Digital, 8th November 2008

Have you ever inserted a tube of Mentos into a bottle of Diet Coke? The resulting chemical reaction is a little bit like watching Filthy Dukes live: explosive, effervescent and you’ll want it to start over again as soon as it’s come to an end. They incorporate a variety of instruments into their set, including vintage Moogs, electric percussion, full drum kit and guitars. Filthy Dukes’ forthcoming album has a different vocalist on almost every track, but Tim Lawton’s vocals more than amply fill their assorted guests’ shoes. Their synth-filled hooks (especially during “Poison The Ivy”) are reminiscent of the Cult, or even the Cure, (if they decided to lighten up and get some 303s), and are underpinned by rollicking beats. By the close of debut single, “Tupac Robot Club Rock”, Digital was pogo-ing. This was zinging, fizzy pop, and if tonight’s performance is anything to go by, 2009 might well be Filthy Dukes’ year.

Next up is Erol Alkan, and I’m secretly rooting for him tonight. At Creamfields in 2002, riding the first wave of Electroclash, I fell in love with his heady mix of full-on techno, cut and paste pop, (he is the godfather of the mash-up genre), and frenetic beats. It was a requited love, where he always understood us and teased us, but would always eventually give us, the kids, what we wanted. “Erol…”, as the tagline on his own-brand t-shirts run, “…keeps the kids dancing”.

Back in April this year I had a date with Erol for Wax:On at Digital. It was full-throttle and relentless, but ultimately a soulless affair; Erol had stopped trying. I missed his inventiveness and eclecticism, the melodic foil with which to bounce the beats off. However, Digital welcomed him back tonight with open arms, and we were duly rewarded. It was a perfectly timed set that didn’t let up, but still had a heart. This time there was real definition between the driving bassline and the anthemic melodies, with Erol playfully flipping from Muse to MGMT. The assembled sweaty masses chanted his name, fists punching the air. He was shamelessly flirting with us now, culminating at the 3am peak of his set, where he cut the sound completely, just at the precipice of an almighty breakdown, and dropped 10cc’s “I’m Not In Love” – original and uncut. The fists in the air were swapped for lighters.
Three hours later, I was bouncing around the kitchen to the beats indelibly etched in my head. Our love affair was rekindled, and my Erol certainly lived up to his promise to keep the kids dancing. 

Words by Helen Bosher
Photography by Sam Hiscox