CityLife

Scary Monsters and pop legends

SCARY MONSTERS: New Romantic heroes

THERE’S a David Bowie connection running through Scary Monsters.

Not only is it named after the follow-up to The Thin White Duke’s Berlin trilogy, but founder Grantonio CanDareUs once told CityLife that he’d been transported to Manchester from another time, in the style of television’s popular John Simm vehicle Life On Mars, which is named after...

And with that tenuous link out of the way, let’s have a little chat with the club’s founder to uncover a bit more about the night and what revellers who turn up can expect to encounter. As long as they’re not wearing baseball caps... 
 
Please describe the process by which Scary Monsters came about in no more than five steps.

1) I'm in town.
2) I'm bored.
3) I realise that I have more 80s New Romantic records than I know what to do with.
4) I suddenly think of something to do with them.
5) Tiger Lounge is the only bar in Manchester with the guts to try something different.

Very succinct. Are all of your records from the 80s? Do you see anything of the New Romantic influence in today's bands?

La Roux is good. Empire of the Sun look the part. They clearly know how to make a stand (and deliver!). There is also this new band that are getting together to tour. They're called Spandau Ballet. They look good.

We’ll keep an eye out for them. What is the best thing about your club?

Brilliant 80s records that are never played anywhere else in Manchester. I never tire of the odd OMD B-side. Oh, and all of the music is on vinyl. Expect a few jumps here and there.

You staged a Pet Shop Boys special when the Being Boring popstars played in town. Do you have any more events like that one planned?

Any time that a big act from that era plays in town, you can expect Scary Monsters to pay homage to them. I can't wait for a Depeche Mode night.

What item would you ban from all clubs?

My friend, Sophie tells me that observing punters that lack sartorial wit is an essential part of clubbing. She's right, but the clientele at Scary Monsters are always so brilliantly dressed.

What sort of crowd do you get at Scary Monsters?

I have the strangest demographic who come to my night: goths, gays, freaks, uniques, youngsters who are just discovering the music, the older crowd who remember it the first time round. It must be something about Wednesday nights.

If Scary Monsters was an item of clothing what would it be?

A marching band jacket or a dandy frilly shirt. Imagine John Galliano on acid.

So, not a baseball cap then?

I would never let anyone wearing a baseball cap into Scary Monsters.

What is the best night out you've ever had?

My cousin and I met Chesney Hawkes one night at the Comedy Store. Yes, Chesney Hawkes, the one and only...

UPDATE! Scary Monsters might be switching to weekends at Tiger Lounge. Stay tuned to this site for the latest.