Joyce brings Therapy to Brickhouse
Mike Joyce
TO a new generation of Manchester clubbers The Brickhouse probably doesn’t mean very much tucked away as it is in an archway down the less than glamorous end of Whitworth Street West.
A self-contained space with inward looking indie nights that rarely evolved it has become an institution over the years, Because Manchester has an ever evolving club scene however that’s not always such a good thing.
Nonetheless all that is about to change with the introduction of a new club night called Alternative Therapy helmed on a weekly basis by none other than Mike Joyce radio DJ and formerly drummer with The Smiths whose set to bring a long overdue recognition to the forgotten space.
“I love the venue,” he tells City Life, “because it’s so compact and intimate. When the idea of a residency was suggested to me after I left The Revolution radio station in Oldham I was initially unsure but gradually came to really like the idea.
"When you’re guesting at someone else’s club you feel obliged to give more of the same when you’re headlining.
Residency
"With a weekly residency you can really explore the music you want to explore and set the agenda for the whole night which suddenly makes the whole thing rather appealing.”
Anyone who listened to Mike Joyce’s show on The Revolution before the station was taken over and most of the interesting shows dropped in favour of a new aggressively inoffensive music policy will know that, though listening figures were admittedly painfully low, there was an attitude at work that gave the station a reputation of being a more Manc Xfm.
On his show Mike explored music from a democratic perspective playing artists that listeners requested often opting for more interesting tracks and/ or versions than the usual well-trodden path.
“I love tracks like 'Lust for Life’ and ‘The Pasenger’ by Iggy Pop,” he says, “but don’t you think it’s time we all gave them a rest for a while.
"It’s not like they’re the only great tracks that Iggy or The stooges made. Part of the pleasure of the radio show and now the club night is discovering and playing the more hidden gems by classic bands.
"Think of all the great songs by bands like Magazine, Blondie, A Certain Ratio and World of Twist. I love these bands but won’t be playing the obvious ones all the time.
One-upmanship
“Having said that the night is not about one-upmanship,” he continues, “ because at the end of the day it’s a Friday night out and it needs to be fun.
"I figure though that if people come down and they don’t like a song it doesn’t matter because there will be another one along in about four minutes time.”
Mike’s musical career of course puts him in good stead for the night to take off and that’s no doubt something The Brickhouse will be counting on to inject new life into the old venue.
Being the drummer in one of the city’s most cherished ever bands, a respected radio DJ fresh from a much loved radio station and having a contemporary role drumming for Manchester band Autokat should make The Brickhouse heave once again.
And in true radio DJ style Mike will be taking requests but you’d be best to make suggestions via his Facebook page rather than on the night. You can even request Smiths records though he might choose to play something a little off the beaten track, such is his agenda.
Alternative Therapy launches Friday night at The Brickhouse.
Published: Thu, 20 November, 2008
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