some in Hong Kong might done more work had we had a different skinny electro kids from New York come to know him as “that canny manager. Freebass is three bassists wielding synthesisers. Kids such DJ” as he performs an eclectic set at together. How does that work? as Designer Drugs, aka Michael Rockschool as part of burgeoning It was just meant to be a laugh. We Patrick and Theodore Nelson, British indie night Supersonic. We “The first time were joking about it over a drunken who appear regularly at Ruff Club, caught up with him over the phone night, but then the talks got more and New York City’s sleaziest electro from his native Manchester ahead of I played Hong Kong more serious each time we met. Of party. They offer huge, synth-driven the show. course we were drunk each time. electro in the vein of the Bloody it felt like this Beetroots, with a dose of dirtied-up You’ve performed here twice with expat graveyard” You stayed clean of alcohol and Giorgio Morodor 70s disco. Primal Scream. What were your drugs for the recording process of Designer Drugs had a busy impressions of Hong Kong? Primal Scream’s last album. What 2009, producing 23 remixes for Well, the first time I played, the city How does DJing compare to about now? cool labels including Kitsune and just felt like this expat graveyard – performing in a band? Well I drink, but the others not Dim Mak, plus more commercial everyone at the show was white. Then I guess as a DJ you’re more interactive anymore. We’re getting a bit old for artists such as Mariah Carey. the second time I actually saw some with the fans; it’s easier for people to all this partying and drugs, it gets Some might see a contradiction Chinese people here. Probably had to come and talk to you. It’s like a meet tiring. And to tell you the truth the here, but not Designer Drugs, who do with the first gig taking place pre- and greet. But as far as preparing last record we made was the most say it’s all about the Benjamins. Handover in 1996 and the second show it’s the same to me. I have the same enjoyable experience ever because “My philosophy has always been being in 2001. approach to both because I love music. we stayed clean. based on dynamics,” says Patrick ahead of his solo Hong Kong show. You were a major part of the What will you be spinning for us? When can we expect a new Primal “Some people think business and Madchester movement. Did you I usually play the best of alternative Scream album? art have nothing in common, but think at the time you’d be part of and indie, but I plan on busting a bit of We’re writing songs all the time and we understanding both is key.” such an influential scene? reggae and hip hop too. will spend the rest of the year to get Designer Drugs are preparing Nightlife You know the saying everyone will get our songs together. So you can expect to release their first album on their 15 minutes of fame? I think I’ve What do you think of the current the next Primal album in 2011. IHeartComix, the hip music/comic had about 25 minutes. To still be doing British music scene? blog and record label. “It hopefully what I’m doing 20 years later is just a Ok, you’ve famously said that will encompass banging electro dream come true. The Stone Roses would reform with something for everyone. “the day Manchester City win We have some punk rock songs, the European Cup”. Do you think love songs, pop songs, rap songs, you’re in danger of having to fulfil piano interludes and other various that promise? assorted weird shit,” says Patrick. Ha! That was just a joke. Besides you’ll As their name suggests, the have a better chance of seeing Elvis or boys are notorious for their love of an UFO than seeing the City win, mate. a good time and their press release exclaims “you haven’t partied If you could go back in time to until you’ve partied with Designer 1987 when you first started Drugs”. So exactly what can we your career, what would you tell expect from the New Yorkers? yourself? As an example: “After a party I would look me dead in the eyes and recently these girls tied Theo up in say “SLOW DOWN, BOY”. the hotel room and were rubbing pizza on his balls. It was the Mani plays a DJ Set at Supersonic at craziest shit I’ve ever seen.” Rockschool, Saturday 6. Michael Patrick (as Designer Drugs) Bass in yer face Mani’s also got decks plays Volar on Fri 5.

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