CityLife

The last Electric Chair of 2001

The Music Box, December 29.

Like mince pie overkill, the grating tones of Roy Wood and Noddy Holder and your best intententions of giving up the demon weed being waylaid, December's Electric Chair has become a regular addition to silly season essentials.

Traditionally held on the last Saturday of each month, organisers Electrics see little point in moving the consistently sold out soiree for the sake of New Years Eve and in fact, point out there's many a good reason for keeping it where it is. There'll be no pressure on the crowd or DJs to produce some overwhelming, unobtainable, momentous occasion (as it stands, the music and atmosphere at this night have a tendency of doing that on most occurancies); and there'll be a few thousand people less to compete with for an overpriced taxi once the club finishes.

Among other former guests, UK dubbed-out disco dons, the Idjut Boys have celebrated the release of a third mix album recently and return to Manchester for the first time this year. Fingathing's Peter Parker has had a fair few cracks at the venue recently, playing the Chair and both Off The Tracks events in the last few months with each appearance garnering much reverence.

Similarly, Maurice Fulton's last appearance at Electric Chair has been widely regarded as one of the best nights the club has had this year, Luke Unabomber was so impressed he's hardly stopped going on about the guy. Maurice's recent 'Moo that Rocked the Electric Chair' single pays tribute to his fondly remembered time at the club. Also accompanying the residents will be vocals from Sheffield's Ladycop, whose 'To be Real' single is a club favourite and included on the Chair 2001 compilation.

Marc Rowlands