MIXTAPE

WORDS: KRISTIAN ATKINSON

I’m Kristian Atkinson a DJ/promoter (Screenage Kicks, Jukebox, Dragnet, theCUT) I own the bar ZEROX, which is currently closed – we’ll be back open soon! I currently have a radio show called ZEROXY MUSIC on brilliant new station Slack’s Radio. While ZEROX is closed we thought that we’d have a summer party and do a pop-up event at Anarchy Brewery on Saturday 7th August, pulling together some of our favourite bands from the region. There’s so much great music coming out of the North East and for this party we’ve put together a bill with four truly ace bands: Jango Flash, Witness Protection Programme, No Teeth and special guests A Totally Chaotic Fucked Up Mess Of A Family who many or may not be one of the most beloved Newcastle bands hitting the stage under another name. This Mixtape features a selection of tracks linked to ZEROX itself. www.facebook.com/zeroxbarnewcastle

WAS NOT WAS - WHEEL ME OUT (LONG VERSION)

At it’s core ZEROX was born as a space to indulge in our twin passions of disco and punk. For years people tried to set these two revolutionary music genres up as opposites, but we see kindred spirit in both; we love high energy, we love dancing and we love substance. The ZE in the name ZEROX comes from our love of 80s punk funk/mutant disco record label Ze Records, one of the first to mix up punk and disco in equal measure, blowing apart preconceptions and blowing minds. This is a Ze Records classic.

CRACK CLOUD - FAVOUR YOUR FORTUNE

Another great band that we got to see live because Wandering Oak brought them to the City. What a band! Their latest album is an essential slice of modern post-punk brilliance.

ROXY MUSIC - PYJAMARAMA

The ROX in ZEROX comes from our lifelong love of Roxy Music, one of the few truly majestic bands who made it big with regional members. Pyjamarama isn’t the most disco or dancefloor friendly of their anthems, and it’s not the most rocking either, but it is a perfect record – it’s sad and joyful and pop and avant-garde all at once. This band may well be the greatest band that Britain ever produced.

YOUNG FATHERS - TOY

Young Fathers are just the most incredible band, it astounds me that they’re not massive – they’re phenomenal and should be more loved. They’re truly punk in outlook, and they absolutely obliterate genres and stereotypes. They came down to party with us after their mind boggling gig at The Boiler Shop and one of the things I’m most excited about when normal life resumes is seeing them live again – they made me feel alive in the most profound way and somehow they’re way more powerful live than on record.

VIAGRA BOYS - JUST LIKE YOU

Thanks to wonderful Newcastle promoters Wandering Oak I got to see the life affirming Viagra Boys play a roof-raising gig at The Cluny. We threw an after party in celebration with the band in ZEROX, which turned out to be one of our favourite sessions in the bar. This track reminds me of that night, it’s just such a killer track. I can’t wait to see them play this live again.

THE ORIELLES - SUGAR TASTES LIKE SALT (ANDREW WEATHERALL MIX)

The Orielles make lovely music that somehow mixes post-punk funk with a bewitching jangling indie pop. We love them, and they took the roof off ZEROX when they DJ’d for us. This is a killer remix by the legendary Andrew Weatherall who sadly passed away during lockdown.

BLÓM - GOD

A Newcastle band that I adore, this is from their album Flower Violence. I hammered the vinyl of it during lockdown, it’s noisy, powerful, aggressive, affecting and beautiful. Plus they always take the roof off when DJing ZEROX after gigs.