Anyone who knows me now may be shocked and amused to discover that in my youth I was a closet goth. I say closet, it was actually a wardrobe – I was an ugly child with terrible dress sense and my parents thought it best to keep me out of sight for my own safety. On the rare occasion I wasn’t locked inside furniture I was out moping around the graveyards of Bolton drinking cheap cider and listening to Marilyn Manson. Ok so I was pretty goth-lite – more of a teeny bopper emo idiot truth be told, with ridiculously baggy ‘pants’ and key chain *shudder*. There was definitely no aesthetic behind what I was doing, no literary influence or artistic impetus; it was more about trying to ‘be different’ and get laid (natch) at Sixth Form. Since reaching the very mature age of thirty however I’ve realised that I can still be a morbid sod without wearing black (which, quite frankly, is NOT my colour) and instead listen to Smiths/ Manic Street Preachers records in my hipster jumper and bed socks. Ahh middle aged angst!
But I digress… I first attended the Wendy House as a pimply-faced member of Leeds University Rock Soc when many of my nights were spent warming up (or cooling down) in the Fenton with the rest of Leeds’ (dis)possessed. Since then I haven’t exactly been a regular but I’ve lived in the city long enough to darken its door on a number of occasions. So in preparation for Halloween and all its gloriously gothic goings-on I got in touch with DJs Nik and Gill to ask how the Wendy House has morphed into the behemoth that it is today and press for a few tips on how to dress to impress (goth style):
*Hey! Can you give us an idea of how the club night started, what your involvement is and how it has changed over the years?
Nik: WH started after Dj Glenn and I left the old goth society. Dj Susie booked a room and asked us to help out. Glenn and I had wanted to do a club night so we jumped at the chance. The first night was a huge success and it took off from there. We never expected it to become the monster it is today.
Gill: I knew the three DJs from Leeds University as I’d started djing as part of the Rock and Goth societies and also at the legendary club, the Phono. I’d done a few nights as guest in the Mutate room which caters to the harder side of electronic music – playing EBM, Industrial, Synthpop, Techno and others. It’s been 8 years since being asked to be resident at Mutate and I’ve seen the night evolve a lot over time, both in music and in fashion. But one thing remains constant – the desire for everyone to enjoy themselves and have a party.
* Do you think WH offers something unique as a club night?
Nik: People really make a night out of it; they dress up and look brilliant. If a song comes on that people love, they cheer! We’ve always tried to keep the music alternative and fun, and then drop in the odd surprise to spice things up a bit. Where else will you hear NIN, Cameo, Blink 182, Pantera, Adam Ant, NWA and Britney Spears?
*Given that it has been running for 13 (thirteen!) years, what do you put its continued popularity down to?
Nik: The night has always had a party atmosphere. Plus we try to move with the music and crowd. 13 years ago the playlist was very different to what it is now but most of the tunes are well known alternative classics. People love to dress up for it and feel comfortable doing so. I put it down to that.
* WH is a major monthly event not just in Leeds but the Northern goth/industrial/alternative scene – how far afield do people travel to come? Have you been to any other regional events that compare to WH?
Gill: We have people coming from all over the UK to the night – mostly the North and the Midlands; but people have come from the West Country, the south and London as well. Wendyhouse is well known outside the UK also. We’re a well-established night with a big reputation and it’s an honour to be part of it. I’ve had the privilege of DJing at Infest and Whitby Goth Weekend and have attended both on many occasions. Resistanz Festival in Sheffield, which started this year, was a welcome addition to the fold and we often promote with each other. One of the best things about being involved in this scene is the passion that the promoters, bands, DJs and punters have and it’s a really special thing to be involved in.
* Gill, I know you like shoes and handbags… is dressing up part of the WH experience and what is your favourite outfit?! Any tips?
Gill: I love dressing up – I’d say it’s a huge part of the WH experience. Our themes are very popular – my favourite was probably the post-apocalypse one. We’ve seen some brilliant costumes over the years, a tribe of Britney Spears, Dangermouse, Ghostbusters, the Spanish Inquisition… This month’s theme is “Legendary” so I am really looking forward to seeing people’s costumes.
A typical outfit for Wendyhouse for me would be a black shirt/top, a corset (one of many) and a short tulle skirt – I have many skirts in various fabrics including: camouflage, pinstripe, polka dot and day of the dead. I’m a big fan of hats and fascinators – especially those made by Pearls and Swine – though some can get in the way whilst you’re DJing so I can’t wear anything which might get wrecked by my headphones!
You can change a look by adding the right accessories – I have lots of different hair pieces, shoes and jewellery. My favourite accessory is my telephone handbag – which is now sadly a bit too tatty to take out – that has a phone handset attached to it and it’s great as you can get some very funny pictures of people “talking” on the phone. I also love shoes – the bigger the better. I love T.U.K – they do some really unique styles and are very comfortable despite the 5″ heels and I can dance and DJ all night in them – and Demonia too.
The Wendy House is being held this Saturday 15th October at Stylus in Leeds University. Tickets are £5 on the door. http://www.thewendyhouse.org/