On February 5th Erol Alkan came to Homo Electric. I think this was the first time the club night was on a Saturday. Wild times all round!

This photo is by Malc Stone and was taken from the Homo Electric Facebook page.

Homo Electric Head Honcho Luke Unabomber with Lisa Stannard.

This photo is by Malc Stone and was taken from the Homo Electric Facebook page.

A short piece by Luke on his life in Manchester taken from the Un-Convention website:

"I arrived in Manchester in 1986 to attend Manchester Poly where I met Justin who had arrived the year before. We both loved music. Justin started a band The New Fast Automatic Daffodils, and I started DJing. We decided to start Electric Chair as an antidote to Manchester’s descent into violence and commercialism. It began in June 1995 and wanted to fill it with good positive people who loved music. Electric Chair received international status with accolades from the likes of Laurent Garnier, calling it one of the top 5 club experiences he’d ever had. The club was voted best UK club from Radio 1 by Gilles Peterson, name checking its legendary atmosphere and the list of international talent that graced the decks.

The Electric Chair logo is now featured in the permanent art display in Manchester Art Gallery as one of Manchester’s unique institutions and as pavement installation on Oldham St. I DJed as one half of The Unabombers who went on to DJ across the world touring America, Japan, Australia, Europe, Russia, as well as the major UK festivals from Glastonbury to The Big Chill. We are producers and make our own music as The Unabombers and Elektrons, whose track ‘Dirty Basement’ went to number 1 in South Africa and we toured the UK as a live act. In addition, we started an international festival in 2008 in Croatia, which has been running for three years called Electric Elephant. We also started a club called Homoelectric, which is still running to this day as an alternative to the mainstream village club experience. Last year one of our oldest dreams became a reality with opening of Electrik bar in Chorlton."

This was a special Homo Electric because promoters Luke Unabomber and Owain Richards decided to invite all the former residents back for one night only. Current residents and the delightful Danielle Moore of Crazy P also played.

Have a good read of Luke's brilliant diatribe on the flyer:

‘The Gym is the coffin’

'There is more to Manchester’s gay scene than Hazel Dean and orange faced queens listening to generic Gay Beige Anthems Vol. 726.'


Special Guests:
The Lovely Jonjo [Hot Boy Dancing Spot / Durrr / Trash]
Danielle Moore (Crazy P)

Returning Residents:
Philippa Jarman [Co-Owner of Piccadilly Records]
Kath McDermott [Flesh / Paradise Factory]
Mister Morgan [The man machine behind Electric Chair / Electric Elephant Festival / Harter Street Lounge]
Kev of The Beards [music maker and lover of all things hirsute and unwholesome]
Ryan Minchin [Dee Dee Bators]

Reigning Residents:
Master Jamie Bull
Sir William of Tramp!
Trash-O-Rama (The Duke & Duchess of Trash) (read less)

Taken from the Tranarchy website:

"Tranarchy is a drag / party / performance / music collective of trannies and show offs; switchblade sisters ready to make over Manchester.

We throw parties to dress to distress for. We're Performers, DJs, Musicians, Film Makers, Misfits & Party Monsters and we want you you to join our gang!

Be yourself and then times it by a 1000. Got a hump? Throw glitter on it and come dancing!

We've already thrown some legendary parties with some up and coming legendary children, Vogue Brawl, Jilted Joyce's Gypsy Wedding, Dirty Minds, Tranarchy Does Showgirls and Zombie Pride!"

Flyer for Mardis Gras 2011 - Alternative Pride Weekend. The demand for alternative club nights and activities to those provided at Pride has grown year on year.

Pete Shelley gave 'The New Gay' ten minutes of his time to discuss punk rock, gay sex and the evolution of his electronic sound. Check it out!

Photo of one of Manchester's fiercest queen's, Zsa Zsa Noir, by Malc Stone. Malc has been documenting Manchester's alt-queer scene to devastating effect for a number of years now.

Off with their Heads and Club Brenda present a Pussy Riot fundraiser at Kraak.

Kraak club space and gallery was created Jayne Compton after her departure from Islington Mill.

Friday 2nd November 2012: the final HomoElectric at Legends. The venue, which has housed The Twisted Wheel, Placemate 7, Rockies and The State, closed its doors for good on 31st Dec 2012 and has now been demolished.

Late period video of (hooker), Manchester's all-grrrl post-punk band trio. They have now changed their name to Lines.

"(hooker) have an impressive CV, playing with Interpol, Television, The Slits, Le Tigre, 50 Foot Wave (Kristin Hersh, Throwing Muses) and touring with Gossip and Katastrophy Wife. They have toured Germany and played gigs in Spain, France and Holland.

With comparisons to QOTSA, Sleater Kinney, Siouxsie and the Banshees, PJ Harvey and Joy Division, (hooker) is a band to be seen. They have so much energy and passion and play every song like it’s their last day on earth."

© Ajah UK 2013 All rights reserved

'Don't step on my shoe' by Ajah UK.

Raah what the raas, you can't step on my shoe and just paass...

From the album "Money ain't your friend"


" In a market where hip-hop can flirt with misogyny and the ego can take precedent over the music, Ajah-UK are a real breath of fresh air." Manchester Evening News

"Independent & Epic - Political & Moving..."

Together, front women Sam Acquaah and Jaheda, guitarist Lou Anderson, bassist Sarah Kerton & drummer Sophie Wozencraft form Ajah UK, an unsigned, independent and unique Hip-Hop/Rock act. The absence of a record label/manager, however, hasn't stopped this band of fierce women making a name for themselves across the UK and beyond.

Ajah UK don't conform to the hetero-normative perceptions of women and take pride in this. Music gives each band member a voice and path to freedom and together as Ajah UK they will walk that path beyond all boundaries and limitations. What constitutes their live performances, therefore, is an epic and intense collaboration of words, music and entertainment that cuts the bullshit and represents everything they stand for as musicians and women.

Ajah-UK’s debut album ‘Money Ain’t Your Friend’ is an album from the heart. It tells stories of poverty, celebration of female strength & the love/heartache that comes with being a woman and a human being who loves.

This is the Ewan Pearson mix Out Cold's 'All I Want', and a bit of a favourite of mine.

Cherry Ghost mainstay Simon Aldred's described his 2013 album 'Invasion of Love', which was released under the name Out Cold, as '...mostly about embracing relationships and love, with a longing that's now tinged with reality, of being gay and singing from that perspective.'

Video celebrating the Paradise Factory 20th re-union.

PAs were from Sybil and Silver City.

Fantastic flyer for Drunk at Vogue, 'the night that mixes Manchester cheek with Manhattan chic.'

Vocals: Sam Acquaah & Jaheda
Guitar: Lou Anderson
Bass: Sarah Kerton
Drums: Sophie Wozencraft

"In a market where hip-hop can flirt with misogyny and the ego can take precedent over the music, Ajah-UK are a real breath of fresh air." Manchester Evening News

"Independent & Epic - Political & Moving..."

Together, front women Sam Acquaah and Jaheda, guitarist Lou Anderson, bassist Sarah Kerton & drummer Sophie Wozencraft form Ajah UK, an unsigned, independent and unique Hip-Hop/Rock act. The absence of a record label/manager, however, hasn't stopped this band of fierce women making a name for themselves across the UK and beyond.

Ajah UK don't conform to the hetero-normative perceptions of women and take pride in this. Music gives each band member a voice and path to freedom and together as Ajah UK they will walk that path beyond all boundaries and limitations. What constitutes their live performances, therefore, is an epic and intense collaboration of words, music and entertainment that cuts the bullshit and represents everything they stand for as musicians and women.

Ajah-UK’s debut album ‘Money Ain’t Your Friend’ is an album from the heart. It tells stories of poverty, celebration of female strength & the love/heartache that comes with being a woman and a human being who loves.

A great crowd shot of the Homo Electric crowd by LJK Photography.

This was a bank holiday one-off at FAC 251 The Factory.

Tranarchy was a DJ/performance art collective that threw some outrageous parties in recent years. They have now moved on to other things and this was their last big showdown.

At the time they described themselves as:

'a drag / party / performance / music collective of trannies and show offs; switchblade sisters ready to make over Manchester.'

At this Hallowe'en bash Liverpool band ZOMBINA AND THE SKELETONES played, mixing garage punk, 60s girl groups and surfabilly.

Signing off on Facebook, they said:

'A few months ago we decided that Zombie Pride would be our last party. We're very proud of what we have achieved, we've thrown some legendary parties and are responsible for kickstarting the alt drag scene in Manchester. We feel though now it's our time to move on and do our own things for a while. We'd like to thank those who have supported and partied with us over the years we've had a ball. So many people made Tranarchy great and made Tranarchy mean something. If you would like to pay your respects in the comments below please do.'

The line-up for this year's Ladyfest at Islington Mill, featuring the amazing Ajah UK and Factoy Acts.