We meet the man behind one of London’s best-loved club night!
We all know Horse Meat Disco! It’s like a warm, poppers-infused mug of Sunday night tea to ease you gently to the end of the week. Or, actually, send you rocketing headfirst into the week with madcap disco and unapologetic insanity.
It’s got that rare formula – great music, lovely vibes and a loyal crowd. Now they’re celebrating their thirteenth birthday this Sunday at their home, Eagle! We spoke to Jim Stanton all about thirteen glorious years of horsey fun!
Hey Jim! We love Horse Meat Disco. Give us a bit of history on it.
It began about fifteen years ago as a joint appreciation of disco music between me and my pal, and co-promoter, James Hillard. We felt a bit depressed by the scene at the time really. We started the party so we could hear records we liked.
Have you ever ridden a horse?
No! I’d love to!
Have you ever eaten horse meat?
No. Absolutely no way.
If you could get ANY celebrity, living or dead, to host Horse Meat, who would it be?
Easy, it would be Larry Levan
It’s your 13th birthday! Do you think 13 is an unlucky number?
No it’s lucky!
Describe Horse Meat Disco in THIRTEEN WORDS.
Queer Music, freedom, expression. Always dedicated to the industry of human happiness.
What’s been your fave Horse Meat Disco moment?
Too many and some too funny. Perhaps our first party at Eagle (formerly Dukes) on New Years day when now resident Luke Howard played Kate Bush ‘Running Up That Hill’ Most queens couldn’t believe it. Gay hysteria ensued! it was a real acid house moment! It kind of set the whole tone and identity of the club right there. Never looked back! That or when around the same time, someone sat on the smoke machine button and as it was a new venue to us nobody knew where it was! Plumes of smoke, the bar staff couldn’t see anything it was hysterical.
We love the logo! Who came up with that?
Our very clever designer Adrian Fillary, who’s been with us through and through with his unique vision.
We hear you played the now closed Space Ibiza! How was that?
I like Space, but not to DJ as it’s not quite disco enough.
What track would you NEVER play?
Gary Glitter ROCK N ROLL. I loved that record and used to play it occasionally, Obviously no more.
Which famous faces have shown up at Horse Meat Disco?
Oh, no namedropping. In DJ terms we’ve had the best drop in – Tenaglia, Kenny Dope, Morales plus a never ending stream of curious TV presenters and chart stars!
What are you doing to celebrate your thirteenth?
Everyone is getting the bumps! Burgers bubbles, poppers… More Disco always disco and one of our favourite guests also there from the get go, Maurice Fulton.
Give us a parting shot! What’s the best thing about Horse Meat?
It’s the family feel between us all; the DJs, the incredible staff, the amazing crowd, the dancers. A special mention to Mark Oakley, the top cat at Eagle London. Again so supportive and a real fan (both ways) he’s been behind us with support all the way though. I couldn’t ask for more…it’s a dream!
• Horse Meat Disco’s 13th Birthday Party is on Sunday 16th October at Eagle London, 349 Kennington Lane, SE11 5QY. 8pm – 3am.
