Back to Basics
It has been eighteen disgraceful years since Basics was born. Now the longest running weekly club night in the world, it is a fully fledged teenager itself as it comes of age and gets the key to the door. Clubland, as it’s now known, has been inflicted by this rowdy and voracious band of merry pranksters partying like no others before them, Basics are probably the first and last gang in town that have stuck to their original script and tattooed their multi – coloured slogans onto the psyches of the club going masses. ‘Fuck Forever”, “Excess all areas’ and ‘Two Steps Further Than Any Other Fucker!’ instantly spring to mind. Dave Beer & Alistair Cooke (who sadly is no longer with us due to a tragic car accident, which Dave narrowly survived on the way to a gig in Glasgow in 1993) came straight out of Wakefield with attitude and timing which was perfect. Along with a number of other reprobates, they knew that Leeds needed a proverbial kick up its white glove and whistle blowing arse. This (un)cultural revolution was spawned at a seedy three story gay club situated literally at the ‘bottom’ end of Leeds - one floor, two DJs - Ali and Ralph Lawson, three banners and a load of camouflage netting. The club has continued and has always prided itself at the forefront of cutting edge dance music, seeking out new talent and bringing it to the fore. It has been responsible for helping spawn the careers of thousands of wannabe DJ’s and dance acts alike, including the likes of now household names such as Paul Oakenfold, Sasha, Daft Punk, Basement Jaxx, and many many more. Dave spent a considerable amount of his time in the early 90s in America looking for talent in such notorious clubs as The Sound Factory, Save the Robots and seedy gay clubs like Jackie 60 looking for anything to bring back over to the UK. Despite inspiration he brought over such talents as Francois K, Danny Tenaglia, Frankie Knuckles, Doc Martin, Josh Wink and Derrick Carter. All who made their debut appearances in England at Back to Basics. Over the years ‘Basics’ has taken its unique blend of mayhem and organised chaos to the four corners of the earth with its faithful resident DJs - touching the hearts and souls of the dance floors and everyone they meet along the way. Mention the name Back to Basics anywhere on the planet and somebody will have a story to tell about these lovable dance anarchists.

it’s always about the party and not to be taken too seriously but to be taken very seriously.
‘Basics’ is stronger than ever, it is now an institution - pretence and mediocrity are still banished from ever stepping foot inside its doors.
The King Is Dead, Long Live Back To Basics! 1991 – 2009.

Written by Dave Beer (Back 2 Basics)