Slinky. Born in '97 and about to celebrate its 8th birthday in May, if you haven't heard of them yet then where the hell have you been?
Created by a local character by the name of Richard Carr, Slinky was renowned for it's Trance and Hard House, regularly hosting tents at Homelands and booking artists that are the superstars of today - Judge Jules, Seb Fontaine, John Kelly, Sonique and Tall Paul - at their home The Opera House in Bournemouth. They also held large one off events at the Bournemouth International Centre A.K.A BIC where it was reported tickets were being sold outside by touts for as much as 100! They were the first brand to take on the NEC hosting an event in one arena back in the late 90's.
3 years after Richard started the phenomenon he sold Slinky to Future 300 Plc so he could move into the hotel industry and further his interest in the bar culture.
Slinky now has regular collaborations with Passion, Wildchild, Slammin Vinyl, Hardcore Heaven and even Hed Kandi events and has a regular spot at The Versus Festival on the South Coast. Their tours reach areas all over the UK and as far as the Liquid rooms in Singapore and the Embassy in Indonesia (to name a few).
We caught up with the dream team to find out more about the brand, their thoughts on the future and just how excited they are about Mayhem in Milton Keynes (MIMK) on 9th April.
CL: How many people do you have on the team running the Slinky brand?
Slinky: 8 full time
CL: Who would you say is the craziest in the team?
Slinky: No Comment!!
CL: You have been part of some huge collaboration's and have plenty more in store. Has any one collaboration stood out as your best to date and why?
Slinky: Its always good working with Sundissential, and young Reece at WiLDCHiLD is coming up well through the ranks
CL: Slinky have had such a huge success, how do you see the brand evolving in the future?
Slinky: More great nights and albums
CL: Last year we witnessed you hooking up with Slammin Vinyl to host some large events at Halloween and New Year with around 8500 clubbers, have you plans for more this year?
Slinky: Yes we're doing Shepton again on October 29th
CL: Your tours range from many areas in the UK like Sunderland, Newquay and Ipswich to 10 day stints in Australia. How would you compare the international scene to the UK?
Slinky: A lot more fun in the sun
CL: Which artists will be representing Slinky at MIMK?
Slinky: Mark EG and Lab 4
CL: Who are you looking forward to seeing most?
Slinky: Reece Elliot!
CL: Can you tell us the story about Dave Lee in Miami?
Slinky: Nothing that can be published!!
CL: What advice would you give to someone wanting to build their own brand and hold successful events?
Slinky: Be persistent and thorough!
CL: And finally if I offered you something to nibble on during the WiLDCHiLD parade, which would you choose
- a) a juicy strawberry
- b) a chewing gum
- c) a Harribo
- d) the sexy young lass/guy stood next to me or e) the lot?
Slinky: It has to be D.
So there you have it, short and sweet. Catch the Slinky team at Mayhem in Milton Keynes on Saturday 9th April at The Empire/Leisure Complex.
